In this engaging interview with historian Bryan Buchanan and Lindsay Hansen Park (Year of Polygamy Podcast) we delve into the complex history of Joseph Smith’s controversial practice of polygamy. What evidence supports his multiple marriages, the experiences of his wives, and the implications of this aspect of Mormon history?
Throughout the interview, we emphasize the importance of nuanced historical analysis over apologetics, encouraging open and honest discussions about Mormon history, polygamy, and the broader impact of these topics on the faith’s evolution and how it affects members today. This interview provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities within Mormon history and invites them to engage in constructive conversations about these issues.
1834: Mormon Polygamy Under Brigham Young w/ Lindsay Hansen Park and Bryan Buchanan
Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!
Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:
Our Platforms:
Contact us:
MormonStories@gmail.com
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117
Social Media:
Show Notes:
- Sunstone Donations
- Year of Polygamy – Podcast
- Year of Polygamy – Website
- Year of Polygamy – Donate
- Sunstone Mormon History Podcast
- Benchmark Books
- Cherish Families
- Holding Out HELP – FLDS
- Feminist Mormon Housewives
- Under the Banner of Heaven
- Biography of Juanita Brooks by Lindsay Hansen Park – coming soon!
- Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks
- Charisma Under Pressure by Dan Vogel
- Doctrine and Covenants Section 101
- No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie
- Scripture Plus Tik Tok Argument
- Analyzing.Mormonism Tik Tok – Response
- D Michael Quinn – Same Sex Dynamics Nineteenth Century study in Mormonism
- Wild Wild Country
- History of the Saints by John C. Bennett
- Saintly Scoundrel Biography of John C. Bennett
- Carthage Conspiracy by Dallin H. Oaks
- Shirlee Draper – Under the Banner of Heaven Review
- Method Infinite by Cheryl Bruno and Nick Niterski
- Mormon Polygamy by Richard Van Wagoner
- American Polygamy by Watson
- In Sacred Loneliness by Todd Compton
- In Sacred Loneliness Documents Edition by Todd Compton
- A House Full of Females by Laurel Ulrich
- Joseph Smith’s Polygamy by Brian Hales vol. 1
- Joseph Smith’s Polygamy by Brian Hales vol. 2
- Joseph Smith’s Polygamy by Brian Hales vol. 3
- Mormon Enigma by Newell and Avery
- Nauvoo Polygamy by George D. Smith
- Continuing Revelation by Bryan Buchanan
- Edith Romney Society
- The Prophet’s Puzzle podcast by Dan Vogel
Mormon Stories Related:
- 614-615: Reviewing 2015 with Lindsay Hansen Park, Dr. Gina Colvin, Sean Carter, and Dr. Kristy Money
- 564: Lindsay Hansen Park Interviews John Dehlin on the 10th Anniversary of Mormon Stories Podcast
- 324-326: Grant Palmer on Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith, William and Jane Law, and His Resignation
- 1801: Mormon Bible Scholar – Dan McClellan Part 1
- 1802: 10 Things You Should Know About the Bible – Dan McClellan Part 2
- 1803: How “Thoughtful” Mormons Stay in the Church – Dan McClellan Part 3
- 1794: Did Joseph Smith engage in Human Trafficking?
- 1797: Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Practice is Indisputable w/ Radio Free Mormon
Lindsay/Bryan— another important thing about the winter quarters piece of history is its connection to the black priesthood Vin origin story, and the unauthorized mixe-race polygamy that was going on in that area
Much has been said about Jospeh Smith not having progeny with his plural wives. Lindsay is correct is saying that women were not ignorant about preventing pregnancies.
In the early 1830’s in Massachusetts there was a famous doctor, some would argue infamous during the time, named Charles Knowlton, who wrote the book, “The Fruits of Philosophy, or the Private Companion of Young Married People,” which taught people about his method of birth control of washing out the vagina after coitus with a solution he had developed — i.e., a spermicide.
I had once documented that John C. Bennett met and trained with Knowlton; however, I have since lost the citation. Nineteenth Century women used spermicides.
I can just imagine Joseph Smith saying to his wives after conjugal visits, “Make sure that you wash out!”
I have read somewhere that Hyrum, who attended Dartmouth, took time to pass on what he had learned to Joseph Smith
This is a very important and powerful episode. Best in a long time.
Up front, I didn’t listen to this, but from the comments it became obvious to me that no one talking in the podcast was alive in the sixties and the advent of the sexual revolution. Only with easy access to The Pill could women feel confident about effective birth control.
“Birth control” has existed forever. My mother used it in the forties and ended up with three unplanned pregnancies before The Pill. That’s how reliable it was until The Pill.