Theos-Talk Archives (October 2002 Message tt00201)

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your frank comments.

Sometimes I think the press should just stick to reporting the facts
without the "expert" analysis. I don't think they knew any more about
what was going on behind the scene at LDS HQ in 1978 than they were in
profiling this Washington sniper in the last few days. A meeting of the
Mormon Apostles in their upper temple room is more secretive than the
Cardinals electing a new Pope! There are NO leaks. I've read frank,
heartfelt reports several of those men gave of those days, including
journal entries, and government policy was never mentioned. Yes, the
decision was theirs, not some "Heavenly Father's" but it was based on
what I reported, not government pressure.

As to Joseph's sexual appetite, I'm sure that was part of it. But he
could have "had a revelation" giving himself a personal harem instead of
making plural marriage a Church wide practice. In his case he lucked out
by having a social reason to justify the practice. I never thought there
was anything divine about that practice, only practicality. While most
frontier towns in the American West sported brothels in the 1880's,
Washington politicians sent to Salt Lake City as Territorial judges
actually wrote to their cronies at home that "we can't find a prostitute
in this whole town--the damn Mormons marry them all!"

An interesting look at Joseph's lust was the fictionalized Mormon history
of Vardis Fisher's 1930's THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

Take care,

Larry

________________________________________________________________
Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today
Only $9.95 per month!
Visit www.juno.com