Utah Conference Sparks Controversy Over Debate on Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Practices

Michelle Stone and Cheryl L. Bruno, co-founders of the Journal of Mormon Polygamy, are organizing an upcoming conference in Utah that seeks to explore whether the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ founder, Joseph Smith, practiced polygamy. The event has sparked controversy, with critics accusing the organizers of “denialism” and threatening them. Stone described the backlash as “very strange,” noting that some individuals and groups are actively working to suppress the discussion.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long acknowledged that Joseph Smith practiced polygamy and had as many as 40 wives. This position is consistently upheld by church leaders and is included in various published materials. Historians also largely agree with this assessment, citing substantial evidence supporting the claim. Brooke LeFevre, a doctoral candidate at Baylor University, stated that the evidence for Smith’s polygamy is “overwhelmingly” the case.

Despite this consensus, Stone and Bruno are hosting the conference to foster scholarly debate on the topic. They welcome participants from both sides of the issue, including individuals outside the faith. The two co-founders hold differing views on the matter—Stone is part of a movement that argues Smith was never polygamous, while Bruno believes he took multiple wives. They acknowledge the sensitivity of the topic within the faith community but emphasize the importance of open, scholarly discussion.

“We’ve been very respectful,” Bruno said. “But we feel that we need to let people talk about these things and sort this out in a scholarly way.” The Journal of Mormon Polygamy, which they founded, accepts well-researched academic papers on the subject, as well as other topics related to the Latter-day Saint tradition. The conference represents an effort to engage in thoughtful dialogue about a historically significant and emotionally charged issue.

The debate over Joseph Smith’s polygamy reflects broader tensions within the Latter-day Saint community regarding historical interpretation and doctrinal clarity. While the church maintains a clear stance on the matter, some members and scholars continue to question the evidence and implications of Smith’s practices. This ongoing discussion highlights the complexity of reconciling historical records with religious teachings.

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