H026: Joseph Smith's First Wife

Oh how lovely was her bosom -

Fairer far than his first wife.

Joseph's lovely teenage housemaid

Caught his eye and Emma's strife.

And confirming her suspicions,

Emma spied them in the barn.

In the guilty light of his betrayal,

Joseph had to spin a clever yarn.

"Emma, this is my beloved.

This commandment comes from God."

Yet her anger still was kindled

For she saw through his facade.

"Emma, this is plural marriage.

God will surely be annoyed-

If you don't receive her gladly,

You will have to be destroyed."

Emma saw he would not waver

And she only could comply.

She let Joseph win that battle,

But he wasn't satisfied.

For he sought out many women -

Even siblings and their moms -

Even wives of men out on their missions.

All were victims to his latest con.

Some he pressured into 'marriage'

Claiming angel's threats and swords;

That their own entire family's

Exaltation was in store.

Oh, how can a God of peace and love

To his daughters be so cruel

As to turn them into slaves and objects

For the whims of such a selfish fool.

2015-06-17

Written as a more truthful replacement to the text of the LDS Hymn 026 Joseph Smith's First Prayer