Excommunicated for Disbelieving in Joseph Smith's Polygamy - Karen Hyatt | Ep. 2096

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Dec 18, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Karen Hyatt, a dedicated LDS member and researcher, shares her journey from devout believer to excommunication after questioning Joseph Smith's polygamy. She delves into her research on early LDS history, revealing discrepancies in polygamy records and challenging key doctrines. Karen discusses the personal cost of her inquiries—including losing church privileges—and her commitment to truth and community support. Her candid reflections on faith, authority, and the emotional relief of rejecting polygamous narratives resonate deeply, offering a fresh perspective on belief.

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ANECDOTE

Reinterpreting The Whitney Letter

Karen disputes common readings of the 'Whitney letter' and its context during Joseph's hiding.
She highlights misquotes and missing context (location, 'burn this letter') used by historians.

INSIGHT

Contradictions In Key Witnesses' Accounts

Karen highlights major contradictions between William Clayton's contemporaneous journal and his later affidavit.
She uses such inconsistencies to question key provenance for D&C 132's origin story.

ANECDOTE

Shifting Testimonies Over Decades

Karen contrasts Eliza R. Snow's 1842 denial of polygamy with her 1869 affidavit claiming marriage to Joseph.
She presents this as an example of witnesses changing their stories decades later.

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In this in-depth conversation, John sits down with Karen Hyatt to explore her lifelong faith journey in the LDS Church and the research that ultimately led to her excommunication. Karen shares her background as a devoted member -convert parents, mission service, leadership roles, and decades without doubt –before explaining what prompted her to closely examine Doctrine and Covenants 132 and the history of polygamy.

The discussion traces Karen’s deep divine into church history, including the Book of Mormon’s condemnation of polygamy, early revelations, the Nauvoo Expositor, William Clayton’s journals, Emma Smith’s role, and conclusions reached by modern LDS historians. Karen explains why she ultimately rejected D&C 132, why she believes Joseph Smith did NOT practice polygamy, and how she responds to accusations of bias or conspiracy thinking.

Karen also walks through the personal and institutional consequences of speaking publicly: compiling and sending her research to the Apostles (and their wives!), creating videos, disciplinary councils, losing her temple recommend, and being barred from paying tithing –while still choosing to attend church and value her ward community. The episode examines broader themes of authority, misinformation, prophetic fallibility, confirmation bias, and whether faith can exist without institutional silence.

This episode is a candid, emotionally grounded look at belief, dissent, and the cost of challenging one of Mormonism's most controversial doctrines.

Karen has compiled her research into a book titled “Woe Unto You, Scribes: The Hidden History of Polygamy.” You can order a spiral bound notebook online by emailing her: WoeUntoYouScribes@gmail.com

To find a PDF version of her book click here: https://josephtoldthetruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Woe-Unto-You-Scribes.pdf

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