The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Early plural marriage
Gospel Topics Essays / FAIR
Emma’s pain is not erased by theology. Neither is the consistent memory that Fanny was sealed, then left Kirtland. Adultery is a different charge, and the people closest to the events did not tell it that way once plural marriage was openly taught. We hold the command, the mess, and the later Manifesto together.
If we only defend Joseph by making Emma invisible, we have not told the truth the essay asks us to tell.
- Fanny is remembered as a plural wife, not a fling.
- Sources are late and should be handled with humility.
- Plural marriage is explained as commandment, then closed by commandment.