Their Book Gave Nontraditional View of Joseph Smith : Mormons Lift Speaking Ban on Authors

A speaking ban imposed on the authors of a book detailing Emma Hale Smith’s aversion to the polygamist practices of her husband, Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, has been lifted, one of the writers says.

Linda King Newell, who with Valeen Tippetts Avery wrote “Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith,” had been barred last June by Mormon leaders from speaking at church meetings. The book, published in late 1984, was criticized for presenting a nontraditional view of Smith, considered a prophet by the faith, which claims 6 million members.

In an interview this week, Newell said she was “naturally pleased with this decision. It renews my confidence that leaders and members can reason together when basic differences arise, and provides hope that other scholars will be spared the difficulties Valeen and I have experienced.”

Newell said the 10-month ban was rescinded after she contacted her Mormon district president April 13 to ask church leaders to reconsider the prohibition, which she saw as detrimental to all parties.

Newell said church official told her of the new decision, but not why it was made. Newell and Avery, who teaches history at Northern Arizona University, learned of the ban last year from friends before they could confirm it with church authorities.

Met With Church Leaders

In June, Newell met with Neal Maxwell and Dallin Oaks, two members of the Council of the Twelve, a high-ranking administrative board for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although they “never pointed out anything specific,” they said the book portrayed “a nontraditional view of Joseph Smith,” Newell said.

In their book, the authors said that Smith’s practice of polygamy--outlawed by the church in 1890 as an offense punishable by excommunication--triggered acrimony in his relationship with his wife. The book won prestigious awards from two Mormon historical associations.

Newell, a 45-year-old mother of four, also edits, with her husband, Jack, “Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.” The 20-year-old independent journal carries a variety of historical, literary and scholarly articles.