Mormon Polygamy Documents Timeline
Chronology for the Joseph Smith Era Plural Marriage
1829/30
In 1872, Brigham Young said that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received a revelation concerning plural marriage while they were translating the Book ofMormon.1
[The Book of Mormon states in Jacob 2]: [23] But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. [24] Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord...[27] Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord; For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; [28] For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are a abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts...[30] For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. [31] For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. [32] And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.2
Ether 10 states: [5] "And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings."3
"Levi Lewis states, that he has 'been acquainted with Joseph Smith Jr. and Martin Harris, and that he has heard them both say, adultery was not crime. Harris said he did not blame Smith for his (Smith's) attempt to seduce Eliza Winters &c... '4 [Levi Lewis was Emma Hale Smith's first cousin, who lived in Harmony, Pennsylvania when Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon. Elizabeth Winter Squires, a friend of Emma, lived in Harmony also. She never accused Joseph Smith of improper conduct.5]
1830 Jun
At a trial in South Bainbridge, two daughters of Josiah Stowell were called to testify concerning Joseph Smith's character. The History of the Church records: " ... the court was detained for a time, in order that two young women, daughters of Mr. Stoa! [sic], with whom I had at times kept company, might be sent for, in order, if possible, to elicit something from them which might be made a pretext against me. The young ladies arrived, and were severally examined touching my character and conduct in general, but particularly as to my behavior towards them, both in public and private; when they both bore such testimony in my favor as left my enemies without a pretext on their account. .. "6
1830 Oct
[W.W.] Phelps s[ai]d [on 27 February 1845] 6 or 8 went over the boundaries of the U.S. to preach - Jos. went to prayer - he then [?] a revelation. That Martin [Harris?] was to marry among the Lamanites - c that I was to preach [?] day- &c &c it was a long revelation - we have a living constitution - there is enough for every day - if we die let us all die together, c there will be a jolly lot of spirits dancing into the next world - it won't be to hell, for there is no fiddles there---7
1831
At a meeting in Plano, Illinois, September 12, 1878, Orson Pratt stated that Lyman Johnson told him that Joseph Smith told Johnson in 1831 "...that plural marriage was a correct principle... " and "...that God had revealed it to him, but that the time had not come to teach or practice it in the Church, but that the time would come... "8
[A report of the funeral of Elizabeth Ann Whitney in February 1882, states that Joseph F. Smith said:] Here the speaker said, perhaps for the first time in public, that the women who entered into plural marriage with the Prophet Joseph Smith were shown to him and named to him as early as 1831, and some of them were given in marriage to him as early as that date, although it was not then prudent, under the circumstances, to make these facts public. And when the Lord showed those women to Joseph some of them were not even acquainted with the Church much less him. God knew their hearts, as is proved by the fact that they have been true and faithful through all the trying vicissitudes through which they have passed, and that too in the face of a frowning world; they have endured it all, and are today examples of womanhood and purity.9
At a quarterly Stake conference held at Centerville, Davis County, Utah, June 11, 1883. "Elder Joseph B. Noble next addressed the conference. He stated that the Prophet Joseph told him that the doctrine of celestial marriage was revealed to him while he was engaged on the work of translation of the Scriptures, but when the communication was first made the Lord stated that the time for the practice of that principle had not arrived. ,,10
Helen Mar Whitney wrote in 1884, "The Lord revealed [plural marriageJ to His prophet, Joseph Smith, as early as the year 1831. "11
Joseph F. Smith taught in 1886, "The great and glorious principle of plural marriage was first revealed to Joseph Smith in 1831, but being forbidden to make it public, or to teach it as a doctrine of the Gospel at that time, he confided the facts to only a few of his intimate associates. "12
1831 Jul 17
W.W. Phelps wrote to Brigham Young on 12 August 1861 that Joseph Smith had a revelation on 17 July 1831 for the Lamanite missionaries which stated: " ... For it is my will, that, in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that thier posterity may become white, delightsome and Just; for even now their females are more virtuous than the Gentiles ..."13 Phelps also stated: "About three years after this [was} given, I asked brother Joseph privately, how "we" that were mentioned in the revelation, could take "wives" from the natives, as we were all married men? He replied instantly, "In the same manner that Abraham took Hagar and Katurah; and Jacob took Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah, by revelation: the saints of the Lord are always directed by revelation. "14
1831 Sep20
Ezra Booth wrote to Edward Partridge concerning his trip back to Ohio after Zion's Camp travels, that:
"While descending the Missouri river, Peter and Frederick, two of my company, divulged a secret respecting Oliver, which placed his conduct on a parallel with Ziba's; for which Ziba was deprived of his Elder and Apostleship: "Let that which was bestowed upon Ziba, be taken from him, and let him stand as a member in the Church, and let him labor with his own hands with the brethren." And thus by commandment, poor Ziba, one of the twelve Apostles, is thrust down; while Oliver the scribe, also an Apostle, who had been guilty of similar conduct, is set on high, to prepare work for the press; and no commandment touches him, only to exalt him higher. -- These two persons stated, that had they known previous to their journey to Missouri, what they then knew, they never should have accompanied Oliver thither. "15 [Some scholars have felt Peterson was guilty of fornication. 16]
1831 Dec 6
Ezra Booth wrote concerning the Lamanite missionaries in a letter, which was published in The Ohio Star newspaper.
"...In addition to this, and to co-operate with it, it has been made known by revelation, that it will be pleasing to the Lord, should they form a matrimonial alliance with the Natives; and by this means the Elders, who comply with the thing so pleasing to the Lord, and for which the Lord has promised to bless those who do it abundantly, gain a residence in the Indian territory, independent of the agent. It has been made known to one, who has left his wife in the State of N Y that he is entirely_free from his wife, and he is at liberty to take him a wife from among the Lamanites. It was easily perceived that this permission was perfectly suited to his desires. I have frequently heard him state, that the Lord has made it known to him, that he is as free from his wife as from any other woman; and the only crime that I have ever heard alleged against her is, she is violently opposed to Mormonism. But before this contemplated marriage can be carried into effect, he must return to the State of N Y. and settle his business, for fear, should he return, after that affair had taken place, the civil authority would apprehend him as a criminal ... 11
1832
Joseph F. Smith stated on July 7, 1878 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle:
" ...To put this matter more correctly before you, I here declare that the principle of plural marriage was not first revealed on the 12th day of July, 1843. It was written for the first time on, that date, but it had been revealed to the Prophet many years before that, perhaps as early as 1832. About this time, or subsequently, Joseph, the Prophet, intrusted [sicJ this fact to Oliver Cowdery; he abused the confidence imposed in him, and brought reproach upon himself, and thereby upon the church by "running before he was sent," and "taking liberties without license, "so to speak, hence the publication, by 0. Cowdery, about this time, of an article on marriage, which was carefully worded, and afterwards found its way into the Doctrine and Covenants without authority. This article explains itself to those who understand the facts, and is an indisputable evidence of the early existence of the knowledge of the principle of patriarchal marriage by the Prophet Joseph. and also by Oliver Cowdery ..."18
1832 Nov
William E. McLellin wrote to Joseph Smith Ill in July 1872:
" ... You will probably remember that I visited your Mother and family in 1847, and held a lengthy conversation with her, retired in the Mansion House in Nauvoo. I did not ask her to tell but I told her some stories I had heard. And she told me whether I was properly informed. Dr. F. G. Williams practiced with me in Clay Co. Mo. during the latter part of 1838. And he told me that at your birth your father committed an act with a Miss Hill-a hired girl. Emma saw him, and spoke to him. He desisted, but Mrs. Smith refused to be satisfied. He called in Dr. Williams, 0. Cowdery, and S. Rigdon to reconcile Emma. But she told them just as the circumstances took place. He found that he was caught. He confessed humbly, and begged forgiveness. Emma and al/forgave him.19
1833
Anthony Metcalf interviewed Martin Harris in the winter of 1873-74. Metcalf reported that Martin Harris said " ...the servant girl of Joe Smith stated that the prophet had made improper proposals to her, which created quite a talk amongst the people. Joe Smith went to Martin Harris to counsel with him concerning the girl's talk. Harris, supposing that Joe was innocent told him to take no notice of the girl, that she was full of the devil, and wanted to destroy the prophet of God; but Joe Smith acknowledged that there was more truth than poetry in what the girl said. Harris then said he would have nothing to do in the matter. Smith could get out of the trouble the best way he knew how... "20
1833
Affidavit of W. R. Hine states:
" ... One day while I was at the [Kirtland] Flats, a meeting was held in which the Spiritual Wife Doctrine was discussed. Rigdon said if he had got to go into it he might as well begin. He put Emma, Jo Smith's wife, on the bed and got on himself. Jo became angry. It was in everybody's mouth for miles about Kirtland... "21
1833-1838
Benjamin F. Johnson stated that: "In talking with my mother [Julia Hills Johnson] after the revelation on plural marriage was given he [Joseph Smithj told her that when the Lord required him to move in plural marriage, that his first thought was to come and ask herfor some of her daughters; and I can now understand that the period alluded to was at Kirtland, where she had three unmarried daughters at home, two of whom died there, and Almira, the other, was sealed to him in Nauvoo; the other two, Nancy M and Susan E. being sealed by proxy since his death. "22
1834 Sep 4
Orson Hyde married Marinda Johnson, the daughter of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacob Johnson in Kirtland, Ohio.23 Joseph Smith's 1843 journal says, "Apr[il} [18)42 Marinda Johnson to Joseph Smith... " This entry is in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.24 Marinda Johnson Hyde's 1869 affidavit says that she was married to Joseph Smith in May 1843 25
1835
Oliver H. Olney, son-in-law of John and Elisa Johnson, wrote in 1843, "Polygamy was first introduced in Kirtland, Ohio, about eight years ago. "26
Benjamin F. Johnson stated: " ... In 1835, at Kirtland, I learned from my sister's husband, Lyman B. Sherman, who was close to the Prophet, and received it from him, "that the ancient order of Plural Marriage was again to be practiced by the Church." This, at the time, did not impress my mind deeply, although there lived then with his family (the Prophet's) a neighbor's daughter, Fannie Alger, a very nice and comely young woman about my own age, toward whom not only myself, but every one, seemed partial, for the amiability of her character; and it was whispered even then that Joseph loved her... "27
1835 June
W. W. Phelps wrote in a letter to Oliver Cowdery which was published in the Messenger and Advocate:
"...We shall by and bye learn that we were with God in another world, before the foundation of the world, and had our agency; that we came into this world and have our agency, in order that we may prepare ourselves for a kingdom of glory; become archangels, even the sons of God where the man is neither without the women, nor the woman without the man in the Lord; A consummation of glory, and happiness, and perfection so greatly to be wished, that I would not miss of it for the fame of ten worlds.. ,,28
1835 Aug 11
Mary Elizabeth Rollins married non-Mormon, Adam Lightner of Liberty, Clay County, Missouri29 Later in February 1842 she was sealed to Joseph Smith.30
1835 Aug 17
A general assembly of the Church was held at Kirtland, Ohio "for the purpose of arranging the items of the doctrine of Jesus Christ for the government of the Church... "
W.W. Phelps read the Article on Marriage to be published in the Doctrine and Covenants. The congregation unanimously agreed to publish it. The article states that: "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." 31 Joseph Smith was not there.32
1835 Aug 28
Joseph Smith preached "on the duty of wives" in Kirtland. He had arrived back in Kirtland from his visit to Michigan August 23.33
1837 Spring
Fanny Brewer gave an affidavit which stated:
Testimony of Fanny Brewer, of Boston Boston, September I 3, 1842
To the Public:-- I have long desired that some one who had a certain knowledge of the hidden practices and abominations at Nauvoo, would have the moral courage to come out, with a full development; and my desires have been realized in General Bennett's disclosures. As the ice is now broken, I, too, have a tale to tell. In the spring of 1837, I left Boston for Kirtland, in all good faith, to assemble with the Saints, as I thought, and worship God more perfectly On my arrival, I found brother going to law with brother, drunkenness prevailing to a great extent, and every species of wickedness...There was much excitement against the Prophet, on another account, likewise,-- an unlawful intercourse between himself and a young orphan girl residing in his family, and under his protection!!! Mr. Martin Harris told me that the Prophet was most notorious for lying and licentiousness!! In the fall of 1837, the Smith family all left Kirtland, by revelation, (or necessity) for Missouri... 34
1837 May
The Presidents of the Seventies published in the Messenger and Advocate, resolutions concerning conduct of those called "to proclaim the gospel." It states that: "That we will have no fellowship whatsoever with any Elder belonging to the quorums of the Seventies who is guilty of polygamy or any offence of the kind. "35
1837 Nov
An editorial in the Elder 's Journal mentions that people ask if Mormons have "more wives than one." 36
1837 Nov 29
The Kirtland Elders Quorum charged Solomon Freeman with polygamy.
The minutes state: "...the charge that was perfered before the quorum against Elder Sollomon [sic} Freeman by William Perry for the crime of polygamy was brought forward. Elder Freeman plead not gilty of the charge [} [T}estimony for the Complainent came forward (Dexter Stilman) and Stated the Elder Freeman had a wife in To/Ian township Co. of Berksheir in Mass. And it was told him there that he (E. Freeman) Came a way [without his] wife Elder Harlow Redfield Stated that when he and Elder Stilman went to See Elder Freeman. Elder Freeman ackno[wjloged that he come away and left his wife as was testified Elder Freeman ackno[w]loged before the quorum that he had left his first wife came away with and Soon Commenced living with another woman he further Stated he did not know but his first wife was yet living he further Stated he would not go acros [sicJ the room to obtain a bill from her Elder Freeman Manifest a Car[e]less indifferent spirit." 37 It is not recorded what the quorum did about the issue.
1838 Jan 21
Oliver Cowdery wrote to his brother, Warren Cowdery concerning his conflict with Joseph Smith:
...I never confessed intimated <or admitted> that 1 ever willfully lied about him [Joseph Smithj. When he was here we had some conversation in which in every instance, I did not fail to affirm that what I had said was strictly true A dirty, nasty, filthy of his and Fanny Algers was talked over in which I strictly declared that 1 had never deviated from the truth on the matter, and as I supposed was admitted by himself ..38
1838 Apr 12
The Far West Minute Book has the following as part of the Oliver Cowdery trial:
George W Harris testfies that one evening last fall 0. Cowdery was at his house together with Joseph Smith Jr., and Thomas B. Marsh, when a conversation took place between Joseph Smith Jr & 0. Cowdery, when he semmed to insinuate that Joseph Smith Jr was guilty of adultery, but when the question was put, ifhe (Joseph) had ever acknowledged to him that he was quilty of such a thing; when he answered No. Also he believes him to be instrumental in causing so many lawsuits as had taken place of late.
David W Patten testifies, that he went to Oliver Cowdery to enquire of him if a certain story was true respecting J Smith's committing adultery with a certain girl, when he turned on his heel and insinuated as though he was guilty; he then went on and gave a history of some circumstances respecting the adultery scrape stating that no doubt it was true. Also said that Joseph told him, he had corifessed to Emma, Also that he has used his influence to urge on lawsuits.
Thomas B. Marsh testifies that while in Kirtland last summer, David W Patten asked Oliver Cowdery if he Joseph Smith Jr. had confessed to his wife that he was guilty of adultery with a certain girl, when Oliver Cowdery cocked up his eye very knowingly and hesitated to answer the question, saying he did not know as he was bound to answer the question yet conveyed the idea that it was true. Last fall after Oliver came to this place he heard a conversation take place between Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery when J Smith asked him if he had ever confessed to him that he was guilty of adultery, when after a considerable winking &c. he said No. Joseph then asked him ifhe ever told him that he corifessed to any body, when he answered No.
Joseph Smith Jr testifies that Oliver Cowdery had been his bosom friend, therefore he in/rusted him with many things. He then gave a history respecting the girl business...39
1838 Apr 21
Joseph Smith performed the marriage between Windsor Lyon and Sylvia Sessions.40 Later Sylvia Sessions Lyon would be sealed to Joseph Smith.41
1838 Apr 28
The High Council at Far West investigated the case of Aaron C. Lyon which was appealed from an eider's court. He is charged with telling Sarah Jackson that her husband was dead and that " ... the Lord had revealed to him that she was to be his wife." He was a widower. Sarah's husband was found to be alive. Lyon " ... made confession to the satisfaction of the Council, when it was decided that Br. Lyons be retained in the Church, but his license be taken from him... " Joseph Smith had been asked to replace one of the members of the council. The clerk recorded that there was " ... some lengthy remarks by the Councellors, and very good instruction given by Councellor Smith... "42
1838 July
The questions from the editorial were answered in the next issue of the Elder 's Journal which was published in July 1838 in Far West, Missouri. It states:
Question 7th. Do the Mormons believe in having more wives than one. [sic} Answer. No, not at the same time. But they believe that if their companion dies, they have a right to marry again. But we do disapprove of the custom which has gained in the world, and has been practised [sicJ among us; to our great mortification, of marrying in five or six weeks, or even in two or three months after the death of their companion. We believe that due respect ought to be had, to the memory of the dead, and the feelings of both friends and children.43
1838 Dec 16
Joseph Smith wrote from Liberty, Missouri to the Saints in Caldwell County, Missouri:
"... Therefore we say again unto you we are innocent of these things they have represented us falsely Was it for committing adultery, we are aware that false slander has gone abroad for it has been reiterated in our ears. These are falsehoods also.
Renegadoes, mormon dissenters are running through the world and spreading various foul and libelous reports against us thinking thereby to gain the friendship of the world because they knew that we are not of the world and that the world hates us; therefore they make a tool of these fellows...We have heard that it has been reported by some that some of us should have said that we not only dedicated our property but our families also to the Lord, and satan taking advantage of this has transfigured it into lasciviousness such as a community of wives which is an abomination in the sight of God. When we consecrate our property to the Lord it is to administer to the wants of the poor and needy for this is the law of God it is not.for the purpose of the rich those who have no need and when a man consecrates or dedicates his wife and children he does not give them to his brother or to his neighbor for there is no such law for the law of God is thou shalt not commit adultery thou shalt not covet they neighbor's wife. He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already in his heart..."44
1840
Franklin D. Richards, in northern Indiana, met a woman that had lived at Kirtland and her name was Sister Akers. She stated "that the doctrine of 'spiritual wives' as she then learned it, was a true doctrine, that it had been revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith and would sometime be put in practice in the Church-that it was not then permitted, but that I [Elder RichardsJ would live to see it taught, accepted, lived in and practically adopted as a doctrine and ordinance of the Church..."45
Bathsheba Smith testified in the Temple Lot Case, March 1892 that: "...I heard Joseph Smith once in speaking from the stand say or assert that the ancient order would be restored the same as it was in Abraham's day, but I never heard him preach in private or public the principle of plural marriage, or what is sometimes called polygamy. He said the ancient order would be restored as it was in the days of Abraham. That was about 1840, I think... " 46
1841 Jan 23
Ruth D. Vose married to Edward Sayers by Albert P. Rockwood at St. Louis, Missouri.47 Ruth was sealed to Joseph Smith in February 1843 48 and she lived with Edward Sayers, a non-member, in Nauvoo and Salt Lake City.49
1841 Mar 7
Zina D. Huntington married to Henry B. Jacobs by John C. Bennett.50 Zina Huntington was sealed to Joseph Smith, October 27, 1841 51
1841 Apr 5
LOUISA BEAMAN sealed to JOSEPH SMITH by her brother-in-law, Joseph Bates Noble52
1841 Jul 5
George A. Smith wrote to Joseph Smith III: "I returned to Nauvoo from this [British] mission in July 1841.53 At one of the first interviews thereafter with your father I was greatly astonished at hearing from his lips the doctrine of Patriarchal marriage which he continued to preach to me from time to time... "54
1841 Fall
Melissa Schindle said that she was staying in Nauvoo in the fall of 1841 and Joseph Smith asked to sleep with her. She said that he said that "...it was the will of the Lord that he should have illicit intercourse with her... " He offered to pay her five dollars. She refused.55
1841 Oct 15
The Times and Seasons reprinted an article from the St. Louis Atlas which reported a visit of a non-Mormon to Nauvoo who stated that Mormonism "is a faith which they say encourages no vice, nor immorality, nor departure from established laws and usages; neither polygamy, nor promiscuous intercourse, nor community of property.56
1841 Oct27
ZINA HUNTINGTON JACOBS sealed to JOSEPH SMITH57 by her brother, Dimick B. Huntington and witnessed by his wife, Fanny Huntington. Zina wrote: " ..Jmad[e} a greater sacrifice than to give my li(j}e for I never anticipated again to be looked upon as an honorable woman by those I dearly loved ..."58
1841 Dec 2
Joseph Smith received the following revelation for Nancy Marinda Johnson Hyde.
"Verily thus saith the Lord unto you my Servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have called upon me to know my Will concerning my handmaid Nancy Marinda Hyde, Behold it is my Will that she should have a better place prepared for her, than that in which she now lives, in order that her life may be spared unto her; Therefore go and say unto my Servant Ebenezer Robinson, and to my hand maid his Wife, Let them open their doors and take her and her children into their house, and take care of them faithfully and kindly until my servant Orson Hyde returns from his mission, or until some other provision can be made for her welfare and safety; Let them do these things and spare not grudgingly saith the Lord God. and she shall be a blessing unto them, and let my handmaid Nancy Marinda Hyde hearken to the council of my Servant Joseph in all things whatsoever he shall teach unto her, and it shall be a blessing upon her and upon her children after her, unto her justification, saith the Lord,.,59
1841 Dec 11
Joseph Smith's 1843 journal says, "Apr[il] [18]42 Marinda Johnson to Joseph Smith..." This entry is in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.60 Marinda Johnson Hyde's 1869 affidavit says that she was married to Joseph Smith in May 1843.61
1841 Dec 15
PRESENDIA HUNTINGTON BUELL sealed to JOSEPH SMITH62 by her brother, Dimick B. Huntington and witnessed by his wife, Fanny Huntington
The Times and Seasons published an article cautioning members of the Church against Dr. William Campbell, alias Samuel Rogers, who joined Church and married a young lady. They go on to state: "It has since been ascertained that he has two others [sic] wives, one in Ohio, and the other in this State [Illinois]. He undoubtedly joined the church for a cloak to his iniquity."63
1842
In Conference, October 8, 1866, in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young stated: "Right north of the Masonic Hall in Nauvoo the ground was not fenced; this was in the year 1842.
There were some rails laid along to fence up some lots. Hyrum saw me and said, 'brother Brigham, I want to talk to you. ' We went together and sat upon those rails that were [?} up. He commenced by saying: 'I have a question to ask you. In the first place I say[?J to you, that I do know that you and the Twelve knows some things that I do not know. I can understand this by the motions and talk and doings of Joseph, and I know there is something or other which I do not understand, that is revealed to the Twelve. Is this so?' I replied. I do not know anything about what you know, but I know what I know.
Then he said, '/ have mistrusted[? J for a long time that Joseph has received a revelation that a man should have more than one wife, and he has hinted as much to me, but I would not bear it. '...I said to him, 'brother Hyrum, I will tell you about this thing which you do not know if you will swear with an uplifted hand before God, that you will never say another word against Joseph and his doings, and the doctrine he is preaching to the people. 'He replied, 'I will do it with all my heart and he stood upon his feet, saying, 'I want to know the truth and to be saved. And he made a covenant there, never again to bring forward one argument or use any influence against Joseph's doings. Joseph had many wives sealed to him. I told Hyrum the whole story, and he bowed to it and wept like a child, and said God be praised. He went to Joseph and told him what he had learned, and renewed his covenant with Joseph, and they went heart and hand together while they lived, and they were together when they died, and they are together now defending 1srael... ,64
John Wickliff Rigdon stated that Joseph Smith asked his sister Nancy Rigdon to become his plural wife and she turned him down. That may have been in 1842. 65
1842 Jan 6
AGNES COOLBRITH SMITH sealed [?] to JOSEPH SMITH66
1842 Feb 8
SYLVIA SESSIONS LYON sealed to JOSEPH SMITH67
1842 Feb (late)
MARY ELIZABETH ROLLINS LIGHTNER sealed to JOSEPH SMITH. She stated,
"Well, I talked with him [Joseph Smith] for a long time and finally I told him I would never be sealed to him until I had a witness...! made it a subject of Prayer...A few nights after that an angel of the Lord came to me...! went forward and was sealed to him.
Brigham Young performed the sealing and Heber C. Kimball the blessing..."68
1842 (early)
Joseph Smith taught Sarah M. Kimball about plural marriage. Sarah's husband, Hirum Kimball was not a member of the Church at that time. Sarah stated: "Early in the year 1842, Joseph Smith taught me the principle of marriage for eternity, and the doctrine of plural marriage." She rejected the principle.69
1842 Mar 9
PATTY BARTLETT SESSIONS sealed to JOSEPH SMITH70 She wrote " ... was sealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet by Willard Richards, March the 9th 1842 in Nauvoo. In Newel K. Whitneys chamber, Sylvia my daughter was present. ..I received my Endowment in Nauvoo, Dec 16 1845. I never was sealed at the altar to any one."71
1842 Mar 17
Joseph Smith organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.72
1842 Mar 24
The minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo state "...Prest E. Smith rose and read from the Book of records, the proceedings of the first meeting of the Society She then proceeded to read to the honorable body, a report, wherein Clarissa Marvel was accused of scandalous falsehoods on the character of Prest. Joseph Smith, without the least provocation praying that they would in wisdom adopt some plan to bring her to repentance - said she presumed that most of the Society knew more about Clarissa Marvel than herself---
Mrs. Agnes Smith said that Clarissa Marvel had lived with her nearly a year -she had seen nothing amiss of her.
Councillor [sic} Whitney proposed that someone be appointed to go and labor with her and if possible reform her.
Moved and carried that Mrs. Markham be [the} one to go and converse with C Marvel
Mrs. Markham objected on the ground that she was unacquainted with the circumstances.
Prest. Smith said that would make no difference. She could attend to it-that it should be done in a private manner with great patience.
Then, Prest. continued by saying that we intended to look into the morals of each other and watch over each other-that she intended to walk[?J and to [?J the
appearance of evil -all are required to be very careful in their words and actions at all times-said she believed Clarissa Marvel might be reformed.
Mrs. Billings inquired if CM had parents.
Prest. Smith said she had no parents-she is under our care and observation-she needs frz.end s... ,,73
1842 Mar 30
The minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo state: "...Prest. J Smith withdrew Prest. E. Smith rose & said she would like to hear from those appointed to enquire in to the case of Clarissa M
Mrs. Billings said I visited her, questioned her closely-she appeared like an innocent girl.
Mrs. Markham corroborated the statement of Mrs. Billings.
Prest. E. S. said, We are called upon to find the origin of the report Mrs. Billings referred to Mrs. Winchester with whom CM had resided.
Mrs. W Had heard C M speak of Pres J Smith's family in the most respectful manner
Councillor [sic} Cleveland proposed that the rumor be[?] out and the innocent cleared-
Mrs. Gribble said Laura Jones & Hannah Burgess have reported against CM Councillor [sic} Whitney motioned that 2 persons be appointed to see L. Jones & H B. carried unanly [sic] 74
1842 Apr
MARINDA JOHNSON HYDE sealed to JOSEPH SMITH75
Joseph Smith's 1843 journal says, "Apr[il] [18)42 Marinda Johnson to Joseph Smith..." This entry is in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock.76 Marinda Johnson Hyde's 1869 affidavit says that she was married to Joseph Smith in May 1843 77
1842 Spring
In 1885, Emily Dow Partridge Young wrote: "The first intimation I had from Brother Joseph that there was a pure and holy-order of plural marriage, was in the spring of 1842, but I was not married until 1843 [May 11, 1843] 78
1842 Apr 4
The minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo state: "Prayer by Prest Emma Smith after which Councillor [sic} Cleveland arose and addressed the meeting informing them that the case a/Clarissa M had been satisfactorily settled. She having testified in her own hand writing that she had said no wrong &c. Mrs. C continued by cautioning the Society against speaking evil of Prest J Smith and his companion that it would not be a light thing in the sight a/God that they had proved themselves; and the case ofC. M should be a warning how we hear and how we speak exposed her [?J that the Lord would cut off those who will not take counsel &c.79
1842 Apr 10
Joseph Smith's journal states, "Preached in the grove after Elder Wm Law, had spoken, a[nd] pronounced a curse upon all Adulterers &fornicators & unvirtuous.gersons, & those who had made use of his name to carry on their iniquitous designs." 80
1842 Apr 22
The Nauvoo High Council considered the case of Jess Turpin. He was charged by Benjaming L. Clapp of having committed adultery by marrying "another man's wife." They decided that there was " ... no evidences j;iven which would give any reason to believe that he had been guilty of the charge." 81
1842 Apr 29
Joseph Smith's journal states, "was made manifest a conspiracy against the peace of his household." Willard Richards has written "J.C.B." lightly in the margin which may refer to John C. Bennett.82
1842 May 11
Fellowship of the Church is withdrawn from John C. Bennett.83
1842 May 17
John C. Bennett made an affidavit, before Daniel H. Wells, Nauvoo alderman, stating that "...that he never was taught any thing in the least contrary to the strictest principles of the Gospel, or of virtue, or of the laws a/God, or man, under any circumstances, or upon any occasion either directly or indirectly, in word or deed, by Joseph Smith; and that he never knew the said Smith to countenance any improper conduct whatever, either in public or private; and that he never did teach to me in private that an illegal illicit intercourse with females was, under any circumstances, justifiable, and that I never knew him so to teach others."84 Bennett later stated that Joseph Smith pulled a gun on him and said that he would kill him if he did not make this statement.85
John C. Bennett resigned as mayor of Nauvoo.86
1842 May 19
Joseph Smith was elected mayor of Nauvoo and John C. Bennett, ex-mayor was called upon to state if he knew anything against Joseph Smith. Bennett stated, "/ publicly avow that any one who has said that I have stated that General Joseph Smith has given me authority to hold illicit intercourse with women is a Liar in the face of God...He never either in public or private gave me any such authority or /icense...Joseph, will you please state definitely whether you know anything against my character either in public or private? Answer by Gen Bennet [sic}, 'I do not. In all my intercourse with General Smith, in public & in private he has been strictly virtuous."'87
1842 May 24
Margaret J, Nyman, Matilda Nyman, Sarah Miller, and Catharine Warren testified before the Nauvoo High Council. Margaret J. Nyman said that Chauncey L Higbee had told her Joseph Smith said: "That any respectable female might indulge in sexual intercourse, and there was no sin in it providing the person so indulging keep the same to herself; for there could be no sin, where there was no accuser, .. [Sarah Miller said] I told him it might be told in bringing forth. Chauncey said there was no danger, and that Dr. Bennet understood it, and would come and take it away, if there was any thing... (Matilda J. Nyman stated) "I further testify that I never had any personal acquaintance with Joseph Smith and never heard him teach such doctrines as Higbee, stated either directly or indirectly. " These testimonies were published in the Nauvoo Neighbor, May 29, 1844.88
1842 June 14
Lucy Ann Decker Seeley sealed to Brigham Young by Joseph Smith in the presence of Willard Richards.89
1842 June 15
The Times and Seasons published a notice dated May 11, 1842, concerning withdrawing fellowship from John C. Bennett. The notice stated: "... members of the first Presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, withdraw the hand of fellowship from Gen. John C. Bennett, as a Christian; he having been labored with from time to time, to persuade him to amend his conduct, apparently to no good effect.
Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Wm. Law"90
1842 June 25
The Wasp published an article by Joseph Smith concerning John C. Bennett. In the article Joseph Smith wrote " ...Had he [John C. Bennett] only been guilty ofadultry [sic], that was sufficient to stamp disgrace upon him because he is a man of better information, and has been held high in the estimation of many. But when it is considered that his mind was so intent upon his cruel, and abominable deeds, and his own reputation not being sufficient to enable him to do it, he must make use ofmy name in order to effect [sic} his purposes... ,,91
1842 July 1
The Times and Seasons published the same article by Joseph Smith concerning John C. Bennett.92
1842 July 2
John C. Bennett made an affidavit before a Justice of the Peace that Joseph Smith had forced him to make a positive affidavit concerning Joseph Smith on May 17. He also stated that Joseph Smith told him about his spiritual wives which Bennett names, but the newspaper did not publish their names.93
Melissa Schindle made a affidavit before a Justice of the Peace that she was staying in Nauvoo in the fall of 1841 and Joseph Smith asked to sleep with her. She said that he said that "...it was the will of the Lord that he should have illicit intercourse with her..." He offered to pay her five dollars. She refused.94
1842 July 8
John C. Bennett published an article in the Sangamo Journal concerning Joseph Smith. The article states: "...Joseph Smith, the great Mormon seducer, one who has seduced not only hundreds of single and married females, but more than the great Solomon, attempted to seduce Miss Nancy Rigdon, the eldest single daughter of Sidney Rigdon, to submit to his hellish purposes, and become one of his clandestine wives under the new dzspensatwn... ,,95
1842 July 13
Martha H. Brotherton made a statement before the Justice of the Peace in St. Louis County, Missouri that Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young and Joseph Smith taught her about plural marriage. She said that Brigham Young asked her to be his wife and she reported the following conversation: "'Well,' said Young, 'sister Martha would be willing if she knew if was lawful and right before God.' 'Well, Martha,' said Joseph, 'it is lawful and right before God-- I know it is. Look here, sis; don't you believe in me?' I did not answer. 'Well Martha,' said Joseph, 'just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to -- he is the best man in the world, except me.'... 'Yes,' said Joseph, 'and I know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven, and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed -- God shall bless you, and my blessing shall rest upon you; and if you will be led by him, you will do well; for I know Brigham will take care of you, and if he don't do his duty to you, come to me and I will make him; and if you do not like it in a month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you off, I will take you on.'..." 96
1842 July 15
Joseph Smith's journal records: "This A.M early a report was in circulation that O[rsonj. P[ratt}. was missing. A letter of his writing was found directed to his wife stating to the effect that he was going away, Soon as this was known Joseph summoned the principal men of the city and workmen on the Temple to meet at the Temple Grove where he ordered them to proceed immediately throughout the city in search of him lest he should have laid voilent [violent] hands on himself...a meeting was called at the Grove where Joseph stated before the public a general outline of J. C. Bennetts conduct and especially with regard to Sis P [Sarah Pratt]. Met again in the P.M when Hyrum & H C. Kimball spake on the same subject after which Joseph arose and said that he would state to those present some things which he had heard respecting Edward & D[avid} Ki/bourn[e} being conspiring with J. C. Bennett in endeavoring to bring a Mob upon us...O. P[ratt} returned at night. He was seen about 2 miles this side Warsaw; set on a log. He says he has concluded to do right.97
The Sangamo Journal, a newspaper in Springfield, Illinois published John C. Bennett's letters "Two" and "Three" concerning Joseph Smith, spiritual wives and Danites. The article tells the story of Joseph Smith's approaches to Sarah Bates Pratt, Nancy Rigdon, Melissa Schindle and Martha Brotherton. 98
Thomas Smethurst makes a statement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that he knew Martha Brotherton in England before she became a Mormon and she is virtuous and truthful. He also knows that she had to leave Nauvoo for her safety.99
1842 July 20
William Law signed an affidavit concerning the activities of John C. Bennett.100
1842 July 22
The citizens of the city of Nauvoo held a meeting to obtain an expression of the public mind in reference to the reports concerning the character of Joseph Smith. Orson Pratt spoke against Joseph Smith. "Joseph Smith spoke in reply-Question to Elder Pratt, 'Have you personally a knowledge of any immoral act in me toward the female sex, or in any other way?' Answer, by Elder 0. Pratt, 'Personally. toward the female sex, I have not.'
Elder O. Pratt responded at some length. Elder B. Young then spoke in reply, and was followed by Elders Wm. Law, H C. Kimball and Pres. H. Smith. Several others spoke bearing testimony of the iniquity of those who had calumniated Pres. J Smith's character101
Joseph Smith's journal records: "...a.m. at the stand conflicting with O[rson]. P[ratt]. and correcting the public mind with regard to reports put in circulation by [John] Bennett & Others. 102
Daniel H. Wells signed an affidavit concerning John C. Bennett's activities.103
Elias Higbee wrote a letter to the editor of the Times and Seasons stating that he was a "personal friend of Joseph Smith" and has "never yet seen or known any thing against him... "104
John C. Bennett's Fourth Letter is published in the Sangamo Journal. Martha H. Brotherton's affidavit is in that article.105
1842 July 25
Pamela M. Michael signed a statement that she knows nothing "derogatory to" Joseph Smith's "character, either as a Christian, or a moral man" and that Bennett made use of her name without her knowledge or consent.
1842 July 26
William Marks made a statement concerning John C. Bennett and Joseph Smith which states: " .. .I would further state that I know of no Order in the Church which admits of a plurality of wives, and do not believe that Joseph Smith ever taught such a doctrine ..."106
1842 July 28
Henry Marks made a statement concerning John C. Bennett and Joseph Smith which states: " ... I know nothing derogatory to the character of Joseph Smith, neither in a religious or a moral point of view; and that Doctor Bennett and the Journal used my name without my knowledge or consent..."107
1842 July 27
SARAH ANN WHITNEY sealed to JOSEPH SMITH108 by her father, Newell K. Whitney.
1842 July 29
ELIZA R. SNOW sealed to JOSEPH SMITH109 by Brigham Young.
1842 Aug
MARTHA MCBRIDE KNIGHT sealed to JOSEPH SMITH110
1842 Aug 1
An article in the Times and Seasons entitled "John C. Bennett" contained affidavits and other information concerning the activities of John C. Bennett. It stated:
There has always been, in every age of the church those who have been opposed to the principles of virtue ...He [Bennett] professed to be virtuous and chaste, yet did he pierce the heart of the innocent, introduce misery and infamy into families, ... he desecrate his name, and prostitute his authority to the most unhallowed and diabolical purposes; even to the seduction of the virtuous, and the defiling of his neighbor's bed...he gave his affidavit, and testified that Joseph Smith was a virtuous man-[then he said] that we believed in and practiced polygamy ... 111
Sidney Rigdon published a statement stating that: "As there seems to be some foolish notions that I have been engaged with J C. Bennett, in the difficulties between him and some of the citizens of this place [Nauvoo}, I mere7 say in reply to such idle and vain reports that they are without foundation in truth.112
1842 Aug 18
Joseph Smith wrote the following letter to Brother and Sister Newel K. Whitney:113
Nauvoo August 18th 1842
Dear, and Beloved, Brother and Sister, Whitney, and &c.
I take this oppertunity to communi[cjate, some of my feelings, privetely at this time, which I want you three Eternaly to keep in your own bosams; for my feelings are so strong for you since what has pased lately between us, that the time of my abscence from you seems so long, and dreary, that it seems, as if I could not live long in this way: and <if you> three would come and see me in this my lonely retreat, it would afford me great relief, of mind, if those with whom I am alied, do love me; now is the time to afford me succour, in the days of exile,for you know I foretold you of these things. I am now at Carlos Graingers, Just back of Brother Hyrams farm, it is only one mile from town, the nights are very pleasant indeed, all three of you come <can> come and See me in the fore part of the night, let Brother Whitney come a little a head, and nock at the south East corner of the house at <the> window; it is next to the cornfield, I have a room inti=rely by myself, the whole matter can be attended to with most perfect safty, I <know> it is the will of God that you should comfort <me> now in this time of ajjliction, or not at[ta]l now is the time or never, but I hav[eJ no kneed of saying any such thing, to you, for I know the goodness of your hearts, and that you will do the will of the Lord, when it is made known to you; the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safty: only be careful to escape observation, as much as possible, I know it is a heroick undertakeing; but so much the greater frendship, and the more Joy, when I see you I <will> tell you all my plans, I cannot write them on paper, burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up in your breasts, my life depends upon it. one thing I want to see you for is <to> git the fulness of my blessings sealed upon our heads, &c. you wi will pardon me for my earnest=ness on <this subject> when you consider how lonesome I must be, your good feelings know how to <make> every allowance for me, I close my letter, I think Emma wont come tonight if she dont dont fail to come to night, I subscribe myself your most obedient, <and> affectionate, companion, and friend. Joseph Smith. 114
1842 Aug 19
John C. Bennett published in the Sangamo Journal newspaper a supposed letter from Joseph Smith to Nancy Rigdon. The letter said in part: "...lfwe seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added. So with Solomon -- first he asked wisdom, and God gave it him, and with it every DESIRE of his heart, even things which might be considered abominable to all who understand the order of heaven only in part, but which in reality, were right, because God gave and sanctioned by special revelation..." 115
1842 Aug 20
Orson Pratt is cut off from the Church. Wilford Woodruff wrote in his diary that "Dr. John Cook Bennet [sic] was the ruin of Orson Pratt." 116
1842 Aug 27
In November 1855, Thomas Bullock, a clerk in the Church Historian's Office, copied into the manuscript of Joseph Smith's history, the letter of Joseph Smith to Nancy Rigdon on the date of August 27, 1842.117
1842 Aug 29
Stephen Markham stated in an affidavit that John C. Bennett and Nancy Rigdon "were guilty of unlawful and illicit intercourse with each other."118
1842 Sep 1
The Times and Seasons published the following:
"Inasmuch as the public mind has been unjustly abused through the fallacy of Dr. Bennett's letters, we make an extract on the subject of marriage, showing the rule of the church on this important matter. The extract is from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and is the only rule allowed by the church.
'All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled. 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 the case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again. It is not right to persuade a woman to be baptized contrary to the will of her husband neither is it lawful to influence her to leave her husband. ,,,119
Robert D. Foster wrote a letter from New York City stating that he had attended a lecture by John C. Bennett, where Bennett talked about spiritual wifery, Nancy Rigdon, Mrs. Pratt and others. Foster defended Joseph Smith and told the audience that Bennett was a liar. An extract of the letter was published in The Wasp.120
1842 Sep 3
The Wasp published a letter from Sidney Rigdon concerning the letter of Nancy Rigdon that was published in the Sangamo Journal. In this letter he states, "I am fully authorized by my daughter, Nancy, to say...that she never said to Gen. Bennett or any other person that said letter was written by said Mr. Smith, nor in his handwriting...that she never at any time authorised [sicJ Gen. Bennett to use her name in the public paflers...l would further state that Mr. Smith denied to me the authorship of that letter. " 121
Sidney Rigdon, in a certificate dated September 3, 1842 stated that Stephen Markham
" ...is not to be believed, that his word for truth and veracity is not good "122 Published in the same issue were certificates of Carlos Gove, George W. Robinson and Henry Marks stating that Nancy Rigdon was "a lady of a virtuous, chaste, and upright moral character. "123
Nauvoo High Council Minutes: "Sept 3rd I 842, Council met according to adjournment. A Charge was preferred against Gustavus Hills by Elijah Everett, one of the teachers of the Church, for illicit intercourse with a certain woman by the name of Mary Clift, by which she is with child, and for teaching the said Mary Clift that the heads of the Church practiced such conduct & that the time would come when men would have more wives than one &c. May Clift did not appear & upon vote it was adjourned until 4 o'clock P.M tomorrow. Samuel Bent, David Fullmer, Elijah Everett & Gustavus Hills were to go to her house at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning & take Alderman Spencer, to take her depositions and so that the trial might take place according to adjournment tomorrow..." 124
1842 Sep4
Nauvoo High Council Minutes: "Council met according to adjournment. Joshua Smith being absent, Elias Higbee was appointed in his place.. The case of Gustavus Hills was called President A. Cowles spoke by way of address to the Council upon the subject. The affidavit of Mary Clift, dated 29th Aug 1842, as also one of Sept 4th 1842, were read Esther Smith gave evidence that defendant told her it was lawfal for people to hold illicit intercourse, if they only held their peace& that the time would it was agreeable to the practice of some of the leading men or heads of the Church. It took place the Thursday before the Choir was dismissed, in the upper part of Town, near the Bluff, at 9 0 'clock in the evening-she was going home-he offered & went to accompany her and this took place upon the way-she further testified that May Clift joined the Choir at Br Joseph Smiths. Defendant then produced a paper containing questions put to & answers given by Mary Clift this morning, after her deposition was taken by alderman Spencer, which went together with aforesaid depositions, to prove his guilt-several w#h witnesses were afterwards called upon in his behalf but none gave any evidence that he was innocent. The Council/ors then spoke according to order, who were four in all Viz (5) David Fullmer, (6) G. W. Harris, (7) Simeon Carter pro tern/or T. Grover, (8) and A Johnson. Br. Everett & Hills then spoke; After which Prest Cowles & Rich gave their judgment, in which the entire Council concurred by Vote-that is by disfellowshiping Gustavus Hills. 125
1842 Sep 13
Fanny Brewer gave an affidavit which stated:
Testimony of Fanny Brewer, of Boston Boston, September 13, 1842
To the Public:-- I have long desired that some one who had a certain knowledge of the hidden practices and abominations at Nauvoo, would have the moral courage to come out, with a full development; and my desires have been realized in General Bennett's disclosures. As the ice is now broken, L too, have a tale to tell. In the spring of 1837, I left Boston/or Kirtland, in all good faith, to assemble with the Saints, as I thought, and worship God more perfectly. On my arrival, ]found brother going to law with brother, drunkenness prevailing to a great extent, and every species of wickedness...There was much excitement against the Prophet, on another account, likewise,-- an unlawful intercourse between himself and a young orphan girl residing in his family, and under his protection!!! Mr. Martin Harris told me that the Prophet was most notorious for lying and licentiousness!! In the/all of 1837, the Smith family all left Kirtland, by revelation, (or necessity,) for Missouri ..126
1842 Oct 1
The Times and Seasons, after publishing the statement on marriage from the Doctrine and Covenants, published the following statements:
"We the undersigned members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and residents of the city of Nauvoo, persons of families do hereby certify and declare that we know of no other rule or system of marriage than the one published from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and we give this certificate to show that Dr. J C. Bennett's "secret wife system" is a creature of his own make as we know of no such society in this place nor never did [Signed} S. Bennett, N K Whitney, George Miller, Albert Pettey, Alpheus Cutler, Elias Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon, John Taylor, Wilson Law, E. Robinson, W Woodruff, Aaron Johnson. "
"We the undersigned members of the ladies' relief society, and married females do certify and declare that we know of no system of marriage being practiced in the churchof Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints save the one contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and we give this certificate to the public to show that J C. Bennett's "secret wife system" is a disclosure of his own make. [Signed] Emma Smith, President, Elizabeth Ann Whitney, Counsellor, Sarah M Cleveland, Counsellor, Eliza R. Snow, Secretary, Mary C. Miller, Catharine Pettey, Lois Cutler, Sarah Higbee, Thirza Cahoon, Phebe Woodruff, Ann Hunter, Leonora Taylor, Jane Law, Sarah Hillman, Sophia R. Marks, Rosannah Marks, Polly Z Johnson, Angeline Robinson, Abigail Works. "127
1842 Nov
Sarah Peak Noon, plural wife of Heber C. Kimball gave birth to a boy named, Adelman. He died six months later.128
1842 Dec 1
Jonathan H. Holmes and Elvria A. Cowles were married at Nauvoo by Joseph Smith.129 Joseph Smith and Elvria Cowles were later sealed on June 1, 1843.130
The following article was published in the Times and Seasons: "NOTICE. There was a book printed at my office, a short time since, written by Udney H Jacobs, on marriage131, without my knowledge; and had I been apprised of it, I should not have printed it; not that I am opposed to any man enjoying his privileges; but I do not wish to have my name associated with the authors, in an unmeaning rigmarole of nonsence [sic], folly, and trash. JOSEPH SMITH132
1842 Dec 7
Orson Hyde returned to Nauvoo from his mission to Palestine. Later he stated:
"During my absence to Palestine, the conduct of his [Sidney Rigdon 's] daughter, Nancy, became so notorious in this city, according to common rumor, she was regarded generally, little if any better than a public prostitute. Joseph Smith knowing the conduct she was guilty of, felt anxious to reprove and reclaim her if possible. He, accordingly, requested my wife [Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde] to invite her down to her house. He wished to speak with her and show her the impropriety of being gallanted about by so many different men, many of whom were comparatively strangers to her... Miss Nancy, I presume, considered her dignity highly insulted at the plain and sharp reproofs she received from this servant of God. She ran home and told her father that Mr. Smith wanted her for a spiritual wife and that he employed my wife to assist him in obtaining her. Mr. Rigdon also thought this was a good time to crush a member of the Johnson family, against which he had an old grudge, because Father Johnson, after giving him and his family a living for a long time, building a house for them to live in &c., would not give him his farm and all his property"133
1843
William Law stated: "In 1843 Hyrum Smith handed to me a writing to read and to be returned to him. I took it home and upon reading found that it purported to be a revelation to Joseph Smith, authorizing polygamy in the Church...Joseph told me that he had several wives sealed to him, and that they afforded him a great deal of pleasure ...Mrs. Smith complained to me about Joseph keeping young wives in her house and elsewhere, and his neglect of her ..."134
1843 Jan 18
Sarah and Nancy Longstroth sealed to Willard Richards135
1843 Jan 20
In a meeting of the Twelve Apostles, Brigham Young, "said all he had against Orson [Pratt] was when he came home he loved his wife better than David Joseph [Smith said} She lied about me-I never made the offer which she said I did.- I will not advise you to break up your family-unless it were asked of me. Then I would council you to get a bill from your wife & marry a virtuous woman -- & raise a new family - but if you do not do it shall never throw it in your teeth. Joseph[:} Orson I prophecy in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That it will not be 6 months. Before you learn things which will make you glad you have not left us... 4 - oclock orson Pratt, Sarah Marinda Pratt & Lydia Granger were Baptized in the River Pr. Pat Joseph Smith. -- & confirmed in the Court Room - Orson received the priesthood & the same power & authority as informer days."136
1843 Feb
Joseph Smith explained to William Clayton concerning the doctrine of plural marriage. He stated that Joseph Smith "...informed me that he had other wives living besides his .first wife Emma, and in particular gave me to understand that Eliza R. Snow, Louisa Beman, Desdemona W Fullmer and others were his lawful wives in the sight of Heaven." 137
RUTH VOSE sealed to JOSEPH SMITH138
1843 Feb 1
The Times and Seasons published a letter signed by J. C. S. which states the evil of John C. Bennett and then says"...I can safely say I never have seen anything derogatory to the Character or conduct of Mr. Smith, as a christian, or rophet; but he has every where proclaimed against wickedness and abominations ... " 139
1843 Feb 5
Harriet Clark sealed to William D. Huntington140
1843 Feb 10
In Nauvoo mayor's court, Oliver Olney is convicted of being a "thief." A bill of grand larceny and burglary was found against him. The report stated that he was also tried by the High Council and he was disfellowshiped.141 On April 1, 1843 he published a pamphlet titled The Absurdities of Mormonism Portrayed142 which had a chapter titled "Polygamy" and another one titled "Seduction of Females" and repeats some of John C. Bennett's charges.
1843Feb 17
From the History of the Church, "I [Joseph Smith] attended a special session of the city council, when an Ordinance was passed authorizing and regulating marriages in the city of Nauvoo."143
1843 Mar
Mary Ann Price sealed to Orson Hyde144 [Most sources date this sealing as July 20, 1843 145
When Parley P. Pratt and his family were returning from his mission in England, his stepdaughter, Mary Ann Steams saw a little book concerning polygamy. She said: "It was while located on the boat at St. Louis that I saw the little book published by Martha Brotherton on polygamy. She with her family had visited at our house before they left England, and being acquainted with her made me very curious to know what she had to say about it, so I took the book, went into my berth, drew the curtains, and proceeded to investigate. I had always been taught to believe in the Bible, and when I came to the place where it quoted Abraham, Jacob and others as having more than one wife, I decided that the principle must be true, coming from that source-and also, though right for others, not for me was my firm conclusion. And thou h thus steeled against it for myself, I always honored and respected those living in it." 146
Erastus Snow stated: "... Being anxious to visit the Prophet and Saints at Nauvoo, I left the field of my labors in charge of local elders early in March, 1843 ...I had a very enjoyable visit for about a month with the Prophet and my kindred and brethren. It was during this visit that the Prophet told me what the Lord had revealed to him touching upon baptism for the dead and marriage for eternity, and requiring his chosen and proved servants to take unto themselves wives, and introduced several of those who had been sealed to himself and other of the first elders of the Church. Foremost among the former was my wife's sister Louisa, whose integrity, devotion, and purity of soul were known to aII her acquaintances..." 147
1843 Mar4
EMILY DOW PARTRIDGE sealed to JOSEPH SMITH148 She stated that Heber C. Kimball performed the marriage. She and her sister Eliza were sealed to Joseph Smith again on May 11, 1843 in the presence of Emma Smith by James Adams.149
1843 Mar 8
ELIZA MARIA PARTRIDGE sealed to JOSEPH SMITH150 She and her sister Emily were sealed to Joseph Smith again on May 11, 1843 in the presence of Emma Smith by James Adams.151
1843 Mar9
Harriet P. Wheeler Decker sealed to Lorenzo Dow Young152
1843 Mar 15
The Times and Seasons reprinted a letter from the Boston Bee signed by H.R. a Mormon convert, which stated: "...We are charged with advocating a plurality of wives, and common property. Now this is as false as the many other ridiculous charges which are brought against us. No sect have [sic} a greater reverence for the laws of matrimony, or the rights offrivate property, and we do what others do not, practice what we preach..." 153
1843 Mar 27
Joseph Smith dictated a letter to Sidney Rigdon stating, "...I believe and am laboring under the fullest convictions that you are actually practicing deception and wickedness against me and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and that you are in connection with John C. Bennett and George W Robinson in the whole of their abominable practices, in seeking to destroy me and this people; and that Jared Carter is as deep in the mud as you, sir, are in the mire... " Willard Richards took the letter to Rigdon and returned his answer to Joseph Smith. Rigdon denied any connection to Cook and he stated, "...I can assert in truth, that with myse(f and any other person on this globe there never was nor is there now existing anything privately or publicly in injure your character in any respect whatever; neither has any person spoken to me on any such subject. All that has ever been said by me has been said to your face, all of which you know as well as J..."154
1843 Apr
Joseph Smith taught Erastus Snow, "the doctrine of celestial marriage, including a plurality of wives, in Nauvoo, Ill., in April 1843. He also told me of those women he had taken to wives. My wife's sister, Louisa Beman, was his first plural wife..."155
Joseph Smith taught Lorenzo Snow concerning Plural Marriage,
"He [Joseph Smithj said that the Lord had revealed it unto him and commanded him to have women sealed to him as wives, that he foresaw the trouble that would follow and sought to turn away from the commandment, that an angel from heaven appeared before him with a drawn sword, threatening him with destruction unless he went forward and obeyed the commandment. He further said that my sister Eliza R. Snow had been sealed to him as his wife for time and eternity.156
Adelmon, son of Sarah Peak Noon, plural wife of Heber C. Kimball died in Nauvoo.157
1843 Apr 1
Oliver H. Olney, an early member of the Church and son-in-law of John and Elisa Johnson, published a pamphlet titled The Absurdities of Mormonism Portrayed158 which had a chapter titled "Polygamy" and another one titled "Seduction of Females" which repeats some of John C. Bennett's charges by Nancy Rigdon and Martha Brotherton. Interestingly, he also talks about a Mrs. Hide's involvement and if he means Marinda Johnson Hyde, he is talking about his wife's sister.
The Nauvoo High Council considered the case of Jordan P. Hendrixson. Isaac Allred charged him with marrying " ...a second woman when his first wife was living, from which he was not released by the laws of God or of Man, consequently [he] committed adultery ..." President Marks decided that he should "continue in the Church," but the High Council disagreed and voted to cut him off from the Church.159
1843 Apr 2
Joseph Smith taught Benjamin F. Johnson concerning plural marriage and asked to marry his sister Almera. "Subsequent to this I took her to the city of Nauvoo, where she was married, or sealed for time and eternity, to President Joseph Smith, by his brother Hyrum Smith, in the presence of myself and Louisa Beaman, who told me she had also been sealed or married to the Prophet Joseph. This was at the residence of my sister, the widow of Lyman R. Sherman, who also was a witness. "160
" ...His [Joseph's} brother Hyrum said to me: "Now, Br. Benjamin, you know that Br. Hyrum would not sanction this ifit was not from the Lord The Lord revealed this to Brother Joseph long ago, and he put it off until the Angel of the Lord came to him with a drawn sword and told him that he would be slain if he did not go forth and fulfill this law. " He told my sister to have no fears; and he there and then sealed my sister Almira to the Prophet. Soon after this he was at my house again, where he occupied my Sister Almira's room and bed, and also asked me for my youngest sister, Esther M I told him she was promised in marriage to my wife's brother. He said "Well, let them marry, for it will all come right. "161
1843 Apr 5
Sarah B Alley sealed to Joseph B. Noble162
1843 Apr 10
Henry Jacobs is called on a mission to western New York with John S. Gleason.163 His wife Zina Huntington was sealed to Joseph Smith October 27, 1841.164
1843 Apr27
Margaret Moon sealed to William Clayton-Clayton wrote: "On the 2th of April, /843, the Prophet Joseph Smith married to me Margaret Moon, for time and eternity, at the residence of Elder Heber C. Kimball... "165
1843 Apr 29
Joseph C. Kingsbury and Sarah Ann Whitney are married by Joseph Smith.166 Sarah had been sealed to Joseph Smith July 27, 1842.
1843 May
MARINDA NANCY JOHNSON sealed to JOSEPH SMITH167 Her affidavit dated May I, 1869 states that she was sealed to Joseph Smith in May 1843, butJoseph Smith's 1843 journal says, "Apr[il] [18)42 Marinda Johnson to Joseph Smith..." Since this entry is in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock, it may have been written after Joseph Smith's death.168
Erastus Snow dictated to his son Franklin R., the following:
"I had a very enjoyable visit [in Nauvoo] for about a month with the Prophet and my kindred and brethren. It was during this visit that the Prophet told me what the Lord had revealed to him teaching baptism for the dead and marriage for eternity, and requiring his chosen and proved servants to take unto themselves wives and introduce the Patriarchal order of marriage. He introduced several of those who had been sealed to himself and others of the first elders of the Church. Foremost among the former was my wife's sister Louisa, whose integrity, devotion and purity of soul was known to all her acquaintances." 169
1843 May 1
LUCY WALKER sealed to JOSEPH SMITH-William Clayton wrote: "On the 1'1 day of May, 1843, I officiated in the office of an Elder by marrying Lucy Walker to the Prophet Joseph Smith, at his own residence. 170
William Clayton's diary states: "May I'' (1843) A.M at the Temple at IO. Married Joseph to Lucy Walker, P.M at Prest. Joseph's, he is gone out with Woodworth, he borrowed L20 of William Allen, I took supper with him. Prest. Paid L 20 to Woodworth for Nauvoo House171
Lucy Walker Kimball wrote: "When the Prophet Joseph Smith first mentioned the principle of plural marriage to me I became very indignant, and told him emphatically that I did not wish him ever to mention it to me again, as my feelings and education revolted against any thing of such nature. He counseled me, however, to pray to the Lord for light and understanding in relation thereto, ...I received a powerful and irresistible testimony of the truth of plural marriage...Shortly afterwards I consented to become the Prophet's wife, and was married to him May 1, 1843, Elder William Clayton officiating. I am also able to testify that Emma Smith, the Prophet's first wife, gave her consent to the marriage of at least four other girls to her husband, and that she was well aware that he associated with them as wives within the meaning of all that word implies. This is proven by the fact that she herself, on several occasions kept guard at the door to prevent disinterested persons from intruding, when these ladies were in the house." 172
Lucy W. Kimball testified in the Temple Lot Case that "...The doctrine of polygamy was taught to me personally in Nauvoo, and I was married to the Prophet Joseph Smith. William Clayton performed the ceremony [sic], and I accepted it as a special commandment from God. The marriage was performed on the !st day of May, 1843. The only witness to the ceremony was Eliza Partridge. "173
1843 May 11
EMILY AND ELIZA PARTRIDGE sealed again to JOSEPH SMITH, this time they were married with the consent of Emma Hale Smith, by James Adams.174 Eliza Partridge Lyman's affidavit says that she was married to Joseph Smith by James Adams in the presence of Emma (Hale) Smith and Emily D. Partridge.175 Emily Dow Young's affidavit states that same.176
George A. Smith wrote that Emma, about this time, gave her husband two other wives Maria and Sarah Lawrence.177
1843 May 15
Times and Seasons published the following article:
"TO THE PUBLIC, I am informed that Henry Jackson is palming himself on some of the branches of the church, in Iowa, and soliciting donations as an elder of said church, whereas he has been excluded from the church and is not a member, JOHN SMITH, elder"178 (Joseph H. Jackson publish later, A Narrative of the Adventures and Experience of Joseph H Jackson in Nauvoo, Disclosing the Depths of Mormon Villainy, August 1844 which contains an account of plural marriages.]179
1843 May 16-18
Joseph Smith visited the Johnson Family in Macedonia, Illinois and "occupied the same bed" with Almera Johnson, his plural wife and sister of Benjamin F. Johnson.180
1843 May 28
Joseph and Emma Hale Smith and James and Harriet Adams were sealed for time and eternity at Joseph Smith's Homestead in Nauvoo.181
1843 Spr/Sum
John Benbow "said that in the spring or forepart of the summer of 1843, at his house, four miles from Nauvoo, County of Hancock, State of Illinois, President Joseph Smith taught him and his wife, Jane Benbow, the doctrine of celestial marriage, or plurality of wives, Hyrum Smith being present. And further, that Hannah Ells Smith, boarded at his house two months during that summer of the same year; and the said Hannah E. Smith also lived at his house several months in I 844, after the Prophet's death. And farther, that President Smith frequently visited his wife Hannah at his (JB.'s) house."182
1843 Jun 1
ELVRIA A. COWLES sealed to JOSEPH SMITH by Heber C. Kimball with Vilate Kimball and Eliza Partridge present.183
1843 June 12
Susannah Lee Liptrot sealed to Willard Richards184 RHODA RICHARDS sealed to JOSEPH SMITH185
In Joseph Smith's journal kept by Willard Richards, it states in shorthand "married to Rhoda Richards and Willard Richards married to Susan Liptrot"186 Rhoda Richards stated: "I have passed companionless through life; but am sure of having my proper place and standing in the resurrection, having been sealed to the prophet Joseph, according to the celestial law, by his own request, under the inspiration of divine revelation."187
1843 Jun 23
William Clayton wrote:
"This A.M President Joseph took me and conversed considerable concerning some delicate matters. Said [Emma} wanted to lay a snare for me. He told me last night of this and said he had felt troubled. He said [Emma] had treated him coldly and badly since I came ...and he knew she was disposed to be revenged on him for some things. She thought that if he would indulge himself she would too. He cautioned me very kindly for which !felt thankful ... "188
1843 July
DESDEMONA FULLMER sealed to JOSEPH SMITH189
1843 July 11
Roxena Higby Repsher sealed to James Adams190
1843 July 12
Joseph Smith dictated the revelation on plural marriage to William Clayton. Clayton stated: "Joseph and Hyrum than sat down and Joseph commenced to dictate the revelation on celestial marriage, and I wrote it, sentence by sentence, as he dictated. After the whole as written, Joseph asked me to read it through, slowly and carefully, which I did, and he pronounced it correct." 191
1843 July 13
Joseph C. Kingsbury copied the revelation. Kingsbury stated: "...I will say that Bishop Newel K. Whitney handed me the revelation above referred to on either the day it was written or the day following, and stating that it was [sic} asked me to take a copy ofit. I did so, and then read my copy of it to Bishop Whitney, who compared it with the original which he held in his hand while I read to him. When I had finished reading, Bishop Whitney pronounced the copy correct, and Hyrum Smith coming into the room at the time to fetch the original, Bishop Whitney handed it to him... " 192 [The original manuscript in William Clayton's handwriting was burned by Emma Smith a few days later.193
1843 July 20
Joseph Smith sealed Orson Hyde to Mary Ann Price.194
1843 July 22
Joseph Smith sealed William Clayton and his first wife, Ruth Moon Clayton. William Clayton wrote: "...and on the 22nd of July, 1843, he [Joseph Smith] married to me, according to the order of the Church, my first wife Ruth." [Clayton's first plural wife, Margaret Moon, Ruth's sister, was sealed to him by Joseph Smith on April 27, 1843.]195
Hyrum Smith visited Howard and Martha Jane Coray and "observed to us that his brother, Joseph Smith, the Prophet, had received a revelation on marriage, that was not for the public yet, which he would rehearse to us, as he had taken pains to commit it to memory... After which he reviewed that part pertaining to plurality of wives, dwelling at some length upon the same in order that we might clearly understand the principle. And on the same day (July 22nd, 1843) he sealed my wife, formerly Martha Jane Knowlton, to me..." 196
1843 July 24
Elizabeth Brotherton sealed to Parley P. Pratt197
Mary Ann Frost sealed to Parley P. Pratt198
1843 July 28
Charlotte Walters sealed to William Felshaw 199
1843 Aug
Catherine Phillips sealed to Hyrum Smith200
Caroline Whiting sealed to Thomas Grover201
Caroline E. Hubbard sealed to Thomas Grover202
1843 Aug 11
Mercy Fielding Thompson sealed to Hyrum Smith203
Mercy R. Thompson, writing to Joseph Smith III, September 5, 1883, said, "My beloved husband, R. B. Thompson, your father's private secretary to the end of his mortal life, died August 27'h, 1841, (I presume you will remember him.) Nearly two years after his death your father told me that my husband had appeared to him several times, telling him that he did not wish me to live such a lonely life, and wished him to request your uncle Hyrum to have me sealed to him for time. Hyrum communicated this to his wife (my sister) who, by request, opened the subject to me, when everything with in me rose to opposition to such a step, but when your father called and explained the subject to me, I dared not refuse to obey the counsel, lest peradventure I should be found fighting against God; and especially when he told me the last time my husband appeared to him he came with such power that it made him tremble...The time was appointed, with the consent of all parties, and you father sealed me to your uncle Hyrum for time, in my sister's room, with a covenant to deliver me up in the morning of the resurrection to Robert Blaske/ Thompson, with whatever offepring should be the result of that union, at the same time counseling you uncle to build a room for me and move me over as soon as convenient, which he did, and I remained there as a wife the same as my sister to the day of his death.204
William Clayton wrote:"...Joseph told me to day that [William?] "Walker" had been speaking to him concerning my having taken M[argaretj away from A[aronj and intimated that I had done wrong. I told him to be quiet and say no more about it. He also told me Emma was considerably displeased with it but says he she will soon get over it. In the agony of mind which I have endured on this subject 1 said I was sorry I had done it, at which Joseph told me not to say so. !finally asked him if I had done wrong in what I had done. He answered no you have a right to get all you can..."205
1843 Aug 12
Hyrum Smith read the revelation to the Nauvoo High Council. 206
Thomas Grover stated that: "The Presidency of the Stake, Wm. Marks, Father Cowles and the late Apostle Charles C. Rich were present. The following are the names of the High Council that were present, in their order, viz: Samuel Benter, William Huntington, Alpheus Cutler, Thos. Grover, Lewis D. Wilson, David Fullmer, Aaron Johnson, Newell Knight, Leonard Soby, James Allred, Henry G. Sherwood, and I think, Samuel H. Smith. Brother Hyrum was called upon to read the revelation. He did so, and after the meeting said, "Now, you that believe this revelation and go forth and obey the same shall be saved, and you that reject it shall be damned. We saw this prediction verified in less than one week. Of the Presidency of the Stake, Wm. Marks and Father Cowles rejected the revelation; of the Council that were [sic] present Leonard Soby rejected it. From that time forward there was a very strong division in the High Council...From that time forward we often received instructions.from the Prophet as to what was the will of the Lord and how to proceed .."207
David Fullmer stated: "...Dunbar Wilson made enquiry in relation to the subject of a plurality of wives, as there were rumors about respecting it [sic], and he was satisfied there was something in those remarks, and he wanted to know what it was, upon which Hyrum Smith stepped across the road to his residence, and soon returned bringing with him a copy of the revelation on celestial marriage, given to Joseph Smith, July 12, A.D. 1843, and read the same to the High Council, and bore testimony to its truth. The said David Fullmer farther saith that, to the best of his memory and belief, the following named persons were present: Wm. Marks, Austin A. Cowles, Samuel Bent, Geo. W Harris, Dunbar Wilson, W Huntington, Levi Jackman, Aaron Johnson, Thos. Grover, David Fullmer, Phinehas Richards, James Allred and Leonard Soby. And the said David Fullmer farther saith that Wm. Marks, Austin A. Cowles and Leonard Soby were the only persons present who did not receive the testimony of Hyrum Smith..."208
In a letter dated, February 26, 1886, from Beverly, New Jersey, Leonard Soby wrote to James S. Brooks of San Bernardino, California that he "was present at the High Council in Nauvoo when that revelation [on plural marriage] was read, and knew it to be true, and I hope that Lord will bless you to see the truth as I do."209
1843 Aug 13
Mary Akins Smith sealed to John Smith210
1843 Aug 16
Emma and Joseph Smith had conflict over Plural Marriage.211
William Clayton wrote: " ...This A.M Joseph told me that since E[mma] came back from St. Louis she had resisted the P[riesthood], in toto and he had to tell her he would relinquish al/for her sake. She said she would [have] given him E[lize] and E[mily] P[artridge], but he knew ifhe took them she would pitch on him and obtain a divorce and leave him. He however told me he should not relinquish anything. 0 God deliver they servant from iniquity and bondage ..."212
1843 Aug 25
The History of the Church records, "Friday, 25-My brother Hyrum in the office, conversing with me about the new revelation upon celestial marriage."213
1843 Fall
Joseph Smith taught George A. Smith concerning Plural Marriage214 He wrote to Joseph Smith III: "When I returned to Nauvoo from my mission in the fall of 1843, I met Hyrum at the landing, he accompanied me on the way to my home when he recited the most of the Revelation on patriarchal marriage and invited me to his house to receive further instruction. Next day, I called on your father who expressed his gratitude at the conversion of bro. Hyrum and gave me additional views on the subject and spoke of the results of the same in the eternal worlds ..."215
Mary Ann Sheffield was married to William Smith by Brigham Young at the home of Agnes Smith, but Agnes Smith was not present.216 Mary Ann stated "...! never was introduced to Joseph Smith by William Smith as his wife...I never talked with Joseph about polygamy but once... "217
1843 Sep 8
Mary Ann Washburn sealed to Joseph B. Noble218
1843 Sep 15
William Clayton wrote:
" ...President Joseph told me he had lately had a new item of law revealed to him in relation to myself He said the Lord had revealed to him that a man could only take 2 of a family except by express revelation and as I had said I intended to take Lydia he made this known for my benefit. To have more than two in a family was apt to cause wrangles and trouble. He finally asked if I would give L[ydia] to him. I said I would so far as I had anything to do in it. He requested me to talk to her..."219
1843 Sep 17
William Clayton wrote:
"At home all day with M[argaret] I had some talk with Lydia. She seems to receive it kindly but says she has promised her mother not to marry while her mother lives and she thinks she won't"220
1843 Sep 20
MELISSA LOTT sealed to JOSEPH SMITH221 In her testimony in the Temple Lot Case, the transcription states that the marriage date was September 27.222
1843 Oct
Hyrum Smith read the revelation on Plural Marriage to Samuel A. Woolley, his brother, Edwin D. Woolley and Edwin's wife, Mary as well as several other people including a "Mrs. German" in the Woolley home in Nauvoo.223
1843 Oct 6
At a special conference, Joseph Smith expressed complaints against Sidney Rigdon, including that Rigdon had "...a supposed correspondence and connection with John C. Bennett ..." Rigdon explained that "he had never received but one communication from John C. Bennett, and that of a business character, except one addressed to him conjointly with Elder Orson Pratt, which he handed over to President Smith-that he had never written any letters to John C. Bennett.."224
1843 Oct 19
William Clayton wrote:
" ...After we had got on the road he [Joseph Smithj began to tell me that E[mmaj was turned quite friendly and kind. She had been anointed and he also had been a [nointed] K[ing}. He said that it was her advice that I should keep M[argaret] at home and it was also his council. Says he just keep her at home and brook [sicJ it and if they raise trouble about it and bring you before me I will give you an awful scourging and probably cut you off from the church and then I will baptise[sic] you and set you ahead as good as ever.225
1843 Oct 19-21
Joseph Smith visited the Johnson family in Macedonia. He sealed Benjamin F. Johnson to his first wife [Melissa Bloomfield Le Baron.] He also visited Benjamin's mother [Julia Hills Johnson] at her residence in Macedonia and "taught her in my hearing the doctrine of celestial marriage, declaring that an angel appeared unto him with a drawn sword, threatening to slay him if he did not proceed to fulfill the law that had been given to him. And counseled my mother to be sealed to his uncle, Father John Smith (father of Geo. A. Smith), to which she consented, and to my certain knowledge was subsequently sealed to him by the Prophet." As remembered by Benjamin F. Johnson.226
An entry in Joseph Smith's 1843 diary, in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock, states: "Oct[ober] 20 [th] B. F. Johnson and wife Melissa LaBarron by Hy[rum] Smith."227 Benjamin F. Johnson remembered that Joseph Smith sealed them.228
1843 Nov 2
FANNY YOUNG MURRAY sealed to JOSEPH SMITH by her brother, Brifam Young in the presence of Mary Ann Young, Harriet E. Cook and Augusta Adams.229
Augusta Adams sealed to Brigham Young by Joseph Smith in the presence of Mary Ann Young, Fanny Murray and Harriet Cook. 230
Harriet E. Cook sealed to Brigham Young bi Joseph Smith in the presence of Mary Ann Young, Fanny Murray and Augusta Adams. 231
1843 Nov 11
An entry in Joseph Smith's 1843 journal, in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock, states, "Nov[ember] ll[th] W. Woodruff and Ph[o]ebe W. Carter"232
Wilford Woodruffs journal states: "Nov 11the 1843. During the evening 1 walked over to Br. Taylors & spent some time in conversing about the principles of the Celestial world or some of them. Br Hiram Smith was in with us & presented som ideas for much interest to me concerning Baptism for the dead, the resurrection redemption & exhaltation in the New & everlasting covenant that reacheth into the eternal world He sealed the marrige Covenant between me & my wife Phebe W Carter for time & eternity & gave us the principle of it which was interesting to us. After spending the evening plesantly we returned home & spent the night."233
1843 Nov 19
Ezra T. Benson is sealed to his first wife, Pamelia Andrus Benson234
1843 Nov 21
An entry in Joseph Smith's 1843 diary, in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock, says, "21 [st] Edward Lawrence and Marg[are]t Butterfield by W Clayton."235 Clayton went to Joseph and asked him to do the sealing. "He could not come but sent Hyrum ... I stood as proxy for Edwd Lawrence."236
1843 Nov 25
William Henry Harrison Sagers was called before the Nauvoo High Council and tried for having Spiritual wives.237
Wilford Woodruff recorded in his journal, "I was called in the evening to a council with the Twelve. When I arived at Joseph Smith's Store I found the High Council sitting on a case of Harrison Sagers for some improper Conduct or offer towards some female. At the close President Joseph Smith made an address upon the subject which was highly interesting & its tendency was to do away with evry evil & practice vitue & Holiness before the Lord. That the Church had not received any license from him to commit adultery fornication or any such thing but to the contrary if any man Commit adultery He Could not receive the Ceslestial kingdom of God. Even if he was saved in any kingdom it could not be the Celestial kingdom. He said he thought the many examples that had been manifest John C. Bennet & others was sufficient to show the fallacy of such a course of conduct. He condemned the principle in toto & warned those present against going into those evils, for they would shurely bring a Curse upon their heads."238
1843 Dec
Amos Fielding was told that Joseph Smith had received a revelation on "celestial marriage."239
1843 Dec 12
Elizabeth Kaighan sealed to John Taylor240
1843 Dec 23
Bathsheba W. Smith was asked in her testimony in the Temple Lot Case in 1892, if there was "any conversation had among the members of the church there at Nauvoo, Illinois, when you lived there, in regard to that principle-plural marriage." She answered "I heard it discussed a good many times by different ones and I remember Sister Emma speaking about it at one time about as plain as any body." She was asked when and where was that? She answered "It was in her room, and I was receiving my anointing for endowments and she said if we permitted it our husbands would be taking more wives than one, and if we did not like [it] we should be taking a determined stand against it, or something like that,-that we should be resolute about it or something of that kind."241 The Wilford Woodruffs diary records Bathsheba W. Smith got her anointings December 23, 1843.242
1843 Dec 28
Ellen Wilding sealed to Edwin D. Woolley243
1844
Catherine Clawson sealed to Howard Egan244
1844 Jan 14
Hannah B. Finch Merriam sealed to Isaac Morley245
1844 Feb 1
The following was published in the Times and Seasons:
NOTICE
As we have lately been credibly informed, that an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by the name of Hiram Brown, has been preaching Polygamy, and other false and corrupt doctrines, in the county of Lapeer, state of Michigan. This is to notify him and the Church in general, that he has been cut off from the church, for his iniquity; and he is further notified to appear at the Special Conference, on the 61h of April next, to make answer to these charges.
Joseph Smith
Hyrum Smith
Presidents of said Church246
1844 Feb 18
Margaret Moon, the plural wife of William Clayton gave birth to a boy named Daniel. He died six months later on August 27. 247
1844 Feb 25
Jane Ballantyne sealed to John Taylor248
1844 Feb 26
The Nauvoo mayor's court, with Joseph Smith as judge, held a trial-City of Nauvoo versus Orsimus F Botswick [sic}, on complaint of Hyrum Smith for slanderous language concerning him and certain females of Nauvoo. Bostwick was fined $50 and costs. Francis M Higbee, his attorney, gave notice he should appeal to the municipal court, and then to the circuit court. I [Joseph Smith] told Higbee what I thought of him for tryin? to carry such a suit to Carthage-it was to stir up the mob and bring them upon us.249
1844 Mar
Minerva White sealed to Erastus Snow by Hyrum Smith250
Erastus Snow wrote, "The Prophet Joseph Also gave me the privilege of taking another wife, which I did in March, I 844, the Patriarch Hyrum Smith officiating under the Prophet's direction."251
1844 Mar 6
Eliza Clift sealed to Theodore Turley252
1844 Mar 9
Members of the Female Relief Society ofNauvoo met in the first of two meetings to express their feelings towards charges made by Orsemus F. Bostwick [sic] concerning the virtue of the women ofNauvoo.253 They sanctioned the resolutions entitled, "Voice of Innocence from Nauvoo."254
"On or about the 9th of March... " while Amos Fielding was in conversation with Joseph Smith at the Mansion House, a young lady came through the room and Joseph Smith remarked, "that is one of my wives." 255
1844 Mar 15
The following was published in the Times and Seasons:
Nauvoo, March 15, 1844
To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday [sicJ Saints, living on China Creek, in Hancock County, Greeting:--Whereas brother Richard Hewitt has called on me to-day, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here: I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here; neither is there any such thing practiced here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also: therefore he had better beware what he is about... Neither has any elder any authority to preach any mysterious thing to any branch of the church unless he has a direct commandment from God to do so. Let the matter of the grand councils of heaven, and the making of gods, worlds, and devils entirely alone.-for you are not called to teach any such doctrine-for neither you nor the people are capacitated to understand any such principles-less so to teach them. Your obedient servant, Hyrum Smith256
1844 Mar 16
Members of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo met in a second meeting to express their feelings towards charges made by Orsemus F. Bostwick [sic] concerning the virtue of the women of Nauvoo.257 They sanctioned the resolutions entitled "Voice of Innocence from Nauvoo."258
1844 Mar 20
The Nauvoo Neighbor published the resolutions entitled, "Voice of Innocence from Nauvoo," adopted at the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo meetings, which include the following: "...wherefore, while the marriage bed, undefiled is honorable, let polygamy, bigamy.fornication[,} adultery, and prostitution, be frowned out of the hearts of honest men to drop in the gulf of fallen nature, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched!' and let all the saints say, Amen!
Emma Smith, Prest.
H M Ells, Sec. pro tem."259
1844 Mar 23
Joseph Smith visited Dr. Robert D. Foster with William Clayton and Alexander Neibaur. Foster was gone and Mrs. Foster was at Mr. Gilman's house. They visited her. William Clayton recorded in his journal:
"...President Joseph asked Sister Foster if she ever in her life knew him guilty of an immoral or indecent act. She answered, 'No. ' He then explained his reasons for asking; which were, he had been informed that Dr. Foster had stated that Joseph made propositions to his wife calculated to lead her astray from the path of virtue; and then asked if ever he had used any indecent or insulting language to her. She answered, 'Never. ' He further asked if he ever preached anything like the 'plurality of wife' doctrine to her other than what he had preached in public? She said, 'No.' He asked her ifhe ever proposed to have illicit intercourse with her, and especially when he took dinner during the doctor's absence. She said, 'No. 'After some further conversation on the subject, we left. Mrs. Gillman was present all the time..."260
1844 Mar 27
M. G. Eaton signed an affidavit before Daniel H. Wells, an acting Justice of the Peace in Nauvoo, which stated that Eaton had attended a meeting in which Chauncey L. Higbee "...commenced talking about the spiritual wife system. He said he had no doubt but some of the Elders had ten or twelve a piece. He said they married them, whether the females were living or not; and they did it by recording the marriage in a large book, which book was sealed up after the record was made, and was not to be opened for a long time,- probably not till many of the husbands of those who were thus married were dead They would then open the book and break the seals in the presence of those females, and when they saw their names recorded in that book they would believe that the doctrine was true and they must submit. He said this book was kept at Mr. Hyrum Smith's... " Eaton also stated that at the same meeting, Dr. Foster told the story of someone [Joseph Smith?] trying to seduce Foster's wife. 261
1844 Apr 2
Erastus Snow married to Minerva White as a plural wife, Joseph Smith performing the ceremony.262 .
Artimesia Beaman Snow, Erastus's first wife wrote: " ...In 1844 my husband first asked my consent to take himself other wives. I freely gave it, believing such an order of marriage to be a pure and holy principle ..."263
1844 Apr 8
Hyrum Smith said in General Conference: " ...I speak to the Elders is in consequence of the 10000 reports from abroad-almost every man runs to him to inquire if things are true how many sp [spiritual] wives a man may have. I know nothing abt what he[?J call sp wife. I should not know any thing abt it. In abt ½ an hour after the man was gone and [?J began. The Elders tell such things all over the country. I am authorized to tell you from henceforth that any man who comes in & tell any such dam fool doctrine to come in to take away his license - none but a fool teaches such stuff...I wish the El[dersJ of Israel to understand it is lawful/or a man to marry a wife but it is unlawful to have more & God has not [commanded?] any one to have more..."264
William Clayton wrote in his journal, " ... P.M> President Hyrum talked on spiritual wives and after Joseph discoursed on the dead..."265
1844 Apr 13
William Henry Harrison Sagers is charged with having spiritual wives and not providing for his family by his wife, Lucinda Sagers before the Nauvoo High CounciI.266
1844 Apr 15
Henry Jacobs is called on a mission to Tennessee by the Twelve Apostles.267 His wife Zina was sealed to Joseph Smith on October 27, 1841 268
1844 Apr 18
Wilson Law, William Law, Jane (Mrs. William) Law, Robert D. Foster and a Brother Smith were cut off the Church by the Nauvoo High Council with Brigham Young presiding. They were not at the Court.269 William Clayton wrote: " ...I also attended in council with the Twelve and High Council on cases of the Laws and R. D. Foster, when W Law and his wife Jane Law, Wilson Law and R. D. Foster were cut off from the church by unanimous vote ..."27 Former Governor Thomas Ford wrote: " ...Joe Smith began to play the tyrant over several of his followers. The first act of this sort which excited attention was an attempt to take the wife of William Law, one of his most talented and principal disciples, and make her a spiritual wife ..."271
Article in the Times and Seasons, states: "Nauvoo, April I 8, I 844, Robert D. Foster, Wilson law, William Law, and Jane Law, of Nauvoo; and Howard Smith of Scott county, Illinois, for unchristian like conduct, were cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the authorities of said church, and ordered to be published in the Times and Seasons. W Richard, Church Recorder."272
1844 Apr 26
Sarah Clift sealed to Theodore Turley273
1844 Apr 27
Adeline Andrus sealed to Ezra T. Benson274
1844 May
Hyrum Smith taught Charles C. Rich the principles of plural marriage275
1844 May4
William Law made an affidavit which stated that Hyrum Smith, in his office, let him read the revelation on plural marriage and that he took it to his home and read it to his wife.276
Jane Law made an affidavit that she read the revelation and that "it sustained in strong terms the doctrine of more wives than one at a time, in this world, and in the next, it authorized some to have the number often, and set forth that those women who would not allow their husbands to have more wives than one should be under condemnation before God." 277
Austin Cowles made an affidavit that Hyrum Smith had read the revelation on plural marriage to the High Council in Nauvoo and that Cowles left his position in the Church because of it.278 Cowles was a member of the Nauvoo High Council.
1844 May 8
Clarissa Decker sealed to Brigham Young by Willard Richards in the presence of Lorenzo D. Young, Harriet P. Young and Lucy Ann Decker Young.279
1844 May 9
George A. Smith wrote to Joseph Smith III that: " ...My last conversation with him on this subject occurred just previous to my departure from Nauvoo, May 9, 1844 in company with Elder W Woodruff to attend conferences in Michigan ...Jn his last conversation he administered a little chastisement to me for not stepping forward as he had indicated in patriarchal marriage. He assured me that the man who had many virtuous wives had many great prizes... "280
1844 May 13
William Law wrote in his diary and then crossed it out: "he [Joseph Smith] had lately endeavored to seduce my wife, and had found her a virtuous woman."281
1844 May 23
William Clayton wrote: " ...A.M rode with President Joseph and brother Neibaur to Doctor [Robert] Fosters. He was gone to appanose [Appanoose County, Iowa] and his wife was at Mr. Gilmans. We went down there and saw her. President Joseph asked Sister Foster if she ever in her life knew him guilty of an immoral or indecent act. She answered no. He then explained his reasons for asking and then asked if ever he had used any indecent or insulting language to her, she answered, never. He further asked if he ever pre9ched any thing like spiritual wife doctrine to her only what he had preached in public. She said no! He asked her if he ever proposed to have illicit intercourse with her and especially when he took dinner during the Doctors absence. She said no. After some further conversation on the subject we left. Mrs. Gilman was present all the time ..." 282
1844 May 25
A grand jury indicted Joseph Smith for adultery with Maria Lawrence "and other diverse women," based on William Law's testimony. Joseph considered suing him for perjury and slander on behalf of Maria Lawrence.283
1844 May 26
Joseph Smith preached at the stand in Nauvoo and Thomas Bullock took notes of the address. Bullock recorded that he said, "...Another indictment has been got up against me. It appears a holy prophet has arisen up, and he has testified against me: the reason is, he is so holy...! had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made one proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives. I mean to live and proclaim the truth as long as I can. This new holy prophet (William Law) has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dares not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this. William Law testified before forty policemen, and the assembly room full of witnesses, that he testified under oath that he never had heard or seen or knew anything immoral or criminal against me...He swore under oath that he was satisfied that he was ready to lay down his life for me, and [then] he swears that I have committed adultery. I wish the grand jury would tell me who they are-whether it will be a curse or blessing to me. I am quite tired of the fools asking me. A man asked me whether the commandment was given that a man may have seven wives; and now the new prophet has charged me with adultery. I never had any fuss with these men until that Female Relief Society brought out the paper against adulterers and adulteresses...and they rush away and leave the Church, and conspire to take away my life; and because I will not countenance such wickedness, they proclaim that I have been a true prophet, but that I am now a fallen prophet...Wilson Law also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery. Brother Jonathan Dunham can swear to the contrary...I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocence, for you know me yourselves...What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one.284
1844 May 29
The testimonies before the Nauvoo High Council on May 24, 1842 by Margaret J, Nyman, Matilda Nyman, Sarah Miller, and Catharine Warren were published in The Nauvoo Neighbor. Margaret J. Nyman said that Chauncey L Higbee had told her Joseph Smith said: "That any respectable female might indulge in sexual intercourse, and there was no sin in it providing the person so indulging keep the same to herself; for there could be no sin, where there was no accuser...[Sarah Miller said] I told him it might be told in bringing forth. Chauncey said there was no danger, and that Dr. Bennet understood it, and would come and take it away, if there was any thing... [Matilda J. Nyman stated] "!further testify that I never had any personal acquaintance with Joseph Smith and never heard him teach such doctrines as Higbee, stated either directly or indirectly. "285
1844 Jun 5
Francis M. Higbee made an affidavit concerning the political conditions in Nauvoo.286
1844 Jun 7
The only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor is published with Sylvester Emmons as editor. It published the affidavits of William Law, Jane Law, Austin Cowles, and Francis M. Higbee concerning poIygamy. 287
A notice in the Nauvoo Expositor signed by Lucinda Sagers states: One Cent Reward[} Whereas my husband, the Rt. Rev. W H Harrison Sagers, Esq., has left my bed and board without cause or provocation, this is to notify the public not to harbor or trust him on my account, as I will pay no debts of his contacting. More anon. LUCINDA SAGERS, June 7, I844 288
1844 Jun 8
At a meeting of the Nauvoo City Council, according to the minutes, Hyrum Smith "... Referred to the revelation read to the High Council of the Church, which has caused so much talk, about the multiplicity of wives; that said revelation was in answer to a question concerning things which transpired informer days...289 ... Mayor referred to a writing from Dr. Goforth, showing the Laws presented the communication from the 'Female Relief Society' in the Nauvoo Neighbor to Dr. Goforth as the bone of contention..." 290
1844 Jun 10
Joseph Smith was in meeting with the Nauvoo City Council "investigating the merits of the Nauvoo Expositor, also the conduct of the Laws, Higbees, Fosters, and others, who have formed a conspiracy for the purpose of destroying my life, and scattering the Saints or driving them from the State. An ordinance was passed concerning libels. The Council passed an ordinance declaring the Nauvoo Expositor a nuisance, and also issued an order to me to abate the said nuisance. I immediately ordered the Marshal to destroy it without delay... About 8 p.m., the Marshal returned and reported that he had removed the press, type, printing-paper, and.fixtures into the street, and destroyed them...291
William Clayton wrote: " ... The City Council passed a resolution declaring the Printing press on the hill a 'nuisance' and ordered it destroyed if not moved in 3 hours notice. About sundown the police gathered at the Temple and after organizing proceeded to the office and demolished the press and scattered the Type ..."292
1844 Jun 11
Joseph Smith, mayor of Nauvoo issued a "Proclamation" concerning the Nauvoo Expositor saying that it was used ".. for the purpose of raising suspicion, wrath, and indignation among a certain class of the less honorablejortion of mankind, to commit acts of violence upon the innocent and unsuspecting... " 293
1844 Jun 12
William Clayton wrote: "... David Bettisworth a constable from Carthage came with a writ for Joseph, Hyrum, Phelps, Jno Taylor, L. Bennett and a number of others for riot, in breaking the press of the Nauvoo Expositor ...While this was going on and the Marshall summoning the Municipal Court Hyrum related the whole history of the difficulty with Wm. Law to the constable and a man with him, showing them what we believed on sealing of the covenant, that Law wanted to be sealed and Joseph told him he was forbid which begun the hard feelings. He talked about 2 hours, then Joseph came in and told about Jackson..."294
1844 Jun 17
Minutes of the Nauvoo City Council published in the Nauvoo Neighbor:
"Mayor said he had never preached the revelation [on plural marriage?} in private, as he had in public-had not taught it to the anointed in the church in private, which statement many present confirmed, that on enquiring concerning the passage in the resurrection concerning "they neither marry nor are given in marriage, &c., he received for answer, men in this life must marry in view of eternity, otherwise they must remain as angels, or be single in heaven, which was the amount of the revelation referred to, and the Mayor spoke at considerable length in explanation of this principle and was willing for one to subscribe his name to declare the "Expositor" and whole establishment a nuisance. "295
1844 Jun 27
Joseph Smith is killed in Carthage, Illinois.296
1844 Aug
Joseph H. Jackson published in Warsaw, Illinois, a pamphlet entitled, A Narrative of the Adventures and Experience of Joseph H Jackson in Nauvoo, Disclosing the Depths of Mormon Villainy.297
He wrote: " ...Joe's conduct with the women of Nauvoo surpasses everything in blackness that I have ever heard or read of I have from his own mouth, andfrom the mouth of his victims, statements which I dare not reveal; for the world will not believe that such corruption could possibly exist. Yet, if protection could be afforded to some of those females who were the victims of these wretches (the leaders in Nauvoo,) I could, I believe, from their own mouths, procure confessions that would startle the world. I have visited frequently, those women whom Joe supported/or the gratification of his lust -I have found them subsisting on the coarsest food, and not daring to utter a word of complaint, for they feared Joe Smith more than they did their God ...From my knowledge of the spiritual wife system I should think that the number of secret women in Nauvoo cannot be much less than six hundred. There are many married, as well as single women in this number ..."298 Jackson also tells a story about Joseph Smith asking for his brother, William Smith's wife. Also that he received a revelation that he should have his sister Lucy and his niece Lavina for spiritual wives.299
1844 Winter
Cyrus H. Whelock reported that "...After Joseph Smith was dead I heard polygamy preached from the pulpit publicly in Nauvoo, by William Smith. He stated a great many things: undertook to prove that polygamy was right, and that that order of marriage would be restored, and he preached so many strange things there to the people that Elder John Taylor got up and corrected him. John Taylor said that he had no authority to preach or to teach such a thing, even if it was true, and said that it was unjust to his brother to be teaching it, and he was the only man I ever heard preach it in Nauvoo...Yes, sir, it was forbidden, and William Smith was cut off from the church because he preached that. That was in the winter of 1844... "300
1844 Nov
Emily Dow Partridge, plural wife of Joseph Smith, was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Brigham Young for time. 301
1844 Nov 14
Benjamin F. Johnson wrote:
" ...On Nov. 14th Mary Ann Hale, given to me by the Prophet, was sealed tome as a plural wife by father John Smith, as directed by Prest. B. Young..."302
1844 Nov 15
The Times and Seasons published a letter to the editor signed "An Old Man of lsrael." The letter supports the authority of the Twelve over Sidney Rigdon and includes the following: "...In the present instance, after the sham quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to skulk off, under the 'dreadful splendor' of 'spiritual wifery, 'which is brought into the account as graciously as if the law of the land allow
1845 and beyond
1845
Oliver H. Olney, an early memb
"...Another heart-rending/act in the present history of Nauvoo is that hundreds of honest hearted females are there, who have no means with which to get away, and scarce any means of subsistence there, except at the expense of virtue, and who are continually subject to the importunities of those fiends in human shape who, after having gratified their passion for lust, will, straightway, upon the public stand, declare before God and the Angles, that no system of
1845 Feb 3
An unsigned article was published in the Boston Investigator newspaper, which stated: "The spiritual wife doctrine I will explain, as taught me by Elder W__ as taught by Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Elder Adams, William Smith, and the rest of th
1845 Feb 27
[W.W.] Phelps sd 6 or 8 went over the boundaries of the U.S. to preach-Jos. Went to prayer - he then [?] a revelation. That Martin [Harris?] was to marry among the Lamanites - c that I was to preach [?] day- &c &c
1845 May 24
Parley P. Pratt published in the newspaper The Prophet i
"...Again, beware of seducing
It is but another name for whoredom, wicked and unlawful con
Should any elder or member, come unto you professing to hold to any such doctrine or practice, either secretly or publicly, y
For know assuredly that no on has been authorized to teach,
1845 Summer
John Hawley stated in his testimony for the Temple Lot Case that "... The first indications that ever came to my knowledge that polygamy was being practiced in the Mormon Church was in 1845 in Wisconsin, after we went to Wisconsin the second time from Nauvoo. That was where !first heard of polygamy or plu
1845 Aug 10
Brigham Young wrote to William
"... You refer to "Joseph's teachings up stairs in the brick store" that theTwelve have power to build
Hyrum held the patriarchal Off
1845 Aug 17
William Clayton wrote: " ...At the stand to day Wm. Smith preached to the saints "the first chapter of the gospel according to St Wm" as he termed it. It was just a full declaration of his belief in t
1845 Fall
William Griffiths testified in
"... The first time I ever hea
1845 Oct 8
William Clayton recorded in his journal, "Olive Frost was buried at noon."313
1846
Emma Smith told Lovina Smith Walker that "she, Emma Smith, was present and witnessed the marrying or
1846 Jan 12
Sarah Ann Whitney was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to HeberC. Kim
1846 Jan 13
Eliza Maria Partridge was rese
1846 Jan 14
Louisa Beamon was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Brigham Young for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo Temple.319 She had been sealed to Joseph Smith April 5, 1841 320
Emily Dow Partridge was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and toBrigham Young for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo Temple.321She ha
1846 Jan 15
Olive Andrews was sealed to Joseph Smith for
Lucy Walker was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C. Kimball for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo
Sarah Marietta Kingsley was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to John
1846 Jan 17
Jane Tibbetts was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Elam Luddington for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo
Phebe Watrous was sealed to Joseph Smith fo eternity and to Lucian Woodworth for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple.331
There is no evidence of a prev
Mary Elizabeth Rollins was res
1846 Jan 22
Elizabeth Davis was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Cornelius P. Lott for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple.335There is no evidence of a previous sealing to Joseph Smith. She received her endowments under the name of Elizabeth Durfee. She was married to Jabez Durfee.336
Lucinda Pendleton was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to George Washington Harris for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple. 337There is no evidence of a pervious sealing to Joseph Smith. She received her endowment
1846 Jan 24
Mariah Lawrence was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity a
1846 Jan 26
Desdimona Fullmer was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Ezra TaftBenson for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple.341 She h
Martha McBride was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C.Kimball for time by Amasa M. Lyman in the Nauvoo Temple.343 She was sealed to Joseph Smith about August 1842. She was married to Vinson Knight.344
Sylva Porter Sessions was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C. Kimball for time by Amasa M. Lyman in the Nauvoo Temple.345 She had been sealed to Joseph Smith February 8, 1842. 346
Sarah Lawrence was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C. Kimball for time by Amasa M. Lyman in the Nauvoo Temple.347 Sarah and her
1846 Jan 27
Apia Woodman Sanburn was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and toGad Yale for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo Temple.349 There
Cordelia Calista Morley was sealed to Joseph Smith for
1846 Jan 31
Rhoda Richards was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Brigham Young for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo Temple.352 She had been sealed to Joseph Smith June 12, 1843.353
1846 Feb 2
Zina Diantha Huntington was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and toBrigham Young for time by Heber C. Kimball in the Nauvoo Templ
1846 Feb 3
Nancy Maria Winchester was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C. Kimball for time by Brigham Yo
Eliza Roxcy Snow was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity a
Mary Huston was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to Heber C. Kimball for time by Amasa M. Lyman in the Nauvoo Temple.359 There is no evidence that she was previously sealed to Joseph Smith.
Elvira Anna Cowles was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and toJonathan Harriman Holmes for time by Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple.360 She had been sealed to Joseph Smith June I, 1843.361 She was married to Jonathan Harriman Holmes civilly on December I, 1842 by Joseph Smith.362
1846 Feb 4
Helen Mar Kimball was resealed to Joseph Smith for eternity and to HoraceKimba
1847
On March 11, 1875, William E. McLellin wrote to John L. Taughber,"
1855 Nov
Thomas Bullock, a clerk in the
1861 Jan 10
William E. McLellin wrote to J
" ...And in the same speech you go strongly to condemn the principle and practice of Polygamy. I do not wish to say hard things to You
1861 Aug 12
W.W. Phelps wrote to Brigham Young on 12 August 1861 that Joseph Smith had a revelation on 17 July 1831 for the Lamanite missionaries which stated: "For it is my will, that, in time, ye should
1866 Oct 8
In Conference, October 8, 1866, in Salt Lake City, Brigha
There were some rails laid alo
1868
John Hawley wrote: "...what I
1869 May 1
Emily D. P. Young made signed statement concerning her marri
1869 Jun 6
Joseph Bates Noble made an affidavit that "Joseph Smith taug
1869 Jun 15
David Fullmer gave a signed statement that Hyrum Smith, on August 12,1843,
1869 Jun 16
Lovina Smith Walker made a sig
1869 Jul 1
Eliza M Partridge Lyman made an affidavit concerning her mar
1869 Aug 28
Lorenzo Snow made an affidavit
John Benbow made an affidavit
Elvria A. C. Holmes made an affidavit stating that she was sealed to Joseph Smith in Nauvoo by Heber C. Kimball in
1869 Sep 5
Adeline Brooks Andrus Benson made an affidavit that she was
1869 Oct 9
Apostle and Church Historian, George A. Smith wrote Joseph Smith III concerning Joseph Smith and Plural Marriage.382
1870 Mar 4
Benjamin F. Johnson made an affidavit that Joseph Smith "commenced toopen up to me the principle of plural or celestial marriage; but I was more astonished by his asking me for my sister Almera to be his wife..."383
1872 Feb 22
William E. McLellin wrote to "My Old Friends" from Independence,Mis
1872 Jul
William E. McLellin wrote to J
"Dr. F. G. Williams practiced with me in Clay Co. Mo. During the latter part of 1838. And he told me that at your birth your father committed anact with a Miss Hill-a hired girl. Emma saw him, and spoke to him. He desisted, but Mrs. Smith refused to be satisfied. He called in Dr. Wlliams, 0. Cowdery, and S. Ridon to reconcile Emma. But she told them just as the circumstances took place. He found he was caught. He confessed humbly, and begged forgiveness. Emma a
She looked through a crack and saw the transaction!! She told me this story too was verily true...You referred to Polygamy. Now let me tell you my dear Sir. I asked your Mother particularly upon this point. She said, one night after she and J
1872 Jul 26
Brigham Young stated at a meeting in the 14th Ward as record
"...that while Joseph and Oliver were translating the Book of Mormon [sic}, they had a revelation that the
1874 Feb 16
William Clayton made a signed statement concerning Joseph Sm
1874-75 Winter
Anthony Metcalf interviewed Martin Harris in which Harris talked about Plural Marriage.388
1875 Mar 11
William E. McLellin wrote to John L. Taughber, "
1875 Mar 21
Joshua Davis visited John Whitmer in Far West, Missouri and stated, "Mr. Whitmer inquired if the Prophet Joseph Smith ever gave a revelation on the subject of celestial marriage, and, on receiving an answer in the affirmative, r
1875 Jul 19
Joseph F. Smith wrote to Orson Pratt that a "few years ago [I] tried to get affidavits regarding Joseph Smith and 'celestial marriage' .. .I was astonished at the scarcity of evidence. I might say almost total absence of direct evidence upon the subject as connected with the prophet Joseph himself... "391
1875 Sep 28
J. H. Beadle wrote about his interview with William E. McLellin in Independence, Missouri. He wrote:
"He [Mclellin} also informed me of the spot where the first
1875 Dec 6
William E. McLellin wrote to J
"I visited Mrs. Emma Smith in Nauvoo, in 1847. She told me plainly a
1878 Jul 7
Joseph F. Smith stated on July
"...To put this matter more correctly before you, I h
1878 Sep 12
Orson Pratt spoke at a meeting
1878 Dec 14
William E. McLellin wrote to John L Traughber, " ...Mrs. Smith told me that she knew her husband practiced both adultery and Spiritual Wifery! And that she also knew that he had the Polygamic revelation..."396
1879 Feb
Joseph Smith III interviewed his mother, Emma Hale Smith con
1879 Apr 30
Emma Hale Smith Bidamon, died
1879 Oct 1
The Saints' Herald published "
1879 Oct 15
L. John Nuttall wrote: "I met with the Council of Apostles at the Endowment House Elder Jos F.
1879 Oct 17
Joseph F. Smith wrote to the editor of the Deseret News concerning Emma Smith Bidamon's statement and his collection of data relating to the history of plural marriage.401
1879 Oct 22
The Deseret Weekly News published a statement by Eliza R. Snow responding to Emma Hale Smith Bidamon's "Last Testimony of Sister Emma," published in the Saints' Advocate. She stated: "I once dearly loved'Sister Emma' and now, for me to believe that she, a once highly honored woman, should have sun
1879 Nov 1
Eliza R. Snow's statement in the Deseret News was republished in theWom
1879 Nov 15
Joseph Smith, III, responded to Joseph F. Smith and Eliza R. Snow in the Saints Herald using statements denyin
1879 Jun 28
L. John Nuttall wrote that President John Tayor related, "...a circumstance of having met the Prophet Joseph at one time when the pr
1880 Nov 23
Joseph C. Kingsbury submitted a bill to the Church
1881 Jul 5
Franklin D. Richards wrote Joseph F. Smith about an
1882 Apr
Sylvia Sessions Lyon Clark, on
1882 Jun 12
Howard Coray gave a signed statement that Hyrum Smith taught him and
1882 Oct 14
L. John Nuttall wrote: "...President Taylor refer[Jing to the Revelation upon Celestial Marri[a]ge said 'When this principle [w]as first made known to us by Joseph Smith it was in Nauvoo [Illinois], and many of you will remember the place very well. We were assembled in the little office over the brick store, there being present Bros B[righam] Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde & myself Bro Willard Richards may have been present too, but I am not positive. Upon that occasion, Joseph Smith laid before us the whole principle pertain[in]g to that doctrine, and we believed it. Having done this Joseph felt, as he said, that he had got a big burden rolled off his shoulders. He felt the responsibility of that matter resting heavily upon him
1883 Jun 11
At a quarterly Stake conferenc
Joseph Bates Noble also spoke concerning Joseph Smith's teaching of plural marriage and then President John Taylor and George Q. Cannon spo
1883 Sep 5
Mercy R. Thompson wrote a letter to Joseph Smith III concern
1884 Dec to 1885 Aug
The Woman's Exponent published Emily Dow Partridge Young's Autobiography which contained information about her marriage to Joseph Smith.414
1885 Jan 10
Thomas Grover gave a signed statement concerning Hyrum Smith
1885 Dec 23
At a meeting in Rockville, Uta
1886 Jan
The Ogden Herald published an
1886 Jan 31
Mercy R. Thompson wrote a letter to A. M. Musser of the Church Historian's Office concerning her knowledge of Plural Marriage in Nauvoo, I
1886 Feb 26
Leonard Soby wrote a letter to James S. Brooks confirming that the re
1886 May 20
Joseph F. Smith wrote: "The great and glorious principle of plural marriage was first revealed to Joseph Smith in 1831, but being forbidden to make it public, or to teach it as a doctrine of the Gospel, at that time, he confided the facts to only a very few of his intimate associates. Among the
1886 May 22
Joseph C. Kingsbury gave a signed statement concer
1888 Jan
W.R. Hine's affidavit concerning "spiritual wives" i
1892 Jan 25
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner wrote John Henry Smith which stated: "...If! could
1892 Mar 19
Emily Dow Partridge Young gave
1899 Jan 27
Emily Dow Partridge Young wrote a letter to W. Collins, Wantagon, Illinois which stated:
"I received your letter of the 22nd inst. Yesterday; asking the question; didJoseph Smith the Prophet claim to have a revelation on polygamy or, plural marriage. You say the Josephites deny that he did. I can answer that question in a few words. It is a positive fact that he did so claim and teach; and also practice the same. I am a living witness of the fact. With me it is neither
1903 Apr-Oct
Benjamin F. Johnson wrote to G
" ...And there was some trouble with Oliver Cowdery, and whisper said it was relating to a girl then living in his (the Prophet's) family; and I was afterwards told by Warren Parish, that he himself and Oliver Cowdery did know that Joseph and Fannie Alger as wife, for they were spied upon and found together. And I can now see that at Nauvoo, so at Kirtland, that the suspicion of
1905 Apr 14
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightne
1905 Jul 28
John Wickliff Rigdon gave an a
1915 Feb 24
Josephine Rosetta Lyon Fisher signed a statement stating that her mother,Sylvia Sessions Clark Lyon, told her that she [Josephine] was the daughter of Joseph Smith. This statement was witnessed by Andrew Jenson, Joseph Grant and I. F. Fisher.430
References
- Diary of Charles Lowell Walker
, edited by A. Karl Larson and Katharine Miles Larson, v. I (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1980, 349 - Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (
Salt Lake City:The Church of J esus Christ of Latter-day Sain ts), 121 - Book of Mormon: Another Test
ament of Jesus Christ (Salt La ke City:The Church of Jesus Ch rist of Latter-day Saints), 50 5 - "Mormonism," Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian,9 ( I May 1834), I; reprinted in The New York Baptist Register (Utica,New York), 11 (13 June 1834) and E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed: or, a Faithful Account of That Sin
gular Imposition and Delusion.from Its Rise to the Present Times (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 268-69 - Early Mormon Documents, Volu
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- Minutes, 27 February 1845, in the handwriting of Thomas Bullock in General Minutes (CR I
00/318, box I, folder 29), Ch urch History Library, Salt Lake Cit y, Utah - "Orson Pratt's Testimony," i
n Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marri age," TheHistorical Record 6 ( May 1887), 230 and "Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smit h," The Latter-day Saints Mill ennial Star,40 (December 9, 18 78), 770-71 - "Funeral Services of Sister
Elizabeth A. Whitney," Deseret EveningNews, February 17, 188 2, [p. 3] - "Additional Testimony," in
Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887) , 232 - Helen Mar Kimball Whitney, Why We Practice Plural Marriage, (
SaltLake City: Juvenile Instru ctor Office, 1884), 53 - Deseret News, May 20, 1886 as quoted in Andrew Jenso
n, TheHistorical Record, 6 ( May 1887), 219. - W.W. Phelps to Brigham Youn
g, 12 August 1861, Revelations Collection, LDS Church History Library, Salt Lake Cit y, Utah - W. W. Phelps to Brigham You
ng, 12 August 1861, RevelationsCollection, LDS Church Histor y Library, Salt Lake City, Uta h - Ezra Booth, September 20, 1831 Nelson, Portage County [Ohio] toEdward
Partridge, published in Ohio Star, 2 (November 24, 183 I) - See the discussion in H. Dean Garrett, "Ziba Peterson: From Missionary to Hanging Sheriff,
" The Nauvoo Journal, 9 ( Spring 1997), 28-32 and Irene Johnson and Kahile Mehr, "The Other Missionary," unpublished paper given at the Mormon History Association annual meeting, 1991. - Ezra Booth to Rev. I Eddy, December 6, 1831 published in"Mormonism - Nos.
VIIJ-IX," in The Ohio Star, December 8, 1831. - "Discourse by Elder Joseph F. Smith, Delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Morning, July 7, 1878," Journal of Discourses (Liverpool: William Budge, 1880), v. 20:29
- William E. McLellin to Joseph Smith, July 1872, Community of Christ Library and Archives, Independence, Missouri; also publishedin The William E. McL
ellin Papers, 1854-1880, ed. by Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 488-489. See also Robert D. Hutchins, "Joseph Smith IIJ: Moderate Mormon," MA thesis, Brigham Young University, 1977, p,age 79-81. - A[nthony] Metcalf, Ten Years Before the Mast. Shipwrecks and Adventures at Sea1Religious Customs of the People of India and Burmah's Empire. How I Became a Mormon and Why I Became an Infidel! ([Malad City, Idaho]: n.p. [1888]), 70-73.
- Arthur B. Deming, "Naked Truths About Mormonism," I (
January1888), 2-3 - The Johnson family arrived in Kirtland, Ohio in June 1833 and left inJuly 1838. My Life's Review: Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin Johnson (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1997), 83 - Myrtle Stevens Hyde, Orson Hyde: the Olive Branch of Israel (SaltLake City: Agreka Books, 2000), 496 and "Hyde, Orson," in in Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia (
Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Company, 190 I), 81 - An American Prophet's Record: the Diaries and Journals of JosephSmith, e
dited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books,I987), 396. - Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde
affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. SmithAffidavit Books, Chur ch Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Oliver H. Olney, The Absurd
ities of Mormonism Portrayed ( Hancock County, Illinois: Privately Printed, 1843), page 10 - The Benjamin F. Johnson Let
ter to Elder George S. Gibbs (Dugway, Utah: Kraut Pioneer Pre ss [1968]), 11-12 - W.W. Phelps, "Letter No. 8,
" Latter Day Saints· Messenger andAdvocate, I (June 1835), 1 30. - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Ligh
tner, Autobiography, in The Ut ahGenealogical and Historical Magazine, 17 (July 1926), 197 - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Ligh
tner, "Address at Brigham Young University," April 14, 1905, typescript, Special Coll ections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah. - Doctrine and Covenants of t
he Church of the latter Day Sa ints (Kirtland, Ohio: F.G. Will iams & Co., I 835), 251-52 - History of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, Period I, v.2, edited by B.H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1970), 246
- History of the Church, Peri
od I, Volume 2, edited by B. H. R oberts(Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1970), 253. - Published in John C. Bennett, The History of the Saints; or, anE
xpose of Joe Smith and Mormoni sm (Boston: Leland & Whiting, 1842), 85 - Latter Day Saints· Messenge
r and Advocate (Kirtland, Ohio ), May1837, page 511. - [Editorial,] Elder'
sJournal, I (November 1837), 2 8 - Kirtland Eider's Quorum Record, 1836-1841, edited by Lyndon W.Cook and Milton V. Backman, Jr. (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1985), 35.
- Oliver Cowdery, Far West, Missouri, to Warren Cowdery, 21 January1
838, Ms, Huntington Library, S an Marino, California - Far West Record: Minutes of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints, 1830-1844, edited by Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company,1983), 167-68 - [Emmeline B. Wells] "Patty Sessions," Woman
's Exponent, 13(November I, 18 84), 86 - Josephine R. Fisher, Signed Statement, B
ountiful, Utah, February 24, 1915. It was signed in the presents of Andrew Jens on, Joseph Grant and I. F. Fisher. In the Andrew Jensen papers, LDS Church Archives, SaltLake City, Utah - Far West Record: Minutes of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints, 1830-1844, e dited by Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1983), 183-85; 206-208 and History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Period I, Volume lll, edited by B. H. R oberts (Salt Lake City: TheDes eret Book Company, 1970), 25- 26. - [Editorial,] Elder 's Journ
al, I (July 1838), 43 - Joseph Smith, Liberty, Missouri to Saints in Caldwell County,M
issouri, December 16, 1838, published in Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, com piled and edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002), 419-20. - F. D. Richards, July 5, 1881, Ogden, Utah to Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah, Joseph F. Smi
th Collection, LDS Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. - The Temple lot Case (
Independence, Missouri: Price PublishingComp any, 2003), 358-59 - "Hymenial," Times and Seaso
ns, 2 (February 15, 1841), 324 ; and Nauvoo Deaths and Marriages, 1839-1845, comp iled by Lyndon W. Cook (Orem, Utah: Grandin B ook Company, 1994), 91 - Ruth Vose Sayers affidavit,
May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archive s, Salt Lake City, Utah. - [Emmeline B. Wells] "Ruth S
ayers," Woman's Exponent 13 ( September15, 1884), 61-62 - Times and Seasons, 2 (April
I, I 841), 374;.and Nauvoo Deaths andMarriages, I 839-1845, comp iled by Lyndon W. Cook (Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1994), 92 - Zina Diantha Huntington Young affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dimick B. Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Fanny Marie Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavi
t Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "Plural Marriage," in Andrew Jenson,"Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 230 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives,Salt Lake City, Utah; Joseph B. Nob
le affidavit, June 6, 1869, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; and "Orson Pratt's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May I 887), 230. - George A. Smith biography in Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint. Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume I (Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Company, 1901), 39 states that it was July 5, 1841
- George A. Smith, letter, October 9, 1869 to Joseph Smith Ill, Historian's Office letter book, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Melissa Schindle affidavit,
July 2, 1842, published in Astounding Disclosures: Letters from Gen. Bennett," Sangamo J ournal [Springfield, lllinois], IO ( July 8, 1842) - "The Monnons," in the Times and Seasons, 2 (
October 15, 184 I), 580 - Gary James Bergera, "Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists,1841-44," Dialogue
38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; Zina Diantha HuntingtonYoung affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dimick B. Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt LakeCity, Utah; Fanny Marie Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and"Plural Marriage," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 230 - Zina Diantha Huntington Young, "Autobiography," LDS Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah as quote in Gary James Bergera, "John C. Bennett, Joseph Smith, and the Beginnings of Mormon Plural Marriage in Nauvoo," The Jounral of the Jo
hn Whitmer Historical Association, 25 (2005), 67 - History of the Church of Je
sus Christ of Latter-day Saint s, Period I, volume IV (Salt Lake City: The Desere t Book Company, 1970), 467 and Joseph Smith, Journal, 2 January 1842 Church History Library. - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 and JosephSmith diary, 10 March 1943 to 14 July 1843, undated page, in Thomas Bullock handwriting. - An American Prophet's Record: the Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, edited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: S
ignature Books, 1987), 396. - Gary James Bergera, "Identifying the Earliest Monnon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; Presenda Lathrop Huntington Kimball affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dimick B. Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Fanny Marie Huntington affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.
- "Caution!" in the Times and
Seasons, 3 (December 15, 1841), 636 - "Remarks of President Brigh
am Young at the Semi-annual Conference," LDS Church Historian's Office, Reports of Speeches, October 8, I 866 (CR 100 317 box 5, folder 20) - John Wickliff Rigdon, Affid
avit, 28 July 1905, Church His toryLibrary, Salt Lake City, Utah - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74. - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), I-74. - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Ligh
tner, "Address at Brigham Youn g University," April 14, 1905, typescript, Special Collection s, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah. - "Sarah M. Kimball's Testimo
ny," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Rec ord 6 (May 1887), 232 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74. - Patty Sessions, Letter, June I 867 in the Brigham Young Collection [box 64, fd 10), LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Diary (onpage after June 16, 1860), Ms in Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
and published in Monnon Midwife: the 1846-1888 Diaries of Patty Barlett Sessions, edited by Donna Toland Smart (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1997), 276 - Jill Mulvay Derr, Janath Russell Cannon and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher, Women of Covenant: the Story of Relief Society (
Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992) - Female Relief Society of Na
uvoo, Minutes, March 24, 1842, LDSChurch Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Female Relief Society of Na
uvoo, Minutes, March 30, 1842, LDSChurch Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Gary James Bergera, "Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 20
05), 1-74 and Joseph Smith diary, 10 March 1943 to 14 July 1843, undated page, in Thomas Bullock handwriting. - An American Prophet's Record: the Diaries and Journals of JosephSmith, edited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987), 396.
- Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde
affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archiv es, Salt Lake City, Utah] - Emily D. P. Young, "
Autobiography," Woman's Expone nt 14 (August 1, 1885), 38 - Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, Minutes, April 4, 1842, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City,
Utah - The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2, Journal, I832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992), 376 and History of the Church, volume 4, page 487.
- The Nauvoo High Council Minute Books of the Church of Jesus Christof latter Day S
aints, edited by Fred C. Collier (Hanna, Utah: Collier's Publishing Company, 2005), 50 - The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2, Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Desere
t Book Company, 1992), 379. - "Notice," Times and Seasons, 3 (July 15, 1842), 83
0 - Published in Joseph Smith, "To the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay S
aints, and to All the Honorable Part of Community," The Wasp, I(June 25, 1842), [2]; see also "Affidavit of Hyrum Smith," Times and Seasons, 3 (August I, 1842), 870-71 - John C. Bennett, "The Mormo
ns," SangamoJournal [ Springfield,Illinois] IO (July 15, 1842) - The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2, Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Des
eret Book Company, 1992), 384. - The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2, Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Compan
y, 1992), 385. - "Chauncy L Higbee," The Nau
voo Neighbor (May 29, 1844), 2 28. - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Histori
an's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Lucy Ann D. Young affidavi t, JulyI 0, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - "Notice," Times and Seasons
, 3 (July 15, 1842), 830. - Joseph Smith, "To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and to All the Honorable Part of C
ommunity," The Wasp, I (June 25,I 842), [2] - Joseph Smith, "To the Churc
h of Jesus Christ of Latter Da y Saints andto All the Honorab le Part of Community," The Tim es and Seasons, 3 (July I, 1842), 839 -842. - John C. Bennett, "The Mormons," San
gamo Journal [Springfield,Illi nois], 10 (July 15, 1842) - "More Disclosures Relative
to the Seductions, Adulteries, &c. &c. ofJoe Smith, the Latt er Day Saint," The Morning Chr onicle Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania] , July 28, 1842 - "Astounding Disclosures: Le
tters from Gen. Bennett," SangamoJournal[ Springfield, Illinois], IO ( July 8, 1842) - John C. Bennett, "For the Bulletin," A
merican Bulletin (St. Louis,Missouri), I (July16,1842); and John C. Bennett, "Miss Brotherton's Statement," Sangamo Journal (Springfield, Illinois) 10 (July 22, 1842) - Joseph Smith, Journal, July 15, 1842, LOS Church Archives, SaltLake City, Utah. John C. Bennet said that the meeting happened July 14 see John C. Bennett, SangamoJournal [
Springfield, Illinois] IO ( July 22, 1842)) and John C. Bennett, "Orson Pratt," Sangamo Journal [Springfield, Illinois ] lO (July 29, 1842). In spite of this report, two days later Brigham Young would write in a letter to Orson's brother Parley Pratt, "Br Orson Pratt is in !rubble in consequence of his wife, his feelings are so rough! up that he dos not know whether his wife is wrong, or whether Josephs testimony and others are wrong and due Lyand he decived for 12 years or not; he is all but crazy about matters." (Brigham Young to Parley Pratt, 17 July 1842) - John C. Bennett, "The Mormo
ns," Sangamo Journal [ Springfield,Illinois], IO ( July 15, I 842) - Thomas Smethurst, Statement
, 15 July 1842 published in "MissBrother ton's Character Sustained," Th e Morning Chronicle [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania], Ju ly 27, 1842 - '"Affidavit of Wm. Law," Time
s and Seasons, 3 (August I, 18 42),872-73 - "John C. Bennett," Times and Seasons, 3 (August I, 1842
), 869 - "The Wasp, 23 July 1842; and
Times and Seasons, I August 1 842, 869 - "Sworn to, and subscribed before me... " Time
s and Seasons, 3 (AugustI, 184 2), 873-74 - "Certificate of Elias and F.
M. Higbee," Times and Seasons, 3(August I, 1842), 874 - John C. Bennett, SangamoJo
urnal 10 (July 22, 1842) - "Certificates of William a
nd Henry Marks," Times and Sea sons, 3(August I, 1842), 875 - '"Certificates of William and
Henry Marks," Times and Seasons, 3(August I, 1842) , 875 - Sarah Ann Kimball affidavit, June 19, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and ElizabethAnn Whitney; Sarah Ann Smith Kimball affidavit, August 13, 1869, page 25-28, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "Joseph C. Kingsbury's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco
rd 6 (May I 887), 226. - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [III], Salt Lake City,Utah, Oc
tober 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Eliza Roxcy Snow Smith affidavit,June 7, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Deseret Weekly News, October 22, 1879 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74. - "John C. Bennett," Times a
nd Seasons, 3 (August I, 1842) , 868-69 - "Certificate of Sidney Rig
don," Times and Seasons, 3 ( August I, 1842),875 - Elizabeth Ann Whitney and Sarah Ann Smith Kimball affidavit,August 13, 1869, page 25-28, Joseph F
. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois to the Whitneys, Nauvoo, 18 April 1842, Joseph Smith Collection, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah and Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, compiled and edited byDean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Des
eret Book, 2002), 566-67 - John C. Bennett, "Letters
from Gen. Bennett," SangamoJou rnal(Springfield, Illinois] 10 (August 19, 1842) - Wilford Woodruff, Diary, August 1842. It is on page 187 in Wilford Woodruffs Journal, 1833-1898, typescript, edited by Scott G. Kenney (Midvale, Utah: Signature Books, 1983)
- Personal Writings of Josep
h Smith, compiled and edited b y Dean C.Jessee (Salt Lake Cit y: Deseret Book, 2002),-S-37 5 0 T' - Affidavit of Stephen Markham, August 29, 1842, published in thebroadside Affidavits and Certificates, Disproving the Statements and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett's Letters, (Nauvoo, Illinois, 1842)
- "Inasmuch as the public mi
nd has been... ," Times and Se asons, 3(September I, 1842), 9 09 - "Extract ofa Letter from R
obert D. Foster," The Wasp, I (September 24, 1842) - Sidney Rigdon, "Editor of the Wasp," The Wasp
, I (September 3, 1842)[3] - Sangamo Journal, IO (September
23, I 842) - Sangamo Journal, IO (
September 23, 1842) - The Nauvoo High Council Minute Books of the Church of JesusChrist of Latter Day Saints, edited by Fred C. Collier (Hanna, Utah: Collier's Publishing Co., 2005), 65-66.
- The Nauvoo High Council Mi
nute Books of the Church of Je sus Christ of Latter Day Saints, edited b y Fred C. Collier (Hanna, Utah: Collier's Publishing Co. , 2005), 66-67. - Published in John C. Bennett, The History of the Saints; or, anExpose of Joe Smith and
Mormonism (Boston: Leland & Whiting, 1842), 85 - "On Marriage," Times and S
easons, October I, 1842, page 940. - "Deaths," The Wasp, 26 Apr
il 1843 [3] - "Nauvoo Marriage Record,"
Church Archives, Salt Lake Cit y, Utahas quoted in Nauvoo Deaths and Ma rriages, 1839-1845, compiled b yLyndon W. Cook (Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1994), 1 02and "Married," The Wasp (Nauvoo, lllinois), December I 0, I 842, [3] - Elvria A. C. Holmes affida
vit, August 28, 1869, page 78, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Book s, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Udney Hay Jacob, An Extract, from a Manuscript Entitled thePeacema
ker, or, the Doctrines of the Millennium: Being a Treatiseon Religion and Jurisprudence, or a New System of Religion and Po/iticks [sic] (Nauvoo, lllinois: J. Smith printer, [1842]. This pamphlet defended the practice of polygamy using the Bible. SeeLawrence Foster, "A Little- Known Defense of Polygamy fi-om the Mormon Press in 1842," Dialogue: a Journal of Mormon Thought, 9 (Winter 1974) 21-34 - Times and Seasons, 4 (December I, 1842),
32 m - Speech of Elder Orson Hyde, Delivered Before the High Priest'sQuorum in Nauvoo, April 27, 1845 .. ([Nauvoo, Illinois]: John Taylor, 1845), 27-28
- William Law affidavit, 17
July I 885, Shullsburg, Wiscon sin publishedin Charles A. Sho ok, The True Origin of Mormon Polygamy (Cincinnati: The Standard Publ ishing Co., 1914) - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists,1841-44," D ialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74. - Minutes, 20 January 1843 in the Edyth Romney Typescript Collection, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Wilford Woodruff, diary, January 19, 1843
- Affidavit, February 16, 18
74, published in The Historical Record6(May 1887), 224-26 - Ruth Vose Sayers affidavit
, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith AffidavitBooks, Church Archiv es, Salt Lake City, Utah. - "The Mormons, or Latter Da
y Saints, with their Persecuti ons," Timesand Seasons, 4 ( February I, 1843), I00 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - "Effects of Apostacy [sic]
," Times and Seasons, 4 ( February I, 1843),89 - Oliver H.Olney, The Absurd
ities of Mormonism Portrayed, (HancockCounty, lllinois: Priv ately Printed, 1843) - History of the Church, edi
ted by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City:Deseret Book Company , 1970), v. 4, 515 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamist s,1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - Hyde, Mary Ann Price, Autobiography, 1880, page 2-3, Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley and An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, edited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987), 396. The journal entry is in t
he handwriting of Thomas Bullo ck. - "Mothers in Israel: Autobiographical Sketc
h of Mary Ann Steams Winters," in The Relief Society Magazine , 3 (October 1916), 577-78 - "Autobiography of Erastus
Snow," The Utah Genealogical a ndHistorical Magazine, 14 ( July 1923), 109 - Emily Dow Partridge Young
affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. SmithAffidavit Books, Chur ch Archives, Salt Lake City, U tah - Extract of Emily Dow Young's Autobiography published in Jenson,Andrew, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record, 6 (May 1887), 240
- Eliza Maria Partridge Lyman copy of affidavit, July I, 1869, page32, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Extract of Emily Dow Young's Autobiography published in Jenson, Andrew, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record, 6 (May 1887), 240
- Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - Times and Seasons, 4 (
March 15, I 843), 143 - History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, period/, volume 5 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1970), 312- 16
- "Apostle Erastus Snow's Te
stimony," in Andrew Jenson, " PluralMarriage," The Historica l Record 6 (May 1887), 232 - Letter fi-om George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City,Utah, October 9, I 8
69. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Lorenzo Snow affidavit, August 18,1869 Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "Apostle Lorenzo Snow's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 222 - "Deaths," The Wasp, 26 April 1843 [3]
- Oliver H.Olney, The Absurd
ities of Mormonism Portrayed, (HancockCounty, Ill inois: Privately Printed, 1843) - The Nauvoo High Council Minute Books of the Church of JesusCh
rist of latter Day Saints, edited by Fred C. Collier (Hanna, Utah: Collier's Publishing Company, 2005), I 04-105 - B. F. Johnson affidavit, M
arch 4, 1870, page 4-9, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt L ake City, Utah - My life's Review: Autobiog
raphy of Benjamin Franklin Johnson(Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1997), 85 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - History of the Church, edi
ted by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lak e City:Deseret Book Company, 1 970), v. 5,348. - Gary James Bergera, "Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; Zina Diantha Huntington Young affidavit, May 1, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dimick B. Huntington affidavit, May 1, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavi
t Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Fanny Marie Huntington affidavit, MayI, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "Plural Marriage," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 230 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 20 05), 1-74; Affidavit, February 16, 1874, published in The Historical Record 6 (May 1887),224-26 and Joseph Smith diary, 10 March 1943 to 14 July 1843, undated page, in Thomas Bullock handwriting. - Nauvoo Deaths and Marriage
s, 1839-1845, Lyndon W. Cook,c ompiler (Orem, Utah: Grandin B ook Company, 1994), 104. - Marinda Nancy Johnson Hyde
affidavit, May l, 1869, Josep h F. SmithAffidavit Books, Chu rch Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - An American Prophet's Record: the Diaries and Journals of JosephSmith, e
dited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987), 396. - Erastus Snow, autobiograph
y dictated to his son Franklin R. Snow, in1875 published in The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, 14( 1923), 109 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [III], Salt Lake City,Utah, Oc
tober 9, 1869, Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; William Clayton Journal, I May 1843;Lucy W. Kimball affidavit, August 9, 1869, Joseph F. Smit h Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake Cit y, Utah; Affidavit, February 16, 1874, published in The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 224-26;Joseph Smith diary, 10 March 1843 to 14 July 1843, undated page, in Thomas Bullock handwriting, The Temple Lot Case (Independence, Missouri: Price Publishing Company, 2003) 371; and "William Clayton's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 225. - Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, volu
me I, page 67, Church HistoryL ibrary, Salt Lake City, Utah - "Lucy W. Kimball's Testimo
ny," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco rd6 (May 1887), 229-30 - The Temple Lot Case (Independence,
Missouri: Price Publishing Company, 2003), 371 - Emily D. P. Young, "Autobiography," Women'
s Exponent 14(August I, 1885), 38; letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Eliza Maria Partridge Lyman copy of affidavit, July I, 1869, page 33, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; "Emily Dow Partridge's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 223; and The Temple lot Case (Independence, Missouri: Price Publishing Company, 2003), 364 - "Eliza M. Partridge's Affi
davit," published in Andrew Je nsen, "PluralMarriage," The Hi storical Record, 6 (May 1887), 223. - "Emily Dow Partridge's Affidavit," publis
hed in Andrew Jensen,"Plural M arriage," The Historical Recor d, 6 (May 1887), 223. - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- John Smith, "To the Public
," Times and Seasons, 4 (May 1 5, 1843),20 I - Joseph H. Jackson, A Narra
tive of the Adventures and Experience ofJoseph H. Jack. son in Nauvoo, Disclosing the Dept hs of Mormon Villainy (Warsaw, Illinois, August 1844) - "Benjamin F. Johnson's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco
rd 6 (May 1887), 221 - Joseph Smith diary, May 28, 1843 as quoted in Jose
ph Smith'sQuorum of the Anoint ed, 1842-1845: a Documentary H istory, edited by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera (Salt La ke City:Signature Books, 2005) , 19. - "John Benbow's Affidavit,"
in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Mar riage," TheHistorical Record6 (May 1887), 222-23 - Elvria A. C. Holmes affida
vit, August 28, 1869, page 78, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Book s, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [IJI], Salt La
ke City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Rhoda Richards affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Joseph Smith, Journal, Jun
e 12, 1843, Church Archives, Salt LakeCity Utah. - Edward W. Tullidge, The Wo
men o/Mormondom (New York, 187 7),4'19-22 - An Intimate Chronicle: the Journals of William Clayto
n, edited by George D. Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991), I08 Letter from GeorgeA. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 18 69.Historian's Office Letterbo ok, Church - Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
and Desdemona Fullmer Smith affidavit, June 17, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), I-74 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City,Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
; David Fullmer affidavit, June 15,1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "William Clayton's Testimo ny, in Andrew Jenson,"Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco rd 6 (May 1887), 225-26. - Joseph C. Kingsbury affidavit, March 7, 1870, page 18, Joseph F. Smith, Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; "William Clayton's Testimony, in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 225-26 and "Joseph C. Kingsbury's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 226
- "William Clayton's Testimo
ny, in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Recor d 6 (May 1887), 226 - Hyde, Mary Ann Price, Autobiography, 1880, page 2-3, Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley and An American Prophet'sRecord: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, edited by Scott H.Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987), 396. The entry is in the handwriting of Thomas Bull
ock. - "William Clayton's Testimo
ny, in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Recor d 6 (May 1887), 225-26 - "Howard Coray Testimony,"
in Andrew Jenson. "Plural Marr iage,"The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 228-29 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; lette r from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [lIJ], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869.Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah;and Elizabeth B. Pratt affidavit, August 2 , 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah . - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 20 05), 1-74 and Catherine Phillps Smith affidavit, January 28, 1903, Joseph F. Smith, Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City,Utah, Oc
tober 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Thomas Grover affidavit, July 6, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City,Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Thomas Grover affidavit, July 6, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Gary James Bergera, "Identifying th
e Earliest Mormon Polygamists,1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9,1869, Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mercy R. Thompson affidavit, June 19, 1869, Joseph F. Smith, Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt L ake City, Utah,and United States, Court of Appeals (81h Circuit), Testimony in Temple Lot Suit, part 2, page 243 - "Mercy B. Thompson's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson,
"PluralMarriage," The Historic al Record 6 (May 1887), 229 - An Intimate Chronicle: the
Journals of William Clayton, edited byGeorge D. Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 19 91), l 15 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives,Salt Lake City, Utah; David Fullmer affidavit, June 15, 1869, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Thomas Grover affidavit, July 6, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- "Thomas Grover's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 226-27 see also copy of Thomas Grover affidavit, June 4, 1883 attached to a letter from L.0. Littlefield, Logan [Utah] June 7, 1883 to Joseph F. Smith, Joseph F. Smith Collection, LDS Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Expositor, June 7, 1844, v. 1, no. 1 [page 2] - "Leonard Soby's Letter," in Andrew Jenson, "
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tober 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - George A. Smith, letter, October 9, 1869 to Joseph Smith lll,Historian's Office letter book, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Independence, Missouri: Price PublishingCompany, 2003), 380- 381 - The Temple Lot Case (
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dited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: S ignature Books, 1987) 396. - "Benjamin F. Johnson's Tes
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tober 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Augusta Adams Young affidavit, July 12, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Gary James Bergem, "Identifying the Earli
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dited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: S ignature Books, 1987) 396. - Wilford Woodruff, Diary, N
ovember 11, 1843 as published in WilfordWoodruff's Journal, 1833-1898, volume 2, edited by Scott G. Kenny (Midvale, Utah: Signa ture Books, 1983), 326-27 - Affidavit of Adeline Brooks Andrus Benson, 5 September 1869 inthe Joseph F. Smith plural marriage affidavit coll
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- An Intimate Chronicle: the
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ovember 25, 1843 as published in Wilford Woodruff's Journal, !833-1898, volume 2, edited by Scott G. Kenny (Midvale, Utah: Signature Book s, 1983), 328 - Amos Fielding affidavit, 2
4 August 1869, Joseph F. Smith AffidavitBooks, Church Histor y Library, Salt Lake City, Uta h - Gary James Bergem, "
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February I, 1844), 423 - James B. Allen, No Toil nor Labor Fear: the Story of WilliamClayton (
Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press), 191 and AnIntimate Chronicle: the Journals of William Clayton, edited byGeorge D. Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991), 126. - Gary James Bergem, "Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists, 1841-44," Dialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74
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voo Neighbor 1 (March 20, 1844 ) [187] - History of the Church, v. VI (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1969), 267 and "Virtue Will Triumph," Nauvoo Neighbor I (March 20, 1844)(187]
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n, edited byGeorge D. Smith ( Salt Lake City: Signature, 199 1), 128 - Nauvoo High Council Minute
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The latter-Day Saints'Millenni al Star, 23 (November 23, 1861 ), 752 An Intimate Chronicle: the Journals a/William Clayton, edited byGeorge D. Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991), 132 Joseph Smith, "Proclamation," The Prophet, I (July 13, 1844) [2] - _
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, Disclosing the Depths of Mormon Villainy (Warsaw, Illinois, August, 1844) - Jackson, Joseph H., A Narr
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d Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving L DS Temple Ordinances, 1845-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Bro wn (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 281 - Sarah Ann Kimball affidavit, June 19, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Elizabeth Ann Whitney; Sarah Ann Smith Kimball affidavit, August 13, 1869, page 25-28, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, SaltLake City, Utah and "Joseph C. Kingsbury's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 226.
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I, 1869, page32, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, an
d Anointings: a Comprehensive Registerof Persons Receiving L DS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City : the Smith-PettitFoundation, 2006), 281 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Joseph B. Noble affidavit, June 6, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; and "Orson Pratt's
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sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinance s, I 841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, an
d Anointings: a Comprehensive Registerof Persons Receiving l DS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 282 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [III], Salt Lake City,Utah, Oc
tober 9, 1869, Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah ; William Clayton Journal, I May 1843;Lucy W. Ki mball affidavit, August 9, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Affidavit, February 16, 1874, published in The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 224-26;Joseph Smith diary, IO March 1843 to 14 July I 843, undated page, inThomas Bullock handwriting, The Temple lot Case (Independence, Missouri: Price Publishing Company, 2003) 371; and "William Clayton's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 225. - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, an
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, and Anointings: a Comprehens ive Registerof Persons Receivi ng LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841 - 1846, compiled by Lisle G. Bro wn (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFou ndation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens ive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Templ e Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister f Persons Receivin g LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Persons Receiving LDS Templ e Ordinances, 1841- 1846, compi led by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lig
htner, "Address at Brigham You ngUniversity," April 14, 1905, typescript, Special Collectio ns, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah. - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinance
s, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a C
omprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 282 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841-
1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundation, 2006), 283 - "Autobiography of Emily D.
P. Young," Woman's Exponent, 14 (AugustI, 1885), 38 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a C
omprehensiveRegister of Person s Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 283 - Letter from George A. Smit
h to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Histori an's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Desdemona Fullmer Smith affidavit, lune 17, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveReg ister of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundation, 2006), 283 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormo n Polygamists,1841-44," Dialog ue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receivi ng LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841 -1846, compiled by Lisle G. Bro wn (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFou ndation, 2006), 283 - Gary James Bergera, "
Identifying the Earliest Mormon Polygamists,1841-44," D ialogue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74. - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Templ e Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 283 - "Autobiography of Emily D.
P. Young," Woman's Exponent, 14 (AugustI, 1885), 38 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per
sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundati on, 2006), 283 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinance s, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 284 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundation, 2006), 284 - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions, and Anointings: a Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundation, 2006), 284
- Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [III], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Histori
an's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Rhoda Richards affidavit, May I,1869 , Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receivi ng LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841- 1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFou ndation, 2006), 284 - Gary James Bergera, "Identifying the Earliest Morm
on Polygamists,1841-44," Dialo gue 38 (Fall 2005), 1-74; Zina Diantha HuntingtonYoung affidavit, May I, I 869, Josep h F. Smith Affidavit Books, ChurchA rchives, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dimick B. Huntington affidavit, May l,18 69, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Book s, Church Archives, Salt Lake City,Utah; Fanny Marie Hunting ton affidavit, May I, 1869, Joseph F. SmithAffidavit Books, Church A rchives, Salt Lake City, Utah and "PluralMarriage," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887) , 230 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinance s, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFoundati on, 2006), 284 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Bro wn (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 284 - Letter from George A. Smith to Joseph Smith [Ill], Salt Lake City, Utah, October 9, 1869. Historian's Office Letterbook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah and Eliza Roxcy Snow Smith affidavit, June 7, 1869, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receiving LDS Templ e Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Bro wn (Salt Lake City: the Smith-PettitFou ndation, 2006), 284 - Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a ComprehensiveRegister of Per sons Receiving LDS Temple Ordi nances, 1841- 1846,compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006), 284 - Elvria A. C. Holmes affida
vit, August 28, 1869, page 78, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archives, Salt L ake City, Utah - Nauvoo Deaths and Marriages, 1839-
1845, complied by Lyndon W.Coo k (Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Co mpany, 1994), 102. - Nauvoo Seatings, Adoptions
, and Anointings: a Comprehens iveRegister of Persons Receivi ng LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846, compiled by Lisle G. Brown (Salt Lake City: the Smith- PettitFoundation, 2006), 285 - "Polygamy, Melancholy, Possession: Helen Mar Kimball (Smith Whitney)" In Sacred Loneliness: the Plural Wives of Joseph Smith(Salt Lake City
: Signature Books, 1997), 486-534 and A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History,edited by Jeni Broberg Holzapfel and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel(Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Religious Stu dies Center, 1997) - Letter from William E. McLellin to John L. Traughber
published inThe William E. McL ellin, 1854-1880, ed. by Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007), 50 0 - Letter from William E. McLellin to John L Traugher, published in TheWilliam E. McL
ellin, 1854-1880, edited by St an Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 501 - Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, comp
iled and edited by Dean C.Jess ee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002), 537 - Letter from William E. McLellin to Joseph Smith Ill, January 10,1861 published in The William E. McLellin Papers, 1854-1880, ed. Stan Larson and Samuel J Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007), 440-44.
- W.W. Phelps to Brigham You
ng, 12 August 1861, Revelation sCollection, LDS Church Histor y Library, Salt Lake City, Uta h - W.W. Phelps to Brigham You
ng, 12 August 1861, Revelation sCollection, LDS Church Histor y Library, Salt Lake City, Uta h - "Remarks of President Brigham Young at the Semi-annual Conference," LDS Church Historian's Office, Reports of Speeches, October 8, 1866 (CR I00 317 box 5, folder 20)
- John Hawley, Autobiography
, 1885, page 97, Community of Christ Archives, Independence, Missou ri - "Emily Dow Partridge's Testimony," in And
rew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco rd 6 (May 1887), 223 - "Joseph Bates Noble's Test
imony," in Andrew Jenson, " PluralMarriage," The Historica l Record6 (May 1887), 221 - "David Fullmer's Testimony
," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriag e,"The Historical Record 6 ( May 1887), 227 - "Lovina Walker's Certificate," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Record 6 (May 1887)
, 223 - "Eliza M. Partridge's Affi
davit," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriag e,"The Historical Record 6 ( May 1887), 223 - "Apostle Lorenzo Snow's Te
stimony," in Andrew Jenson, " Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco rd 6 (May 1887), 222 - "John Benbow's Aefidavit [
sic]," in Andrew Jenson, " PluralMarriage," The Historica l Record 6 (May 1887), 222 - Elvria A. C. Holmes affida
vit, August 28, 1869, page 78, Joseph F.Smith Affidavit Books, Church Archiv es, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Affidavit of Adeline Brooks Andrus Benson, 5 September 1869 in th
eJoseph F. Smith plural marriage affidavit collection, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah - George A. Smith to Joseph Smith, Salt
Lake City, Utah, October 9,18 69, Historian's Office Letterb ook, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.'" "Benjamin F. Johnson's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "PluralMarriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887) , 221 - _
- William E. McLellin to "Old Friends," February 22,
1872, in TheWilliam E. McLellin Papers, 1854-1880, ed. By Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 481 - William E. McLellin to Joseph Smith III, July 1872, Community ofChrist Archives, Independence, Missouri; also published in The William E. McLellin Papers, 1854-1880, ed. by Stan Larsen and Samuel J.Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 488-489
- Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, edited by A. Ka
rl Larson andKatharine Miles L arson, v. 1 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1980, 349 - "William Clayton's Testimo
ny," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Reco rd 6 (May 1887), 224-26 - A[nthony] Metcalf, Ten Yea
rs Before the Mast. Shipwrecks and Adventures at Sea' Religious Customs of the People of India and Burmah's Empire. How 1 Became a Mormon and Why 1 Became an Jef,de/1([Malad City, Idaho]: n.p. [1888]), 70-73. - Letter from William McLellin to John L. Traughber published inThe William E. McLellin, 1854-1880, ed. By
Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 500 - "A Visit to John Whitmer," True Latter Day Saints' Herald,November I,
1875, 655. This is copied from the Deseret EveningNews. - Joseph F. Smith to Orson P
ratt, Sr., 19 July 1875, Josep h F. Smith Letterbooks, Church History Li brary, Salt Lake City, Utah - [James H.] Beadle, "
Jackson County," Salt Lake Tribune, 9 (October 6,187 5), 4 - Letter from William McLellin to John L. Traughber published inThe William E. Mclellin, 1854-1880, ed. By Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007) 501
- "Discourse by Elder Joseph
F. Smith, Delivered in the Ta bernacle, SaltLake City, Sunda y Morning, July 7, 1878," Jour nal of Discourses (Liverpool: William Budge, 1880), v. 20:29 - "Orson Pratt's Testimony," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 230; see also "Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith," The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star, 40(December 19, 1878), 788
- Letter from William McLell
in to John L. Traughber publis hed in TheWilliam E. Mclellin. 1854-1880, ed. By Stan Larsen and Samuel J. Passey (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 20 07), 515 - "Last Testimony of Sister
Emma," The Saints· Herald, Oct ober I,1879, 289 - "Editorial Items," The Sai
nts' Herald, 15 May 1879, 152 - "Last Testimony of Sister
Emma," The Saints' Herald, Oct ober 1,1879, 289 - In the President's Office: the Diaries ofl. John Nuttall.
1879-1892,edited by Jedediah S. Rogers (Salt Lake City: Sig nature Books, 2007), 37 - Joseph F. Smith, "Joseph t
he Seer's Plural Marriages," D eseret WeeklyNews, 22 October 1879, page 12 - Joseph F. Smith, "Joseph t
he Seer's Plural Marriages," D eseret WeeklyNews, 22 October 1879, page 12 and "Eliza R. Snow's Testimony ," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 224 - Eliza R. Snow, "Letter on Plural Mar
riage," Woman's Exponent, (1No vember 1879), 84-85 - "Wrath," Saints Herald, No
vember 15, 1879, 344-46 - In the President ·s Office
: the Diaries of L John Nuttal l, 1879-1892,edited by Jededia h S. Rogers (Salt Lake City: S ignature Books, 2007), 58-59 - L. John Nuttall notes for
John Taylor's office journal ( MS 1346),Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. - F. D. Richards, July 5, 18
81, Ogden, Utah to Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah, Joseph F. Smith Collection, LOS Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. - Josephine R. Fisher, Signe
d Statement, Bountiful, Utah, February24, 1915. It was signe d in the presents of Andrew Jens on, Joseph Grant and I. F. Fisher. In the Andrew Jensen papers, LOS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah - "Howard Coray Testimony," in Andrew Jenson,
"Plural Marriage," TheHistoric al Record 6 (May 1887), 228-29 - In the President's Office: the Diaries of L John Nuttall. 1879-1892, edited by Jedediah S. Rogers (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2007), 96-97
- "Additional Testimony,","
in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage," TheHistorical Recor d 6 (May I 887), 232 - "Additional Testimony,","
in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marr iage," TheHistorical Record6 ( May 1887), 232 - "Mercy R. Thompson's Testi
mony," in Andrew Jenson, " PluralMarriage," The Historica l Record 6 (May 1887), 229 - "Autobiography of Emily D.
P. Young," Woman's Exponent, v. 13(December l, 1884), 102- 103; v. 13 (December 15, 1884) , [105)-106; v. 13 (January 1, 1 885), 114; v. 13 (January 15, 1885), 122; v.13 (February 1, 1885), [ 129)-130; v. 13 (February 15, 1885), 138; V. 13 (March 15, 1885), 1 54; V. 13 (April 1, 1885), 166 -167; V. 13(April 15, 1885), [ 169]-170; V. 13 (May 15, 1885) , 187; V. 14 (June I, 1885), 3; v. 14 (June 15, 1885), IO; v. 14 (July I, 1885), [17]-18;v. 14 (July 15, 1885), 26; v. 14 (August 1 , 1885), 37-38; and v. 14 (August 15, 1885), 43. - "Thomas Grover's Testimony
," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural M arriage,"The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 226-27 - "Allen J. Stout's Testimon
y," in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marriage,"The Historical Recor d 6 (May 1887), 230-31 - "Leonard Soby's Testimony,
" in Andrew Jenson, "Plural Ma rriage,"The Historical Record 6 (May 1887), 227-28 - "Mercy R. Thompson's Testi
mony," in Andrew Jenson, " PluralMarriage," The Historical Record 6 (May 1887) , 229 - "Leonard Soby's Letter," i
n Andrew Jenson, "Plural Marri age," TheHistorical Record 6 ( May 1887), 228 - Andrew Jenson, "Plural Mar
riage," The Historical Record 6 (May1887), 219. See also Ors on Pratt's testimony on page 2 30 in same source. - "Joseph C. Kingsbury's Tes
timony," in Andrew Jenson, " Plural Marriage," The Historical Reco rd 6 (May 1887), 226 - Arthur B. Deming, "Naked T
ruths About Mormonism," I (January1888), 2 -3 - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner to John Henry Smith, Letter, January25, 1892, in th
e George A. Smith Family Papers, Special Collections,Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah - Emily Dow Partridge Young, diary, I 9March 1892, typescri
pt, L.Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah - Emily D. P. Young, letter,
January 27, 1899 to W. Collins, Wantagan,Illinois, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah - The Benjamin F. Johnson letter to
Elder George S. Gibbs (Dugway, Utah: Kraut's Pioneer Press,?), 12 - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lig
htner, "Address at Brigham You ngUniversity," April 14, 1905, typescript, Special Collectio ns, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah. - Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lig
htner, "Address at Brigham You ngUniversity," April 14, 1905, typescript, Special Collectio ns, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah. - John Wickliff Rigdon, Affi
davit, 28 July I 905, Church H istoryLibrary, Salt Lake City, Utah - Josephine R. Fisher, Signe
d Statement, Bountiful, Utah, February24, 1915. It was signed in the presents of Andr ew Jenson, JosephGrant and I. F. Fisher. In the Andrew Jensen papers, L DS ChurchArchives, Salt Lake C ity, Utah