In the summer of 1830, Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng began work on his translation of the Bible with Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery , Sidney Rigdon Sidney Rigdon cancel 1793-1876 Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was born in 1793 in Pennsylvania and married Phebe Brooks in 1820. A minister of the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, he converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 8, 1830, after Oliver Cowdery and Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt cancel 1807-1847 Parley P. Pratt was born on April 12, 1807 in Burlington, New York. He married Thankful Halsey in 1827 and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery on September 1, 1830. Over the next three decades, Pratt was a dedicated writer and missionary, serving multiple missions in the United States, Canada, England, and Chile. He played a significant role alongside Joseph Smith in Missouri and was briefly imprisoned with him. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and migrated with the Saints to Utah in 1847. While serving a mission in Arkansas, he was murdered outside the small town of Van Buren.

Source: Church of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng shared the Book of Mormon with him and Phebe. Rigdon served as a scribe for Joseph Smith's inspired Bible revision and was a member of the First Presidency of the early Church. Following Joseph Smith's death, Rigdon declined leadership, leading to his excommunication from the Church in 1844. Subsequently, he founded and led an independent Church organization until his passing in 1876.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sidney-rigdon?lang=eng , and other scribes. It is speculated that this translation may have led to his knowledge that plural marriage would also be a part of the “restoration of all things”. info Information Sources: cancel https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-translation-of-the-bible?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-seminary-teacher-manual-2014/section-6/lesson-140-doctrine-and-covenants-132-1-2-34-66?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/latter-day-saint-history-1815-1846-teacher-material/lesson-21?lang=eng Image Source: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon working on the translation of the Bible The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Now canonized as part of Section 49 of the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph received a revelation from Sidney Rigdon Sidney Rigdon cancel 1793-1876 Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was born in 1793 in Pennsylvania and married Phebe Brooks in 1820. A minister of the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, he converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 8, 1830, after Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery and Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt cancel 1807-1847 Parley P. Pratt was born on April 12, 1807 in Burlington, New York. He married Thankful Halsey in 1827 and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery on September 1, 1830. Over the next three decades, Pratt was a dedicated writer and missionary, serving multiple missions in the United States, Canada, England, and Chile. He played a significant role alongside Joseph Smith in Missouri and was briefly imprisoned with him. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and migrated with the Saints to Utah in 1847. While serving a mission in Arkansas, he was murdered outside the small town of Van Buren.

Source: Church of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng shared the Book of Mormon with him and Phebe. Rigdon served as a scribe for Joseph Smith's inspired Bible revision and was a member of the First Presidency of the early Church. Following Joseph Smith's death, Rigdon declined leadership, leading to his excommunication from the Church in 1844. Subsequently, he founded and led an independent Church organization until his passing in 1876.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sidney-rigdon?lang=eng , Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley in response to a number of Shaker teachings, including the practice of celibacy. The revelation pronounces that “marriage is ordained of God unto man.” info Information Sources: cancel https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/49?lang=eng https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/historical-context/dc-49 https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/leman-copley-and-the-shakers?lang=eng

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng and Sidney Rigdon Sidney Rigdon cancel 1793-1876 Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was born in 1793 in Pennsylvania and married Phebe Brooks in 1820. A minister of the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, he converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 8, 1830, after Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery and Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt cancel 1807-1847 Parley P. Pratt was born on April 12, 1807 in Burlington, New York. He married Thankful Halsey in 1827 and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery on September 1, 1830. Over the next three decades, Pratt was a dedicated writer and missionary, serving multiple missions in the United States, Canada, England, and Chile. He played a significant role alongside Joseph Smith in Missouri and was briefly imprisoned with him. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and migrated with the Saints to Utah in 1847. While serving a mission in Arkansas, he was murdered outside the small town of Van Buren.

Source: Church of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng shared the Book of Mormon with him and Phebe. Rigdon served as a scribe for Joseph Smith's inspired Bible revision and was a member of the First Presidency of the early Church. Following Joseph Smith's death, Rigdon declined leadership, leading to his excommunication from the Church in 1844. Subsequently, he founded and led an independent Church organization until his passing in 1876.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sidney-rigdon?lang=eng were dragged from their homes in Hiram, Ohio, and tarred and feathered by a mob. Decades later, an anti-Mormon would allege that the persecution was in retaliation for Smith’s “intimate” relationship with a young woman named Marinda Nancy Johnson. He provided no source for this, and most historians give it little credence. Marinda would be sealed to Joseph as a plural wife a little over a decade later. info Information Sources: cancel https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-19?lang=eng https://gregkofford.com/collections/brian-c-hales https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/d72d0276-9e23-4bcc-a452-b6cd4358ea32/0/0 Image Source: Joseph Smith tarred and feathered by a mob in Hiram, Ohio The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

According to accounts from a number of close associates, an angel appeared to Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng three times between 1834 and 1842, each time commanding him to begin the practice of plural marriage. During the third such appearance, the angel appeared with a drawn sword and threatened Joseph with destruction if he disobeyed the Lord’s commandment and refused to move forward. info Information Sources: cancel https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng http://mormonhistoricsites.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Encouraging-Joseph-Smith-to-Practice-Plural-Marriage-The-Accounts-of-the-Angel-with-a-Drawn-Sword.pdf Image Source: Joseph Smith The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng is believed to have married his first plural wife, Fanny Alger Fanny Alger cancel 1816-1889 Fanny Alger was born in 1816 to Samuel and Clarissa Alger, Fanny Alger joined the LDS church with her family in the 1830s. Fanny worked in Joseph Smith's household in KIrtland, Ohio and it was reported that Fanny Alger married Joseph Smith, becoming his first plural wife, there are very few sources about their union. Fanny left Ohio to go to Missouri with her parents. In 1836, Fanny married Solomon and together they had nine children. In 1874, she joined the Universalist church in Indiana. Fanny died at the home of her son in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 29, 1889.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/fanny-alger?lang=eng , sometime around this period. According to later accounts, he obtained her and her parent's consent prior to marriage. While there are no firsthand accounts of the marriage, Eliza R. Snow Eliza R. Snow cancel 1804-1887 Born on January 21, 1804, Eliza Roxcy Snow was the second of seven children in the Snow family. Eliza initially met Joseph Smith in 1831, but did not convert to Mormonism until 1835 and soon after moved to Kirtland, Ohio from Massachusetts. As a school teacher, Eliza lived with the Smith family in Kirtland and taught their children. In 1842, Emma Smith organized the Relief Society in the church and as the acting president, called Eliza to serve as secretary. Later that year, Eliza was married to Joseph and lived with the Smith family continuing to teach the children for six months, she then moved to live with Jonathan Holmes. After the death of Joseph, Eliza married Brigham Young Brigham Young cancel 1801-1877 Born in 1801 in Vermont, Brigham Young married his first wife, Miriam Works, in New York in 1824. Both were baptized in the Church in 1832, but shortly after, Miriam passed away from tuberculosis, and Brigham remarried Mary Ann Angell. He served as an Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve and assumed leadership of the Church after Joseph Smith's death, becoming its prophet in 1847. During his ministry, he orchestrated the westward migration of the Saints and also held the position of Utah's first governor. A strong advocate for the practice of plural marriage, Brigham Young was sealed to over 50 women during his lifetime, including Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. Huntington Jacobs. Together with 16 of his wives, they had a total of 56 children. His leadership continued until his passing on August 29, 1877.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/brigham-young?lang=eng https://in.churchofjesuschrist.org/gospel-topics/prophet-brigham-young and traveled to the Salt Lake Valley where she served as the Relief Society president until her death in 1887.

Source: Wives of Joseph Smith and Joseph Smith's Polygamy
http://wivesofjosephsmith.org/15-ElizaRSnow.htm https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/eliza-r-snow/ , who was well-acquainted with Fanny at the time, would later list Fanny among Joseph’s plural wives. info Information Sources: cancel https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/common-questions/fanny-alger/ Image Source: Eliza R. Snow The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Many ancient prophets appeared to Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng and Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery as they knelt in prayer in the Kirtland Temple. Among these was the Old Testament prophet Elijah, who bestowed the sealing keys upon them and fulfilled the ancient prophecy found in Malachi 4:5-6. info Information Sources: cancel https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2008/05/line-upon-line-malachi-4-5-6?lang=eng https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng Image Source: The Prophet Elijah Appears to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery was excommunicated by the High Council of the Church in Far West Missouri on April 12, 1838. There were nine charges made against him involving a number of matters, but one of these was “[f]or seeking to destroying the character of President Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng jr, by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of adultery &c.” info Information Sources: cancel https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/why-was-oliver-cowdery-excommunicated-from-the-church Image Source: Oliver Cowdery The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng privately teaches Elder Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt cancel 1807-1847 Parley P. Pratt was born on April 12, 1807 in Burlington, New York. He married Thankful Halsey in 1827 and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery on September 1, 1830. Over the next three decades, Pratt was a dedicated writer and missionary, serving multiple missions in the United States, Canada, England, and Chile. He played a significant role alongside Joseph Smith in Missouri and was briefly imprisoned with him. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and migrated with the Saints to Utah in 1847. While serving a mission in Arkansas, he was murdered outside the small town of Van Buren.

Source: Church of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng about the “heavenly order,” which allows spouses, under the proper conditions, to be together “for time and all eternity.” This also included the teaching that Pratt, and men similar to him, who had remarried following the death of his first wife, could be married or sealed to their wives for eternity. info Information Sources: cancel https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/17400/ https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record/0e53d608-5d7c-4f37-83d4-b6dd8fcdadf8/0?view=browse https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng Image Source: Parley P. Pratt The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng allegedly writes a letter known as the "Happiness Letter", presenting arguments to justify plural marriage. The letter is addressed to Nancy Rigdon, the wife of Sidney Rigdon Sidney Rigdon cancel 1793-1876 Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876) was born in 1793 in Pennsylvania and married Phebe Brooks in 1820. A minister of the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, he converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 8, 1830, after Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery cancel 1806-1850 Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806. He served as a clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, and newspaper editor during his lifetime. He acted as the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829. After, he received priesthood authority from angelic ministers. Cowdery was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates and he played a crucial role in overseeing its publication. In April 1830, he led missionaries through Ohio to Missouri in 1830-1831. Later, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1837. However, in 1838, he was excommunicated due to accusations against church leaders and rumors about Joseph Smith. In 1848, Cowdery was readmitted to the Church, but passed away in Richmond, Missouri on March 3, 1850.

Source: Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/oliver-cowdery and Parley P. Pratt Parley P. Pratt cancel 1807-1847 Parley P. Pratt was born on April 12, 1807 in Burlington, New York. He married Thankful Halsey in 1827 and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery on September 1, 1830. Over the next three decades, Pratt was a dedicated writer and missionary, serving multiple missions in the United States, Canada, England, and Chile. He played a significant role alongside Joseph Smith in Missouri and was briefly imprisoned with him. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835 and migrated with the Saints to Utah in 1847. While serving a mission in Arkansas, he was murdered outside the small town of Van Buren.

Source: Church of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-parley-p-pratt?lang=eng shared the Book of Mormon with him and Phebe. Rigdon served as a scribe for Joseph Smith's inspired Bible revision and was a member of the First Presidency of the early Church. Following Joseph Smith's death, Rigdon declined leadership, leading to his excommunication from the Church in 1844. Subsequently, he founded and led an independent Church organization until his passing in 1876.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/sidney-rigdon?lang=eng , a close associate of Smith. The letter has been the subject of much debate, and there is no consensus on whether or not it is authentic. Some scholars believe the letter is genuine, while others believe it is a forgery. If the letter is genuine, it would provide important insights into Smith's views on plural marriage. However, the lack of an image of the letter makes it difficult to verify its authenticity. info Information Sources: cancel https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jmormhist.42.3.0094

John C. Bennett John C. Bennett cancel 1804-1867 John moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1840 where he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John was a practicing physician, a professor at Willoughby University in Ohio, and mayor of Nauvoo. With time, John began a series of practices including adultery, that removed him from his civil responsibilities and excommunication from the church in 1842. John passed away in Polk City, Iowa on August 5, 1867.

Source: BYU Religious Studies Center
https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/john-cook-bennett , a member of the First Presidency, and Mayor of Nauvoo, was excommunicated from the Church for adultery. He then publishes an exposé - largely plagiarized from other publications - alleging that Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng practiced “spiritual wifery” in secret, including several of the names of Joseph’s plural wives. While Bennett may have heard whispers of polygamy while in Nauvoo, he was likely not introduced to the practice. The “spiritual wifery” was his own system. info Information Sources: cancel https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/john-c-bennett-and-spiritual-wifery/ https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/john-cook-bennett Image Source: John C. Bennett The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History Library

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng was sealed to Sarah Ann Whitney Sarah Ann Whitney cancel 1825-1873 Sarah Ann Whitney was born March 22, 1825, to Newel K. Whitney Newel K. Whitney cancel 1795-1850 Newel K. Whitney, born in Marlborough, Windham County, Vermont, wed Elizabeth Ann Smith on October 20, 1822, in Geauga County. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by missionaries in the unorganized Indian Territory in November 1830, where he went on to serve as the bishop and the first bishop of the church. In the fall of 1848, he migrated to Salt Lake Valley, and he passed away in Salt Lake City on September 23, 1850.

Source: The Joseph Smith Papers
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/newel-kimball-whitney and Elizabeth Ann Smith in Kirtland, Ohio. The Whitney family became members of the church around 1831 and Newel was called to serve as a church bishop. After moving to Missouri, the family settled in Nauvoo, Illinois. Newel, Elizabeth, and Sarah were taught by the prophet Joseph Smith about the concept of plural marriage and were hesitant at first to allow Joseph to marry their daughter. Following prayer, time, and consideration Newel officiated the marriage of Joseph and Sarah with Elizabeth as a witness. After Joseph's death in 1844, Sarah married Heber C. Kimball Heber C. Kimball cancel 1801-1868 Heber Chase Kimball, born on June 14, 1801, in Sheldon, Vermont, and was baptized in April 1832. On February 14, 1835, he was ordained an Apostle. During 1837 to 1838, Heber embarked on an eleven-month mission to England, later returning and moving to Missouri with his family. In 1839, he embarked on a second mission to England, concluding in 1841. A pioneer of the westward migration, Heber was part of the Vanguard Pioneer Company that departed the City Beautiful on February 17, 1846. Heber passed away in Salt Lake City in 1868.

Source: BYU Religious Studies Center
https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-3-no-2-2002/heber-c-kimball-man-faith-integrity https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/heber-chase-kimball in 1845. Heber and Sarah had seven children together, two of the children passed away as infants. Sarah passed away in 1873 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of forty eight.

Source: Wives of Joseph Smith
http://wivesofjosephsmith.org/16-SarahAnnWhitney.htm , daughter of Newel K. Whitney and Elizabeth Whitney, with their permission. The sealing ceremony itself is performed by Bishop Newel K. Whitney, using the words outlined specifically in a revelation given for this purpose by Joseph Smith. info Information Sources: cancel https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/sarah-ann-whitney/ https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842/1 Image Source: Sarah Ann Whitney Joseph Smith's Polygamy

Nineteen members of the Relief Society publish a statement in The Times and Seasons (a monthly church publication), refuting the “secret wife system” alleged by John C. Bennett John C. Bennett cancel 1804-1867 John moved to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1840 where he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John was a practicing physician, a professor at Willoughby University in Ohio, and mayor of Nauvoo. With time, John began a series of practices including adultery, that removed him from his civil responsibilities and excommunication from the church in 1842. John passed away in Polk City, Iowa on August 5, 1867.

Source: BYU Religious Studies Center
https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/john-cook-bennett . The statement reads, “We give this certificate to the public to show that J.C. Bennett’s “secret wife system” is a disclose of his own make.” info Information Sources: cancel https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/church-historians-press/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-1/1-6?lang=eng https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-1/1-10#:~:text=In%201842%20nineteen%20Relief%20Society,a%20man%20named%20Orsamus%20F https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/doctrine-and-covenants-historical-resources/people/bio-john-c-bennett?lang=eng https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/john-c-bennett-and-spiritual-wifery/ https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=timseas#:~:text=Times%20and%20Seasons%20was%20a,Christ%20of%20Latter%20Day%20Saints

Udney Hay Jacob, a non-Latter-day Saint writes a pamphlet titled ‘The Peacemaker,’ stating false accusations of Joseph’s view of marriage. The pamphlet also presented arguments in favor of polygamy as depicted in the Bible. While Joseph was uninvolved in its production, it was printed on a press “owned by Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng and operated by John Taylor John Taylor cancel 1808-1887 John Taylor, born on November 1, 1808, in Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England, alongside his wife, Leonora, were baptized in the Church in 1836. He assumed the role of President of the Church on October 10, 1880, and after seven years in this position, he passed away on July 25, 1887, in Kaysville, Utah.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/landing/prophets-of-the-restoration/john-taylor?lang=eng ” and Joseph was listed as the publisher. info Information Sources: cancel https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/who-wrote-the-peace-maker-pamphlet Image Source: An Extract From 'The Peace Maker’ Manuscript Archive.org

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng was married or sealed to Ruth D. Vose (later Ruth Vose Sayers Ruth Vose Sayers cancel 1808-1884 Ruth Vose was born February 26, 1808 in Watertown, Massachusetts. After introduction to the church in 1832, Ruth was baptized by LDS Prophet Brigham Young Brigham Young cancel 1801-1877 Born in 1801 in Vermont, Brigham Young married his first wife, Miriam Works, in New York in 1824. Both were baptized in the Church in 1832, but shortly after, Miriam passed away from tuberculosis, and Brigham remarried Mary Ann Angell. He served as an Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve and assumed leadership of the Church after Joseph Smith's death, becoming its prophet in 1847. During his ministry, he orchestrated the westward migration of the Saints and also held the position of Utah's first governor. A strong advocate for the practice of plural marriage, Brigham Young was sealed to over 50 women during his lifetime, including Eliza R. Snow and Zina D. Huntington Jacobs. Together with 16 of his wives, they had a total of 56 children. His leadership continued until his passing on August 29, 1877.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/brigham-young?lang=eng https://in.churchofjesuschrist.org/gospel-topics/prophet-brigham-young in 1836 and married non-member Edward Sayers in 1841. Edward and Ruth then moved to Nauvoo, Illinois and lived on a farm. During this time, LDS prophet Joseph Smith was arrested and escaped jail. Through communication with friends, he stayed in hiding at Edward and Ruth's home for a week before moving to a new hiding spot. Six months later, Joseph and Ruth were married for eternity, like other wives of Joseph Smith who were already married, Edward and Ruth stayed married and lived together. Following Joseph's death, Ruth and Edward lived in Boston for five years before ultimately settling in Utah. After the death of her husband in 1861, Ruth passed away in 1884 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Source: Joseph Smith's Polygamy
https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/ruth-vose/ ) and Flora Ann Woodworth Flora Ann Woodworth cancel 1826-1850 Born in 1846 in New York, Flora Ann Woodworth was born to Lucien and Phebe Woodworth. After contacting the LDS missionaries, the Woodworth family was baptized in 1832 and migrated with early saints in Missouri and Illinois. Much of the records pertaining to Flora and Joseph's marriage are unclear. After Joseph's death, Flora became a widow at seventeen and married a non-member, Carlos Grove months after. In 1846, she traveled with the LDS saints to Salt Lake City, Utah ultimately passing away while on the journey in Iowa. She was presumed to be in her early twenties at the time of her passing.

Source: Joseph Smith's Polygamy
https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/flora-ann-woodworth/ . Ruth D. Vose was married to Edward Sayers, who was not a member of the Church but was good friends with Joseph Smith. As Sayers did not have a strong belief in an afterlife, he requested that Ruth “be sealed to the Prophet for eternity, as he himself should only claim…her in this life.” info Information Sources: cancel https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/ruth-vose/ https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/flora-ann-woodworth/

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith cancel 1805-1844 Joseph Smith Jr., born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, was the fifth child of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He had significant spiritual experiences that led him to his prophetic calling, including a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. He translated and published the Book of Mormon and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830. As the leader of the Church, he called Apostles and other leaders, defined doctrines, and guided the community's growth in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Tragically, Joseph Smith was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois.

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-jr?lang=eng marries Helen Mar Kimball Helen Mar Kimball cancel 1828-1896 Helen Mar Kimball was born in 1828 in Mendon, New York. Helen was the daughter of Heber C. Kimball Heber C. Kimball cancel 1801-1868 Heber Chase Kimball, born on June 14, 1801, in Sheldon, Vermont, and was baptized in April 1832. On February 14, 1835, he was ordained an Apostle. During 1837 to 1838, Heber embarked on an eleven-month mission to England, later returning and moving to Missouri with his family. In 1839, he embarked on a second mission to England, concluding in 1841. A pioneer of the westward migration, Heber was part of the Vanguard Pioneer Company that departed the City Beautiful on February 17, 1846. Heber passed away in Salt Lake City in 1868.

Source: BYU Religious Studies Center
https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-3-no-2-2002/heber-c-kimball-man-faith-integrity https://rsc.byu.edu/prophets-apostles-last-dispensation/heber-chase-kimball , prominent LDS figure and one of the first members of the quorum of the twelve apostles. Helen was baptized at the age of eight in Kirtland, Ohio and later moved with her family to Missouri and Nauvoo. After discussion with her father, Helen was presented with the idea of becoming one of Joseph's plural wives at the age of fourteen. At first hesitant and against the idea, Helen later agreed to be sealed to Joseph in 1843. Following Joseph's death in 1844, Helen courted and married Horace Whitney in 1846. Helen and Horace migrated with LDS saints across the plains to Utah, she lived past six of her eleven children. Helen passed away in 1896, a lifelong and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Source: Joseph Smith's Polygamy
https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/helen-mar-kimball/ , who was fourteen years old. According to her 1881 autobiography, this was arranged by her father, who “[had] a great desire to be connected with the Prophet, Joseph.” While there is still debate over whether this marriage was consummated, it seems unlikely based on evidence. Helen would later publish two booklets defending the principle of plural marriage. info Information Sources: cancel https://rsc.byu.edu/womans-view/appendix-one https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/helen-mar-kimball/ https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/plural-marriage-taught-prophet-joseph-reply-joseph-smith-editor-lamoni-iowa-herald https://archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/why-we-practice-plural-marriage Image Source: Helen Mar Kimball Joseph Smith's Polygamy

In the hopes of helping to cool the tension between Joseph and Emma in regards to plural marriage, Hyrum Smith Hyrum Smith cancel 1800 - 1844 On November 12, 1826, he married Jerusha Barden. In June 1829, he was baptized by his younger brother Joseph Smith Jr. in Seneca Lake. Hyrum’s ministry included being one of the Eight Witnesses to see the gold plates of the Book of Mormon and serving as the second counselor of the First Presidency of the Church while Joseph Smith was President. After his wife, Jerusha’s passing in 1837, Hyrum married Mary Fielding on December 24, 1837. On June 27, 1844, Hyrum was killed by a mob in Carthage jail along with his brother Joseph Smith Jr. 

Source: BYU Library
http://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/14/resources/7612 requested his brother to dictate a written revelation on the subject that the former hoped he could use to convince his sister-in-law of the truth and divine origin of the principle. Despite Hyrum’s optimism, Emma remained unconvinced, and destroyed the original several days later with the permission of Joseph, but not before a copy was made. info Information Sources: cancel https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-12-july-1843-dc-132/1#historical-intro https://bookofmormonevidence.org/faith-crisis-solutions-how-i-resolved-my-questions-regarding-joseph-smiths-polygamy/ https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/historical-context/dc-132/

On June 7, 1844, the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper, established by critics and dissident members of the Church, attacked a number of Church doctrines and teachings, including the practice of plural marriage. They also advocated for the revocation of the Nauvoo Charter, which offered protection and legal recourse for the Saints against persecution. Following the newspaper’s publication, the Nauvoo City Council would gather on June 8 and June 10, 1844, to determine a course of action. info Information Sources: cancel https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/nauvoo-expositor?lang=eng; https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/why-did-the-nauvoo-city-council-order-the-destruction-of-the-nauvoo-expositor-press Image Source: Nauvoo Expositor Destruction by Anthony Sweat Book of Mormon Central