On this episode, we discuss how fluid Joseph Smith’s morality and theology really was. We begin with his evolving perspective on slavery from pro-slavery to abolitionist when it was politically advantageous. Then we discuss how Mormonism was strictly monogamous to closeted polygamous when possible. Then Jo goes from socialist when he was poor to capitalist when he was filthy rich. A few court cases reveal Jo’s abuse of power and fluid sense of morality. We discuss Finch & Rollosson grocer and the ultimate result of John Finch’s affiliation with the Mormons.

Links:

Five Times Mormons Changed Their Position on Slavery https://gregkofford.com/blogs/news/five-times-mormons-changed-their-position-on-slavery

Mosiah 2 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?lang=eng

Alma 50 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/50?lang=eng

Alma 27 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/27.27?lang=eng

Alma 48 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/48.11?lang=eng&clang=eng#p10

Messenger & Advocate on Abolitionism https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/7243

JS Presidential Campaign Pamphlet https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/transcript/general-smiths-views-of-the-powers-and-policy-of-the-government-of-the-united-states-7-february-1844?print=true

D&C 101 Monogamy Revelation https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/259#historical-intro

What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/what-does-the-book-of-mormon-say-about-polygamy

D&C 132 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/132?lang=eng

United Firm https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/united-firm

4 Nephi https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1?lang=eng

Nauvoo City Council Minute Book 1841-1845 https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-city-council-minute-book-3-february-1841-8-february-1845/177#full-transcript

JS discourse against socialism https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-14-september-1843-as-reported-by-willard-richards/1#full-transcript

Amos Davis https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/amos-davis

Nov 1842 Nauvoo v. Davis https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/trial-minutes-between-circa-29-and-circa-30-november-1842-city-of-nauvoo-v-davis-for-slander-of-js/1#full-transcript https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-6-december-1842-city-of-nauvoo-v-davis-for-slander-of-miles/2

John Finch https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/john-m-finch

William Rollosson https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/william-h-rollosson

State of Illinois v. Finch https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/petition-23-november-1843-state-of-illinois-v-finch/1

Finch habeas corpus petition https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/writ-of-habeas-corpus-23-november-1843-a-state-of-illinois-v-finch/2

Finch summary execution https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/execution-15-december-1843-state-of-illinois-v-finch/1#facts

Memorial to the United States https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/memorial-to-the-united-states-senate-and-house-of-representatives-28-november-1843/19#full-transcript

Mentioned in “C” segment http://club90slc.com/events/

SUNSTONE!!! https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/2019-salt-lake-summer-symposium/

Show links:                                                                                                                                       

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we start with discussing whether or not Emma Smith poisoned Joseph Smith. If she didn’t, who did? If it wasn’t poison, what could it have been? Is there enough evidence to conclude that Emma attempted to kill her first husband? After that we discuss the Christmas party of 1843 at the Nauvoo Mansion when a drunk, Missouri-lookin’ guy comes in and crashes the party. Joseph Smith gives a revelation that came true: “I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that you—Orrin Porter Rockwell—so long as ye shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!”

Links:

Emma Smith Lore Reconsidered by Linda Newell https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V17N03_89.pdf

JS November 1843 journal https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-december-1842-june-1844-book-3-15-july-1843-29-february-1844/253#full-transcript

Jacob Bigelow 1822 Materia Medica https://archive.org/stream/61550430R.nlm.nih.gov/61550430R#page/n99/mode/2up/search/belladonna

Helen Mar Kimball Smith Whitney Reminiscences https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/womans-view-helen-mar-whitneys-reminiscences-early-church-history/5-scenes-and-incidents

Show links:                                                                                                                                       

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we discuss the Law family. From Jo’s personal councilor in the Church presidency, aide-de-camp in the Nauvoo Legion, registrar of the University of Nauvoo, and general Mormon eliteness to one of the most powerful and outspoken critics of Joseph Smith and Mormonism; William Law has an interesting story in the Church and left behind a ton of documentation that is crucial and invaluable to historians today. We get to know him, his wife Jane, and his brother Wilson in this episode and then discuss what changed.

Links:

William Law Biography https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/william-law

Wilson Law Biography https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/wilson-law

JS Reflections and Blessings https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/reflections-and-blessings-16-and-23-august-1842/2

William Law grain and sawmill https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-and-discourse-3-5-october-1840/1#full-transcript

William Law-chaired Court Martial https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/report-of-nauvoo-legion-general-court-martial-30november-1841/1

Deed from JS/ES to William Law https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/deed-to-william-law-24-january-1842/2

Council of Fifty Minutes https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/appendix-2-council-of-fifty-minutes-27-february-1845/3#full-18153362210351494232

D&C 124 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/124?lang=eng

History of the Saints by John C. Bennett https://archive.org/details/historysaints00benngoog/page/n53

An Interview with William Law http://www.mrm.org/law-interview

3 letters from William Law http://www.william-law.org/publications/the-mormons-in-nauvoo-three-letters-from-william-law-on-mormonism-an-honest-mans-view-and-remorse-the-daily-tribune-salt-lake-city-july-3-1887

Joseph H. Jackson 1844 expose http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1840s/1844Jack.htm

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we discuss the controversial election of 1843. Jo had promised his vote, and by implication the Mormon voting bloc, to the Whig candidate and well-respected lawyer, Cyrus Walker. However, the Democrats held control of the state militia that represented a constant threat to the safety of Joseph Smith and the Mormons. Governor Thomas Ford pulled a dirty trick to get the Mormons to vote for the Democrat candidate, Joseph Hoge; a grand scheme was carried out to flip-flop the Mormon vote. When Hyrum Sidekick-Abiff Smith received a prophecy, the Lord had spoken, let all the world be silent. Back scratching and political favors negotiated behind closed doors rule the day.

The Prophet and the Presidency https://www.jstor.org/stable/40193327?seq=14#metadata_info_tab_contents

Josiah Butterfield https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/josiah-butterfield

Cyrus Walker https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/cyrus-walker

August 6, 1843 public speech https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/discourse-6-august-1843-as-reported-by-willard-richards/3#full-transcript

To Save the District for the Whigs https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt4cgn0s.8?seq=6#metadata_info_tab_contents

Warsaw Signal 2/14/44 http://warsaw.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?t=30053&i=t&m=between&fn=warsaw_signal_usa_illinois_warsaw_18440214_english_2&df=221&dt=230

Warsaw Signal 2/21/44 https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-from-editor-circa-21-february-1844/1#full-transcript

History of Hancock County by Thomas Gregg https://archive.org/details/historyofhancock00greg/page/296

History of Illinois by Thomas Ford https://archive.org/details/ahistoryillinoi00shiegoog/page/n318

Quincy Whig 1843 http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/IL/whig1843.htm#0809

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we jump back into Nauvoo Mormonism. We begin with discussing the realm of politics in the 1840s. Jo’s political chess didn’t begin in Nauvoo, but Nauvoo was where he ramped up his game and moved to the ranks of political chess master. Jo had an incredible ability to curry the favor of powerful politicians and influential business owners who regarded Nauvoo as a tourist town on the Mississippi. Then we discuss how polygamy and the practice of “spiritual wifery” required a system of organization and ascendency for Nauvoo sex workers. The results are worthy of note and degrading to the women who were regarded as property.

Links:

The Prophet and the Presidency: Mormonism and Politics in Joseph Smith’s 1844 Presidential Campaign by Timothy L. Wood https://www.jstor.org/stable/40193327?seq=12#metadata_info_tab_contents

History of Illinois by Governor Thomas Ford https://archive.org/details/ahistoryillinoi00shiegoog/page/n232

Women’s Work and Sex Work in Nineteenth-Century America by Anya Jabour http://www.pbs.org/mercy-street/blogs/mercy-street-revealed/womens-work-and-sex-work-in-nineteenth-century-america/

Joseph H. Jackson 1844 expose http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1840s/1844Jack.htm

Sexual Slander and Polygamy in Nauvoo by John S. Dinger https://www.academia.edu/33512382/Sexual_Slander_and_Polygamy_in_Nauvoo_Journal_of_Mormon_History_Summer_2018_

History of the Saints by John C. Bennett https://archive.org/details/historysaints00benngoog/page/n235

Godless Engineer “Was Joseph Smith a Convicted Con Man? || Mormonism Debunked https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSCEF7-gAjU

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we get into part 2 of our discussion with Mormon historian Chris Smith. Part 1 was the primer with a heavy focus on early Mormon emissaries. Part 2 dives into how these Mormon-Native relationships were explored and leveraged to hasten the Mormon theodemocracy with dictatorial prophecies of war and bloodshed. Chris reads a letter from James Arlington Bennett that minces no words about the impending Mormon military campaign. Then we bring things back around to Alpheus Cutler to discuss his Native emissary missions and settlement. We wrap the conversation with Native-Mormon relations in Utah under Brigham Young and discuss Walkara. Chris opines on what lessons we can take from this snapshot of history.

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we sit down with Mormon historian Chris Smith to discuss part 1 of a 2-part series on Native and Mormon relations during Joseph Smith’s ministry. We begin with discussing the Book of Mormon being written explicitly to the Natives and describe Joseph’s mindset in allying with the Natives to overthrow the U.S. Government. Then we broach the utility of the Council of Fifty and jump into a few important emissaries Joseph called to forge trading and military relations with various Native tribes. Lewis Denna (Dana, Denny), and his work with church leadership, are of particular import as he was a Native convert to the church. We try to put the plight of the Natives in broader context throughout America. Then we wrap with the work of Jonathan Dunham (J. Dunham ‘Lamanite’) and his work with various Native groups.

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

On this episode, we dive into the ubiquity of Nauvoo polygamy. Much has been made about Joseph Smith having multiple wives, but he wasn’t the only Nauvoo elite with more than one. Just how prevalent was the practice? How many participated? How many knew about the doctrine? How many plural marriages were formed prior to D&C 132 being committed to paper? What conclusions can we draw from the available data? Gary James Bergera’s article is a masterpiece in helping to understand the complexity of the tangled web of Nauvoo Polygamy.

Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists by Gary Bergera https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V38N03_13.pdf

James Adams https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/james-adams

Ezra T. Benson https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/companies/65/ezra-t-benson-company

Reynolds Cahoon https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/reynolds-cahoon

Joseph Coolidge https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/joseph-wellington-coolidge?l=papers

Howard Egan https://majorhowardegan.com/howard-egan/overview-of-major-howard-egans-life/

William Felshaw https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/pioneers/7955/william-felshaw

Deed to William Felshaw https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/deed-to-william-felshaw-30-june-1836/1

William Huntington biography by Andrew Jensen https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/logout?targetUrl=/collection/BYUIBooks/id/3154

Joseph Kelting https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/joseph-andrew-kelting

Isaac Morley https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/isaac-morley

Joseph Bates Noble https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/joseph-bates-noble https://keeperoftheprophetssword.net/

John Edward Page https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/john-edward-page

Uncle John Smith https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/john-smith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smith_(uncle_of_Joseph_Smith)

Theodore Turley https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/theodore-turley

Lyman Wight https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/lyman-wight

Edwin Woolley https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/edwin-woolley

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/

Just that, I'm finally doing it for the first time in 4.5 years of podcasting. But, there are a few announcements that need to find a home in your earhole so please permit a short 5.75 mins of listening to give those announcements the home they deserve.

I'm sorry everybody! We'll be back next week with a regular episode.

Link to Mormon Happy Hour episode about NewNameNoah and McKenna Denson : https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-mckenna-27245352

Regular feed http://angelsonfire.org/mhh79-mckenna-geddon-the-heated-aftermath-pt-1/?fbclid=IwAR3p0btTdi4xWzd6tua1ghXfDf3_-2ussi6YeUFqlAopjPjone06UWV8CV0

On this episode, Hingepin Sidney Rigdon is in the hot seat. August of 1843 brought about events that led to him being disfellowshipped. After a month of waiting on pins and needles, Rigdon was called in for a hearing before the High Council to determine if he would remain in fellowship, or be officially excommunicated. His powers of oratory shine through the historical record as he pleads his case with life-or-death implications. Joseph Smith gives a couple cryptic funeral sermons.

Links:

Encouraging Joseph Smith to Practice Plural Marriage by Brian Hales http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Encouraging-Joseph-Smith-to-Practice-Plural-Marriage-The-Accounts-of-the-Angel-with-a-Drawn-Sword.pdf

Brigham Young: A Bold Prophet by James Faust https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/james-e-faust_brigham-young-bold-prophet/

August 1843 current events http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2011/03/mormon-history-aug-12-1843.html

Elias Higbee https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/elias-higbee

Manuscript History of Brigham Young https://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/MSHBY.html

Show links:

Website http://nakedmormonismpodcast.com 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/