Polygamy Denial: The Conspiracy That Could Rewrite Latter-day Saint History

Did Joseph Smith really practice polygamy—or is the entire story a lie invented after his death? 🤔 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says yes. Historians say yes, of course. But a growing movement of “polygamy deniers” (or “monogamy affirmers”) claims Joseph Smith was a faithful monogamist—and that Brigham Young and others fabricated plural marriage after Nauvoo. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christopher Blythe (BYU professor, scholar of Mormon folklore, and co-host of Angels & Seer Stones) to unpack: ✨ What polygamy denial is and why it’s spreading online ✨ The evidence Joseph Smith did practice plural marriage (William Clayton’s journal, affidavits, Doctrine & Covenants 132) ✨ Why Emma Smith denied Joseph’s polygamy—and why her story is complicated ✨ How rejecting Joseph’s plural marriage changes the entire Restoration (temple ordinances, eternal families, sealing power, and more) ✨ Why plural marriage is still so emotionally charged for Latter-day Saints today This is one of the most controversial topics in LDS history—and one that shapes faith, doctrine, and identity even now. 🔎 Whether you’re LDS, ex-LDS, or just curious about Mormon history, this deep-dive will give you clarity on: Was Joseph Smith a polygamist? Did Brigham Young invent polygamy? What’s really at stake if Joseph never practiced it? ===Learn More=== Plural Marriage Topics & Questions Article: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/s... Joseph Smith’s Polygamy – Brian Hales: https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/ Church Gospel Topics Essay: Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/s... Women of Mormondom (Eliza R. Snow & Edward Tullidge): https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54335 Angels & Seer Stones Podcast by Chris & Christine Blythe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ===Discover=== If any of my thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in my life. https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/ ===Content Disclaimer=== The views expressed represent mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.