jul 1, 1842 - Joseph Smith, Jr. also accused of Buggery; Exonerated [Part 14]

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Shortly after John C. Bennett was excommunicated, Bennett publicly accused Joseph Smith of also having multiple sexual relationships alluding that these relationships extended “among the sexes.”

In defense, Joseph Smith published a lengthy post in The Wasp assassinating the character of Bennett and himself denying that he was married to, or had relations with other women, including relationships with “other sexes.” Bennett’s character assassinations were published from June to July 1842.

Joseph Smith then immediately assembled citizens of Nauvoo to “manifest to the world that so far as we are acquainted with Joseph Smith, we know him to be a good, moral, virtuous, peaceable and patriotic man, and a firm supporter of the law, justice, and equal rights; that he at all times upholds and keeps inviolate the constitution of this State and of the United States.”

A vote among the citizens was called to affirm the published statement and dignifying Joseph Smith in an attempt to exonerate him of the charges of buggery/multiple wifery.

Three people voted against affirming Joseph Smith. One of those three dissenters was Elder Orson Pratt, an apostle.

“Pres. Joseph Smith spoke in reply [on July 22, 1842]—Question to Elder Pratt, "'Have you personally a knowledge of any immoral act in me toward the female sex, or in any other way?' Answer, by Elder Pratt, 'Personally, toward the female sex, I have not.'"

Since The Wasp had already raised the topic of Bennett's bisexuality and the prophet's alleged toleration and participation of it, Joseph Smith's 'in any other way?' was an implicit challenge for Pratt to charge him with ‘buggery' as well. Pratt declined to answer whether Joseph Smith had committed 'any immoral act' with someone other than a woman, but also declined to exonerate the prophet from such a charge.

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