The Prophet Joseph anxiously desired polygamy,
but he dared not proclaim it, so it was taught confiden-
tially to such as were strong enough in the faith to
take the forward step. About the same time the
doctrine of " sealing " for an eternal state was intro-
duced. Also the Saints were given to understand that
their marriage relations with each other were not valid,
and that those who had solemnized the rites of matri-
mony had no authority of God to do so. The true priest-
hood had been taken from the earth with the death of the
apostles and inspired men of God. Since then people
were married to each other only by their own covenants,
and if their marriage had not been productive of



184 PECULIAR INTEREST AT NAUVOO

blessings and peace, and they felt it oppressive to
remain together, they were at liberty to make a new
choice, as much as if they had not been married. The
Prophet taught that it was a sin for people to live
together and beget children in alienation from each other.
There should exist an affinity between the sexes, not a
lustful one, as the latter can never cement the love and
affection that should exist between man and wife.
Perhaps I should mention that Orson Hyde and W.
