I was always curious about a certain passage in the History of the Church that had been published by B. H. Roberts. It is about polygamy. On October 5, 1843 Joseph Smith made a statement that is rather damaging to the Utah Mormons and their defense of Joseph. But it wasn't transcribed correctly into the History of the Church. I always wondered if this was at the instigation of Roberts.In his book, Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage, Joseph Fielding Smith wrote,I have copied the following from the Prophet’s manuscript record of Oct. 5, 1843, and know it to be genuine:Gave instructions to try those persons who were preachigs, teachigg, or practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives; for according to the law, I hold the keys of this power in the last days; for there is never but one on earth at a time on whom this power and its keys are conferred; and I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time unless the Lord directs otherwise. (Smith, 55. Online here, https://archive.org/stream/bloodatonementpm00smit#page/54/mode/2up This is how the passage from Smith's diary is transcribed into the History of the Church. Here is how the actual entry reads:Thursday, October 5[th] Morning rode out with Esqu[ire] Butterfield to farm &c. P.M. rode on prairie to shew some brethren some land. Eve[ning] at home. Walked up and down St[reet] with Scribe and gave instructions to try those who were preaching, teaching, or practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives on this Law. Joseph forbids it and the practice thereof. No man shall have but one wife. [rest of page blank] {page 116} Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, p.417Notice how Fielding Smith claims that "I have copied the following" and that he knows it "to be genuine".This is simply a bald faced deception, or a lie.I am convinced that the Affidavits that were collected in 1869 by Joseph F. Smith were subjected to the same kind of deception about Emma participating in four of Joseph's marriages. (The Partridge and Lawrence sisters). I have pretty good evidence that Emily Partridge lied, (I believe at the instigation of F. Smith) and that no second mock marriage ever took place with Emma participating.This is just another nail in the coffin of F. Smith's penchant for lying. See how he did so at the Smoot Hearings, here http://mormonitemusings.com/2012/02/27/mormon-secrets-perjuring-prophets/ I do believe that Joseph practiced spiritual wifeism, but believe that Emma's supposed involvement in some of the marriages has been fabricated, just as parts of this diary entry was by F. Smith.Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2015 11:13PM by grindael.