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When Mary Rollins was twelve years old Joseph Smith told her that he was commanded to take her as a plural wife, but her family moved (later her family moved back and she married him when she was 23 & he 37).
Table of contents
- When Mary Rollins was twelve years old Joseph Smith told her that he was commanded to take her as a plural wife, but her family moved (later her family moved back and she married him when she was 23 & he 37).
- A1) Joseph Smith was 37 when he told twelve-year-old Mary Rollins that he was commanded to take her as a plural wife.
- A2) ) Mary Rollins claimed Joseph Smith told her an angel came to him three times, the last time with a drawn sword and threatened his life if he did not marry her.
- Issues these Facts Raise
- Questions these Facts Raise
A1) Joseph Smith was 37 when he told twelve-year-old Mary Rollins that he was commanded to take her as a plural wife.
Supporting Sources and Quotes
In early 1831 Joseph Smith met Mary Rollins, when she was twelve years old, and he told her: “[He] told me about his great vision concerning me. He said I was the first woman God commanded him to take as a plural wife.” In the fall of that year, Mary and her family left Kirtland for “Zion”, which was being established in Missouri.
-http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/09-MaryRollinsLightner.htm
Three years later, Mary and Joseph would be reunited when Joseph led the Zion’s Camp expedition from Ohio to Missouri. Mary remembers, “In 1834 he was commanded to take me for a Wife, I was a thousand miles from him, he got afraid”. At the close of Zion’s Camp, Joseph returned to Kirtland. Mary stayed in Missouri, living in Liberty and Far West. Perhaps thinking her marriage to Joseph was off, she married Adam Lightner in 1835. By 1840 they had settled in Nauvoo, and were raising two children.
Early in 1842, Joseph approached Mary about becoming his wife. According to Mary, Joseph said, “The angel came to me three times between the year of ’34 and ’’42 and said I was to obey that principle or he would slay me.” Furthermore, Joseph told her, “I was his before I came here and he said all the Devils in hell should never get me from him...”” and “I know that I shall be saved in the Kingdom of God. I have the oath of God upon it and God cannot lie. All that he gives me I shall take with me for I have that authority and that power conferred upon me.”
- http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/09-MaryRollinsLightner.htm
Mary said her husband Adam was “far away” out of town at the time of her marriage to Joseph.
A2) ) Mary Rollins claimed Joseph Smith told her an angel came to him three times, the last time with a drawn sword and threatened his life if he did not marry her.
Supporting Sources and Quotes
“In a 1902 signed statement, Mary Elizabeth summarized her experience: In 1834, [Joseph] was commanded to take me for a wife. I was a thousand miles from him. He got afraid. The angel came to him three times, the last time with a drawn sword and threatened his life. I did not believe. If God told him so, why did he not come and tell me? The angel told him I should have a witness. An angel came to me – it went through me like lightning – I was afraid. Joseph Said he came with more revelation and knowledge than Joseph ever dare reveal. (Brigham Young sealed me to him, for time and all eternity – Feb. 1842.) Joseph said I was his before I came here and he said all the Devils in Hell should never get me from him.”
- Brian Hales, https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/mary-elizabeth-rollins/
In 1905, Mary Elizabeth provided additional details to a group of elders preparing to leave for their missions: When Joseph sent for me he told me all of these things. “Well,” said I, “don’t you think it was an angel of the devil that told you these things?” Said he, “No, it was an angel of God. God Almighty showed me the difference between an angel of light and Satan’s angels. The angel came to me three times between the years of 1834 and 1842 and said I was to obey that principle or he would slay me. But,” said he, “they called me a false and fallen prophet but I am more in favor with my God this day than I ever was in all my life before. I know that I shall be saved in the Kingdom of God. I have the oath of God upon it and God cannot lie; all that he gives me I shall take with me for I have that authority and that power conferred upon me.”
- Brian Hales, https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/mary-elizabeth-rollins/
Issues these Facts Raise
Telling a twelve year old that he wanted to marry her when they had such an age difference sounds creepy.
Questions these Facts Raise
Was Joseph’s behavior consistent with that of a pedophile?
