What do Land Deeds in Nauvoo have to do with D&C 132? It turns out there is a controversy where an argument is made for and against 132 being legit vs forgery. Mary Ann Clements weighs in on the controversy. Check out our conversation with Mary Ann about her chapter in Secret Covenants… Sign up to our free newsletter! https://gospeltangents.com/newsletter
Don’t miss our other conversations with Mary Ann: https://gospeltangents.com/people/mary-ann-clements/
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How Nauvoo Land Deeds Shed Light on Mormon Polygamy Debates
At the heart of some of current polygamy discussions lies the authenticity of historical documents, particularly the William Clayton Journal. Recent research delving into Nauvoo land deeds offers fascinating insights, not only into Joseph Smith’s financial dealings but also into the controversy surrounding early polygamy.
Mary Ann Clemens, one of the authors in “Secret Covenants: New Insights into Mormon Polygamy,” highlights how land deeds have become a focal point for both proving and disproving claims about Joseph Smith’s early practice of polygamy.
The William Clayton Journal: Forgery or Validation?
One of the central debates in skeptical circles concerns whether the William Clayton Journal is a forgery. Mary Ann Clemens disagrees with this argument. Her reasoning, and the focus of her recent research, involves the detailed examination of Nauvoo land deeds, specifically those made on July 12, 1843, to Emma Smith.
Don Bradley’s Argument for Validation: According to Don Bradley, the July 12, 1843 deeds to Emma Smith serve as an element that confirms or validates the William Clayton diaries. This date is significant because it’s the day the polygamy revelation (Section 132) was written. The traditional narrative suggests that Hyrum Smith attempted to convince Emma of polygamy that day, but Emma vehemently denied it. As a result of this conversation, a decision was made to deed Emma all the unencumbered lots in Nauvoo. William Clayton’s journal, a couple of days later, corroborates this, mentioning the drawing up of the deed and giving Emma the lots.
The deeds were initially recorded in the Nauvoo Register book in 1843 by William Clayton himself, which some skeptics distrust due to his involvement. However, in July 1844, just after Joseph Smith’s death, these deeds were also recorded in the Hancock County deed records, providing an independent record that, from Bradley’s perspective, confirms the story in Clayton’s journal.
The Skeptic’s Counter-Argument: Michelle Stone’s Research
Despite the evidence, some see these same deeds as disproving William Clayton’s journal. Michelle Stone’s research unearthed a fascinating detail:
- A July 12, 1843 draft deed to Hyrum Smith: Stone discovered a deed, dated July 12, 1843, that was fully written out but never signed or completed. This draft was intended for Joseph Smith’s brother, Hyrum, and listed many of the same properties that were later deeded to Emma.
- Stone argues that because there’s no explanation for why Hyrum was receiving these properties, it couldn’t have been related to polygamy. She questions why the Joseph Smith Papers project labeled this a “draft.”
Why “Draft”? And the True Story Behind the Deeds
Mary Ann Clemens provides clarification, agreeing with the “draft” designation for several reasons:
- The draft deed to Hyrum had Hyrum’s name scratched out and Emma’s name written in on the back..
- It was never signed or recorded anywhere.
- Another draft deed to Emma, also dated July 12, was found. This one listed an extra lot not on county records and didn’t finish the boilerplate language.
These drafts are critical. While people like Michelle Stone argue they represent distinct transactions or prove deception, Clemens and others contend that they clearly represent the same transaction in flux. It’s common in property records to not have the original final deed; rather, historians typically work with copies recorded in county records. The fact that these drafts exist, with changes and incompleteness, points to an evolving transaction rather than separate ones.
The Role of Hyrum Smith and Emma’s Financial Security
The discovery of the draft deed to Hyrum raises the question: Why was Joseph initially deeding these properties to Hyrum?
- The exact reason is unknown, but possibilities include Joseph attempting to get assets out of his name due to bankruptcy issues. However, this wouldn’t have been fully effective as he would still be considered owning the lots, and later, Emma’s property was indeed used to pay Joseph’s debts.
- Crucially, Hyrum’s name being scratched out and Emma’s written in provides a strong link to the events of July 12, 1843. Hyrum was deeply involved that day, attempting to justify polygamy to Emma.
- The traditional understanding from William Clayton’s journal is that Emma, potentially threatening divorce, sought financial security for herself and her children. The lots were likely intended to provide a continual rental income, not to be sold outright. This would ensure their support, especially if Joseph was accumulating other wives who might also lay claim to assets.
Thus, the series of drafts and the final recorded deeds, viewed together, support the sequence of events described in William Clayton’s journal: Joseph initially considered deeding properties to Hyrum for an unknown reason, but following the tense conversation about polygamy on July 12, a decision was made to instead deed those “unencumbered lots” to Emma.
The Nature of Historical Records
It’s important to understand that having drafts but not the final original deed is normal for property records. What historians usually deal with are the county records—the official copies. Delays in recording deeds for weeks or even years are also common and not a cause for suspicion. The Joseph Smith Papers Project is an exception in providing access to many original deeds, which can sometimes lead to a misconception that original deeds are always available.
Beyond Land Deeds: Other Insights from “Secret Covenants”
Mary Ann Clemens’s discussion extends beyond land deeds, touching on other complex aspects of Nauvoo history within the “Secret Covenants” book:
- Eternity-Only Plural Marriages: Todd Compton’s chapter in the book explores whether there were “eternity only” plural marriages in Nauvoo, concluding that the answer is no, contradicting some other views. He argues that records consistently refer to “time or time and eternity” marriages, implying conjugal relations.
- The Frederick Cox Surrogacy Story: Compton’s chapter also recounts the unusual story of Mary Ann Darrow and Edmund Richardson. Due to Edmund’s infertility, Brigham Young advised Mary Ann to have church-sanctioned sexual relations with another man, Frederick Cox, to have more children. She had two children with Cox, who gave up all paternal rights, and the children were considered Richardson’s. This highlights complex and sometimes uncomfortable arrangements, including elements of polyandry.
Mary Ann Clemens’s deep dive into Nauvoo land deeds illustrates the intricate nature of historical research. Her work, and the broader “Secret Covenants” book, continues to unearth and analyze evidence to provide a more nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in Mormon history.
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Gospel Tangents
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