Relief Society Secret Polygamy & Joseph Smith's Character - John Turner Pt. 30 | Ep. 2110

Unveiling Mormonism's Past: Joseph Smith, the Relief Society, and the Secret of Polygamy

The history of Joseph Smith and his influence on Mormonism continues to intrigue and provoke debate. One aspect that remains especially contentious is Smith's secret practice of polygamy and its implications on his character and legacy. This inquiry gains further complexity when examining the role of the Relief Society, a women's organization Smith established. The examination of these intertwined subjects reveals a narrative fraught with secrecy and controversy.

The Foundation of the Relief Society and Smith's Influence

In Nauvoo, Illinois, 1842, Joseph Smith established the Relief Society, a women's auxiliary to the Latter-day Saint church. This organization emerged shortly after Smith's initiation into Freemasonry and borrowed certain elements from it. Smith envisioned the society as being organized "in the order of the priesthood," suggesting women would become part of a "kingdom of priests." However, this society also had a more covert purpose: enabling Smith to extend his polygamous practices within a veil of religious organization.

Smith's Secret Polygamy: The Evidence and Debate

Smith's secret polygamous marriages, often extending to women already married to other men, form a pivotal aspect of his history. As discussed by historian John G. Turner, these marriages were frequently kept from Emma Smith, Joseph's first wife and the head of the Relief Society. The moral and ethical implications of Smith's actions, including his manipulation of religious tenets to justify his actions, continue to prompt significant criticism. His ability to conceal his polygamous endeavors while orchestrating an organization aimed at policing women’s morality underscores a remarkable duality in his character.