Joseph Smith’s Plural Marriages: Unpacking History, Faith, and Agency

The practice of polygamy during Joseph Smith’s time as the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains one of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of early church history. This blog explores key elements of Joseph Smith polygamy timeline teachings, addressing misconceptions and focusing on historical accounts shared by experts.

The Role of Consent in Plural Marriages

A major question surrounding Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy is whether women were pressured into these relationships. Historical accounts provide insight into how proposals were made and received. For example, Joseph approached several women with the doctrine of plural marriage. Out of these, seven women reportedly declined his proposals. Interestingly, most of these refusals did not result in any negative repercussions for the women involved.

For instance, one woman, upon hearing Joseph’s teachings on plural marriage, responded with, “Go teach it to somebody else,” to which Joseph simply replied, “I will pray for you.” In another case, a young woman avoided the conversation entirely by leaving through the back door as Joseph entered her home. These anecdotes suggest that while Joseph, as a religious leader, may have had some implicit authority, there was no evidence of coercion or reputational harm when women declined.

Even in instances where women later chose to be sealed to Joseph vicariously after his death, it was a decision made of their own volition. Understanding these interactions adds valuable context to the Joseph Smith polygamy timeline, particularly regarding the role of agency in plural marriages.

Addressing the Allegation of Marrying Other Men’s Wives

One of the more provocative accusations leveled against Joseph Smith involves claims that he married women who were already legally wed to faithful men in the church. Critics often wonder, “Did Joseph Smith have multiple wives who were already married?” This issue is a focal point of many critiques of Joseph’s teachings.

Joseph’s sealings to legally married women were often for “eternity only,” emphasizing spiritual connections rather than physical unions. An example of this is Ruth Vose Sayers, whose husband, an unbeliever in the afterlife, supported her decision to be sealed to Joseph for eternity. Importantly, none of the husbands of these women, including those who were active Latter-day Saints, voiced any public complaints about Joseph’s actions during his lifetime or in the years that followed.

Patty Sessions offers a particularly nuanced case. She chose to be sealed to Joseph rather than her legal husband, David Sessions. While this decision seemingly strained her relationship with David, there is no evidence that Joseph pressured her into it. In fact, David himself moved forward, marrying plural wives of his own. These accounts add important details to the Joseph Smith polygamy timeline and clarify the spiritual motives behind these relationships.

Myths About Missions and Marriages

Another frequently repeated claim is that Joseph would send men on missions and then marry their wives in their absence. However, this narrative, popularized by critics like John C. Bennett, lacks credible evidence. Research into the lives of the 14 women who were legally married to other men but sealed to Joseph reveals that only one, Miranda Hyde, might have had a husband on a mission during her sealing. Even then, ambiguity surrounds the timing and nature of this event.

In addition to the lack of evidence, the theory also clashes with Joseph’s broader teachings on marriage and fidelity. He consistently emphasized the sanctity of marriage covenants and the importance of loyalty between spouses. Accusations that contradict these principles are not supported by the weight of historical evidence. Critics often attempt to weave these stories into a narrative akin to Joseph Smith escaping polygamy tree, but such claims lack foundational support.

The Eternal Perspective of Sealings

Understanding Joseph Smith’s teachings on plural marriage requires recognizing the eternal perspective underpinning these practices. Sealings were viewed as a way to ensure every faithful individual had the opportunity to enter the “new and everlasting covenant” of marriage. This doctrine emphasized spiritual connections and eternal relationships rather than earthly marital arrangements.

Historical records also show that Joseph emphasized agency in these eternal relationships. Lucy Walker recalled Joseph teaching her that “a woman should have her choice” regarding whom she wished to be sealed to. This principle, alongside the belief that God would not force anyone into a situation against their will, reflects the compassionate underpinnings of these doctrines.

Furthermore, the eternal aspect of sealings underscores why some women, such as those already married to non-believing husbands, chose to enter into such arrangements with Joseph. They viewed these sealings as a way to align themselves with what they believed to be God’s eternal plan. These decisions form an integral part of the Joseph Smith polygamy timeline and reveal the complexity of faith-based choices during this period.

Women’s Perspectives on Polygamy

It is also vital to consider how women in Joseph Smith’s time viewed polygamy. While the practice was undoubtedly challenging for many, historical records highlight the faith and resilience of the women involved. Emma Smith, Joseph’s first wife, wrestled deeply with the doctrine. Her struggles illustrate how even those closest to Joseph grappled with the complexities of plural marriage.

On the other hand, several women who entered into plural marriages testified to the spiritual confirmations they received regarding the practice. Zina Diantha Huntington, for example, described receiving a divine witness of the principle of plural marriage, which she viewed as an essential aspect of her faith journey. Her experiences offer insights into how women reconciled questions such as, “Did Joseph Smith have multiple wives?”

Controversies and Modern Interpretations

While Joseph’s implementation of polygamy was imperfect, as acknowledged by historians, it is essential to differentiate between flawed execution and malicious intent. Many modern critics argue that Joseph’s polygamy was driven by personal desires or manipulative motives. However, a thorough examination of historical records reveals a more complex picture.

Critics who allege that Joseph introduced polygamy purely for self-serving reasons often overlook the lack of unambiguous evidence to support such claims. For example, accusations of physical relationships with legally married women are not corroborated by firsthand accounts. Furthermore, no doctrinal discussions from Joseph’s time outline provisions for women to have two simultaneous husbands.

Joseph’s efforts to keep the practice of polygamy private also highlight his own awareness of its controversial nature. The secrecy surrounding these marriages was not only a practical measure to avoid persecution but also an acknowledgment of the social and cultural challenges posed by introducing such a radical practice. The Joseph Smith escaping polygamy tree narrative, popular among critics, fails to align with the lived realities of church members and leaders during Joseph’s time.

The Character of God in the Doctrine of Plural Marriage

Perhaps the most reassuring aspect of Joseph Smith’s polygamy is the belief in a just and merciful God who ensures that no individual is bound to an eternal relationship against their will. Elder David A. Bednar once explained that eternal sealings guarantee an opportunity for couples to be together in the afterlife, but only if both parties choose to accept it. This principle underscores the agency and fairness integral to God’s character and plan.

Conclusion

Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy is a topic that requires careful study and nuanced understanding. While some aspects of this history remain unclear or unsettling, the historical evidence suggests that Joseph operated within a framework of spiritual conviction and respect for agency. Misconceptions about coercion, adultery, or manipulation often fail to account for the complexities of early church teachings and the eternal perspective that guided these practices.

Polygamy in the early days of the church challenged social norms and personal relationships in profound ways, yet it also reflected Joseph’s commitment to what he believed was a divine mandate. By studying these events with an open mind, we can better understand not only the historical context of Joseph Smith’s plural marriages but also the foundational principles of agency, choice, and divine justice that underpin them.

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