Joseph Smith Biography

(Grace) #1

Without Disclosing My True Identity


(^90) BOM, Ether 3:23.
(^91) BOM, Alma 12:9–11. Jesus was asked why he spoke in parables in public, and in plainness
to his disciples in private. He gave a similar response to Alma’s teachings. See Matthew 13:10–13.
(^92) DHC, 6:573.
(^93) DHC, 6:601.
(^94) DHC, 6:609.
(^95) DHC, 6:616.
(^96) “Prophets are inspired to provide us with prophetic priorities to protect us from dangers.
As an example, President Heber J. Grant, the prophet from 1918 to 1945, was inspired to emphasize
adherence to the Word of Wisdom, the principle with a promise revealed by the Lord to the Prophet
Joseph. He stressed the importance of not smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages and directed the
bishops to review these principles in temple recommend interviews.” (Quentin L. Cook, “Give Heed
unto the Prophets’ Words,” Ensign, May 2008: 47–50.)
(^97) “In 1844 [Brigham Young] was...assign[ed] to travel throughout the East campaigning for
Smith’s candidacy for the American presidency. ...It was while serving on this mission [and not until
July 16th] that [Brigham and the absent apostles] learned of the assassination[s.]” They were not able
to return to Nauvoo until August 6. (See Leonard J. Arrington and Davis Bitton, The Mormon
Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints [New York: Knopf, 1979] 83–4.)
(^98) D&C, section 132.
(^99) See Appendix 2, “Mormon Polygamy—The Truth Revealed!”
(^100) D&C, 132:7.
(^101) The question was often asked Joseph, “Do Mormons believe in having more wives than
one?” To which he responded, “No, not at the same time. But they believe that if their companion
dies, they have a right to marry again. But we do disapprove of the custom, which has gained in the
world, and has been practiced among us, to our great mortification, in marrying in five or six weeks,
or even in two or three months, after the death of their companion. We believe that due respect ought
to be had to the memory of the dead, and the feelings of both friends and children.” TPJS, 119.
(^102) Stanley Kimball, On the Potter’s Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City:
Signature Books, 1987) xxiv.
(^103) Jeffrey Ogden Johnson, “Determining and Defining ‘Wife’: The Brigham Young
Households,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 20.3 (Fall 1987): 57–70.
(^104) See Appendix 2, “Mormon Polygamy—The Truth Revealed!”
(^105) As Brigham wrote: “I was unanimously elected President of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, with authority to nominate my two counselors, which I did by appointing Heber C.
Kimball my first counselor and Willard Richards my second counselor, and the appointments were
unanimously sustained.” (DHC, 7:621); see also Wilford Woodruff’s Journal entry for December 5, 1847.
(^106) D&C, 121:34–40.
(^107) On 27 June 1844, Sidney Rigdon was on a mission in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, while
Brigham Young was on a mission in Boston, Massachusetts. See Church History in the Fulness of Times,
Institute Student Manual (Salt Lake City: LDS Church, 2003) 286, 289.
(^108) Sidney Rigdon arrived back in Nauvoo, Illinois on Aug. 3, 1844; Brigham Young arrived
back on August 6, 1844. See Church History in the Fulness of Times, Institute Student Manual (Salt Lake
City: LDS Church, 2003) 289.
(^109) DHC, 7:224. Parley P. Pratt also claimed to have received a revelation following the death
of Joseph Smith, Jr. as to who should lead the church. His revelation stated that he should return to
Nauvoo and tell the people not to make any movement in church government until the remainder of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles returned. See Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (New
York: Russell Brothers, 1874) 371.
(^110) “October Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons 5 (15 Oct. 1844): 683.

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