Debunking Polygamy Denial: Questions Polygamy Deniers Can’t Answer (Ft. Brian Hales)

Joseph Smith's Polygamy: A Historical Analysis with Brian Hales

Key Concepts: Joseph Smith's polygamy, historical analysis, polygamy denial, transparency, eternal plural marriage, spiritual wifery, historical evidence, conspiracy theories, priesthood keys, eyewitness accounts, July 12, 1843 Revelation, Joseph Smith's denials.

1. Main Topics and Key Points

• Joseph Smith's Practice of Plural Marriage: The central question is whether Joseph Smith practiced plural marriage. Brian Hales asserts, based on historical documentation, that Joseph Smith did introduce and practice plural marriage.
• Polygamy Denial: The discussion addresses the denial of Joseph Smith's polygamy, comparing it to other forms of science and history denial.
• Methodologies of Denial: Hales identifies five methodologies used by deniers: cherry-picking evidence, conspiracy theories, relying on fake experts, errors of logic, and setting impossibly high standards for contradictory evidence.
• Transparency and Historical Analysis: The importance of transparency in presenting all available data and finding the theory that accounts for the most evidence is emphasized.
• Three Key Questions for Polygamy Denialists: Hales proposes three questions to challenge the polygamy denialist position:
  1. Did Joseph Smith ever deny practicing eternal plural marriage or refer to polygamy as a sin?
  2. Can you explain the conspiracy that created such a diverse group of individuals to portray Joseph Smith as a polygamist?
  3. Do you believe Church presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow lied about Joseph Smith's polygamy, and were their priesthood keys passed down to Russell M. Nelson?
• Joseph Smith's Alleged Denials: The discussion analyzes statements attributed to Joseph Smith that are often cited as denials of polygamy.

2. Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed

• Comparison to Science Denial: The denial of Joseph Smith's polygamy is compared to denials of established scientific facts, such as the Earth being flat or the Holocaust.
• John C. Bennett and Spiritual Wifery: The situation involving John C. Bennett, who promoted a form of "spiritual wifery" (sexual relations without marriage), is discussed as a challenge Joseph Smith faced while trying to implement plural marriage.
• Eliza R. Snow's Statement: Eliza R. Snow's statement about the Relief Society condemning Bennett's actions is presented as evidence that Joseph Smith's condemnations were directed at unauthorized practices, not plural marriage itself.
• July 12, 1843 Revelation: The July 12, 1843 revelation is discussed as evidence of Joseph Smith's involvement with plural marriage.

3. Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained

• Historical Analysis Methodology: The approach of analyzing historical data and selecting the theory that accounts for the most data is presented as the best method for determining historical facts.
• Analyzing Joseph Smith's Denials: The process of examining Joseph Smith's statements in their historical context is used to determine whether they constitute denials of eternal plural marriage.

4. Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence

• Brian Hales' Argument: Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage, supported by historical documentation and eyewitness accounts.
• Polygamy Denialist Argument (Countered): Joseph Smith denied polygamy, therefore he did not practice it. This argument is countered by analyzing the context of Joseph Smith's statements and presenting evidence of his involvement with plural marriage.
• Justification for Lack of Transparency: The argument is made that Joseph Smith may have been justified in being less than transparent about plural marriage to protect the lives of the Saints.

5. Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution

• Brian Hales: "There's no question Joseph Smith did introduce and practice plural marriage."
• Brian Hales: "Let's just be transparent. Let's get it all out there. And as you said, let's find the theory that is, is able to, to account for a majority of that."
• Eliza R. Snow: "In those articles, there was no reference to Divine plural marriage. We aimed to put down its opposite."
• Joseph Smith (May 26, 1844): "What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery and having seven wives when I can only find one. I am the same man."

6. Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations

• Presentism: Interpreting past events in terms of modern values and concepts.
• Spiritual Wifery: A practice promoted by John C. Bennett involving sexual relations without marriage.
• Eternal Plural Marriage: Marriage that continues after death, involving multiple wives.
• Circumlocutions: The use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.

7. Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas

• The discussion begins with the central question of Joseph Smith's polygamy and then moves to address the denial of this practice.
• The methodologies of denial are presented to explain how some people arrive at the conclusion that Joseph Smith did not practice polygamy.
• The three key questions are proposed as a way to challenge the polygamy denialist position and reveal its weaknesses.
• The analysis of Joseph Smith's alleged denials is presented to demonstrate that these statements do not necessarily contradict the evidence of his involvement with plural marriage.

8. Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned

• Over 130 statements from over 70 individuals describing Joseph Smith's involvement with plural marriage.
• Seven explicit statements on record that could be construed as denials of polygamy by Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Emma Smith.

9. Clear Section Headings for Different Topics

• Main Topics and Key Points
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed
• Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution
• Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned

10. A Brief Synthesis/Conclusion of the Main Takeaways

The discussion centers on the historical evidence for Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage and addresses the arguments of those who deny it. Brian Hales argues that the evidence strongly supports Joseph Smith's involvement with plural marriage and that the denialist position relies on flawed methodologies and a failure to account for all available data. The analysis of Joseph Smith's alleged denials reveals that these statements do not necessarily contradict the evidence of his involvement with plural marriage, especially when considered in their historical context. The key takeaway is that a transparent and comprehensive analysis of the historical record supports the conclusion that Joseph Smith introduced and practiced plural marriage.