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In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith
Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirty-three women married Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These were passionate relationships which also had some longevity, except in cases such as that of two young sisters, one of whom was discovered by Joseph’s first wife, Emma, in a locked bedroom with the prophet. Emma remained a steadfast opponent of polygamy throughout her life.
The majority of Smith’s wives were younger than he, and one-third were between fourteen and twenty years of age. Another third were already married, and some of the husbands served as witnesses at their own wife’s polyandrous wedding. In addition, some of the wives hinted that they bore Smith children—most notably Sylvia Sessions’s daughter Josephine—although the children carried their stepfather’s surname.
For all of Smith’s wives, the experience of being secretly married was socially isolating, emotionally draining, and sexually frustrating. Despite the spiritual and temporal benefits, which they acknowledged, they found their faith tested to the limit of its endurance. After Smith’s death in 1844, their lives became even more “lonely and desolate.” One even joined a convent. The majority were appropriated by Smith’s successors, based on the Old Testament law of the Levirate, and had children by them, though they considered these guardianships unsatisfying. Others stayed in the Midwest and remarried, while one moved to California. But all considered their lives unhappy, except for the joy they found in their children and grandchildren.
The majority of Smith’s wives were younger than he, and one-third were between fourteen and twenty years of age. Another third were already married, and some of the husbands served as witnesses at their own wife’s polyandrous wedding. In addition, some of the wives hinted that they bore Smith children—most notably Sylvia Sessions’s daughter Josephine—although the children carried their stepfather’s surname.
For all of Smith’s wives, the experience of being secretly married was socially isolating, emotionally draining, and sexually frustrating. Despite the spiritual and temporal benefits, which they acknowledged, they found their faith tested to the limit of its endurance. After Smith’s death in 1844, their lives became even more “lonely and desolate.” One even joined a convent. The majority were appropriated by Smith’s successors, based on the Old Testament law of the Levirate, and had children by them, though they considered these guardianships unsatisfying. Others stayed in the Midwest and remarried, while one moved to California. But all considered their lives unhappy, except for the joy they found in their children and grandchildren.
824 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 18, 2011
After years of ignoring the history of polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I decided to learn about it. The more I learn, the more abhorrent I find it. As a friend of mine described it: "spiritual blackmail". Reading this book, discovering the details of the lives of the wives of Joseph Smith, the most apt descriptive word I can think of: nauseating.
The women were instructed that being a "spiritual wife" would bring themselves and their families salvation...and if not - not. Numbers vary from 33 (documented, confirmed wives) up to 49. A full third of them were already married - and stayed married to, and living with, their previous husbands. He married a number of teenagers (the youngest being 14)...which can only be described as pedophilia. Too many of them were maids or nannies in the Smith home, who he them secretly married, and then were kicked out by Emma when she found out.
Secrets. Lies to hide. None of them were well-cared for by their "celestial husband"...they struggled with poverty and even having basic shelter and necessities. The only help and protection they received was from brothers and sons. And that's just a very basic synopsis. The nitty-gritty details are just making my heart hurt for these women and the lives they led.
Simultaneously, I am reading "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer. A focused look at episodes of violent faith, with a detailed investigation into modern polygamy and the ramifications of it. If possible, the researched events in this book are even more painful.
After spending my life ignoring the "flecks of history" that church leaders don't want the members to focus on, I find it painful learning the truth. But, as painful as the truth can be, I'd much rather face it than be comfortable in ignorance.
The women were instructed that being a "spiritual wife" would bring themselves and their families salvation...and if not - not. Numbers vary from 33 (documented, confirmed wives) up to 49. A full third of them were already married - and stayed married to, and living with, their previous husbands. He married a number of teenagers (the youngest being 14)...which can only be described as pedophilia. Too many of them were maids or nannies in the Smith home, who he them secretly married, and then were kicked out by Emma when she found out.
Secrets. Lies to hide. None of them were well-cared for by their "celestial husband"...they struggled with poverty and even having basic shelter and necessities. The only help and protection they received was from brothers and sons. And that's just a very basic synopsis. The nitty-gritty details are just making my heart hurt for these women and the lives they led.
Simultaneously, I am reading "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer. A focused look at episodes of violent faith, with a detailed investigation into modern polygamy and the ramifications of it. If possible, the researched events in this book are even more painful.
After spending my life ignoring the "flecks of history" that church leaders don't want the members to focus on, I find it painful learning the truth. But, as painful as the truth can be, I'd much rather face it than be comfortable in ignorance.
July 17, 2008
I am not sure where to begin on this book but I gave it five stars for content, not for the feelings in invoked.
As a Mormon convert, I always understood polygamy to be a benevolent system of taking care of widows and older unmarried women. Although I came to realize that this was not the case, nothing could have prepared me for the bomb this book dropped on my soul. I was astonished to learn the details of polygamy, including the ways the women were initiated into the "Holy Order" as well as the way married women would marry Joseph, have a sexual relationship, and never tell their husbands. I was honestly heartbroken over one story where a family was entirely destroyed by the practice so be prepared if you decide to read this book.
In the end, I learned more than I thought I would have and gained a deep appreciation for the victims of the practice. While I think a successful polygynous relationship is possible, I believe that most of the women and families affected by the early practice suffered needlessly. I recommend this book to everyone. The sterile cultural and doctrinal bubble must pop someday.
As a Mormon convert, I always understood polygamy to be a benevolent system of taking care of widows and older unmarried women. Although I came to realize that this was not the case, nothing could have prepared me for the bomb this book dropped on my soul. I was astonished to learn the details of polygamy, including the ways the women were initiated into the "Holy Order" as well as the way married women would marry Joseph, have a sexual relationship, and never tell their husbands. I was honestly heartbroken over one story where a family was entirely destroyed by the practice so be prepared if you decide to read this book.
In the end, I learned more than I thought I would have and gained a deep appreciation for the victims of the practice. While I think a successful polygynous relationship is possible, I believe that most of the women and families affected by the early practice suffered needlessly. I recommend this book to everyone. The sterile cultural and doctrinal bubble must pop someday.
August 13, 2009
Mormons currently trumpeting “traditional marriage” should shut their mouths and read this book. In American history, “traditional marriage” has been defied most boldly and prolifically by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I’ll praise this book. This book, in its early chapters, offers a very informative perspective on the rationales and motivations of 19th Century Mormons who practiced polygamy. The practice’s historical context and theological underpinnings appear more complex and extravagant than either Mormons or anti-Mormons generally suggest.
Following the introductory material, each chapter of this book is a self-contained history of a specific wife Joseph Smith took. I’m about halfway through these chapters. The predominant impact this book has had on me is generating empathy and respect for the women who submitted to this practice. Whether you hold Joseph Smith to be a prophet or a deceiver, this book is an invaluable resource in bringing to light the largely untold story of the women he married in secret.
Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I’ll praise this book. This book, in its early chapters, offers a very informative perspective on the rationales and motivations of 19th Century Mormons who practiced polygamy. The practice’s historical context and theological underpinnings appear more complex and extravagant than either Mormons or anti-Mormons generally suggest.
Following the introductory material, each chapter of this book is a self-contained history of a specific wife Joseph Smith took. I’m about halfway through these chapters. The predominant impact this book has had on me is generating empathy and respect for the women who submitted to this practice. Whether you hold Joseph Smith to be a prophet or a deceiver, this book is an invaluable resource in bringing to light the largely untold story of the women he married in secret.
March 5, 2020
Exhaustively researched and written. Fascinating to learn the lives of 33 (of the documented) plural wives of Joseph Smith. This book is informative in a tragic, heart-wrenching, nausea-inducing way. It made me heartsick for the wives, their husbands & children—for the way they and their families were manipulated, taken advantage of and neglected. Sacred Loneliness is a fitting title. Reading this doesn’t shake my testimony which is built on Jesus Christ but it does make me wish there was far less Joseph Smith worship happening. It reaffirms my faith that leaders can be fallible and reminds me of my responsibility to forgive.
January 17, 2008
Todd Compton is an absolute freak of nature when it comes to researching and compiling. He digs through countless libraries over the nation to find any scrap of information that might shed more light on the wives (his count is 33) of Joseph Smith and their lives. Phenomenally informative.
May 31, 2011
Don't read this book if you want to keep your blinders on. It presents many questions and obstacles for the LDS Church.
The author presents the information in the form of Biographies of these women that are fairly well documented as having been the plural wives of Joseph Smith. He doesn't try to sway the reader to a positive or negative view of the events, he just presents them as historically documented in diaries and letters. If there are two different accounts of an event the author presents them both and says which one is most likely correct. I felt it was very well balanced.
The book is extremely long and I found myself just wanting it to end, but it also gave me a clearer perspective on the history of the church. It's amazing to see how much of the original persecution of the church was related to the secret polygamous marriages of Joseph Smith. Many of the demonized apostates from the early church left because of polygamy. It was interesting to see these individuals from a new sympathetic perspective. It's also given me sympathy for the current polygamous break offs of the LDS church(although I disagree with them), because as the way it was taught by Joseph Smith the only way to be saved was to live polygamy. The secrecy and lies of the first era of the LDS Church has given me a lot to think about. This book is not anti-mormon in anyway, but the facts speak for themselves...
The author presents the information in the form of Biographies of these women that are fairly well documented as having been the plural wives of Joseph Smith. He doesn't try to sway the reader to a positive or negative view of the events, he just presents them as historically documented in diaries and letters. If there are two different accounts of an event the author presents them both and says which one is most likely correct. I felt it was very well balanced.
The book is extremely long and I found myself just wanting it to end, but it also gave me a clearer perspective on the history of the church. It's amazing to see how much of the original persecution of the church was related to the secret polygamous marriages of Joseph Smith. Many of the demonized apostates from the early church left because of polygamy. It was interesting to see these individuals from a new sympathetic perspective. It's also given me sympathy for the current polygamous break offs of the LDS church(although I disagree with them), because as the way it was taught by Joseph Smith the only way to be saved was to live polygamy. The secrecy and lies of the first era of the LDS Church has given me a lot to think about. This book is not anti-mormon in anyway, but the facts speak for themselves...
October 21, 2008
This is an exhaustive compendium of the biographies and stories of the wives of Joseph Smith. It's quite good and I enjoyed learning about their lives. Compton tells it like it is, which I appreciate, as well as appreciating the time and scholarship involved in creating such a book. As far as I can tell, this book is known among serious LDS scholars as being an accurate and respectable source regarding this aspect of Mormon history.
April 12, 2017
Supremely informative and deeply, deeply disturbing. This book is a slog to read straight through but it is the best source on Joseph Smith's polygamy (BOTH polygyny and polyandry). Compton digresses into irrelevant and tangential information when direct details are scarce. This book is more a set of biographies of the women involved rather than a play-by-play of their relationship with Smith.
February 26, 2015
Very even treatment of polygamy, using primary sources.
Quotes:
"After sweeping aside such melodramatic propaganda, one finds that in actuality Mormon polygamists, both female and male, were generally sincere, intensely religious, often intelligent and able, and men and women of goodwill. Nevertheless, my central thesis is that Mormon polygamy was characterized by a tragic ambiguity." p. xiii
"It is useless to judge 19th century Mormons by late 20th century standards. Both men and women were given an impossible task and failed at it. All we can do today is sympathize with them in their tragedies and marvel at their heroism as they suffered." pg. 456
Quotes:
"After sweeping aside such melodramatic propaganda, one finds that in actuality Mormon polygamists, both female and male, were generally sincere, intensely religious, often intelligent and able, and men and women of goodwill. Nevertheless, my central thesis is that Mormon polygamy was characterized by a tragic ambiguity." p. xiii
"It is useless to judge 19th century Mormons by late 20th century standards. Both men and women were given an impossible task and failed at it. All we can do today is sympathize with them in their tragedies and marvel at their heroism as they suffered." pg. 456
March 6, 2008
This is a great book. Todd Compton, an active Mormon, chronicles the lives of 33 polygamous wives of Joseph Smith, largely through their own words in thier journals and letters. If you have an interest in expanding your knowledge of early Mormon history and understanding what the 'new and everlasting covenant' was like for these often overlooked women, you need to get this book. It is the best book out there dealing with the origins of polygamy in the church.
January 2, 2020
In subdued and respectful language Todd Compton outlines the lives of each of Joseph Smith's wives.
My heart almost broke reading Emily Dow Partridge's journal entries, and the writings of 14 year old Helen Mar had me tearing my hair out. The fifteen and sixteen year old stories were truly not much better.
As each biography (with the possible exceptions of Eliza R. Snow--the least sympathetic of these women, imo-- and Fanny Young) attests, polygamy dramatically altered the trajectory of each of these women's wives, quite obviously for the worse. The neglect, humiliation, heartbreak and poverty these women endured because of the "principle" is perhaps most succinctly summed up in one of Emily Dow Partridge's own words:
"Sunday. Today I've been thinking, thinking, thinking. My mind goes back to days gone by. And what do I find, can I find anything so pleasant that I could wish to live it over again or even to dwell upon it in thought, with any degree of satisfaction. No I cannot. My life has been like a panorama of disagreeable pictures. As I scan them over one by one, they bring no joy, and I invariably wind up in tears. I have been heart hungry all my life, always hoping against hope, until the years are nearly spent, and hope is dead for this life..."
This book is like reading a #MeToo from the rabbit hole of early Mormon history. Joseph Smith left a trail of thirty documented #MeToos. And considering how secret this practice was, I personally would not be surprised if the actual number were even higher.
And somehow Compton presents this in quite neutral, academic language. He obviously tried to make it accessible to the believer by constantly referring to Joseph as "the prophet" and not omitting or qualifying any spiritual experiences these women or Joseph claimed to have. He presents it all through the eyes of the women as much as possible. This is truly a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in Mormon history.
My heart almost broke reading Emily Dow Partridge's journal entries, and the writings of 14 year old Helen Mar had me tearing my hair out. The fifteen and sixteen year old stories were truly not much better.
As each biography (with the possible exceptions of Eliza R. Snow--the least sympathetic of these women, imo-- and Fanny Young) attests, polygamy dramatically altered the trajectory of each of these women's wives, quite obviously for the worse. The neglect, humiliation, heartbreak and poverty these women endured because of the "principle" is perhaps most succinctly summed up in one of Emily Dow Partridge's own words:
"Sunday. Today I've been thinking, thinking, thinking. My mind goes back to days gone by. And what do I find, can I find anything so pleasant that I could wish to live it over again or even to dwell upon it in thought, with any degree of satisfaction. No I cannot. My life has been like a panorama of disagreeable pictures. As I scan them over one by one, they bring no joy, and I invariably wind up in tears. I have been heart hungry all my life, always hoping against hope, until the years are nearly spent, and hope is dead for this life..."
This book is like reading a #MeToo from the rabbit hole of early Mormon history. Joseph Smith left a trail of thirty documented #MeToos. And considering how secret this practice was, I personally would not be surprised if the actual number were even higher.
And somehow Compton presents this in quite neutral, academic language. He obviously tried to make it accessible to the believer by constantly referring to Joseph as "the prophet" and not omitting or qualifying any spiritual experiences these women or Joseph claimed to have. He presents it all through the eyes of the women as much as possible. This is truly a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in Mormon history.
October 2, 2009
It is a documented fact that Joseph Smith enjoyed a total of 33 wives, including his first wife, Emma. What is generally overlooked are the details about each wife's life - their backgrounds, private journals, and legacy. This book is not critical of JS or his teachings. Rather, each chapter is devoted to each woman to whom he was married, with as much historical information as is available. The book essentially lets the women tell their side of the story.
Of particular interest to me were the chapters on Fannie Alger, Joseph Smith's first plural wife, who was only 16 when she began her relationship with him as a house servant. Alger refused to go west with the Brigham Young church, and she remarried and remained quiet about her interludes with Smith until her death. Also of interest to me was the chapter on Helen Mar Kimball, who was 14 when she was approached by Smith. Smith didn't marry her right away, and Kimball's journal entries from the time she was 14 until her wedding to Smith are very illuminating.
All in all, this is a must-read for a look into the lives of some of these (very patient) women. I'm not a feminist, but this book certainly piqued my interest in the subject.
Of particular interest to me were the chapters on Fannie Alger, Joseph Smith's first plural wife, who was only 16 when she began her relationship with him as a house servant. Alger refused to go west with the Brigham Young church, and she remarried and remained quiet about her interludes with Smith until her death. Also of interest to me was the chapter on Helen Mar Kimball, who was 14 when she was approached by Smith. Smith didn't marry her right away, and Kimball's journal entries from the time she was 14 until her wedding to Smith are very illuminating.
All in all, this is a must-read for a look into the lives of some of these (very patient) women. I'm not a feminist, but this book certainly piqued my interest in the subject.
June 16, 2008
What a powerful read. I loved this book. The history of Joseph Smith as told by his wives and their journalized views. You will have a solid foundation of the early Mormon church and its charismatic leader, Joseph Smith, after reading this book. Todd Compton could not be criticized for his accurate sources from the time, from Joseph Smith's many wives, because he tells all sides and points out any questionable material but the over all story is compelling. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the Mormon church and the man who led a new world movement. I highly recommend this book.
January 29, 2009
I'm about half way through and I really like this book. The reason I like this book is because it tells the life stories of the women in church history. We hear all the time about Joseph Smith and the other leaders but you don't hear very often about the women who were leaders in the church like Eliza R. Snow who was the 2nd President of the relief society.
It was written very unbiased in my opinion and shares views from both members and non members alike.
It was written very unbiased in my opinion and shares views from both members and non members alike.
July 28, 2008
This book is about the life history of Joseph Smith's plural wives and their journals.
It is long because it details each of his 33 mortal wives, from their birth to their death. In church we only hear about Emma, but these women made amazing sacrifices for Mormonism and are often overlooked. This book is a tribute to them. You will also learn the history of Celestial marriage, and it is the best book for learning about Joseph Smith's wives from a pro LDS viewpoint. Here is Todd Compton's response to the FARMS review: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracl...
I ordered "In Sacred Loneliness" from the Deseret Book Store when I was researching 19th century pioneer women who lived plural marriage, from a church friendly viewpoint.
*I should note that this is written by an active LDS member and scholar in good standing with the church.
The LDS church's pedigree site also lists many of these women as Joseph Smith's mortal wives. http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Searc...
I like this review from Brian:
01/16/08
Read in June, 2007
"Todd Compton is an absolute freak of nature when it comes to researching and compiling. He digs through countless libraries over the nation to find any scrap of information that might shed more light on the wives (his count is 33) of Joseph Smith and their lives. Phenomenally informative."
November 23, 2009
I liked this book for two reasons: the first was that it was a very well documented historical account. As a genealogist, I was impressed with the amount of documentation that was in this book. Second, as someone who is not a member of the LDS church, I found the descriptions of plural marriage and the doctrines from the beginning of the church's history to be informative.
Because of my research project on an early Utah Pioneer family, I found the development of the LDS religion to have great bearing on my research. It helps me with every book I read on this to understand a bit more about the development of the Utah Territory by the Mormon settlers as well as the religion itself.
You may ask why only three stars if I liked it so much? Well, at almost 800 pages, it does tend to go on and on for a bit. Documenting dozens of women who were married either during his lifetime or posthumously to Joseph Smith does tend to wear on you after awhile.
For anyone interested in the early happenings in this church, you will get a good sense of it from this work. This book explains plurality from the woman's point of view which I found a really interesting viewpoint.
Because of my research project on an early Utah Pioneer family, I found the development of the LDS religion to have great bearing on my research. It helps me with every book I read on this to understand a bit more about the development of the Utah Territory by the Mormon settlers as well as the religion itself.
You may ask why only three stars if I liked it so much? Well, at almost 800 pages, it does tend to go on and on for a bit. Documenting dozens of women who were married either during his lifetime or posthumously to Joseph Smith does tend to wear on you after awhile.
For anyone interested in the early happenings in this church, you will get a good sense of it from this work. This book explains plurality from the woman's point of view which I found a really interesting viewpoint.
Want to read
February 2, 2012This is a book that I have been looking forward to reading. Polygamy is an interesting subject to study, and since Joseph Smith's polygamy has not been widely discussed I have wanted to study his in particular. There are plenty of books written on the prophet Joseph Smith, but I wanted one that was fair and based on well researched truths. This book was sold at Deseret Books up until about last year, and it's author is LDS.
March 29, 2009
This book gets quite dry in places because the author tries to tell us everything there is to know about the wives of Joseph Smith and for many of them there is not much interesting to know. That said, it is quite moving to know about the lives of these women, many of whom have received no attention in other Mormon history. If you are interested in early Mormon polygamy this is required reading.
February 13, 2014
In Sacred Loneliness is incredibly researched. I was under the impression that there wasn't much evidence for polygamy in Nauvoo, but there is and Todd Compton provides it in great detail. Compton quotes extensively from original sources. You get a clearer picture what the early church in Nauvoo and Utah was like. It's fascinating and heartbreaking.
March 5, 2008
Fascinating snapshot biographies of the women who became plural wives of Joseph Smith during his lifetime and after his death. Lots of sad stories here, but for anyone who's interested in early Mormon history, or the pioneer culture, this is an excellent book with a wealth of information.
November 28, 2020
This book is not one that I hear about very often in orthodox religious circles. I guess I took that silence to mean Compton approached Joseph Smith's polygamy with an anti-mormon bent. Now I know that he is a respected historian who wrote this book to celebrate the wives of Joseph Smith. He expresses that goal in his author's note, and I think he achieves it. In contrast, Brian Hales' work tends to receive more positive attention from "faithful" inquirers. Now that I've read both, I can see why Hales is more readily accepted- in my opinion, he tends to minimize historical events that would cause us to view Joseph Smith questionably. Hales is out to defend Joseph at all costs, while Compton treats all credible documentation as equally important, whether or not they create a shady view of the past. If he uses a source that is viewed as antagonistic, he certainly calls out the association, but he tells the stories from all available angles. This book is very, very important.
June 16, 2019
33 (well-documented) wives (undoubtedly there were many more). Seven of them were older than Joseph; of those, two were within 5 years of his age (Lucinda Pendleton and Eliza R. Snow). The remaining 26 wives were younger than him--some much younger; the last of them died in 1913 (Mary Elizabeth Rollins). 11 were married to someone else at the time he proposed and married them.
Among the younger women who were single, a clear pattern emerges: they were typically young girls invited into the Smith home as servants or helpers, or they were the daughter of a close friend of Joseph's. Among those women who were married, a typical situation was one in which Joseph sent their husband on a mission, during which he proposed and married the wife.
In most or all cases, Joseph referenced his ecclesiastical authority and made promises to these women that are hard to square with current LDS theology--promises of eternal salvation for them and their families in exchange for this one act of marrying him.
It is hard to tell what exactly Joseph's marriages were about--though we know many or most of them were consummated. Indeed, that seems to be the main thing happening, since Joseph never actually lived with or provided for any of his wives for any significant amount of time (except Emma). Some of them had other husbands to stay with; the young ones lived with parents or older siblings. Compton notes the irony that Joseph introduced polygamy to Mormonism but never actually experienced the practicalities of real-life polygamy.
After Joseph died, of course, his many widows were married off to Church leaders--mainly Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. Then these women really experienced polygamy, which was little more than single motherhood and near starvation in most cases, making the trek to Utah on their own or with the help of a brother or father, then making do in those poverty-stricken early years of Utah settlement. Brigham was stingy with his wives, even once he had amassed considerable wealth, and Heber was worse. Neither husband spent much time with most wives. As Compton notes, "An interview with one's husband was an event to note in the diary" (329), yet many of the wives of Brigham and Heber managed to become pregnant repeatedly despite being unable to have enough time to discuss practical concerns and basic provisions for children with their husbands. In other words, these relationships basically consisted of Brigham or Heber stopping by for procreation every once in awhile, and that was about it. Compton describes one heartbreaking letter written from Emily Partridge to Brigham Young, begging to be given to another man who might have time and ability to help her provide (417). Brigham did not consent.
If you don't want to read the whole book, just read three chapters: Zina Huntington, Emily Partridge, and Helen Mar Kimball. Those will illustrate the key dimensions of the issue. Zina illustrates the polyandry angle--her pitiable husband Jacob always loving her but being sidelined by first Joseph then Brigham--sent on mission after mission. Emily's chapter paints a truly depressing and pitiful picture; her life, like many of the others, was one tragedy after another, borne alone. Helen is the youngest known wife, and her story illustrates the power of the prophetic mantle over the minds of the Saints.
The only conclusion to be drawn is that practical polygamy--which Joseph never lived--was a disastrous social experiment that crushed women, emotionally and materially, and impoverished children.
Read this book! It's good. The notes are inconveniently placed at the very end of the book, but you will get through it.
Among the younger women who were single, a clear pattern emerges: they were typically young girls invited into the Smith home as servants or helpers, or they were the daughter of a close friend of Joseph's. Among those women who were married, a typical situation was one in which Joseph sent their husband on a mission, during which he proposed and married the wife.
In most or all cases, Joseph referenced his ecclesiastical authority and made promises to these women that are hard to square with current LDS theology--promises of eternal salvation for them and their families in exchange for this one act of marrying him.
It is hard to tell what exactly Joseph's marriages were about--though we know many or most of them were consummated. Indeed, that seems to be the main thing happening, since Joseph never actually lived with or provided for any of his wives for any significant amount of time (except Emma). Some of them had other husbands to stay with; the young ones lived with parents or older siblings. Compton notes the irony that Joseph introduced polygamy to Mormonism but never actually experienced the practicalities of real-life polygamy.
After Joseph died, of course, his many widows were married off to Church leaders--mainly Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. Then these women really experienced polygamy, which was little more than single motherhood and near starvation in most cases, making the trek to Utah on their own or with the help of a brother or father, then making do in those poverty-stricken early years of Utah settlement. Brigham was stingy with his wives, even once he had amassed considerable wealth, and Heber was worse. Neither husband spent much time with most wives. As Compton notes, "An interview with one's husband was an event to note in the diary" (329), yet many of the wives of Brigham and Heber managed to become pregnant repeatedly despite being unable to have enough time to discuss practical concerns and basic provisions for children with their husbands. In other words, these relationships basically consisted of Brigham or Heber stopping by for procreation every once in awhile, and that was about it. Compton describes one heartbreaking letter written from Emily Partridge to Brigham Young, begging to be given to another man who might have time and ability to help her provide (417). Brigham did not consent.
If you don't want to read the whole book, just read three chapters: Zina Huntington, Emily Partridge, and Helen Mar Kimball. Those will illustrate the key dimensions of the issue. Zina illustrates the polyandry angle--her pitiable husband Jacob always loving her but being sidelined by first Joseph then Brigham--sent on mission after mission. Emily's chapter paints a truly depressing and pitiful picture; her life, like many of the others, was one tragedy after another, borne alone. Helen is the youngest known wife, and her story illustrates the power of the prophetic mantle over the minds of the Saints.
The only conclusion to be drawn is that practical polygamy--which Joseph never lived--was a disastrous social experiment that crushed women, emotionally and materially, and impoverished children.
Read this book! It's good. The notes are inconveniently placed at the very end of the book, but you will get through it.
January 25, 2014
It is time to talk about polygamy.
Polygamy makes most Mormons squirm and shift uneasily in their seats. We avoid the subject. Many have vaguely heard that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young practiced polygamy, or celestial marriage as it was called at the time. We are taught that the practice officially ended in 1890 through a revelation to President Wilford Woodruff. But beyond that, we do not hear much about polygamy in the Church. In fact, our manuals and official publications go to great lengths to downplay the subject and emphasize that anyone who practices polygamy today will be excommunicated.
We cannot avoid the subject altogether, of course. Polygamy is probably the number one thing non-members know about the church, and it is certain to come up in conversation. Every missionary has had to respond to questions about polygamy. Any member who reads Doctrine and Covenants 132 will have to start asking questions too. So most members put it "on a shelf." That is, we file it away in our subconsciousness as an altogether unpleasant issue that took place for reasons that are not fully understood but that need not impede our faith in God and his inspired prophets and church.
For a variety of reasons, it was finally time for me to take polygamy off my shelf.
Read more at http://znovels.blogspot.com/2014/01/i...
Polygamy makes most Mormons squirm and shift uneasily in their seats. We avoid the subject. Many have vaguely heard that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young practiced polygamy, or celestial marriage as it was called at the time. We are taught that the practice officially ended in 1890 through a revelation to President Wilford Woodruff. But beyond that, we do not hear much about polygamy in the Church. In fact, our manuals and official publications go to great lengths to downplay the subject and emphasize that anyone who practices polygamy today will be excommunicated.
We cannot avoid the subject altogether, of course. Polygamy is probably the number one thing non-members know about the church, and it is certain to come up in conversation. Every missionary has had to respond to questions about polygamy. Any member who reads Doctrine and Covenants 132 will have to start asking questions too. So most members put it "on a shelf." That is, we file it away in our subconsciousness as an altogether unpleasant issue that took place for reasons that are not fully understood but that need not impede our faith in God and his inspired prophets and church.
For a variety of reasons, it was finally time for me to take polygamy off my shelf.
Read more at http://znovels.blogspot.com/2014/01/i...
November 7, 2015
Well, it only took me a year to get through this giant book! I thought that by reading it slowly and taking a while to consider each woman's life, I would be able to retain more. But they all kind of blend together, unfortunately. Compton calls plural marriage "an institutionalized form of marital neglect". I agree. I was hoping to see something inspired in the practice, something to point to this being from God, but it's just so heart breaking and completely unnecessary when you consider that the LDS church no longer teaches that Plural Marriage is essential for salvation. I wonder how these women would feel about that. Probably pissed.
September 24, 2010
The real 'golden nugget' of this book is tale of thirty-one 19th century women, their stories, their journals and their life-struggles both inside and outside of Polygamy & Polyandry. Diverse, revealing and sympathetic, these real life tales of women show faith, strength and sorrow in some of life's most difficult circumstances. Using well-documented records and journal accounts, the author chronicles many little-known and some well-known female figures of Mormon history.
April 14, 2008
You think that Texas Polygamist Cult is way out? The author documents a grand total of 33 wives for the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, of which 33% were 14 to 22 years old when they married him! Just read about how Joe Smith convinced husbands to give their wives to him "for eternity" as a test of their faith! Contains charts.
June 10, 2010
WOW!!! This is not a pro or anti book. The book is very factual and entertaining in most parts. The amount of information and reference is amazing. An eye opening book that all LDS or those interested in early LDS history should read. Many times my heart went out to the early pioneer Mormon women, as they made sacrifices none of us should hopefully have to make.
July 8, 2008
The experience of polygamy in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was for me not much more than a historical footnote. Reading these accounts made helped me understand the reality of the tests of faith endured by people associated with the practice.
June 23, 2009
A must-read if you are a serious mormon history student. Compton's research/references are clean, and his method of outlining the wives as well as his sensitivity to the information he is presenting makes for a fantastic read.
July 30, 2013
I’ve thought long and hard about the propriety of this essay. It is a sensitive subject and one that is so easy to misunderstand. It is also a sacred subject that I have seen dragged through the dregs of the ex-Mormon sites, and yet presented well on some Internet resources. Although some may claim otherwise, it is not a secret subject. It is just not taught in your basic church curriculum.
In today’s Internet age, this information is readily available. It was readily available when I was growing up but you just had to know where to look. The best official source for this information is on the Church’s Family Search site. Just enter Joseph Smith and his birth date of 1805 in the state of Vermont, click on search and then click on his ancestral file entry. There are his wives.
The list is not complete and includes a few wives who were sealed to him after his death. A more complete list can be found at the website appropriately titled, wivesofjosephsmith.org. The summaries presented of the wives are well done and quick, easy reading. If you want a more detailed treatise, read the book, In Sacred Loneliness, published by Signature Books in 1997.
The doctrine of celestial marriage
There is no way you can understand this unique aspect of the beginnings of the LDS Church without considering this a doctrine of the restoration. That’s an important concept to us and puts everything into perspective. Without this understanding, it is easy to think of Joseph Smith as a libertine and an adulterer. In fact, that is how the anti and ex-Mormons want you to view him.
It has always been the claim of the LDS Church that we are a restored religion. We believe that our doctrines and practices are a restoration of things known, taught, believed and performed by the patriarchs of the Old Testament. One of those beliefs and practices is what we call celestial marriage. It is also referred to as plural marriage by some but as polygamy by most people.
Although the revelation on celestial marriage, also called the new and everlasting covenant was recorded in 1843 as section 132, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831. We believe in the restoration of all things, and the practice of celestial marriage is just one of those things.
It is not viewed as adultery
A close reading of section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which is still very much a part of the canon of the LDS Church reveals that the Lord appointed Joseph to restore all things (v 40) and was commanded to go and do the works of Abraham (v 32). The Lord affirmed that Joseph had the sealing power (v 46 & 48) and that the Lord had already given him plural wives (v 52).
Verses 61 and 64 point out that the first wife holds the keys of this power and therefore, she is the one who administers or allows her husband to enter into additional marriages. It is she that gives them to him. However, verse 65 makes it clear that if she doesn’t believe and accept the doctrine when taught, that he is justified to receive any additional wives the Lord gives him.
And that is exactly the situation Joseph was in. Emma didn’t like plural marriage although she did try to make it work on a couple of occasions. She accepted Eliza and Emily Partridge for a short season as well as Maria and Sarah Lawrence. Joseph and Emma were sealed during one of her periods of acceptance. However, it was short-lived and she then threw his other wives out.
Not practiced openly, denied publicly
Joseph taught this doctrine to his counselors in the First Presidency and to the Twelve Apostles. It was difficult for most to accept at first, but just as he did with the additional wives to whom he proposed, he invited his trusted associates to obtain a revelation and witness for themselves that the doctrine was true, ennobling and exalting. Most did and many of them followed his example.
However, the doctrine was not taught openly, and was, in fact, denied when it came up as it did quite often during the later Nauvoo period. Now that is a difficult thing for many of our critics to accept. It is bad enough that Joseph and a few other leaders participated in the practice of plural marriage clandestinely, but to then deny it and to publicly preach against it is just hypocritical.
The problem was that there were some who took license with this practice and then turned it into something that it was not meant to be. They called it “spiritual wifery,” and enticed women into adulterous relationships claiming that Joseph approved and sanctioned it. Joseph was forced to preach against it publicly because John C. Bennett was teaching and practicing it unlawfully.
Our critics are shocked
When people investigate the church and the subject of plural marriage comes up, most are familiar with Brigham Young as being the primary example of the practice among the early Latter-day Saint church. However, many are surprised when they learn that the Prophet Joseph Smith was the originator of the doctrine and the practice. Joseph had at least thirty wives.
I suppose that is shocking to learn because Joseph figures so prominently in the story of the restoration. The missionaries teach of the sacred experiences of Joseph in the First Vision, the visits of the angel Moroni, the appearances of old testament prophets in the Kirtland temple and of Joseph’s vision of the three degrees of glory, including his glorious testimony of the Savior.
Our critics have capitalized on this and delight to point it out with fervent zeal and language that makes it obvious that there is no acceptance or desire to understand that this could possibly be something that really was revealed by the Lord as a part of the restoration of all things in the last days. They do not want you to see celestial marriage as anything other than base carnal desire.
Not practiced today
I have written in a previous essay that I hold strongly to the idea of plural marriage still being an eternal doctrine. Latter-day Saints no longer practice it, and have not for over a hundred years. Of course there are those who claim to be Fundamentalist Mormons who live in polygamy, and are mostly in Utah, but they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This topic will continue to be of interest to those who learn about the LDS Church, and will be for a long time to come. It is a curiosity because it is not the social norm in the United States or in most of the Christian world. It has been in the news a lot lately with the FLDS raids in Texas and with the show Big Love on HBO portraying polygamy as a big part of Utah life. It’s not.
The church goes to great lengths to point out that Mormons do not practice polygamy. There are numerous entries on the subject in the Newsroom and even a one page website that gives a great summary of the message that we want to get out to the world. You can find it on my sidebar. The doctrine may still be in our scriptures, but we do not practice it. Those who do are cut off.
Summary and conclusion
As I noted at the beginning, I have been hesitant to write this essay but have had it on my list to do for a long time. I want to have it available on my blog to refer readers to it as it comes up in dialog. I do not like the language our critics use to describe Joseph’s difficulties because he was the first to begin this practice in the last dispensation. Brigham Young had it much easier.
Yes, Joseph Smith had many plural wives. He entered into the law of celestial marriage by way of commandment from God. No, it was not easy for him to obey this commandment. His wife, Emma, who loved him dearly and believed in him as a prophet, nevertheless had a very difficult time accepting this revelation and did not want to share Joseph with the other women in his life.
You can read a lot more about this on various Internet sites listed below, and even the Wikipedia articles about each of his wives are presented fairly accurately. The church is not trying to hide this information and has not for many years. It is a part of our heritage and history. It is a sacred part of our religion that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith in these, the latter days.
————————————————-
For additional information:
01. Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith website
02. Origin of Latter-day Saint Polygamy – Wikipedia
03. In Sacred Loneliness by Todd Compton – Signature Books
04. Review of In Sacred Loneliness from FARMS
05. SHIELDS review of In Sacred Loneliness
06. FAIR – Joseph’s marriages to young women
07. FAIR – Joseph Smith and polyandry
08. FAIR – How Emma felt about plural marriage
09. FAIR – Charges against Joseph of lustful motives
10. FAIR – Resources – Joseph Smith and polygamy
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2009/0...
In today’s Internet age, this information is readily available. It was readily available when I was growing up but you just had to know where to look. The best official source for this information is on the Church’s Family Search site. Just enter Joseph Smith and his birth date of 1805 in the state of Vermont, click on search and then click on his ancestral file entry. There are his wives.
The list is not complete and includes a few wives who were sealed to him after his death. A more complete list can be found at the website appropriately titled, wivesofjosephsmith.org. The summaries presented of the wives are well done and quick, easy reading. If you want a more detailed treatise, read the book, In Sacred Loneliness, published by Signature Books in 1997.
The doctrine of celestial marriage
There is no way you can understand this unique aspect of the beginnings of the LDS Church without considering this a doctrine of the restoration. That’s an important concept to us and puts everything into perspective. Without this understanding, it is easy to think of Joseph Smith as a libertine and an adulterer. In fact, that is how the anti and ex-Mormons want you to view him.
It has always been the claim of the LDS Church that we are a restored religion. We believe that our doctrines and practices are a restoration of things known, taught, believed and performed by the patriarchs of the Old Testament. One of those beliefs and practices is what we call celestial marriage. It is also referred to as plural marriage by some but as polygamy by most people.
Although the revelation on celestial marriage, also called the new and everlasting covenant was recorded in 1843 as section 132, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831. We believe in the restoration of all things, and the practice of celestial marriage is just one of those things.
It is not viewed as adultery
A close reading of section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which is still very much a part of the canon of the LDS Church reveals that the Lord appointed Joseph to restore all things (v 40) and was commanded to go and do the works of Abraham (v 32). The Lord affirmed that Joseph had the sealing power (v 46 & 48) and that the Lord had already given him plural wives (v 52).
Verses 61 and 64 point out that the first wife holds the keys of this power and therefore, she is the one who administers or allows her husband to enter into additional marriages. It is she that gives them to him. However, verse 65 makes it clear that if she doesn’t believe and accept the doctrine when taught, that he is justified to receive any additional wives the Lord gives him.
And that is exactly the situation Joseph was in. Emma didn’t like plural marriage although she did try to make it work on a couple of occasions. She accepted Eliza and Emily Partridge for a short season as well as Maria and Sarah Lawrence. Joseph and Emma were sealed during one of her periods of acceptance. However, it was short-lived and she then threw his other wives out.
Not practiced openly, denied publicly
Joseph taught this doctrine to his counselors in the First Presidency and to the Twelve Apostles. It was difficult for most to accept at first, but just as he did with the additional wives to whom he proposed, he invited his trusted associates to obtain a revelation and witness for themselves that the doctrine was true, ennobling and exalting. Most did and many of them followed his example.
However, the doctrine was not taught openly, and was, in fact, denied when it came up as it did quite often during the later Nauvoo period. Now that is a difficult thing for many of our critics to accept. It is bad enough that Joseph and a few other leaders participated in the practice of plural marriage clandestinely, but to then deny it and to publicly preach against it is just hypocritical.
The problem was that there were some who took license with this practice and then turned it into something that it was not meant to be. They called it “spiritual wifery,” and enticed women into adulterous relationships claiming that Joseph approved and sanctioned it. Joseph was forced to preach against it publicly because John C. Bennett was teaching and practicing it unlawfully.
Our critics are shocked
When people investigate the church and the subject of plural marriage comes up, most are familiar with Brigham Young as being the primary example of the practice among the early Latter-day Saint church. However, many are surprised when they learn that the Prophet Joseph Smith was the originator of the doctrine and the practice. Joseph had at least thirty wives.
I suppose that is shocking to learn because Joseph figures so prominently in the story of the restoration. The missionaries teach of the sacred experiences of Joseph in the First Vision, the visits of the angel Moroni, the appearances of old testament prophets in the Kirtland temple and of Joseph’s vision of the three degrees of glory, including his glorious testimony of the Savior.
Our critics have capitalized on this and delight to point it out with fervent zeal and language that makes it obvious that there is no acceptance or desire to understand that this could possibly be something that really was revealed by the Lord as a part of the restoration of all things in the last days. They do not want you to see celestial marriage as anything other than base carnal desire.
Not practiced today
I have written in a previous essay that I hold strongly to the idea of plural marriage still being an eternal doctrine. Latter-day Saints no longer practice it, and have not for over a hundred years. Of course there are those who claim to be Fundamentalist Mormons who live in polygamy, and are mostly in Utah, but they are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This topic will continue to be of interest to those who learn about the LDS Church, and will be for a long time to come. It is a curiosity because it is not the social norm in the United States or in most of the Christian world. It has been in the news a lot lately with the FLDS raids in Texas and with the show Big Love on HBO portraying polygamy as a big part of Utah life. It’s not.
The church goes to great lengths to point out that Mormons do not practice polygamy. There are numerous entries on the subject in the Newsroom and even a one page website that gives a great summary of the message that we want to get out to the world. You can find it on my sidebar. The doctrine may still be in our scriptures, but we do not practice it. Those who do are cut off.
Summary and conclusion
As I noted at the beginning, I have been hesitant to write this essay but have had it on my list to do for a long time. I want to have it available on my blog to refer readers to it as it comes up in dialog. I do not like the language our critics use to describe Joseph’s difficulties because he was the first to begin this practice in the last dispensation. Brigham Young had it much easier.
Yes, Joseph Smith had many plural wives. He entered into the law of celestial marriage by way of commandment from God. No, it was not easy for him to obey this commandment. His wife, Emma, who loved him dearly and believed in him as a prophet, nevertheless had a very difficult time accepting this revelation and did not want to share Joseph with the other women in his life.
You can read a lot more about this on various Internet sites listed below, and even the Wikipedia articles about each of his wives are presented fairly accurately. The church is not trying to hide this information and has not for many years. It is a part of our heritage and history. It is a sacred part of our religion that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith in these, the latter days.
————————————————-
For additional information:
01. Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith website
02. Origin of Latter-day Saint Polygamy – Wikipedia
03. In Sacred Loneliness by Todd Compton – Signature Books
04. Review of In Sacred Loneliness from FARMS
05. SHIELDS review of In Sacred Loneliness
06. FAIR – Joseph’s marriages to young women
07. FAIR – Joseph Smith and polyandry
08. FAIR – How Emma felt about plural marriage
09. FAIR – Charges against Joseph of lustful motives
10. FAIR – Resources – Joseph Smith and polygamy
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2009/0...
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