I have no doubt that JS would have continued evolving, developing, improvising, and receiving new revelations that would fundamentally change the church doctrines and understandings of the Nauvoo period. I had heard some speculation about JS having turned away from polygamy near the end but if I recall correctly the evidence of such a change of heart is slight and from a questionable source (William Marks I believe).felixfabulous wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 09:25Another temple question I have is how committed Joseph Smith was to the temple ordinances by the time he died. The version of history we hear is that he worked to get the ordinances presented in some form and the temple built, but died too soon and Brigham finished the work. The Community of Christ views it very differently, saying that the temple ritual "phase" fizzled out a few months before his death and he had moved on to different things. Some historians view the whole thing tied up with polygamy and that Joseph abandoned both shortly before his death. I do think it's interesting that Joseph and Hyrum were not wearing garments in Carthage Jail and that Emma did not seem to thing the temple ritual was important after Joseph's death.
I am not sure that the earliest garments were intended to be worn all the time as is the intention with modern garments. I read one quote arguing that you should always have your garments on under your clothing in case you are asked to participate in an impromptu/emergency prayer circle. I found that quote funny because that practice of wearing the garment all the time did indeed become the norm but we no longer do prayer circles outside the temple (at least that I know of) so the speaker's point is now moot.
IOW, the reason the speaker gave for wearing the garment at all times is long since obsolete but the practice persists.
