Braden says that Joseph "practiced polygamy in Kirtland," "committed fornication," and seduced "an orphan girl."

Date
Feb 12, 1884 - Mar 8, 1884
Type
Speech / Court Transcript
Source
Clark Braden
Critic
Non-LDS
Hearsay
Reprint
3rd Hand
Late
Reference

Clark Braden, "Mr. Braden's Nineteenth Speech," in E.L. Kelley and Clark Braden, Public Discussion of the Issues between the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Church of Christ [Disciples] (Lamoni, Iowa: The Herald Publishing House, 1913), 202

Scribe/Publisher
The Herald Publishing House
People
Mrs. Hansbury, Clark Braden, Martin Harris, Ezra Bond, Lewis Bond, Joseph Smith, Jr., Fanny Brewer
Audience
Reading Public
Transcription

Lewis Bond and Ezra Bond have repeatedly stated that their father and mother, who were amongst the first Mormons in Kirtland, repeatedly declared that Smith practiced polygamy in Kirtland, and that he followed a girl into a privy and committed fornication with her. Mrs. Bond made such declarations to Mrs. Hansbury and others. Lewis Bond says his father is so disgusted with the dishonesty of the Josephites in denying what he knows to be true, that he will not affiliate with them. Fanny Brewer testifies that Smith had serious trouble in Kirtland, arising from his seducing an orphan girl living in his family, and that Martin Harris told her that Smith was notoriously lewd and untruthful.

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