Helen Mar Kimball Whitney, born August 22, 1828, was a prominent figure in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). She is perhaps most well-known for being Joseph Smith’s youngest wife. Joseph Smith was the founder of the LDS Church and Helen married him when she was just 14 years old. This marriage, which took place in May 1843, has been a subject of considerable discussion and controversy, both within and outside the Church.
Helen was the daughter of Heber C. Kimball, a close associate of Joseph Smith, and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Heber was married to Vilate Murray Kimball. Her parents were devout followers of Joseph Smith and were involved in the practice of plural marriage, which was introduced among the Church leadership in the early 1840s on a limited basis. According to historical accounts, Helen’s plural marriage to Joseph Smith was suggested by her father. It was not a traditional marriage but was intended to be an eternity-only sealing, which Heber believed would strengthen the family bonds between the Kimballs and Smiths.
The marriage between Helen Mar Kimball and Joseph Smith did not involve cohabitation or marital relations, and Helen herself later wrote that she did not fully understand the implications of the arrangement at the time. Her writings reveal the complexity of her feelings about the marriage and her faith. In her later years, Helen Mar became an important voice in defending and explaining the practice of plural marriage. She authored numerous writings, including the book “Plural Marriage as Taught by the Prophet Joseph: A Reply to Joseph Smith,” in which she sought to provide a faithful perspective on the controversial practice as one of Joseph Smith’s wives.
Critics of Joseph Smith, polygamy, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often have serious issues with Helen being 14 years old when she was sealed to Joseph Smith. With parental consent, fourteen years old was the legal age to marry in Illinois. So, although it wasn’t common, marrying at the age of fourteen was possible.
Joseph Smith died in 1844. Helen Mar married Horace Whitney in 1847, with whom she had eleven children. Joseph Smith’s wife’s name became Helen Mar Kimball Whitney. The Whitneys were part of the early Mormon pioneer migration to Utah, and Helen Mar continued to be an active member of the LDS Church throughout her life. She was deeply involved in the women’s Relief Society, a vital organization within the Church, and she contributed significantly to the documentation of early LDS history through her writings and personal recollections.
Helen Mar Kimball Whitney’s life provides a unique window into the early days of the LDS Church, particularly the practice of plural marriage. Her experiences reflect the challenges and complexities faced by the early Saints as they navigated new religious doctrines and social practices. Despite the controversies surrounding her early marriage, Helen Mar remained a committed and influential member of the LDS community until her death on November 13, 1896. Her legacy is preserved through her extensive writings, which continue to be an important resource for understanding the early history of the LDS Church and the lives of its members.
By Todd Noall, Source Expert
Todd Noall is an author and religious scholar at Mormonism Explained with a focus on the history and theology of religion.
Fact Checked by Mr. Kevin Prince, Source Expert
Kevin Prince is a religious scholar and host of the Gospel Learning Youtube channel. His channel has garnered over 41,000 subscribers and accumulated over 4.5 million views. Mr. Prince also created the Gospel Learning App, a reliable platform where individuals seeking truth can access trustworthy answers to religious questions from top educators worldwide.
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