Got your attention? Good. Buckle up for a wild ride (especially you lurkers here from Mortified Mo-ville)
There are many, of course, mired in LDS fear and trembling, who, to this day, believe that being gay, or maybe being gay (or worse, being audacious enough to act on the reality of being gay) is a wicked, evil, sinful and naughty, naughty thing. Too bad some at the top of the Mormon Church apparently didn't get the memo. If only such eternal information had been shared with:
A) Mormon President Brigham Young (with regard to his drag queen son, Brigham Morris Young);
B) the Mormon Church First Presidency (with regard to the sexual orientation of LDS Church Patriarch Joseph F. Smith); and, yes, even with . . .
C) Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, whose attitudes and actions in helping to establishprecedent for LDS Church doctrine and practice were hardly classifiable as anti-homosexual.
Let’s go through the ABCs on Mormon Church High Command homosexuality.
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Part 1
A. Brigham Young's Drag Queen Son
Below is a photograph of Mormon Church president Brigham Young's naughty cross-dressing son, Brigham Morris Young (who, by the way, founded the Mormon Church's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and appeared in his drag queen roll in Mormon wards in Salt Lake City):
("Here is a Photo of Mormon Leader Brigham Young's Son in Drag," posted by Andy Towle, 3 August 2013, under "Brigham Young, Drag Queens, Mormon, News," at: |http://www.towleroad.com/2012/08/here-is-a-photo-of-mormon-leader-brigham-youngs-son-in-drag.html; see also, "The Abominable and Detestable Crime Against Nature:
A Revised History of Homosexuality & Mormonism, 1840-1980," at:
by Connell O'Donovan, 1904/2004, at:
http://www.connellodonovan.com/abom.html)
Additional some background on Brigham Morris (whom the Mormon Church has never denounced for his supposed sexual debauchery):
". . . Brigham Morris Young, son of Brigham Young, [is shown here dressed] in drag as Italian opera diva 'Madam Pattirini,' . . . It is a photographic placard which advertised 'her: appearance at the Sugar House Ward, a Mormon “meeting house' in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lord have mercy. . . .
"Brigham Morris Young was his 35th son and founded the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA), the predecessor to the Young Men program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . . . . You can't make this stuff up. He performed as Pattirini in north and central Utah venues from 1885 to the 1900s. He could produce a convincing falsetto, and many in the audience did not realize that Pattirini was Young.
"He did marry one wife and had children of his own."
Some additional biographical details on Brigham Young's wayward son:
"Although [no] direct evidence [has been found] that Brigham Morris Young was a homosexual, he certainly crossed Mormon gender barriers without any negative repercussions, whenever he appeared in public as the Italian opera diva 'Madame Pattirini, circa 1901. Born in 1858, the 35th child of Brigham Young and the first and only child of Margaret Pierce, he married Celestia Armeda Snow, the daughter of Lorenzo Snow, in the Endowment House in 1875. They had 10 children, eight surviving to adulthood.
"During the early 1870s 'Morris' Young drove a horse-drawn streetcar for a living. One popular stereotype of the time was that streetcar drivers were effeminate homosexuals (and in fact, Walt Whitman found many of his male lovers amongst the streetcar drivers of New York City, including his long-time companion, Peter Doyle, who drove a streetcar in Washington DC for many years). Interestingly, Morris drove the streetcar between the Utah Central Railroad Depot and the Wasatch Municipal Baths, which [has been] documented [as] an active 'cruising' area for homosexual men (who went there looking for anonymous sexual encounters), at least as early as the 1880s.
"From the 1880s to the early 1900s, Morris appeared frequently in his drag persona. His son, Gaylen Snow Young, wrote that, '[h]e would sing in a high falsetto voice. He fooled many people.' [Mormon historian] Dean C. Jessee notes that Morris was 'often called to perform at stake and ward social functions, where he frequently posed as "Madam Pattirini," a great female opera singer. An extant invitation lists B.M. Young as manager of "a Grand Character and Dress Ball" held in the large room of the Brigham City Woolen Factory in 1889.' Morris Young also served on the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA).
"Another, even earlier cross-dressing Mormon, was pioneer Almerin Grow, who lived in both Salt Lake and Weber Counties during the late 1850s. In this case however, Grow's cross-dressing was not for entertainment purposes, like that of . . . Brigham M. Young before him; and it was definitely viewed as transgressive. Sometime after 1857, Grow became a follower of Joseph Morris, a schismatic Mormon leader who designated himself as the seventh angel of the apocalypse and taught that the Second Coming was imminent.
"Grow had already been excommunicated and rebaptized so many times that Brigham Young had publicly (yet humorously) suggested that the next time Grow be rebaptized in the Jordan River, he be drowned immediately thereafter to ensure he be saved 'while in the faith.' Around 1858, Grow 'gave' his 12-year-old daughter, Amy Grow, to Amos Milton Musser. Young then commanded Musser to move south with her and 'never return,' because he was becoming increasingly mentally unstable, as evidenced by 'his acts of extracting all his teeth, wearing his wife's clothing, etc.' Some measure of mental stability must have eventually returned, as Grow remained faithful to the Morrisites, even serving on a mission to Turkey in the 1870s, long after Joseph Morris himself was killed."
("The Abominable and Detestable Crime Against Nature":
A Revised History of Homosexuality & Mormonism, 1840-1980," at:
by Connell O'Donovan, 1904/2004, at:
http://www.connellodonovan.com/abom.html)
_____
A. The Gay Life and Times of Mormon Church Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith
The following list of indicators is taken from "'CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS on Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith’s Homosexuality,'
compiled by Connell O'Donovan, with the generous assistance of D. Michael Quinn":
--"[circa] 1926 to [circa] 1929
"Joseph Fielding Smith was in a sexual relationship with Norval Service, a student at the University of Utah. (See Quinn, p. 369)
--"1927-1933
"According to Cynthia Blood's University of Utah transcripts, she took Speech and Drama classes from Joseph F. Smith. In an August 19, 1989, interview I held with her, Cynthia claimed that 'everybody on campus knew' that Maud May Babcock and Joseph F. Smith, both from the university's Drama Department, 'were q****,' but it was pretty much 'unspoken.' Blood reported that 'Professor Smith flitted amongst the boys and Maud flitted amongst us girls. We adored it! I guess we were all a little q**** back then.' When I asked her what she meant by that, she replied, 'Oh, we all had crushes on each other at one time or another.' I asked if the boys did too. "I suppose, in their own way--but they didn't call them crushes. I do remember two young men who mooned over each other for several months. I don't remember their names. But they were real handsome boys. Very intelligent, very proper all the time.' Drama students? I asked. 'Oh yes. Yes they were.'
--"1929
"Joseph F. Smith became a member of the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA). This may have prompted the termination of his sexual relationship with Norval Service. . . .
--"1942, October 8
"Joseph Fielding Smith was ordained 'Patriarch to the Church' by LDS President Heber J. Grant. . . . . Joseph's ordination also dismayed several Mormons who knew that Smith was having sexual relations with other men. Ralph G. Smith reported that Joseph F. Smith 'was known to be a homosexual. My brother, John [Gibbs Smith], was very, very upset because he was Captain of the anti-vice squad at the Salt Lake City Police Department. Why, he says, the man’s got a record. He says, we’ve had many women call in and complain about him molesting their little boys [all over 18] at the school at the University of Utah.' (Ralph G. Smith interview, as reported in Quinn, p. 387 n. 23) Winifred Haymond (or 'Freda Hammond,' 1907-1983, never married), a friend of Norval Service, reported that she was 'stunned' at Smith’s appointment as Patriarch.
--"1942, November
"In a biography of the new Patriarch, the 'Improvement Era' concluded with the statement that, 'We all feel sure that the new Patriarch will uphold the traditions of the Church, be a credit to his family, and magnify his calling in the spirit of humility, prayer and faith.’”
--"1943, March 11
"Some time prior to this date, Byram Browning had an intimate relationship with Patriarch Smith, whether overtly sexual or not is unknown. On this date, Browning entered into military service in the Navy.
--"1946, February 26
"Bro. Browning called to report visit with Jos. F. S." (George Albert Smith diary, 'GASD') . . .
-"1946, April 15
"'LeGrand Chandler of St. George came [--] called to see me about Joseph F. Patriarch.' (GASD)
"[LeGrand Chandler was the uncle of Byram Browning. Since Browning was still in Shelton, Virginia, in the Navy at this time, presumably he had contacted his family by letter or other means and confessed his relationship with the Patriarch, which led to this meeting between his uncle and the LDS Church president.]
--"1946, May 1
"'Jos. Patriarch met Presidency [and] left for home.' (GASD)
--"1946, May 3
"'Ruth Smith called. Jos. ill.' (GASD) . . .
--"1946, May 27
"Diary of Frank Evans, financial secretary to the First Presidency, referred to talking with Ruth Pingree Smith 'regarding Joseph's illness,' and insisting that she call on Evans (a friend since childhood) if there was anything he could do to assist her.
--"1946, May 29
"Due to Patriarch Smith's inability to come to his office in Salt Lake City, the First Presidency asked three stake patriarchs to give blessings to people requesting them through the Church Patriarch's office. (J. Reuben Clark office diary, 'COD)
--"1946, June 16
"'Spoke at Orchard Ward Davis Co[unty] Visited with Jos. F. He is not very well.' (GASD)
--"1946,June 29
"Joseph Fielding Smith diary referred to the problems he was having of late as 'a recurrence of his old trouble in his back.' Smith’s back problems were likely psychosomatically related to the stress surrounding his sexuality.
--"1946, July 10
"'Met in office with Council of Presidency [and] Twelve. Jos. Patriarch case considered. Bad situation. Am heartsick.' (GASD) JFS's diary entry for this date did not mention what the Presidency decided, except that it was a profound 'shock' to him.
--"1946, July 11
"'Met in Church Council room with Presidency and Twelve. . . . Discussed condition of Patriarch Jos. F.' (GASD)
.
--"1946, July 12
"'First Presidency met with Patriarch Smith at 3:00 pm.' (COD)
--"1946, July 30
"COD says Clark met with Patriarch Joseph F. Smith's brother-in-law, Harold Bennett, and 'gave him facts' about the Patriarch's case.
--"1946 - September 6
"'Harold Bennett drove me to see Patriarch Jos F. Smith. a pitiable case.' (GASD)
--"1946, September 16
"'At office 8:15. Met with Presidency & Jos F. Patriarch & Ruth[,] Browning & son present. AE Bowen also listened in. Regret that the evidence is not satisfactory." (GASD) "Jos. Patriarch[,] First Presidency[,] Mr. Browning & a boy." (COD) Ruth refers to Ruth Pingree Smith, Mr. Browning is Lorenzo D. Browning, and the "boy" is his son Byram, recently returned from WWII naval service.
--1946, September 18
"'Hyrum Smith and Harold Beecher came to consider Joseph Patriarch's position.' (GASD)
--"1946, October 3
"As reported in both the 'Improvement Era' and the front page of the 'Deseret News,' Patriarch Joseph F. Smith wrote a letter to Pres. George Albert Smith, officially requesting to be released from his position:
"'Centerville, Utah, 3rd of October, 1946.
"'President George Albert Smith
47 East South Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
"'Dear President Smith:
"'As you know I have been very ill for many months. While I am slowly gaining strength and hope soon again to be able to do some work, I do not know when, if at all, I shall be able to stand the full drain upon my energy incident to the office of Patriarch to the Church.
"'As you know the duties of the Patriarch entail heavy exhaustion. Since but one man holds that office, if he is measurable incapacitated, its work must in that degree suffer.
"'I know, of course, that one neither resigns nor asks to be released from such a calling out of personal considerations, any more than one requests appointment or asks for office. My chief desire is that the work of the Lord shall prosper.
"'Bearing these things in mind, I am writing to say that if you desire me to carry on I shall do my best. If, however, in the circumstances, you should feel that the interests of the Church would be best served by releasing me at this time, I want you to feel at liberty to do that. I am therefore writing this letter to let you know you have my full support for whatever you decide.
"'I am grateful for the Lord's goodness to me and mine.
"'Ever praying the Lord's choicest blessings upon you, I am sincerely your brother,
"'Joseph F. Smith'
"After quoting this letter in the 'Improvement Era,' the First Presidency made the following formal response:
"'After careful and prayerful consideration, and with deep regret and sympathy for his condition, the First Presidency with the expressed assent and approval of the Council of the Twelve, have decided, under all the circumstances, that Brother Joseph F. Smith shall be released from his duties as Patriarch to the Church.'
--"1946, October 6
"'Tabernacle and Assembly hall filled. Jos F. Smith released. A sad happening.' (GASD)
"--1946, October 25
"'Orval Adams called to say that Wallace and George Spencer wanted him to speak to the father of "this boy" and if the father said no, the boy would not need to be spoken to. Pres. Clark agreed with Mr. Adams that he should not do this but that Pres. Smith was the one. Bro. Adams said he would tell Geo. that Bro. Smith would do that.' (COD) 'Phoned Joseph Patriarch. He feels better.' (GASD) . . .
--"1947, January 25
"'Talked on Phone to Ruth Smith.' (GASD)
--1947, January 31
"'Ruth P. Smith came in to talk about Joseph.' (GASD)
--"1947, March 19
"George Albert Smith instructed that the ex-Patriarch's salary continue to be sent to him monthly until the end of December, when it should stop. (Frank Evans diary)
--"1947, April 3
"Voted to sustain…Eldred Smith" as the new Patriarch to the Church. (GASD) . . .
"1947, August 6
"'After supper walked and called to see Jos. Fielding.' (GASD)
--"1947, August 20
"'Talked to Ruth Smith on phone.' (GASD)
--"1947, December 6
"While at Honolulu, Apostle George F. Richards noted in his diary that 'Pres. Woolley' (Ralph Woolley, the mission president) showed him a First Presidency letter instructing that ex-Patriarch Joseph F. Smith not function in any Church capacity. (George F. Richards diary)
--"1947, December 31
"'Had long interview at 11:00 am with Jos. F. Smith, who flew here from Hawaii to attend the Nat'l Speech Ass'n Convention.' (GASD) . . .
--"1948. January 7
"'Interview with . . . Jos. Fielding Smith at 10:30 a.m.' (GASD) [Quinn believes this refers to Apostle Joseph F. Smith, however I do believe it refers to the former Patriarch]
--"1948, March 15
"George Albert Smith authorized retroactive payment of ex-Patriarch Smith's monthly allowance up to March 1. This was in response to Joseph's request for this financial assistance. (FED)
--"1950, August 16
"At Honolulu, '[i]n the afternoon, by pre-arrangement, Joseph F. Smith, former Patriarch of the Church, came to the Woolley home, and he and I stayed up in my room and had a long talk together concerning many things, particularly with reference to his problems.' (GASD)
--"1952-1954
"John Reese, a then-closeted gay Mormon from Utah, lived in the Honolulu Stake with Joseph F. and Ruth Smith and befriended them (especially Ruth). Ruth eventually revealed to John that her husband had been having homosexual affairs and that is why he had been released. John understood that they had been 'exiled to Hawaii] by Church leaders, to keep Joseph out of the spotlight of scandal. He was told that one of Joseph's sexual partners was a man named Wallace. (A man named Wallace A.G.-- born in 1907 and married in 1931--was a close colleague of Smith's in the Drama Department at the University of Utah for several years. Wallace was the manager of the Drama Club while Joseph was the president).
--"1957 - April 10
Jay A. Quealy Jr., president of the Honolulu Stake, asked to restore ex-patriarch Joseph F. Smith to Church activity. President David O. McKay answered that his decision "will have to await the outcome of my talking with other people involved in this case." (David O. McKay office diary, "MOD")
--"1957 (?), April
"Typed, undated document, with no explanation except that it’s heading is 'Joseph F. Smith of Honolulu,' found in the 1959 First Presidency files, although it's from 1957:
"'The parents L. D. Browning--13185 W******** Place, Garden Grove, Calif.
"'The boy--Byram Browning--1102 East N******--Fullerton, California. married and two children.'
--"1957, May 9
"In a telephone conversation, Pres. McKay gave permission to Pres. Quealy of the Honolulu Stake for Joseph F. Smith to speak at his son's missionary farewell. (MOD)
--"1957, July 10
"The First Presidency instructed Bishop Lowell Christensen of the Waikiki Ward that Joseph F. Smith may have ward responsibilities because Joseph had already confessed 'and has forsaken his sins.' Pres. McKay stated that Joseph F. Smith had never been formally disfellowshipped or excommunicated. (MOD)
--"1957, December 9
"Pres. McKay authorized Pres. Quealy to use his own judgment in allowing Smith to serve in the Church, inasmuch as 'Joseph F. Smith has recently confessed to his wife and wrote a full confession to the First Presidency.' President McKay said that there need not be any formal announcement or action for this reinstatement, since no formal action had ever been taken against him. (MOD) According to Quinn’s correspondence with me, Smith soon became a member of the Stake High Council.
--"1958, April 13
"Ruth Pingree Smith wrote Pres. McKay, expressing appreciation that her husband could now serve actively in the Church. She added, 'I know, better than anyone else, the trial our family has been to you and to the authorities.' [Ruth P. Smith to McKay letter, also misfiled under 1959]
--"1979, October 4
"Eldred Gee Smith was placed on emeritus status by the First Presidency and no new Patriarch was called to replace him. At his death, the office of Patriarch to the Church, which once rivaled that of the President of the Church, will cease to exist. . . ."
("CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS on Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith’s Homosexuality," Connell O'Donovan, comp., "with the generous assistance of D. Michael Quinn," including sources, at:
http://www.connellodonovan.com/smith.html)
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(Part 2 follows)
Part 1:
http://exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,1421938,1421938#msg-1421938Part 2:
http://exmormon.org/phorum/read.php?2,1421938,1421940#msg-1421940Edited 8 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2014 12:26AM by steve benson.