Did Joseph Smith Lie About Polygamy?

The question of whether Joseph Smith lied about polygamy is a complex and contentious issue that has been debated by historians, scholars, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) for many years. The complexity arises from differing perspectives, historical records, and the evolving context in which these events took place. Here is an exploration of the various facets of this question:

Historical Context and Secrecy

Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, introduced the practice of plural marriage (polygamy) in the early 1830s. However, the practice was not publicly acknowledged until the 1850s, several years after Joseph Smith’s death in 1844. During his lifetime, Joseph Smith and other church leaders often publicly denied the practice of polygamy, despite secretly practicing it.

Public Denials

There are documented instances where Joseph Smith denies polygamy:

• 1835 Doctrine and Covenants: The LDS Church published a statement in the Doctrine and Covenants stating “Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.” 

This was not a revelation received by Joseph Smith, it was a statement written by Oliver Cowdery. It was written as a response to the accusation by the surrounding communities that the Mormon law of consecration, which had communal property, also had a community of wives. This accusation was not true and the statement was approved and published in the Doctrine and Covenants. 

• Public Statements: Joseph Smith made several public statements denying the practice of polygamy. For example, in a speech in Nauvoo in May 1844, he declared, “What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one.” 

The statement came after a man named John C. Bennett, a former assistant to the First Presidency, had been excommunicated for practicing something he called “spiritual wifery.” Bennett had approached multiple women in Nauvoo and manipulated them into having sex with him, without a marriage covenant. To those who knew about, and practiced polygamy, “spiritual wifery” was a totally different, unsanctioned, and adulterous practice. They believed plural marriage was commanded by God and required that both the man and woman were willing to make a covenant with each other and God. The public statements of Joseph Smith lying about polygamy were in response to Bennett’s conduct, which the leaders of the church did not want to be associated with.

Private Practice

Despite these public denials, historical records show that Joseph Smith privately practiced polygamy:

• Revelations: Joseph Smith claimed to have received multiple revelations from God (one of which is found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 132) commanding the practice of polygamy. The sources confirm that Joseph Smith was married to multiple women, and the estimates range from 30 to 40 wives. Some of these women were already married to other men (a practice known as polyandry).

Reasons for Secrecy

Several factors contributed to the secrecy and denials surrounding polygamy during Joseph Smith’s lifetime:

• Legal and Social Context: Polygamy was illegal under U.S. law and was socially unacceptable in 19th-century American society. Public admission of the practice could have led to legal prosecution and further social ostracism.
• Internal Church Dissent: Polygamy was controversial even within the LDS Church. Some members were strongly opposed to the practice, and public acknowledgment could have caused significant internal division. In fact, many members left the church after finding out about the practice of polygamy.
• Protecting the Church: Joseph Smith and other leaders might have believed that denying polygamy publicly was necessary to protect the church and its members from persecution and violence.

Ethical and Moral Considerations

The issue of whether Joseph Smith denied polygamy also involves ethical and moral considerations. From a modern perspective, Joseph Smith’s denials can be seen as deceptive. However, some argue that he acted under a complex set of circumstances that justified his actions:

• Divine Command: Believers in Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling might argue that he acted under divine command and that secrecy was necessary to fulfill God’s purposes. They often cite the fact that Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife when he reached Egypt, in order to keep himself safe.

Historical Interpretations

Historians and scholars have differing interpretations of Joseph Smith’s actions:

• Critical View: Critics argue that Joseph Smith’s denials were deliberate deceptions intended to conceal a controversial and potentially damaging practice.
• Sympathetic View: Some historians take a more sympathetic view, suggesting that Joseph Smith was navigating an extraordinarily difficult situation and that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect his followers and the church.

Conclusion

The question of whether Joseph Smith lied about polygamy is not straightforward and depends significantly on one’s perspective and interpretation of historical events. Publicly, Smith denied the practice, while privately, he promoted and practiced it. The reasons for this secrecy are multifaceted, involving legal, social, and internal church dynamics. Ethical and moral evaluations of Smith’s actions vary widely, reflecting the complexity of his role as a religious leader and the challenging context in which he operated.

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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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