"Joseph Smith,
"Hyrum Smith,
"Presidents of the Church."[227:A]
This was seven months after the time when, according to Brigham Young and his associates, the Revelation concerning Celestial Marriage had been given to Smith. But here both
Joseph and Hyrum Smith call polygamy a "false and corrupt doctrine." Can any true follower of Smith, or believer in his divine mission, believe for a moment, in the face of this declaration, that Smith had received any revelation on the 12th of July, 1843, sanctioning polygamy?
Again, six weeks later, Hyrum Smith wrote as follows:—
"Nauvoo, March 15, 1844.
"To the Brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, living on China Creek, in Hancock County, Greeting:
"Whereas, Brother Richard Hewett has called on me to-day, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your Elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here; I say unto you, that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here, neither is there any such thing practised here; and any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also; therefore he had better beware what he is about."[228:A]
Polygamy was condemned at the General Conferences of the European churches, in England, during the year 1846, and subsequently.