Anyone read Compton's book on plural marriage? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Jeff Lebowski · 12-30-2005, 05:57 PM

This one:

In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith

(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156...books&v=glance)

It looks pretty interesting. The Partridge sisters are ancestors/relatives of mine, so I am curious to read that part in particular.

Anyway, is this a good quality historical work, or a hack job?

Iluvatar · 12-30-2005, 06:34 PM

Compton is great. His research seems to be solid and his writing is palatable. However, I wouldn't read it if you want to continue believing that our church fathers were perfect. I also wouldn't read it if you are thin skinned, or narrow minded.

I liked it...

FWIW

SteelBlue · 12-30-2005, 07:12 PM

I liked it. I believe it is the most extensive work ever done on the subject. Everything I've heard about Compton is that he's well respected. Dan also recommended to me "Mormon Polygamy, a History" by Van Wagoner written in 1986. He recommended it over Compton's book. I'm about 3/4 finished with it and so far have found it to be quite informative.

Dan · 01-01-2006, 11:28 PM

... I recommend the following books/articles in roughly the following order:

1. Mormon Polygamy; a History by Van Wagoner. Good general overview, evenhanded.

2. Quinn's speech regarding post-manifesto polygamy. Easily found through a web search.

3. Solemn Covenant by Carmon Hardy. Delves deeper into post manifesto activities than Van Wagoner.

4. In Sacred Lonliness by Compton. This is a good book. He gathers all known excerpts about the wives of JS and does a mini biography of each wife (each wife is given a chapter). Compton's thesis is that mormon polygamy was more of a failed social experiment by JS than a revelation. Not a hack job at all though and worth the read if you want to get to the bottom of the best and latest scholarship on the topic that is available.

Jeff Lebowski · 01-02-2006, 02:58 AM

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations. Especially to Dan for the list.

Jeff Lebowski · 01-02-2006, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iluvatar

However, I wouldn't read it if you want to continue believing that our church fathers were perfect. I also wouldn't read it if you are thin skinned, or narrow minded.

You crack me up, Iluvatar.

Iluvatar · 01-02-2006, 07:04 AM

Homeboy,

That's what I do!

P.S., are you a guitarist?

Jeff Lebowski · 01-02-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iluvatar

P.S., are you a guitarist?

Nah, just a music fan.

12-30-2005, 05:57 PM	#1
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	Anyone read Compton's book on plural marriage? This one: In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156...books&v=glance) It looks pretty interesting. The Partridge sisters are ancestors/relatives of mine, so I am curious to read that part in particular. Anyway, is this a good quality historical work, or a hack job?

12-30-2005, 06:34 PM	#2
Iluvatar Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 52	Todd Compton... Compton is great. His research seems to be solid and his writing is palatable. However, I wouldn't read it if you want to continue believing that our church fathers were perfect. I also wouldn't read it if you are thin skinned, or narrow minded. I liked it... FWIW __________________ \"What we do in life echoes in eternity\"

01-01-2006, 11:28 PM	#4
Dan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Elk Grove, California Posts: 211	If you want a good overview of LDS polygamy ... ... I recommend the following books/articles in roughly the following order: 1. Mormon Polygamy; a History by Van Wagoner. Good general overview, evenhanded. 2. Quinn's speech regarding post-manifesto polygamy. Easily found through a web search. 3. Solemn Covenant by Carmon Hardy. Delves deeper into post manifesto activities than Van Wagoner. 4. In Sacred Lonliness by Compton. This is a good book. He gathers all known excerpts about the wives of JS and does a mini biography of each wife (each wife is given a chapter). Compton's thesis is that mormon polygamy was more of a failed social experiment by JS than a revelation. Not a hack job at all though and worth the read if you want to get to the bottom of the best and latest scholarship on the topic that is available. __________________ Dan Temet Nosce - \"Know Thyself\"

01-02-2006, 07:04 AM	#7
Iluvatar Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 52	Homeboy, That's what I do! P.S., are you a guitarist? __________________ \"What we do in life echoes in eternity\"

12-30-2005, 07:12 PM	#3
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	I liked it. I believe it is the most extensive work ever done on the subject. Everything I've heard about Compton is that he's well respected. Dan also recommended to me "Mormon Polygamy, a History" by Van Wagoner written in 1986. He recommended it over Compton's book. I'm about 3/4 finished with it and so far have found it to be quite informative.

01-02-2006, 02:58 AM	#5
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	Thanks to everyone for the recommendations. Especially to Dan for the list.