Investigating Claims That Joseph Was Not a Polygamist

I’ve mentioned previously that I have many running offline conversations with readers about various subjects. None seem to get more private responses than posts about Joseph’s innocence. As you can probably tell, I feel very strongly that Joseph was not a polygamist. To me, this knowledge is key to understanding what the Lord is doing in our day. Without it, we’re stuck in false traditions.

I ordered and received Whitney Horning’s most recent book containing copies of her talks and several unpublished essays. Whitney is a popular speaker at Restoration events and on various podcasts. We have never met, but I have been greatly influenced by her writings. Reading her first book in 2019, Joseph Smith Revealed, solidified for me what I already felt deeply in my heart about Joseph.

These are wonderful, timely essays. I wanted to get this out there for my friend who told me he would be “seriously researching and praying” about this subject. He said he has always been curious but wanted to find out once and for all, for himself, if Joseph was a polygamist or not. In that spirit, I wanted to provide him with some materials that might help. These podcasts should prove interesting as you travel.

Essays on Gospel Topics by Whitney Horning 9 July 2024 (280 pages) Some of the essays were given as talks and can be viewed on YouTube. Links are below. Page numbers are listed from where each essay starts in the book. Timing marks are given for those essays that are also accompanied by a YouTube video presentation.

Table of Contents for the Essays

• Essay 1 – Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on the Lord  1 (9 pages) (13:05) This talk was given at the premier of “Who Killed Joseph Smith, Part 2: Redemption” by Justin Griffin on 19 Jan 2023 at the megaplex theater, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, Utah. Living in California, I only vaguely heard about this event through Facebook posts or emails from friends.
• Essay2 – Joseph’s Marvelous Experience  10 (26 pages) (40:41 – from 45.39 to 1:26:20) Restoration Conference 20 Jun 2020: “Inviting all the branches of the Restoration to commemorate Joseph Smith’s First Vision,” Meridian Idaho.
• Essay 3 – Removing the Stain of Polygamy from the Restoration  36 (25 pages) (31:06) This talk was given at the “Rescuing the Restoration” conference held in Meridian Idaho on 16 Feb 2022
• Essay 4 – Joseph Smith vs. Polygamy: The Raging Storm in Nauvoo  61 (36 pages) (42:34) This talk was given at the “Hear and Trust the Lord in the Storm” conference held on 25-27 March 2022 in Lexington KY
• Essay 5 – A Servant’s Heart  97 (23 pages – 41:57) This talk was given at the “You Never Knew My Heart” conference on 20 August 2022 in Hildale UT
• Essay 6 – Death and the World of Spirits  120 (26 pages) Material unique to this book – April 2024. Whitney presents thoughts after the deaths of her parents, including her research into the history of section 138, which is not included in the restoration edition of the standard works.
• Essay 7 – Malachi 3  146 (50 pages) Material unique to this book – 2016-2017 (updated 2024) This is much more than an essay on tithing. Whitney has critically examined the idea of a well-paid priestly class within the LDS church. Tithing is to be used for the poor, not to pay an institutional clergy.
• Essay 8 – An Examination on Women and the Priesthood  196 (20 pages) Material unique to this book – March 2024 “It is time to cease coveting each other’s eternal responsibilities. Women can rise up to their privileges, and embrace, rejoice, celebrate, and cultivate their divinely appointed role as Wisdom.” Whitney carefully examines what it means to be a priestess.
• Essay 9 – H.O.P.E. for a Better World  216 (28 pages) Material unique to this book – 2023 – In this wise treatise on the idea of hope, Whitney, with obvious experience, addresses the misconception that if one believes in and has accepted the Lord as their Savior, nothing difficult, harmful, or evil should befall them. HOPE = Happiness, Opportunity, Peace, Eternity.
• Appendix – Seeing God’s Pattern in the Storm  244 (23 pages -40:45) A talk given by Vern Horning at the “Hear and Trust the Lord in the Storm” conference, held in Lexington Kentucky on 25-27 March 2022

Other interesting videos from Whitney Horning

132 Problems Podcast with Michelle Stone

• Episode 52: Discovering Joseph Smith
• Episode 66: Hyrum Smith: Prophet or Polygamist
• Episode 94: Historical Malpractice Part 1
• Episode 95: More Historical Malpractice
• Episode 121: Whitney, Jeremy, & Michelle Take On Brian Hales’ “Transparency” – Part One
• Episode 122: Narrative vs. Reality — Whitney, Jeremy & Michelle Discuss Brian Hales – Pt. Two
• Episode 126: Whitney, Jeremy & Michelle on Joseph’s “Carefully Worded Denials”
• Episode 127: Panel #4 – Joseph, Emma & Joseph III v. the Traitors
• Episode 130: Women React to Mormon Land
• Episode 133: Women React to Mormon Land Part 2

Restored Gospel Podcast

Stories of the Saints – Whitney Horning

Disciple of Christ Podcast

Michelle Brady Stone and Whitney Horning respond to Don Bradley’s claims
30 Nov 2023