Join Lindsay for the primer series on Mormon Polygamy that will begin with the wives of Joseph Smith and eventually broaden to contemporary strains of the practice today. This episode deals with Joseph’s first plural wife, Fanny Alger.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Links and text mentioned and read in this podcast:
- Read the text of the post here.
- Buy the reading guide here.
- In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith by Todd Compton (Salt Lake City: Signature Books)
- “Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report” by George Smith
Thank you for doing this!
Kudos to you for doing this. I started trying to review each of the wives of Joseph Smith on my blog, but I gave up because it is such a huge and emotional project. Thanks for working to educate us all.
I love this series. I once had a Young Men’s leader mention that there were accusations that Joseph practiced polygamy but as I recall he kind of blew them off. I never really learned about these marriages until well into my adulthood. Thank you for getting the information out there for our knowledge and betterment.
Good work, thank you. I only have one small clarification that is sometimes forgotten (not made clear in ISL). Fanny was taken in by Chauncey & Eliza Webb after leaving the Smith home, that is not contested as far as I know. The account of their daughter Ann Eliza is obviously 2nd hand, because Ann was born in September 1844 after Joseph was killed. I don’t think that discredits the account, her family was close to the situation, but I think knowing the context of the voice is important.
I’ve listened to everything from Fanny Young up to the most current. I’m now going back to the beginning and I LOVE IT! Thank you for these. I can’t get enough.
I’m about 122 episodes late to the party it seems, but I’m so glad this is here and you’re doing this. After working through those recent essays (still working – it’s a lot to take in that I was not aware of), I just can’t wave my hand and ignore the subject any more. It’s not pleasant or easy, but it’s important.
As far as Fanny Alger goes, it’s kind of shame Arthur Miller’s The Crucible was not yet written. It may have been instructive in this situation! Though whether that’s for Fanny Alger or Joseph Smith I don’t know!
I do not understand how this helps you. I do see how this tears others down.
Thank you for doing this. Lately it has really been bothering me that the church has stood by Joseph’s polygamy as being from God. It is so clear to me that the way polygamy was practiced was abusive and sexist. I wish the church would at least admit that the way it was implemented was not from God.
I believe as everyone else above except Todd, no-one is being torn down, truth is being acknowledged and that is important. It was not for Joseph to pray oran answer to pural marriage, certainly if heprayd to Go, no positive answer could come from that quarter. To say it did, then to go back and ask God how he should treat Ema, then once again return with a threathing note from God, is nonsense, Joseph had no right to have 33 wives, and ossibly 40 wives, no good can come of lust, or coveting his neighbors wives, or their children. When he was criticized, as he should have been, he approved the attack on the printers shop, and it was burned to the ground. Saints do not do these things, and though forgiviness may beok, acceptance cannot. As I read more and more about Joseph, I believe he was changing fro a saint, to a small mean man, assured by his own wealth and power over others.
Definitely never been a saint but a fraudulent money digger..
Thanks for your work.
Anyone know any fundamentalist in Cardston Alberta? Let me know…
It would be easier to ask if there are any that aren’t…cardston, magrath, raymond…
I am late to the party but this is very interesting. I am not LDS but I love history so thank you for this.
Let us not forget the Law of Adoption in the early leaders practice of plural marriage. Still members who do not know of it, are poorly read in my opinion. Interest and a quest for understanding has never faded and so it remains as a hot topic of discussion, especially by those who know so little
Also celestial marriage, the Patriarchal Order of marriage and plural marriage were all considered equivalent usage..
The LDS church claims that polygamy is no longer practiced, yet men are sealed to multiple women. I have a friend who recently told me she hoped her deceased husband would not have another wife before she joined him. Why are women still burdened with such thoughts?
Hmm..just because the LDS church claims that polygamy is no longer practiced, doesn’t remove or modify section 132 from the D&C. It may not be practiced, but it is still believed and it is still part of their scriptures. On a side note, men can still be sealed to more than 1 woman, although they have to be either divorced from their wife or the wife has to be deceased. So, in a sense, it’s still practiced…although slightly modified. Good podcast thank you!
Hi and thank you, is there a quick and easy way to get or find your foot notes, to substantiate these facts. I feel I need to back this up when I discuss this with others- thank you, Laurel James
Thank you for doing this, Lindsay! Polygamy has bothered me since I first heard about it when I was 10 years old at the public library doing family history work on microfilm. I thought the marriage dates were wrong when I saw an ancestor with 3 wives, so I found out about polygamy for the 1st time from the librarian at 10 years of age! It has been a trial for me for 47 years. I read Todd Compton’s book and Carol Lynn Pearson’s book The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy last year..
If one really sits and reads the latter parts of D&C it does not seem inspired. I also find it interesting that the leaders of OUR church lay on guilt. I also find it curious that so many controversies were buried and hidden like a dirty sin. Then the church leaders give an approved history and version. Here is the greatest issue. The “Mormon” church is at odds with the Church of Jesus Christ. No way Brigham was an inspired prophet. It seems he had Jesuit ties. I simply struggle with polygamy, temple rituals, and the power the priesthoods give over other’s lives. If it is true, how would The Lord feel about all of the “disputations” and controversies surrounding His church and those that “restored” it?
I and my pals were checking the nice secrets and techniques located on your site while at once developed a horrible suspicion I never expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. These boys came as a consequence stimulated to learn them and already have certainly been enjoying these things. Appreciation for indeed being indeed thoughtful and for figuring out these kinds of great tips millions of individuals are really desperate to understand about. My honest regret for not saying thanks to earlier.
Great post, I conceive people should larn a lot from this web blog its rattling user pleasant.
hello https://www.wooricasinokorea.com 강원랜드카지노
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a really good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the most useful websites on the web. I most certainly will highly recommend this blog!
Good article! We are linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information.
Do you believe past life regression? Do you think is reincarnation real?
I was very pleased to discover this web site. I want to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every part of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new things on your site.
I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!! I certainly loved every little bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new things you post…
Very good post. I certainly appreciate this site. Keep it up!
I have mastered some important things through your site post. One other point I would like to convey is that there are plenty of games that you can buy which are designed specifically for toddler age little ones. They include pattern acknowledgement, colors, pets, and forms. These usually focus on familiarization rather than memorization. This makes little children occupied without sensing like they are learning. Thanks
This web site truly has all of the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Excellent site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the internet. I most certainly will recommend this website!
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent website. Plenty of useful information here.
I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of both monitors and pcs. They specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Capacitive touch screen, Resistive touch screen, Industrial touch screen, IP65 touch screen, touchscreen monitors and integrated touchscreen PCs. Contact them at http://www.faytech.us, 121 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, +1 646 205 3214.
Somebody essentially help to make severely articles I’d state.
This is the first time I frequented your website page and thus
far? I surprised with the analysis you made to create this particular publish amazing.
Great job!
I quite like reading through an article that can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment.
I really like looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now 😉
Incredible points. Sound arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your site in web explorer, could test this¡K IE still is the marketplace leader and a huge portion of other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.
Great information. Lucky me I came across your website by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later.
I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own site and would love to find out where you got this from or what the theme is called. Cheers!
I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
FreeSpinner will assist you keeping up with online competition.
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a material!
existing here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this in my hunt for something regarding this.
Pretty motivating suggestions that you have mentioned, warm regards for adding.
Very good info. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later.
Howdy! This article couldn’t be written much better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!
I like it when people get together and share ideas. Great blog, keep it up!
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my hunt for something relating to this.
I’m very pleased to uncover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to see new things on your blog.
That is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful blogs online. I’m going to highly recommend this website!
I blog often and I truly appreciate your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
Excellent article! We will be linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.