Peace Maker (pamphlet)

"The Peace Maker" is a pamphlet written by the Latter Day Saint author Udney Hay Jacob in 1842. The original two-chapter "Peace Maker" pamphlet was published in Nauvoo, Illinois with Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, listed as the printer. The pamphlet advocated polygamy. While Smith quickly and publicly disavowed any connection to the work, historians continue to debate the possibility that some aspects of the pamphlet may have represented Smith's thought.

The history of this pamphlet is still shrouded in mystery. Udney Hay Jacob was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when it was published. However, Jacob and his family had lived among the Latter Day Saints in Chautauqua, Co. NY in the early 1830s and in the Latter Day Saint region of Illinois (Hancock County) throughout the period of settlement there. Additionally, Jacob was baptized into the church in 1843, the year after his pamphlet appeared.[1]

Joseph Smith denounced the pamphlet in the December 1, 1842, issue of Times and Seasons, the official church newspaper of the day, writing:

There was a book printed at my office, a short time since, written by Udney H. Jacobs, on marriage, without my knowledge; and had I been apprised of it, I should not have printed it; not that I am opposed to any man enjoying his privileges; but I do not wish to have my name associated with the authors, in such an unmeaning rigmarole of nonsence [nonsense], folly, and trash. JOSEPH SMITH.[2]

However, other sources raise the possibility that this statement may have been misleading. In particular, John D. Lee's 1877 "Confessions" states, speaking about the 1842-43 period:

During the winter Joseph, the Prophet, set a man by the name of Sidney Hay Jacobs to select from the Old Bible scriptures as pertained to polygamy, or celestial marriage, to write it in pamphlet form, and to advocate that doctrine. This he did as a feeler among the people, to pave the way for celestial marriage.[3]

This two chapter pamphlet deals in substantial part with Biblical marriage laws. The text offers several defenses of polygamy that were later used extensively by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the Latter Day Saint sect who latter migrated to Utah, in defending the practice, arguing for example that polygamy produces greater marital unity than monogamy. The pamphlet also argues vigorously that male authority over females should be absolute and is of divine origin. The text has been influential in the development of 20th- and 21st-century Latter Day Saint polygamous movements.

Notes

  1. ↑ Smith History Vault, Udney Jacob's 1842 Peace Maker, Transcriber's Notes, http://olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1840s/1842Udny.htm#comments[]
  2. ↑ Times and Seasons 4:2 (December 1, 1842), pg. 32, http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v4n02.htm
  3. ↑ John D. Lee, 1877, Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young.

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