Early Latter-day Saint Plural Marriage: Sources, Context, and Misconceptions
1. Nature of Early Latter-day Saint Plural Marriage Sources
Plural marriage in early Latter-day Saint history is challenging to reconstruct because the practice lasted 70–80 years, involved thousands of relationships, and was intentionally kept private due to persecution, legal danger, and cultural sensitivities.
Surviving documents vary in reliability, and many are contradictory or based on late memories. No single source captures the full system; reliable conclusions require comparing multiple independent documents.
2. Joseph Smith’s Introduction of Plural Marriage
2.1 Early Revelatory Claims
Historical sources indicate that Joseph Smith believed he received revelation about plural marriage as early as the 1830s. Several women later sealed to Joseph reported that an angel commanded him to implement the practice and threatened consequences if he refused.
2.2 Implementation in Nauvoo
Joseph introduced plural marriage privately beginning around 1841, teaching only a select group who had received temple ordinances.
Plural marriage in Nauvoo took multiple forms:
- Domestic plural marriages
- Eternity-only sealings
- Dynastic/adoptive sealings
- Polyandrous sealings for eternal purposes only
Not all sealings functioned as marital relationships in a modern sense.
3. Adoption and Dynastic Sealings
Nineteenth-century Saints viewed temple rites differently from modern Church members. The initiatory, endowment, and sealing were considered one unified ordinance.
Sealings often created spiritual lineages, connecting converts to priesthood leaders when biological families rejected them. Adoption sealings continued until Wilford Woodruff discontinued the practice in 1894.
4. Polyandrous Sealings
Some women legally married to other men were sealed to Joseph Smith. The historical record shows:
- These women did not live with Joseph as wives
- No biological children resulted
- Many described the sealings as “eternal-only”
- Some were estranged from their legal husbands
- In certain cases the legal husband was not a Church member, preventing an eternal sealing
Documentation is limited, but there is no evidence of secret sexual relationships in these cases.
5. Origin of the Claim That Joseph Sent Men on Missions to Marry Their Wives
This accusation originates with John C. Bennett, an early Church leader who later admitted to deception and misconduct.
After being exposed and excommunicated, Bennett fled Nauvoo and published contradictory and sensational accusations.
5.1 Why Bennett Is Deemed Unreliable
- Contradictory statements
- Confessed adultery, then denied it
- Forged documents
- False political conspiracy claims
- Accusations rejected even by anti-Mormon newspapers
Historians do not treat him as credible.
6. Bennett’s Accusation About Missionaries’ Wives
Bennett claimed Joseph Smith seduced married women and sent their husbands on missions. This claim is not supported by evidence:
- No Nauvoo documents corroborate it
- Husbands of polyandrously sealed women were not on missions at the time, except one complex case (Orson Hyde)
- No husband ever accused Joseph Smith
- The claim appears only in Bennett’s unreliable writings
Thus, historians reject it as unfounded.
7. Origin of Many Anti-Polygamy Claims
Later critics often repeated Bennett’s accusations without checking original sources. They generalized about Nauvoo plural marriage and ignored important context such as eternity-only sealings and dynastic ordinances.
Plural marriage in Nauvoo was complex and cannot be reduced to simplistic accusations.
Is It Season 38 Already? – Part 2
8. Evaluating Sources in Latter-day Saint History
Claims about early LDS history must rely on verifiable documents written by direct participants.
Many faith crises arise from misinterpretation of secondary summaries or internet misinformation. Plural marriage requires especially careful source evaluation.
9. Plural Marriage in Nauvoo (Expanded Overview)
Plural marriage included:
- Full plural marriages
- Eternity-only sealings
- Adoption and dynastic sealings
- Polyandrous sealings for eternal purposes
Early Saints viewed these practices differently from modern members. Women sealed polyandrously did not live with Joseph Smith or bear his children. Sealings often served spiritual lineage purposes.
10. Joseph Smith’s Reluctance to Introduce Plural Marriage
Numerous Nauvoo-era accounts indicate:
- Joseph resisted implementing plural marriage
- He was visited by an angel with a drawn sword commanding him to begin
- He taught the doctrine only to a small inner circle
- The practice caused deep personal struggle for Joseph and Emma
11. Refuting the Claim That Joseph Sent Men on Missions
Modern critics repeat Bennett’s claim. However, historical patterns show:
- Husbands were not typically absent on missions during sealings
- One complex exception (Orson Hyde) does not support Bennett’s accusation
- No contemporary husband accused Joseph Smith
- Historians unanimously reject Bennett’s claim
12. John C. Bennett’s Reliability Revisited
Bennett was excommunicated for adultery and fraud. He:
- Publicly confessed to wrongdoing
- Later recanted his confession
- Produced false claims and forgeries
- Had his credibility questioned by non-LDS newspapers
No trained historian treats Bennett as a reliable witness.
13. The Miranda Nancy Johnson Hyde Case
Critics frequently cite Miranda Hyde. Evidence shows:
- A later journal notation lists an 1842 sealing date
- Miranda’s sworn affidavit states she was sealed in 1843, after Orson Hyde returned from Palestine
- Miranda and Orson continued to live together and have children
- No evidence suggests Joseph arranged Hyde’s mission to marry Miranda
Historians conclude the sealing date is uncertain, but Bennett’s accusation is unsupported.
14. Post-1844 Denials That Joseph Practiced Plural Marriage
Breakaway groups later denied Joseph taught plural marriage. Their claims contradict:
- Dozens of affidavits from Nauvoo participants
- Women sealed to Joseph Smith
- William Clayton’s contemporaneous journal confirming the July 12, 1843 revelation
- Early manuscript copies of Doctrine and Covenants 132
No trained historian disputes Joseph Smith’s involvement.
15. Eternal Marriage and Doctrinal Context
Joseph Smith restored doctrines unknown in broader Christianity, including:
- Premortal existence
- Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother
- Eternal marriage and sealing authority
- Eternal progression
- Universal resurrection
- Exaltation
The central question remains whether Joseph Smith was a prophet. Historical complexity does not invalidate revelation; it requires careful, contextual study.