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Hemlock Knots

Hemlock Knots

By: Hemlock Knots
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 Cracking the LDS restoration’s toughest subjects through rational, balanced analysis of source material. We analyze and compare historical records as we untangle the issues, events, teachings, traditions and doctrines of the LDS restoration. In the end, we just want to know what happened.© HemlockKnots.com - all rights reserved. Christianity Spirituality World
Episodes
  • Did Joseph Smith Teach Polygamy? Live Debate #2

    Did Joseph Smith Teach Polygamy? Live Debate #2
    Aug 23 2022

    Despite the plethora of public condemnations of polygamy during his lifetime, some believe that Joseph Smith was still teaching in private that polygamy was a commandment from God. Did he ever teach it? Did he ever write about it? Did he ever receive a revelation about it? Since there’s no first-hand material from Joseph Smith in favor of polygamy, we must closely examine the accounts and records of both those who said he did, and those that insisted that he didn’t. This debate seeks to shed light on this important question, covering the key arguments in this age-old debate: Did Joseph Smith teach polygamy?

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    Did Joseph Smith Teach Polygamy? Live Debate + Q&A

    Did Joseph Smith Ever Teach That Polygamy Was From God?

    This is part 2 of the polygamy debate series. For part 1, where we debate whether or not Joseph Smith practiced polygamy, See “Was Joseph Smith Really a Polygamist? Live Debate #1“.

    What do you think? Was polygamy taught by Joseph Smith? Vote here or let us know in the comments.

    Poll results – Did Joseph Smith Ever Teach Polygamy?

    Live stream debate includes 2 teams:

    1. Affirmative = Mark Tensmeyer & Jacob Vidrine
    2. Negative = Jeremy Hoop & Leo Ebbert

    The post Did Joseph Smith Teach Polygamy? Live Debate #2 appeared first on Hemlock Knots.
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    2 hrs and 33 mins
  • Was Joseph Smith Really A Polygamist? Live Debate #1

    Was Joseph Smith Really A Polygamist? Live Debate #1
    Aug 8 2022

    Did Joseph Smith practice polygamy or didn’t he? If he did, where’s the evidence? How reliable is it? And why are there so many accounts stating that he did, but so few are contemporary? These are the questions that’ll polarize those who study the life of Joseph Smith. What are the strongest arguments for Joseph Smith being a polygamist? What are the best sources that suggest he wasn’t? This debate will answer these questions and more, in a structured, civil conversation about a complex question.

    Listen to the audio
    Watch the YouTube live debate

    Was Joseph Smith Really A Polygamist? Live Debate + Q&A

    Did Joseph Smith Practice Polygamy?

    This is part 1 of the polygamy debate series. For part 2, where we debate whether or not Joseph Smith taught polygamy, See “Did Joseph Smith Teach Polygamy? Live Debate #2“.

    Was Joseph Smith a practicing polygamist? Vote here.

    Live stream debate includes 2 teams:

    1. Affirmative = Mark Tensmeyer & Jacob Vidrine
    2. Negative = Jeremy Hoop & Leo Ebbert

                  The post Was Joseph Smith Really A Polygamist? Live Debate #1 appeared first on Hemlock Knots.
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                  2 hrs and 12 mins
                1. Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Really Destroyed?

                  Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Really Destroyed?
                  Jun 22 2022
                  Some insist that slanderous remarks were the cause of the Nauvoo Expositor’s destruction, but what do the contemporary historical records say? Many references to city council discussions contain evidence of a counterfeiting ring involving prominent members of the church. This presentation answers the question of why was the Nauvoo Expositor destroyed? Why would news of a surprise visit from Governor Ford cause cause prominent church leaders to scramble to “adjust” their accounting books? Why would a founding member of the Nauvoo Expositor burn the building down? Could there be something else that justified the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor besides slander against Joseph Smith? Could the continuation of those same illegal activities after Joseph Smith’s death be the catalyst for Brigham Young’s premature, panicked flight from Illinois in the dead of winter as a fugitive dodging federal indictments? Listen to the audio Watch the YouTube video Video discussion on “Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Really Destroyed?” with Jessica Long. Why Was The Nauvoo Expositor Destroyed? Why would Joseph Smith destroy this particular press, when dozens of newspapers had been printing slanderous pieces for decades? Joseph Smith and the city council members never before tried to destroy a slanderous press, so what was different about the Nauvoo Expositor? (0:43) Counterfeiting Currency or Making “Bogus” in Nauvoo William Law started his own church May 1844, the month before publishing the Nauvoo Expositor. (1:57)William & Wilson Law purchasing dies for making “bogus” (counterfeit) money (2:20, #1) Joseph H. Jackson’s involvement in counterfeiting “trying to make bogus, which was his principle business” (3:41, #2) Joseph H. Jackson faked his conversion to the church to expose Joseph Smith. He threatened to take Hyrum’s teenage daughter as wife by deadly force, and entertaining a job as a hired mercenary to kill Joseph Smith for William Law (4:21, #2,3) What types of currency did they counterfeit? (6:44, #4,5) Mormon Leaders Involved in Counterfeiting Money The stated concern with the Nauvoo Expositor: It would bring the mob as it had before (#2). When & why were mobs attacking previously? (7:12)Joseph Smith issues a caution against counterfeit “Kirtland Safety Society” notes. (8:07, #6) Counterfeiting was one of the reasons for disciplinary action in the 1838 excommunication of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Whitmer, W.W. Phelps, Luke & Lyman Johnson. (8:15) John Taylor “Adjusts” Accounting Books For Governor Ford’s Visit John Taylor writes about a meeting with Illinois Governor Ford, with William & Wilson Law, Foster, Chauncey Higbee, Mr. Marr, a lawyer from Nauvoo, a mob leader from Warsaw and Joseph H. Jackson and associates present. (9:20, #7) John Taylor immediately scrambles to gather up the printing dies and “adjusts” the accounting books with Elias Smith & Joseph Cain when he believes Governor Ford to be on his way. (11:23, #7,8) Joseph Smith’s Involvement In Counterfeiting Bogus Money There was a precedent for counterfeiting money among the saints in Kirtland, Missouri & Nauvoo. Joseph Smith initiates a city ordinance on March 1843 criminalizing counterfeiting up to 14 years in prison with a $5,000 fine. (15:17, #9,6) W.W. Phelps is named as “one of Joe Smith’s bosom friends… guilty of passing counterfeit money.” (17:08, #10,11)Joseph H. Jackson (a professional counterfeiter) states that Joseph Smith didn’t participate in counterfeiting and didn’t know about it. (23:01, #1) People Involved in Nauvoo Counterfeiting Crimes Mormon counterfeited currencies included Missouri & New York bank notes, forged Kirtland Safety Society notes, Mexican silver coins and 1828 half dollars. (18:22, #11) Kirtland Safety Society fraud & theft were prominent in Nauvoo, Missouri and Kirtland (#6). Oliver Cowdery & Frederik G. Williams accused a man named Davis of having a career in counterfeiting. Oliver Cowdery could have been involved in counterfeiting. (19:39, #13,14) Who were the main people on record for counterfeiting accusations? (20:16) What tactics did the participants use to cover up their crimes? (22:03) Brigham Young’s Federal Indictments for Counterfeiting Money Brigham Young & 4 members of the Quorum of Twelve indicted for federal counterfeiting crimes after Joseph Smith’s death (#15,16), and forced to flee Nauvoo 4 months earlier than planned (#17), with leaders telling the people they are leaving “cheerfully.” (24:10)Joseph Smith was accused by enemies of being involved, but is on record making public statement against it. (28:32) Sources About Mormon Counterfeiting in Nauvoo “Revised Minutes, 17 June 1844” (JSP 18305 p.1) Jun 17, 1844 “Revised Minutes, as reported in Nauvoo Neighbor” (JSP 17931 p.2) “A Narrative of the Adventures & Experience of Joseph H. Jackson in Nauvoo” p.1 April 24, 1844 Warsaw Signal no. 10, Whole 128Jun 10,...
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                  30 mins
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