H. Daniel Zacharias on the Marital Status of Mary in Matthew 1

  

This fact has been under-appreciated by Matthew commentators: Mary was already legally Joseph's wife and so, in being legally bound to the line of David, her offspring would also be in that family. This is confirmed by the ending of the genealogy: Ίακώβ δε εγέννησεν τόν Ίωσήφ τόν άνδρα Μαρίας, έξ ής εγεννήθη Ίησοϋς (Matt 1:16). While this is well recognized as an odd ending to a genealogy (which Matthew will go on to explain), it does indicate that Mary was in the family line by betrothal already and Matthew has already given examples of Davidide-by-marriage women in his genealogy. At conception Jesus is already in the family of David, but it will be up to Joseph whether or not the baby and his mother remain part of the family.

 

. . .

 

The "taking" (παραλαμβάνω) of Mary describes step two in Jewish marriages of this period, when the wife would move into the husband's home. Numerous English translations and commentators make the mistake of adding "as" to the translation, "to take Mary as your wife." Mary is already legally his wife according to Matthew. It is in Joseph's purview to divorce Mary, but the command is to continue in the marital relationship, with the taking of Mary into his home being stage two in their marriage. After the dream and the editorial insertion of the formula quotation, Joseph does "take his wife" (1:24). With this act, Mary and her son are solidly in the family line of David through the completion of their marriage: "Joseph's taking his wife-i.e., taking her home in wedlock-echoes v 20 and assures Jesus' place in the Davidic line." (H. Daniel Zacharias, Matthew’s Presentation of the Son of David [T&T Clark Biblical Studies; London: T&T Clark, 2017], 54-55, 57)

 

Thomas B. Marsh, Letter to Heber C. Kimball, (May 5, 1857)

 The following is a transcription of Thomas B. Marsh, Letter to Heber C. Kimball, (May 5, 1857):

 

Florence, Douglas Co, Nebraska Ter’y

may 5. 57

 

Heber C Kimball

 

Dear Sir; you see by the [illegible] to this, when I am. I left winter Having lost my wife some three years since I began to awake to a sense of my situation; you will, perhaps, say why you left a long time or was a long time in waiting and would say truly for so it is for I have, at least, been groping in darkness for 18 years I left Quincy Co, Missouri in the begining of January A.D. 51, set my face Zionward and thereabout, with only on foot having a determination that I would go to Salt Lake, God being my helper, & there throw myself at the feet of the apostles and implore their forgivness and ask for admittance into the House of the Lord; into the church of latter day saints & that I would say to them I know that I have since against Heaven and in thy sight and have rendered myself unworthy of your confidence; or of a place in the family of Heaven nevertheless make me thy servant let I perish for I know that in my Fathers house there is bread enough and to spare while here I perish with hunger.

 

I came on with very good courage until after I had been here for some time; the longer I remain here & the more I do examine into your feelings since I left you the stronger I become in my confidence & the stronger I become in faith & the lighter things appear to me, the more clearly do I discover that I desire no place among you in the church even as the lowest member; but I cannot live long so without a reconciliation with the 12 and the Church whom I have injured O Brethren once Brethren!! How can I leave this world without your forgiveness? Can I have it Can I have it? something seems to say within me? O then hasten and signify it by writing the words yes to me then O joy I shall be content, I have met with G. M. Hinkle and a reconciliation has taken place with us, and where that was accomplished I was so overjoyed that I was constrained to say in my heart truly this is an evidence that the Lord loves me after all my rebellions & my sins. I know what I have done a mission was laid upon me & I have never placed it aside nor [illegible] it is too late but it is placed by another, I see, the Lord could get along very well without me and he has lost nothing by my falling out of the ranks; But O what have I lost?! Riches Great riches then all his works a many friends like his could afford but O brethren! can you speak one word of comfort to me Can I be saved at all in the kingdom of God Can I have peace among you? If I can but enjoy your smiles and the smiles of the Church & of Jesus I shall be content to depart in secure so great peace     The Lord has been mindful of me even altho I was very stubborn He has followed me up He has visited me with scourgings & with visions & dreams, Therefore O that I were worthy to call you brethren! but that I call your you seem very near to me I love you better than I do any set of mortals on this earth, you have been diligent in accomplishing the work given you while I, miserable me! have pursued my way among habit chamels every seeking for nourishment to my soul where there was no bread of life & I hate you & hate myself. I wait here, at Florence anxiously for a letter addressed to your Ola & now truly sincerely & truly sincere friend

 

Thomas B. Marsh,

 

Heber C. Kimball

 

Salt Lake City

 

P.S. My love to all the saints & may the richest blessings of the fulness of the everlasting Gospel be with you next spring your and a few more c[m?]nes

 

D. T. B. M.

 

Andrew Cunningham, letter to Brigham Young (April 19, 1857)

 The following is a transcription of Andrew Cunningham, letter to Brigham Young (April 19, 1857). Note the report that Thomas B. Marsh wished to be reinstated:

 

President Young Dear Brother yours of the 3d of oct last just came to hand on the last day of nov. it which I now will at tempt to answer in relation to the settlements west of this I started on the 6th of nov. last with a small company to see where we could find a place to make a settlement in consequence of the feelings of the people from what Br Franklin Richards wrote me from [illegible] I thought best to locate on the land that had been purchased of the Indians & we made our claims on the other river it being the extreme west line of the purchase I have preached the need activity and the importance of making the settlements & made arrangements with Br Robert Stackleton to build a steammill there if he got business settled & Started from here the day he was changing to sell may having some business to settlement and I went to St Louis in [illegible] and made the arrangements for the steammill we paid it and I expect it here by the first of this week I expect to start on the 22d with some 4 or 5 men with horses and seeds and tools to commence to settlement and there is others that start with us as soon as gives as could be expected considering the timber that I have had to work with there is some good saints and some sunshine I have taken a course that I have them confiden and will indeavor to do them good by the help of the Lord Thomas B Marsh is here and wishes to join the Church I told him that he knew that had him placed in important place in the Church and how some he had forfeited his unite to salvation I was not able to say but I would not Baptise him in to the Church untill order from the prophet see he wished me to write you on this Case I told him that some of the twelve would be here this season and then we would talk the matter over he asked the liberty to make a Confession before the Church I told him that he could have the Liberty some time when was here but I did not want him to talk in the Church in publick untell I was reassured further Case has bin here some two weeks he is well Br Henry miller has gone to Illinois for having I am sick of this wicked world down here and I long to see the time when the nerst in heart may be gathered out from this wicked world I’m joy good health to write and give me your council in relation to the move of things that you want me to attend to my the Lord bless all that ble[s]s you

 

A Cunningham of the Lord. and inasmuch as ye attend faithfully and diligently to these things iniquity shall be rooted out of the Church, and thine enemies shall cease out of the land and ye shall prosper and flourish and spread abroad and shall be the head and not the foot; but if ye do not these things which I have commanded none of these blessings shall be enjoyed by you but ye shall cease to be a people! Now therefore see ye to it! that ye shew not this spirit to any untill ye return with thy brother then ye shall read all of this to the assembled multitude and let all the Church say Amen

 

PS I have just received a letter from Br Snow dated the first of april he says that there will be from 50 to 60 men from there to make settlement west of this he says that Br [unclear] Smith will be up with them which I shall be very glad for I feel as tho I need the council and help of my Brethren to accomplish this great work

 

A C

 

Rec 23 may. 57

 

Thomas B. Marsh's Letter and Purported Revelation to Brigham Young Requesting to be Reinstated

Thomas B. Marsh letter (purporting to be a revelation from Marsh to Brigham Young, commanding Marsh’s reinstatement):

 

Behold I say unto thee Brigham young! There is the servant of the Lord, Thomas Marsh, Chief of the 12 to whom the Lord gave the keys of the kingdom? from whom they have not been taken; Who was driven out from among you because of the iniquity of his brethren who hunted for his blood but did not obtain it because he his life was hid with Christ in God, because he had made the Lord, who was the God of David, his habitation! because he abode in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty! Nevertheless his blood hath been required at the hands of those who sought it for know ye not that the word of the Lord faileth not? now if ye would prosper in the land which the Lord thy God hath given thee ye shall speedily take with thee two wise & faithful servants of the Lord and go to the land of Missouri and enquire in the County of Howard for his son Edward Marsh, who will, if ye are prudent direct you to his father; but if ye act not discreetly, he will fear lest ye seek the life of his father, and withhold from thee the desired information. Behold ye shall take with you means for his conveyance and an outfit to this place and ye shall be both wise and harmless and when ye have found the servant of the Lord, ye shall confer with him in a kind and friendly manner and he shall rejoice and be glad to see you for I will prepare his mind for the meeting and ye shall shew unto him this writing and when all things are in readiness he will accompany you and ye shall bring him to this land even to your chief City. And ye shall call together the Congregations of the faithful and when they are assembled ye shall take this your brother and shall stand forth with him in the sight of them all and thus shall ye present him unto them, saying Let us rejoice and be glad for this our brother was dead and is alive! was lost and is found; then behold thou Brigham then with two others, faithful servant Shall lay thy hands upon his head with prayer and Consecrate him to the office of High Priest of the Most High God to Minister to the Spiritual wants of the Church And this thy Brother and thou Brigham and one more whom the Lord Shall appoint Shall be and constitute a Council which Shall be called the Supreme Counsel on earth to counsel together on all important matters relating to the welfare of Israel And thou shalt attend to the Government of Utah and govern according to the constitution of the United States which ye shall study to know and understand, And be ye Patriotic and use the strict observance of the laws and Constitution of their United states for the Lord whom ye worship instituted these things, Gave to the people this land of freedom and put His blessing upon it. And this thy brother shall labor in the Church to put out iniquity and ignorance and the Brigham shall use all your energies to enable him to do so by your influence; by your example! by your voice! and by the Love of God! And inasmuch as the Supreme Council shall walk humbly and Righteously before the Lord they shall obtain the word of the Lord through the mouth of Thomas for he is accepted Page 3 of the Lord. and inasmuch as ye attend faithfully and diligently to these things iniquity shall be rooted out of the Church, and thine enemies shall cease out of the land and ye shall prosper and flourish and spread abroad and shall be the head and not the foot; but if ye do not these things which I have commanded none of these blessings shall be enjoyed by you but ye shall cease to be a people! Now therefore see ye to it! that ye show not this spirit to any untill ye return with thy brother then ye shall read all of this to the assembled multitude and let all the Church say Amen

 

The back of the letter reads:

 

Letter

 

Revelation in favor of reinstating Thomas B. Marsh

 

--Nonsense—

  

Transcription of Ann Abbot letter draft, June 6, 1842

Ann Abbot letter draft, June 6, 1842 (Note: the pages are damaged, so much text is missing):

 

Page 1:

 

Dear brother, many years has past away since I have wrote to
you or you to me. I had seldom write to any of you. I am about out
of the way of writing, when I sit down to write to my brother
I am at a stand where to write, because they do not profess
the same religion, therefore I cannot write that, that
would be so interesting, altho there is but one true Religion
there is a wide difference in our minds. I am [illegible] you may
know the difference if you will take the trouble to go to these
the Mormon Preachers, I consider it one of the greatest
blessings that the Lord ever bestowed upon me that I had
the privilege of embracing the true and everlasting gospel [illegible]
the [illegible] doctrine, which is Eleven years last May
since my [illegible] self were baptised into the Mormon
Church, the same year & month we left my school set?
came to Kirtland? Ohio stopt with Brother Thomas
until Sept the 1 then started for Missouri stopt there
one year, was there driven by a Ruthless mob to Clay
County from there to Caldwell County from there to
Illinois so we have been driven and driven and blood spilt
all this done unto us because of our faith in our Saviour
and still our faith is not lessend. Neither do we see
that we have passed through all yet, we have got to be
tried and proved in all things so that we may stand or fall
many have fell out by the way side all ready Brother
Thomas for one, and his family they live in Missouri
but where I cannot tell you, I have [illegible] but
cannot get an answer. I understand that [illegible]
branch of the Church in [illegible] of the [illegible] of
Mormons, if so you can [illegible] yourself [illegible]
brother Monson that [illegible] go? to
of Nauvoo, Illinois, or [illegible] a [illegible]
a moment and then [illegible] it is [illegible]
that I should not know [illegible]
I do not giving meeting [text missing due to damage]

 

Page 2:

 

a Mormon brother, a particular friend of ours by the name
of Eri Willems called at one of your neighbors last fale
saw one of your Sons, this is the way I found out where to write
I have had a letter from Jemes B Emerson last April
they thought something of coming to this County this spring
I think they will not come for they are full of Millenarian
they are preparing to see world come to an end 1853, poor
Children will find themselves mistaken.
they will have to live many years yes many years. [illegible]
[illegible] by Brother Thomas as long ago as when he was at
House you had buried your wife, and I have never heard
of your mourning again. I want to hear from you & your
[illegible] and your Children has [damage]
I have three Children buried too [text missing due to damage]
Abigail Thomas Joseph, the two I buried was
Ammon Eliza[?]m.

 

Page 3:

 

my Childhood as it were and see how I was
taught of men, and how my eyes were
brought to wonder although I know it was
[illegible] of the Lord that I ever had the privilige
of the oportunity, even present foster I thought
the Gospel but I know now he knew nothing about
it all. you may say how do you know? I know because
[illegible] Spiritualised the Scriptures like
other sects and denominations. Mr Foster would tell
you the same if he could come and tell you, he would tell
you he never knew what the true Gospel was when
I saw him. I will leave this subject because I know you can
have the privilige of hearing for yourself and to your satisfaction
before I will commence in inquiring after your welfare
and your Children which I gratefully desire to hear how where
you are and how you are situated and whether you are all
a living. I have thought it was not hardly possible for them
would to be a living I want to hear from your parents on both
sides and brother and sister and many other acquaintances tell
me where is she that was Sarah G Priest Sophia Nane?
Maid Sarah’s Mother and &c &c.

 

Page 4:

 

Dear friends after a long absence from
I take my pen to write to once belowe
you I have not forgotten them no i
my memory and often wish I could see them all e[?]
that brought me up, from my Childhood. I have
changes [sic] since that time especially sence I left Massch[?]
but not for the w[?]se but all for the better. I can tell you my
that I have passed through which has been for my best good
have been most we have been driven [illegible] from State to
State, we have been very sick from time to time, burned two [illegible]
with many other afflictions which I cannot name[?] all ha[ve]
been for our good, never have I seen a moment that I wish
myself back to my native land, no. but be assured my
friends I wish you was here where you could enjoy the light of the
gospel as well as I, and enjoy each other siety. I never have
heard of a Mormon going to Littleton to tell you the glad tidings
but they have been pretty much around you in the neighbouring
towns no doubt you have taken the pains to go to here them
preach or will have the privileg of hearing them in your
own towns sooner or later, and I hope you will not reject them
for your own sole salvation. They preach the gospel of Jesus
Christ no one else.

[lower portion of page 4 is written upside down on the verso; much of it is damaged]

[illegible] Mormon brother a particular friend of ours by the name
of Eri Willis called at one of your neighbors last fale
saw one of your Sons, this is the way I found out where to write
I have had a letter from Jemes B Emerson last April
they thought something of coming to this Country this spring
I think they will not come for they are full of Millenarian
they are preparing to see world come to an end 1853, poor
Children will find themselves mistaken.
they will have to live many years yes many years. [illegible]
I wanted by Brother Thomas as long ago as when he was at
House you had buried your wife, and I have never heard
of your mourning again. I want to hear from you & your
[illegible] and your Children has [damage]
I have three Children buried too [text missing due to damage]
Abigail Thomas Joseph, the two I buried was
Ammon Eliza[?]m.

Phinehas H. Young (December 14, 1842) and the Expectation that the Saints Would Move to the Rocky Mountains

  

Seneca Co. Tiffin, Ohio Dec. 14th 1842

 

Dear Brethren

 

After an absence of five months, from those I sincerely love in the truth, I find myself in this place in Company with Brother O. Cowley, whom the most of you know, and with whom we have had a most friendly acquaintance; the sight of such a man brings fresh to my memory those Scenes which transpired in the days of our espousals to Christ, scenes never to be forgotten by those of us who love the truth, when all the world was arrayed against the truth and against the Lords anointed I long to see the day when I Can again visit my brethren and see the Lords prophet and hear the words of life sweetly distilling from his lips; but let me be where I may I am determined to keep the Commandments of God, and preach the gospel to all that will hear; Brother Oliver is well and doing well as far as this time is concerned, and his heart is still with his old friends, and I believe he would be with them in person and that soon if Brother Joseph only knew the true state of affairs; at the time brother Oliver was driven from [unclear], we are all unaware of the fact that many were trying to break him down that they might rise thereby Gi say George M. Hinkle George W. Robinson, Thomas Marsh and others who Brother Joseph thought to be his friends, and they told many things prejudicial to brother Oliver which he had no Chance whatever to Contradict, Such for instance as that if he (Oliver) left the Church it would all go down, and all this sort of thing, which he never said, neither Came it into his heart.

 

There is one thing I wish to mention which he Seemed to express Considerable Concern about that is some notes he held in his hands against Brother Brigham and others he Said he had let Oliver Cowdery have all the notes he had in possession as soon as he learned he was authorized to receive them, and he has Since learned that Oliver Cowdery instead of giving them to the brethren as he ought to have done Sold some and gave others to his son Gilbert for Collection; there are many such like things he expresses great anxiety about, I wish if there are any of those notes presented for Collection the brethren would write to Oliver and let the fraud be made manifest in a lawful way and that would put a stop to the whole affair.

 

There is a serious affair now before the Church to wit, the Case of Brother John Snyder who the Weekly New Era Morning Post, says, was arrested on the 14th Nov, on board the ship Henry by Capt. Taylor the Bounding officer at the Balize with two other persons ringleader of a mutiny and lodged in the Balihouse at New Orleans; now if the High Council think proper to authorise me to raise funds to defray expences; Brother Oliver will start for New Orleans and do all for the Brethren that Can be done, he will wait for an answer from you, therefore if you feel disposed to write direct to this place, and if I shall be where Oliver Can hear from me immediately, as I expect to preach in this region for a time, Brother Brooks and myself Calculate to give this part a loud warning this winter, he is the presiding Elder at Kirtland, and a very good man, and I believe we shall do much good if we are humble enough.

 

I would further state that Brother Oliver I am satisfied has no sinister motives in the above proposition as he is burdened with his business Continually, this is the third time I have visited him Since I Came from the west, and as far as I am able to judge he has as much business as any other man of his profession, and perhaps double the amount of any other in the District bar in both of Common pleas an in the United States Court. he starts next monday for Columbus to attend the United States Court where he has five or six Suits of importance. I feel an interest in Brother Snyders Case and wish it might please you to get Brother Oliver to go and with your permission I will accompany him, as it will be necessary for some one to go with him now Dear Brethren dont feel to write send me a line to Kirtland at the time you write to Brother Oliver, give my love to Brother Joseph when you see him tell him I would Come to the Rocky mountains to see him, and fight my way through an army of wild Cats on Missouri mules and live on Skunks the whole journey if necessary God bless you all Farewell from your unworthy brother in Christ. (Phineas H. Young Letter, December 14, 1842, CHL call no.: CR 1234 1, emphasis in bold added)

 

Further Reading:

Resources on Joseph Smith's Prophecies

TORN Interfaith Dialogue (May 23, 2026)

 Yesterday I was invited by some LDS friends to participate in an interfaith dialogue. The theme was on how one determines a true vs. false prophet. Next week, it will focus on Joseph Smith (I hope the presenter will be prepared, as this is a topic I have done a lot of work on):

TORN Interfaith Dialogue (May 23, 2026)