Why LDS Polygamy and Joseph Smith Historian Left and Came Back to the LDS Church (Pt 2) | E0013
Sep 25, 2023
auto_awesome
Former historian of Joseph Smith and the LDS Church, Don Bradley, speaks about his journey of leaving and returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He discusses the complexity of Joseph Smith's motives in practicing polygamy and challenges assumptions about his sincerity. The chapter also explores various perspectives on people leaving the LDS Church and highlights the role of gratitude in rediscovering faith.
Joseph Smith's introduction of polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was driven by religious sincerity and a belief in divine guidance, rather than lust or opportunism.
Leaving the Church should not be met with judgment or assumptions, as each person's journey and reasons for leaving can vary.
Understanding the challenges faced by individuals who leave the Church fosters empathy and dialogue within the Church community.
Deep dives
Understanding Joseph Smith's motives in introducing polygamy
In this podcast episode, the speaker delves into Joseph Smith's motives for introducing polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The speaker argues that Joseph Smith's polygamous relationships were not purely driven by lust or opportunism, but rather were founded on religious sincerity and a belief in divine guidance. Through historical evidence and the analysis of various marriage records and dates, the speaker presents a case that Joseph Smith's polygamy was motivated by religious conviction and a belief in the principles of biblical polygamy.
The journey of leaving and returning to the Church
The speaker shares their personal experience of leaving and returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They discuss the doubts and struggles they encountered, as well as their initial perception of leaving the Church as giving up their career in Mormon history. However, their research and exploration led them to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Joseph Smith's sincerity and religious beliefs. They also emphasize that individuals who leave the Church should not be met with judgment or assumptions, as each person's journey and reasons for leaving can vary.
Challenges faced by those leaving the Church
The speaker addresses the challenges faced by individuals who leave the Church and the stereotypes associated with them. They explain that not everyone who leaves the Church does so with malicious intent or a desire to sin. Leaving the Church often involves a complex process of redefining one's identity and beliefs. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding people's individual experiences and not making assumptions based on their choices or actions. By acknowledging the difficulties faced by those who leave, we can foster empathy and dialogue within the Church community.
Polygamy in Nauvoo: Motives and Patterns
The podcast episode explores the origins and motives behind polygamy in Nauvoo. It challenges the commonly accepted narrative that Joseph Smith's early polygamous marriages were driven by sexual desires. The episode highlights the unusual pattern of Joseph Smith marrying pregnant women, suggesting that his motives were theological and spiritual rather than purely sexual. The theory proposed is that Smith may have been seeking to adopt these children into his lineage in order to provide them with special priesthood blessings. The episode emphasizes the importance of revisiting and reevaluating historical assumptions and encourages listeners to remain open-minded and continue their search for truth.
Gratitude, Faith, and Returning to the Church
The second part of the podcast focuses on personal experiences and growth. The discussion highlights the role of gratitude in strengthening faith and building a close relationship with God. The speaker shares their own journey of rediscovering their faith and the transformative power of cultivating gratitude. They emphasize the need to hold on to the good and positive aspects of the Church, even during periods of doubt or questioning. The episode encourages listeners to keep searching, remain open to new information, and recognize the blessings in their lives, ultimately leading to a broader vision, a stronger faith, and a happier life.
