Sunstone panel critiques book on Mormon polygamy

By Clair Barrus Salt Lake History Examiner

"In order to get a complete picture and understanding of Joseph Smith, I see this book as absolutely essential reading." So declared Newell Bringhurst, former president of the Mormon History Association Thursday at the Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium. Bringhurst was one of three panelists critiquing George D. Smith's new book -- Nauvoo Polygamy: "... but we called it celestial marriage." Also on the panel was 3rd generation fundamentalist Mormon Marianne T. Watson, who found it a difficult book to read. As a practicing polygamist, Watson found the topic too close to her heart with it's less than generous attitude towards the practice of polygamy. The Sunstone symposium is underway this week with over 100 scholars and Mormon studies enthusiasts presenting their analysis on aspects of Mormonism. But Watson was glad to have read it because of it's in depth analysis of the Latter-day Saint practice of polygamy. She particularly enjoyed information on the rise of Mormon fundamentalism in the early 20th century, calling the book a "tremendous contribution" to Mormon history. Cheryl Bruno, an active member of the LDS church found the book "intriguing" but felt the author betrayed his bias against polygamy. However she felt the author's willingness to explore innuendo and rumor in Nauvoo made the book come alive. Bruno noted there was a lot of information in the book never before published, and thought the tables and charts listing data on Nauvoo polygamy enhanced the book. Bringhurst thought the book took the topic of polygamy in "new and exciting directions." He found the chapter comparing Anabaptist doctrines and practices to Mormonism "haunting." He considered the author's ability to place polygamy in the context of other developments underway in Nauvoo one of the strengths of the book. Bringhurst is the author of numerous books and articles on Mormon history. While Bringhurst thought the narrative wandered occasionally, and that some assertions lacked proper documentation, he considered it an extremely important book. "I don't think anyone can understand Joseph Smith in his totality without reading this book." According to George D. Smith, Joseph Smith introduced polygamy in 1841 and married 38 women. Less than five years later almost 200 men were practicing polygamy with over 700 wives. Some branches of the Latter-day Saint tradition continue to practice polygamy, but neither the Community of Christ, nor the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practice it today. The symposium continues through Saturday and is open to the public. For more info about the symposium, click here. For more information about 'Nauvoo Polygamy,' click here.

examiner.com Originally published August 13, 2009

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