Warsaw Signal labels the "Spiritual Wife doctrine" a "secret working", "iniquity", and "hellish".

Date
Apr 25, 1844
Type
Periodical
Source
Warsaw Signal
Critic
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Direct
Reference

"The Nauvoo Block and Tackle," The Warsaw Signal (April 25,1844): [2]

Scribe/Publisher
Warsaw Signal
People
Joseph Smith, Jr., Warsaw Signal
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

THE NAUVOO BLOCK AND TACKLE.

Mr. Editor: — I have frequently noticed in the columns of your paper, articles concerning the doctrine of Spiritual Wives, a part of the Mormon creed. Nothing as yet has come to my view which gave entire satisfaction; and as it is my turn now, just command silence for a few minutes that I may have a hearing.

In the year 1834, at Kirtland Ohio, the aforementioned step in the heavenly stairway was located. Much excitement grew out of this measure; many of the Saints demurred, and more knowing ones readily perceived that it was entirely too liberal in its provisions — even to be constitutional. In a word, the Saints rejected it; only a few of the more licentious delighting in it. The doctrine was hushed up, as being sent before its time — for be it known that Mormonism is a system of progression. The next glimpse I obtained of this hellish Spiritual Wife doctrine, was in the year 1836, just on the eve of hostilities in Missouri. The presence of the enemy furnished subjects for reflection, to the exclusion of the old eye-sore for the second time. But iniquity never lies dormant. — No sooner did prosperity smile upon the fraternity in Nauvoo, than the secret workings of the same faction were set in motion. Success attends perseverance and success emboldens the culprit. Such seems to be the results in the present instance. But, now is the winter of their discontent made glorious summer by the sudden appearance of the Spirit of Elijah, a kind of compromise act, which serves two purposes, viz: is a cloak to the Spiritual Wife system, and cures the indolent saints of the Spring Fever — a very prevalent and fatal malady in the latitude of Nauvoo.

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