So, I'm just finishing up with the Bushman book. - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

myboynoah · 11-30-2005, 10:21 PM

I was struck by the lengths the early Utah Church went to in order to prove that Joseph Smith had consumated his plural marriages in the face of denials by the reorganites, while today I get the feeling that we (Mormons collectively) would want to believe that JS never indulged himself with anyone but Emma.

I just come away totally amazed with all that he accomplished given his obvious limitations (education, social and economic standing, etc.) and the sustained opposition he faced throughout his life. He was always putting out fires, both internally and externally, something that would have totally consumed the normal man. Yet he managed that while relocating his people three times, looking after their needs, and introducing new and revolutionary doctrine. Simply amazing.

As an aside, the stories of Emma's unhappiness with him and polygamy seemed almost comical in a way; Joseph having to get William Clayton to see if it was okay for him to come home.

11-30-2005, 10:21 PM	#1
myboynoah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Memphis freakin' Tennessee!!!!! Posts: 4,530	I'm finishing up also. Absolutely fascinating. I was struck by the lengths the early Utah Church went to in order to prove that Joseph Smith had consumated his plural marriages in the face of denials by the reorganites, while today I get the feeling that we (Mormons collectively) would want to believe that JS never indulged himself with anyone but Emma. I just come away totally amazed with all that he accomplished given his obvious limitations (education, social and economic standing, etc.) and the sustained opposition he faced throughout his life. He was always putting out fires, both internally and externally, something that would have totally consumed the normal man. Yet he managed that while relocating his people three times, looking after their needs, and introducing new and revolutionary doctrine. Simply amazing. As an aside, the stories of Emma's unhappiness with him and polygamy seemed almost comical in a way; Joseph having to get William Clayton to see if it was okay for him to come home. __________________ Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!! Religion rises inevitably from our apprehension of our own death. To give meaning to meaninglessness is the endless quest of all religion. When death becomes the center of our consciousness, then religion authentically begins. Of all religions that I know, the one that most vehemently and persuasively defies and denies the reality of death is the original Mormonism of the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith.