Why Did Joseph Smith Start Polygamy?

Joseph Smith Polygamy is one of the most controversial and debated aspects of early Mormon history. Polygamy, or more accurately polygyny—the marriage of more than one woman to the same man—was a defining aspect of early Latter-day Saint history. The practice began during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but became more publicly known during the leadership of Brigham Young. Today, the practice is strictly prohibited in the Church, and those who engage in it are not members. However, the historical roots of this practice remain a subject of interest and inquiry.

Understanding the Joseph Smith polygamy timeline and why Joseph Smith started polygamy requires examining the religious, social, and personal factors that contributed to its introduction. Based on Church teachings and historical records, it is clear that Joseph Smith introduced plural marriage as a commandment from God, despite his personal hesitations and the cultural challenges it presented.

The Origins of Plural Marriage in the Church

The origins of plural marriage in the Church date back to 1831, when Joseph Smith made a prayerful inquiry about the ancient Old Testament practice of polygamy. In response, he received divine instruction to reinstitute the practice as a religious principle. This revelation formed the foundation for what would later be known as celestial plural marriage. Those exploring Mormonism explained often seek clarity on how polygamy was introduced and its role in early Church teachings.

Latter-day Saints believe that the marriage of one man and one woman is the Lord’s standard law of marriage. However, there have been times in scriptural history when God commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For instance, biblical figures such as Abraham, Jacob, and Moses had multiple wives. In the early 1840s, Joseph Smith was commanded by revelation to introduce this principle among Church members.

While polygamy was introduced as a divine command, it was not done so publicly at first. It was taught privately to a select group of trusted individuals before it became a widespread practice in the Church. The Joseph Smith polygamy timeline reflects the gradual introduction and subsequent expansion of the practice.

Joseph Smith’s Hesitation and Angelic Command

Joseph Smith himself struggled with the commandment to introduce plural marriage. According to historical records, he found the practice personally difficult and delayed its implementation. His hesitation stemmed from deep-seated societal norms, his own upbringing in a monogamous culture, and his awareness that the principle would be controversial and misunderstood.

Eliza R. Snow, a Latter-day Saint woman who was sealed to Joseph Smith, recorded that the Prophet experienced an intense internal struggle over the commandment. He confided to her brother, Lorenzo Snow, about the personal and social challenges he faced regarding plural marriage. Joseph knew that the commandment went against established social customs and Christian beliefs of the time. However, he also testified that an angel of God appeared to him, holding a drawn sword, and warned that if he did not establish plural marriage, his priesthood would be taken from him, and he would be destroyed.

For those researching did Joseph Smith have multiple wives, historical records confirm that he did. The Joseph Smith escaping polygamy tree is a term sometimes used in discussions about the complex relationships involved in his plural marriages.

A Test of Faith for Early Church Members

For many early Latter-day Saints, the introduction of plural marriage was one of the most difficult trials they faced. Most converts to the Church in the 19th century came from traditional, monogamous backgrounds. The idea of plural marriage was as foreign to them as it would be to most people today. Even Brigham Young, who later had multiple wives and children, initially struggled with accepting the principle.

Joseph Smith himself acknowledged that the practice would be a significant test of faith. Helen Mar Kimball, one of the women sealed to Joseph, recorded that he stated plural marriage would be “the hardest trial the Saints would ever have to test their faith.” However, she later testified that despite the difficulties, it became one of the greatest blessings in her life.

Other women, such as Lucy Walker, shared similar experiences. Lucy recalled feeling deep turmoil when Joseph Smith invited her to become his wife. Every part of her being resisted the idea. However, after praying fervently for divine guidance, she reported experiencing a spiritual confirmation—an overwhelming peace and joy—that reassured her of the principle’s truth.

The Nature of Joseph Smith’s Sealings

One of the most complex aspects of Joseph Smith polygamy is the nature of the sealings. The exact number of women sealed to him is unknown, but historical records indicate that his sealings varied in purpose.

During the period when plural marriage was practiced, Latter-day Saints distinguished between two types of sealings:

1. Sealings for time and eternity – These included commitments and relationships during mortal life and generally allowed for the possibility of sexual relations.
2. Sealings for eternity only – These indicated a relationship in the next life alone and did not necessarily include a marital relationship during mortality.

Some of Joseph Smith’s wives testified that their marriages to him were for both time and eternity, while others indicated that their relationships were for eternity alone.

Additionally, historical records show that Joseph Smith was sealed to some women who were already married to other men. The exact reasons for these sealings are unclear, as many of the individuals involved left little written explanation. Some historians suggest these unions were meant to create spiritual bonds between different families within the Church.

Opposition and Public Controversy

As knowledge of plural marriage spread, opposition to the practice grew. Many religious and political leaders in the United States viewed polygamy as immoral and uncivilized. The Latter-day Saints were ridiculed in newspapers, books, and public speeches.

The United States government passed laws targeting polygamous marriages, which led to legal consequences for those who practiced it. Many Latter-day Saints were arrested, fined, and imprisoned. By 1890, hundreds of men had been imprisoned for practicing plural marriage, and many families suffered from the hardships that came with government opposition.

Despite the social and legal challenges, many early Church members defended the practice, testifying that they believed it was a commandment from God.

The End of Plural Marriage

By the late 19th century, the increasing legal pressure on the Church led President Wilford Woodruff to seek divine guidance regarding the continuation of plural marriage. In 1890, he received a revelation that led to the issuance of the Manifesto, which officially ended the practice of plural marriage.

Wilford Woodruff later explained the decision, stating that he had seen in a vision what would happen if the Church continued the practice. He foresaw that the U.S. government would take further action against the Church, potentially shutting down temples and preventing members from practicing their faith freely.

Although some plural marriages continued in secrecy for a short period after the Manifesto, the Second Manifesto of 1904 made it clear that any new plural marriages would result in excommunication.

Today, the Church strictly forbids polygamy. Any member who attempts to practice plural marriage is excommunicated. Additionally, the Church has no affiliation with modern polygamous groups, even though some of these groups falsely claim connections to the early Latter-day Saints.

Final Reflection

Why did Joseph Smith start polygamy? The answer lies in his belief that he was commanded by God to do so. The principle of plural marriage was a difficult and controversial practice, requiring immense faith from those involved. While it was a significant part of Latter-day Saint history for a half-century, it was ultimately discontinued by divine revelation in response to legal and social pressures. To learn more about Joseph Smith Polygamy, visit Mormonism Explained.

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Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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