Mormon Stories Podcast The Mormon Polygamy Wars (1800's Edition) w/ Michelle Stone and Cheryl Bruno | Ep. 2124
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Mar 17, 2026 Cheryl Bruno, a 19th‑century Mormon historian and author, and Michelle Stone, a polygamy scholar preparing for doctoral study, dive into the post‑Joseph Smith polygamy conflicts. They trace Nauvoo controversies, debates over key documents and affidavits, Brigham Young’s public announcement, federal crackdowns and manifestos, and the scholarly and grassroots resurgence reshaping how polygamy history is studied.
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Collaborate With Opposing Scholars To Reduce Bias
- Work with scholars who hold opposite biases to expose and correct your own assumptions.
- Michelle says her collaboration with Cheryl, who disagrees on most things, helps 'police each other' and reduce interpretive errors.
Journal Created To Peer Review Polarized Polygamy Debates
- Michelle and Cheryl created the Journal of Mormon Polygamy to enable rigorous, peer-reviewed scholarship across opposing biases.
- They argue collaborative cross-perspective review helps police bias and move debate out of polemical online venues.
Joseph F Smith's 1869 Affidavits Were Form Letters
- Cheryl recalls the 1869 affidavit project by Joseph F. Smith compiling sealed-to-Joseph statements to rebut RLDS denials, noting many affidavits are dry form letters.
- Michelle adds the affidavits were composed by Joseph F. Smith and later used in legal disputes like Temple Lot.
