Church History Matters 017 Q&R! Tough Polygamy Questions with Dr. Brian Hales
25 snips
Jun 27, 2023 Dr. Brian Hales, an expert on polygamy and the history of Joseph Smith's plural marriages, discusses tough polygamy questions. He addresses Joseph Smith's regrets, denial of polygamy, marriage while men were away on missions, refusal of proposals, Emma's relationship to plural marriage, and the reasons behind its existence. The importance of unbiased historical analysis and debunking reductionist statements is emphasized. They also explore Joseph Smith's denials, approach to plural marriage, regrets, and the significance of keeping covenants.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Family History Sparks Research
- Brian Hales's interest in polygamy began when a family member joined a fundamentalist group.
- This led him to research the topic, resulting in several books on Joseph Smith's polygamy.
Contradictory Claims on Polygamy
- Previous authors portrayed Joseph Smith as having relations with legally married women, which is adultery according to scripture.
- This contradiction prompted Hales to investigate further, leading to his research on Joseph Smith's polygamy.
Reasons for Polygamy Denial
- Polygamy is a difficult topic for many, leading some to deny Joseph Smith's involvement.
- Hales suggests this denial stems from the practice's inherent complexities and the discomfort it evokes.