Polygamy Denial Debunked: A Look At The Primary Sources

What do the actual documents say about Nauvoo-era plural marriage? In this episode, we walk through the primary sources behind the claims—reading what was written, when, and by whom—so you can see the evidence for yourself without the noise.

 

In this video you’ll learn:

• What D&C 132 (July 12, 1843) says and how it surfaced

• Why William Clayton’s journal entry matters for dating and context

• How the Whitney letter (Aug 18, 1842) and related instructions fit the timeline

• What the Nauvoo High Council minutes and affidavits contribute

• How the Nauvoo Expositor became part of the public controversy

• How faithful historians weigh converging, independent sources

 

Why this matters:

Latter-day Saints and honest seekers deserve a source-based understanding—one that’s faithful and rigorous. We focus on documents, context, and methods, not internet rumors.

 

Sources & Further Reading (Primary + Faithful Scholarship)

 

Official overviews

• Gospel Topics Essay — Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo

• Scripture — Doctrine & Covenants 132 (Celestial Marriage):

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132

 

Key primary sources (Joseph Smith Papers)

• Revelation, 12 July 1843 (D&C 132) (text & images):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-12-july-1843-dc-132

• William Clayton journal (entry noting the 12 July 1843 revelation):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org

(Search: “William Clayton journal July 12 1843”)

• Letter to Newel K. Whitney, 18 Aug. 1842 (Joseph in hiding; private visit re: Sarah Ann Whitney):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-whitney-18-august-1842

• Revelation, 27 July 1842 (Whitney sealing instructions):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842

• Nauvoo High Council minutes (Hyrum reading the revelation; contemporary references):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org

(Search: “Nauvoo High Council minutes July–Aug 1843”)

• Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844 (includes affidavits; early public controversy):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-expositor-7-june-1844

• Affidavit of Austin Cowles (context for the High Council reading):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org

(Search: “Affidavit Austin Cowles June 1844”)

 

Witness & late reminiscence samplers

• Emma Smith—late statements on Nauvoo polygamy (compiled):

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org  (Search: “Emma Smith polygamy statements”)

• David Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ (full text scan):

https://archive.org/details/addresstoallbeli00whit

 

Faithful scholarship (accessible)

• Gerrit J. Dirkmaat & Michael H. MacKay, From Darkness unto Light (RSC):

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/darkness-unto-light

• Dirkmaat & MacKay, Let’s Talk about the Translation of the Book of Mormon (context for seer stones/translation):

https://www.deseretbook.com/product/P6012373.html

• Michael H. MacKay & Nicholas J. Frederick, Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones (RSC):

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/joseph-smiths-seer-stones

• Brian C. Hales—document archive on Joseph Smith’s polygamy:

https://MormonPolygamyDocuments.org

• Hales, “Joseph Smith: Monogamist or Polygamist?” (Interpreter):

https://interpreterfoundation.org/?s=Joseph+Smith+Monogamist+or+Polygamist

 

Context quick-reads

• Turley, Jensen & Ashurst-McGee, “Joseph the Seer” (Ensign, Oct 2015):

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/10/joseph-the-seer

• Saints, Vol. 1 — early Restoration narrative (free online):

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1

 

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#InformedSaints #JosephSmith #PluralMarriage #Nauvoo #LDSHistory #PrimarySources