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Joseph Smith's 1st Year of Polygamy in Nauvoo - John Turner Pt. 27 | Ep. 2102

18K views · Jan 9, 2026 · People & Blogs

Mormon Stories Podcast

314K subscribers

Comments · 176

@Jakku-no-okasan · 8 months ago (edited)
I agree with John Turner, “even if Joseph Smith did not have sex with any of his polygamist ‘wives’ it is still problematic.” It is also narcissistic, irresponsible, and has come to harm and traumatize so many.
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@SaintmakerMinistry · 8 months ago
Please do a series with John Turner on Bringham Young.
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@paisley278 · 8 months ago
I would LOVE a Mormon stories podcast series with John Turner on his Brigham Young biography next
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@Sis.Sunshine · 8 months ago
Thank you John Turner. Internet = 21st century Age of Enlightenment. It makes me smile that the internet has made the church come clean on its history. I remember seeing pictures of Joseph Smith in paintings with the military garb on, but no mention of the polygamous history in the 1970s and 80s in regular meetings. The church's lessons were on how J.S. revered Emma, and Brigham was the one who had over 50 wives.
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@lesliewells-ig5dl · 8 months ago (edited)
Back in the middle ages, men were honored to have their wives become the mistress of the king. I think the followers of Joseph Smith felt the same way. It always brought more power and riches.
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@AwakenWithJC · 8 months ago (edited)
This show greatly helped my wife and I leave the church.  Very grateful.
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@crazyauntieapril5380 · 8 months ago
This is really fascinating. It reminds me of discussions around other religious founders, like L. Ron Hubbard, where some historians suggest he may have eventually come to believe the narratives he originally created.<br>It makes me wonder whether the question isn’t always “lying vs. telling the truth,” but how belief, imagination, and conviction can blur over time — especially when people are reinforced by followers and success.
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@jackiejormpjomp · 8 months ago
Omg I finally caught up!!! This podcast has entertained me for several weeks as I prepare for a baby - building a crib, painting, home repairs, cleaning.
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@Bert-k9s · 8 months ago
My shelf was about to break for sometime but the final blow was reading Sacred Loneliness.  Shocking, eye opening and heartbreaking- here I realized many members were promised great blessings for their sacrifices but instead got disappointment, heart ache, loss and sorrow.  I feel ashamed I fell for all the nonsense apologetics I was given around Polygamy , and in my impassioned defense of Joseph, Brigham, Kimball etc and then for spreading those lies on my mission and later as a priesthood and Sunday school teacher.   People say “why don’t you critics just get out and get over it and quit whining already?”  Well Im 71 years old and out 30 years now- still shocked, still angry and still recovering
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@ashleyridley4172 · 8 months ago
Thank you John Turner for your work on this book and this podcast. I’m learning so much!
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@PMAWoodner · 8 months ago
John Turner's book is great - it's very direct, concise and honest about the history. If you have a friend or loved one who wants an entry point into early church history, I highly recommend it.
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@Redmancala · 7 months ago
I’m not even Mormon(nor was I ever), but I always look forward to new episodes of this podcast!
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