On this episode, we discuss Joseph Smith's public and private denials of polygamy. It was a controversial practice in Victorian-era America and he had concluded by the final year of his life that it would lead to the next mass-exodus of Mormons, or possibly the ruin of the sect altogether. Some have used his statements to claim he never engaged in polygamy. We deal with a few of the arguments and discuss the context surrounding his multiple statements against polygamy to inform a skeptical reading of the sources. Yes, he fought polygamy, but only when it got out of his control. We also discuss Jacob Cochran and the free-love sect referred to as the Cochranites, as well as the many parallels between it and Mormonism.

Links:

Joseph Smith polygamy denials https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/joseph-smith-polygamy-denials/

Cochranites https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Cochran

Publications about Cochranites http://olivercowdery.com/gathering/JCochran.htm#1834-000

Jacob Cochran legal troubles 1819 https://www.newspapers.com/image/585594796/?terms=Jacob%2BCochran

Exposes of Cochranism http://olivercowdery.com/gathering/JCochran.htm

Orsimus F. Bostwick and Buckeye's Lamentation for Want of More Wives http://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JS0170.pdf

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com Merch Store https://groundgnomes.launchcart.store/shop Twitter @NakedMormonism Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Mormonism/370003839816311 Patreon http://patreon.com/nakedmormonism Music by Jason Comeau http://aloststateofmind.com/ Show Artwork http://weirdmormonshit.com/ Legal Counsel http://patorrez.com/