Radio Free Mormon: ML: 131
During a segment on Radio Free Mormon, an individual delved into LDS section 132, emphasizing its purported legitimacy and substantial supporting evidence in contrast to other revelations. The speaker asserted that the origin of section 132 is virtually devoid of ANY suspicions, going so far as to label it as the MOST dependable revelation in our possession.
Puzzling Claims
- Historical Discrepancies: The alleged authorship of the revelation by William Clayton raises suspicions due to historical incongruities , making his involvement in section 132 perplexing as it was traditionally not his role to record revelations.
- A Secretary's Dismissal: James Whitehead's testimony reveals that Clayton had been removed as Joseph Smith's secretary prior to the alleged date of Section 132's receipt
- Clayton's Paradoxical Role: The puzzling question arises: Why would Clayton, who had been dismissed by Joseph Smith, suddenly be trusted to pen down the revelation?
- Original Document Conveniently Missing:Emma purportedly burned the original documentation, leading to the supposed loss of the original text.
- Unexpected Guardian: Remarkably, a previously unimportant individual named Joseph Kingsbury, a man who held no significant calling and was but an employee at the Whitney's store, recorded and kept hidden copy of the revelation, surviving until 1847 during a time when the original manuscripts of most known revelations,let alone unnaounced revelations like section 132, would in fact, be lost forever.
- Brigham Young's Revelation: The revelation miraculously resurfaces in 1852 with this story, when Brigham Young presents it to the church, asserting its authenticity as Joseph Smith's revelation 10 years prior, long after Brigham had begun practicing polygamy
- Joseph consistently publicly condemned the practice of polygamy and took disciplinary action against individuals who promoted or engaged in it.
- In contrast to the subsequent leaders of the church who practiced polygamy, Joseph's offspring were exclusively from a single partner.
- Upon later interviews, a number of purported wives clarified that their relationship with Joseph did not extend to the context insinuated.
- The Book of Mormon vehemently denounces polygamy using the strongest language possible, stopping just short of explicit language.
- Polygamy is painted in the same light when it appears with king Noah, and also in the Pearl of Great Price with Cain's descendants.
- Given the assertion in the Radio Free Mormon Episode that Joseph might have employed polygamy as a means of asserting authority over women, one must ponder why he would fabricate the Book of Mormon and pen Jacob 2 in such a manner, if indeed he was a fraudulent individual.
I do not wish to create controversy or to convince anyone that Joseph was not involved in polygamy. I do acknowledge that there is substantial evidence indicating Joseph's involvement in polygamy. I take issue with the notion that the origin of section 132 is entirely devoid of suspicion. While you may have your own perspective on the points I've presented, I think that to assert that should be no doubts about the origin seems intellectually disingenuous, especially when you are saying so on a podcast that claims to want to help others find the truth.
Lastly, I'd like to highlight that within this forum, there is a lot of skepticism towards the government's actions, accusing it of shady maneuvers to achieve its objectives. The picture painted here bears a striking resemblance to the actions of the very government that many here are inclined to view with suspicion.
