The denials of polygamy uttered by the Mormon leaders between 1835 and 1852, when it was finally admitted, are a remarkable series of evasions and circumlocutions involving all sorts of verbal gymnastics. When the brethren attacked spiritual wifism or polygamy, it was with the mental reservation that * The sworn statements were published inTimes and Seasons, Vol. Ill (October 21, 1842), pp. 939-40. Sarah Ann Whitney was married to Joseph on July 27, 1842. See Appendix C. “the patriarchal order of marriage” or “celestial order of plurality of wives” was immeasurably different.
