Debunking the Myths: Joseph Smith Polygamy

This blog draws from insights and information in the YouTube video titled ‘BOMBSHELL New Discoveries of Nauvoo Polygamy! (Feat. Don Bradley)’ by WARD RADIO.

Polygamy in the early Mormon Church has always been a controversial and misunderstood topic. Much of the mystery and suspicion surrounding Joseph Smith’s practice of plural marriage has been fueled by accusations that he pursued multiple wives for sexual gratification and power. However, emerging historical analyses, like those presented by Don Bradley, reveal a different narrative. When we scrutinize the context and actual details surrounding these marriages, we uncover compelling evidence that suggests Joseph Smith’s motivations were far from opportunistic or driven by lust. In fact, his approach to polygamy reveals a deeply complex, religiously sincere, and cautious man who appears to have been following spiritual instructions—actions likely aimed at establishing eternal family bonds rather than indulging in sensual desires.

The Idea of Opportunism

One of the most common criticisms is that Joseph Smith’s polygamy was opportunistic, designed to fulfill immediate sexual needs. However, as Bradley points out, Smith’s choices tell a different story. Rather than seeking out young, single women, Joseph Smith Wives often were ones who were already married to other men. These relationships, often called “polyandrous marriages,” meant that his plural wives remained in relationships with their first husbands. This unique setup implies that traditional marital expectations—like sexual relations and procreation—weren’t the main motivators behind these unions. Moreover, many of these women were not only already married but also pregnant or soon to give birth. If Joseph’s intention was immediate gratification, pursuing pregnant or unavailable women seems counterproductive, even irrational.

Instead of a driven opportunist, this portrays Joseph as someone intent on adhering to specific divine directives, however controversial. The fact that he chose married women—and did so without dissolving their previous marriages—suggests a deliberate attempt to establish spiritual connections rather than purely physical relationships. These unions were grounded in the belief of “sealing” families together for eternity, a concept central to early Mormon theology. Far from being about physical lust, these marriages were Joseph’s way of fulfilling what he saw as religiously mandated duties.

The Unlikely First Plural Marriage

Another misconception is that Joseph Smith’s first plural marriage in Nauvoo was to Louisa Beaman in 1841. According to the traditional timeline, based on an affidavit from Joseph B. Noble, Louisa was his first plural wife in this new phase of the Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline. However, further analysis reveals Noble’s account may not be as reliable as once thought. Not only did Noble have a reputation for “boasting” and poor recollection of dates, but his account was inconsistent, offering multiple dates and locations for the marriage. Ultimately, he reported the marriage date as April 5, 1841, which just happens to be the exact same date of his own first plural marriage in 1843, leading historians to question whether he might have been confused.

If we set aside Noble’s inconsistent account, the timeline of Joseph’s polygamous relationships in Nauvoo shifts. Instead of a clear, sequential pattern, there is a significant gap between his marriage to Louisa Beaman and the following marriages. This suggests that Joseph’s practice of polygamy did not initially begin as a formalized system but rather as isolated and cautious steps into a practice that, even to him, may have been unfamiliar and challenging to reconcile with societal norms and personal emotions.

The Angel with a Drawn Sword

Perhaps the most intriguing revelation involves the story of an angel with a drawn sword. Historical records indicate that Joseph Smith felt immense pressure from what he described as an angelic mandate to begin practicing plural marriage. According to his account, an angel appeared with a sword, instructing him to establish the practice of plural marriage or face consequences. This experience profoundly affected him, pushing him forward despite his hesitancy and personal conflict with the practice.

Intriguingly, around the same time Joseph spoke of this angelic visitation, Orson Hyde, a missionary on the other side of the world, witnessed a striking celestial phenomenon. While crossing from Beirut by ship, Hyde and others reportedly saw a “glittering sword” in the sky, with an arm reaching out to grasp its hilt. This wasn’t just a personal vision; the Arabs aboard the ship also saw it, reacting with awe, chanting “Allah!” This phenomenon coincided with the annual Orionid meteor shower, leading to the question: was this a coincidence, or was there a spiritual or symbolic link between these events?

Whether or not this celestial event had a direct connection to Joseph’s experience, it certainly lent an aura of divine legitimacy to the mandate, reinforcing the idea that Joseph was receiving genuine spiritual guidance rather than concocting a scheme. For a con artist or manipulative leader, waiting for and drawing strength from a sign in the heavens would be uncharacteristic. Con artists are generally not spiritually introspective or concerned with symbolic affirmations from the natural world; they’re focused on material and immediate results. This sign in the heavens, combined with Joseph’s stated interactions with the angel, suggests that he was acting from religious conviction rather than personal gain.

The Broader Implications of Polygamy for Joseph Smith

From a historical perspective, this insight reframes Joseph Smith’s polygamy in a way that challenges the simplistic narrative that he was motivated by carnal desires. His relationships were not impulsive but seemingly marked by deliberate caution and timing, and often to women who could not provide immediate sexual gratification due to their personal circumstances.

Understanding Joseph Smith’s polygamy requires looking beyond the limited lens of lust or power. By exploring the spiritual and theological implications he attached to plural marriage, we see a more nuanced picture—one of a man grappling with a divine command, feeling pressured to establish a practice that was as contentious for him as it was for those around him. His choices reflect the complexity of a belief system in which eternal marriage and family connections held paramount importance, so much so that he risked societal disapproval, personal safety, and even accusations of moral impropriety to follow through.

Bradley’s research brings to light the paradox of a man whose actions were often misinterpreted because they clashed so profoundly with the social expectations of his time. If Joseph were merely seeking gratification, as critics often claim, his actions would look drastically different. Instead, they reveal an individual trying to navigate what he believed to be divine mandates with as much integrity as possible, given the religious and social constraints of his era. To see the full Joseph Smith polygamy timeline, visit mormonismexplained.org. 

Conclusion: Dispelling the Myths

The emerging narrative around Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy is reshaping the way history views his intentions and character. The accusation that he was simply a conman or libertine fails to hold up under the weight of evidence that points to his sincere, albeit unconventional, spirituality. Whether or not one agrees with his theology or his actions, it becomes clear that dismissing Joseph as an opportunist falls short of the truth. His life’s choices—especially regarding polygamy—appear more in line with a religious visionary than a scheming manipulator.

Don Bradley’s insights provide a fresh perspective, one that reminds us of the importance of historical context and the complexity of human motivations.

About Mormonism Explained

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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