In part 5 of our 6-part series on polygamy within the LDS Discussion project, we discuss "The Happiness Letter," which was the letter Joseph Smith wrote to Nancy Rigdon to try to convince her to become one of his plural wives.
Special Guest: @NEMOTHEMORMON
http://youtube.com/nemothemormon
LDS Discussion Essay on the Happiness Letter: https://www.ldsdiscussions.com/happiness
LDS Discussions Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p7gAxwsM_k&list=PLxq5opj6GqOB7J1n6pMmdUSezxcLfsced
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:50 What is Joseph Smith’s “Happiness Letter”
00:11:05 Joseph Smith recruits Nancy Marinda Hyde
00:13:40 Joseph Gives this Revelation after Sending Orson on a Mission
00:27:30 Joseph clears out the printing office for private meetings
00:32:50 Joseph’s secret meeting with nancy is confirmed by Orson
00:37:20 John C. Bennett, “Spiritual Wifery,” and the Nancy Rigdon Proposal
00:44:50 Women testified that men claimed Joseph taught spiritual wifery
00:48:50 John C. Bennett on what leads to the Happiness Letter
00:57:50 Joseph Smith’s 1841 teaching of “No sin if no accuser”
01:05:50 Nancy Rigdon was told to burnt the letter after reading
01:08:50 Church leaders have cited the Happiness Letter
01:16:00 A reading of the “Happiness Letter”
01:22:05 Breaking down the happiness letter
01:24:15 Joseph Smith turns morality upside down on Nancy Rigdon
01:30:50 Hank Smith and Kate Holbrook discuss this with D&C 132
01:38:00 This is a tactic used by other religious leaders
01:40:00 Reading this letter in the context it was written
01:43:30 Using the language of revelation to convince women to say “Yes.”
01:46:50 Joseph Smith’s use of inclusive language
01:49:30 The Happiness Letter makes clear it’s about polygamy
01:57:50 Joseph Smith unintentionally conceded his is his desire
02:00:00 The Happiness Letter alternates promises and threats
02:01:50 Joseph Smith compares an apple to a polygamous marriage
02:04:50 Joseph Smith then says marrying Joseph will make Nancy happy
02:10:00 Either Joseph is lying or the God of Mormonism is wrong
02:17:40 Threatening to take away blessings already received
02:20:40 Using urgency to circumvent Nancy’s moral compass
02:25:10 God is more liberal (and awful) than we are ready to believe
02:27:45 The God of Mormonism is certainly more inconsistent than we are ready to believe
02:30:20 Joseph promises great blessings for obeying Joseph…through God
02:32:00 Fallout from Nancy releasing the Happiness Letter
02:43:30 Joseph Smith calls off the attacks following Sidney’s letter
02:45:20 Now listen to church leader cite the Happiness Letter again
02:48:00 Conclusion on the Happiness Letter
Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/happiness-letter-lds-disc/
LDS Discussions 6-part Polygamy Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqp9bdHd3io&list=PLxq5opj6GqOCtRHWmdfD5-6Eq18VYBrcE
LDS Discussions Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p7gAxwsM_k&list=PLxq5opj6GqOB7J1n6pMmdUSezxcLfsced
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