Was Jesus Married?
(4 June 2006)
This is the Program Notes for the 4 June 2006 episode of the Mormon
Miscellaneous Worldwide Talk Show, now in its 27th year where all
points of view are invited, by LDS host Van Hale.
Topics of Discussion:
1. Current interest in the Question generated by the book and movie, The DaVinci Code.
2. Non-LDS book Was Jesus Married? by William Phipps, published
by Harper and Row, 1970. This is a scholarly investigation of the Question, pursuing it from several angles: ancient Jewish
attitudes; sexuality of Jesus; arguments for Jesus' celibacy; Paul's views; second century Christianity sources; and other.
3. Nineteenth Century LDS thought.
1. The Old Testament prophesies of Jesus being married.
2. New Testament relationships between Jesus
and several women were so close as to suggest that they were married.
3. Strong LDS belief in the importance of marriage
in this life and in the resurrection, and belief in Jesus as our great example, argues that Jesus was married.
4. Arguments of Apostle Orson Pratt in 1853 in the Seer, a periodical which he had been sent to Washington to publish.
5. Arguments of Apostle Orson Hyde regarding Jesus' relationship with Mary and Martha; that Jesus was married at Cana; Isaiah 53:10 prophesied that Jesus
would see his seed.
6. Jedediah M. Grant's allegation that the main reason for persecution of Jesus and his followers was their polygamous relationships.
7. Brigham Young's speculation.
8. Joseph F. Smith's comments on the marriage in Cana was Jesus' marriage.
9. Answer by President Charles W. Penrose, of the First Presidency, in 1912 in the Improvement Era to the question, Was Jesus married?
10. I discuss my personal experience discussing this question with Mormons on my program a number of times and with a number of Mormons in private discussion.
11. I present my views, which I think are among the minority among LDS. I think that most LDS believe Jesus was probably, or certainly, married.
I do not.
12. A Caller asks,
Did Jesus' mother believe his claims? Discussion of Mark 3 and John 7:5 which indicate that some of his family doubted him.
13. Statement of LDS spokesman in the Deseret News that the Church has no established doctrine on the Question.
I comment on a response to this statement by Bill McKeever, a zealous anti-Mormon.
14. Caller: Anne Wilde wife of the late Ogden Kraut talks about his book Was Jesus Married? and a meeting with Apostle Joseph Fielding
Smith in the 1970s who endorsed Kraut's arguments that Jesus was married.
15. Email: The
author argues that the logical conclusion from a statement by Joseph Smith is that he believed Jesus was married.
16. Email: Did
one of the LDS authorities claim to be a descendant of Jesus?
17. Caller: Art Bulla, self proclaimed prophet, argues that Isaiah 11 refers to Joseph Smith as a descendant of Jesus. He claims that he
was given a revelation that Joseph Smith is the rod spoken of in Isaiah 11. I responded to his comments and interpretations
of D&C 113.
18. Email: What
about the idea that Jesus was married before his ministry and she died and thus were not mentioned in the New Testament? Interesting
speculation but entirely a speculation.
19. Caller: D&C 131 ...a man must enter marriage. Jesus is our example. It does not make sense for Jesus not to have been married. I suggest
that Jesus may have been an exception. 3 Nephi be perfect as I and my Father are perfect. This caller gave an enthusiastic
defense of his position. I enjoyed the rather extended discussion.
20. Caller: What is the motive of those stiring up the Question?
21. Email: What about Paul, who was not married? Comments on 1 Corinthians 7.
