The Crime of Polygamy

Joseph Smith, personal letter “To the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Caldwell county” written while at Liberty Jail, Dec 16, 1839, pubished in Times and Seasons 1 [April 1840]: 82–85

“Know assuredly Dear brethren, that it is for the testimony of Jesus, that we are in bonds and in prison…. Was it for committing adultery? We are aware that false and slanderous reports have gone abroad, which have reached our ears, respecting this thing, which have been started by renagadoes, and spread by the dissenters, who are extremely active in spreading foul and libilous reports concerning us; thinking thereby to gain the fellowship of the world…. Some have reported that we not only dedicated our property, but likewise our families to the Lord, and Satan taking advantage it of this has transfigured it into lasciviousness, a community of wives, which things are 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 according to the laws of God, and when a man consecrates or dedecates his wife and children to the Lord, he does not give them to his brother or to his neighbor; which is contrary to the law of God, which says, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife.’ ‘He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already in his heart.’ Now for a man to consecrate his property, his wife and children to the Lord is nothing more nor less than to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the widows and fatherless, the sick and afflicted; and do all he can to administer to their relief in their afflictions, and for himself and his house to serve the Lord. In order to do this he and all his house must be virtuous and shun every appearance of evil. Now if any person, has represented any thing otherwise than what we now write they have willfully misrepresented us.”

“Shall the credulity, good faith, and stedfast feelings of our sisters, for the cause of God or truth, be impos’d upon by believing such men, because they say they have authority from Joseph, or the First Presidency, or any other Presidency of the Church; and thus, with a lie in their mouth, deceive and debauch the innocent, under the assumption that they are authoriz’d from these sources? May God Forbid!

A knowledge of some such things having come to our ears, we improve this favorable opportunity, wherein so goodly a number of you may be inform’d that no such authority ever has, ever can, or ever will be given to any man, and if any man has been guilty of any such thing, let him be treated with utter contempt, and let the curse of God fall on his head, and let him be turned out of Society as unworthy of a place among men, & denounced as the blackest & the most unprincipled wretch; and finally let him be damned!

We have been informed that some unprincipled men, whose names we will not mention at present, have been guilty of such crimes … suffice it to say, there are those, and we therefore warn you, & forewarn you, in the name of the Lord, to check & destroy any faith that any innocent person may have in any such character; for we do not want any one to believe any thing as coming from us, contrary to the old established morals & virtues & scriptural laws, regulating the habits, customs & conduct of society; and all persons pretending to be authoriz’d by us, or having any permit, or sanction from us, are & will be liars & base impostors, & you are authoriz’d on the very first intimation of the kind, to denounce them as such, & shun them as the flying fiery serpent, whether they are prophets, Seers, or revelators; Patriarchs, twelve Apostles, Elders, Priests, Mayers, Generals, City Councillors, Aldermen, Marshalls, Police, Lord Mayors or the Devil, are alike culpable & shall be damned for such evil practices; and if you yourselves adhere to anything of the kind, you also shall be damned.”

Source: Joseph Smith Papers

The Joseph Smith Papers, as recorded by Wilford Woodruff:

"If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle we are going from him, and drawing towards the devil. Yes I am standing in the midst of all kinds of people— Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.— We have thieves among us, adulterers, liars, hypocrites. If God should speak from heaven he would command you not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to covet, nor deceive, but be faithful over a few things. As far as we degenerate from God, we descend to the devil, and lose knowledge; and without knowledge we cannot be saved, and while our hearts are filled with evil, and we are studying evil, their is no room in our hearts for good or studying good,— is not God good, then you be good, if he is faithful, then you be faithful. Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and seek for every good thing. The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all iniquity."

-Joseph Smith

josephmithpapers.org

One very important writing that I think very few people are aware of is this piece written by Joseph in the Times & Seasons. I’d suggest a closer study of it to come to know who Joseph really was. He was not a liar, he was not a hypocrite. Due to all of the speculation happening at this time, the easiest way for him to quell or stop the influx of false doctrine and rumors was to teach correct doctrine and invite the members to base their gospel foundation upon the Word, the very scriptures themselves.
———
NOTE: In Joseph’s quote below he references the D&C as scripture. Joseph was referring to the early edition of the Doctrine & Covenants, which included the original section 101 that called polygamy a “crime.” Hence where the title of this entire essay stemmed from.
———

Here’s the full section titled: TO THE ELDERS ABROAD

“We very frequently receive letters from elders and individuals abroad, inquiring of us whether certain statements that they hear, and have written to them, are true: some pertaining to John C. Bennet’s spiritual wife system; others in regard to immoral conduct, practiced by individuals, and sanctioned by the Church; and as it is impossible for us to answer all of them, we take this opportunity of answering them all, once for all.

In the first place, we cannot but express our surprise that any elder or priest who has been in Nauvoo, and has had an opportunity of hearing the principles of truth advanced, should for one moment give credence to the idea that any thing like iniquity is practised, much less taught or sanctioned, by the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We are the more surprised, since every species of iniquity is spoken against, and exposed publicly at the stand, and every means made use of that possibly can be, to suppress vice, both religious and civil; not only so, but every species of iniquity has frequently been exposed in the Times and Seasons, and its practisers and advocates held up to the world as corrupt men that ought to be avoided.

We are however living in the “last days;” a time when the scriptures say “men shall wax worse, and worse; deceiving, and being deceived;” in a time when it is declared, “if it is possible the very elect should be deceived.” We have in our midst corrupt men, (and let no man be astonished at this for “the net shall gather in of every kind, good and bad;”) these corrupt men spread corrupt principles, for a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit; these spread their pernicious influence abroad, “they hatch cockatrices eggs, and weave the spider’s web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper;” their words eat as doth a canker; “the poison of asps is under their tongue, and the way of peace they have not knowl” Such men frequently go abroad and prey upon the creduly of the people, and probably have clandestinely obtained an ordination, and go forth as elders, the more effectually to impose upon the public. Some have got horses, and others money, under specious pretences, from the unwary and unsuspecting, among the newly formed branches who have not had the sagacity to detect them.

There are other men who are corrupt and sensual, and who teach corrupt principles for the sake of gratifying their sensual appetites, at the expense and ruin of virtue and innocence. Such men ought to be avoided as pests to society, and be frowned down upon with contempt by every virtuous man and woman.

All of the above, of whatever name or nature, are “reprobate concerning the faith;” if they write, they write corruptly; if they speak they speak corruptly. They are as such as the apostle speaks of, they speak “great swelling words, having men’s person in admiration.”—They are high and lifted up, and would trample upon the humble, and the meek, and the unassuming, and are not afraid to teach for the commandment of God, their own corrupt, and devilish doctrines, and principles; let no man therefore, be deceived by them, let no man harbor them, nor bid them God speed; don’t be partakers of their evil deeds.

If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter. You need not write to us to know what you are to do with such men; you have the authority with you.—Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches, and if they are belonging to any of the quorums in the Church, report them to the president of the quorum to which they belong, and if you cannot find that out, if they are members of an official standing, belonging to Nauvoo, report them to us.

Follow after purity, virtue, holiness, integrity, Godliness, and every thing that has a tendency to exalt and ennoble the human mind; and shun every man who teaches any other principles.” (Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 5: 490–491, 1 April 1844)

Times & Seasons, Feb. 1, 1844: A few months before their deaths, Joseph and Hyrum printed the following notice in the paper, proving they were still working to root out the practice of polygamy:

"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 Hyram 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 6th of April next, to make an answer to these charges. Joseph Smith. Hyrum Smith." Times & Seasons, Vol 5, No. 3

“To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday [sic] 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 Smith" Times and Seasons 5 (March 15, 1844), 474

This is a general conference address given by Hyrum Smith. The entirety of the address has been crossed out in the Joseph Smith Papers.

“It is a matter of consequenee that the Elders of Israel should know when they go to preach to be like Paul— to give a reason for the hope of their calling; and if— man men cannot vindicate his their cause he they would be like the ostrich— hide <​their​> head. One reason I speak to the Elders is, in consequence of the Ten thousand reports which come to me from abroad— almost every foolish man runs to me, to enquire if such and such things are true, and how many spiritual wives a man may have. I know nothing about it; what he might call a spiritual wife, I should not know anything about. In about half an hour after he has gone, another person begins to say: “the Elders tell such and such things all over the country.” I am authorized to tell you from henceforth, that any man who comes in and tells any such damn fool doctrine, to tell him to give up his license. None but a fool teaches such stuff; the devil himself is not such a fool, and every Elder who teaches such stuff ought to have his nose wrung; any one found guilty of such teaching will be published and his license will be taken from him. When Elders are sent to preach the Gospel, they are not to preach anything but the Gospel, if they wish to shew themselves approved and not fools, like the old man who went to preach such wonderful things, old dad<​dy​> Matthews the Tinman. I wish the Elders of Israel to understand it is lawful for a man to marry a wife, but it is unlawful to have more, and God has not commanded any of you to have more; and if any of you dare to presume to do any such things, it will spoil your fun, for you will never have the spirit to preach the Gospel. I despise a man who teaches a pack of stuff that will disgrace himself so; for a man to go into the world, and talk of this spiritual wife system he is as empty as an open sepulchre. If the coat suits any one, let him put it on. I would call the Devil my brother before such a man. The idea of marrying for eternity is the seal of the Covenant, and is easily understood; and as to speaking of it I could make all the world believe it, for it is noble and grand; it is necessary in consequence of the broken Covenants in the world. I never saw any scripture but what was written by Prophets to instruct and prepare mankind for eternity. I read that what God joins together let no man put asunder. I see magistrates and Priests in the world, but not one who is empowered to join together by the authority of God. nor yet have I seen any priest that dare say that he has the authority of God; there is not a sectarian Priest in Christendom that dare say he has the authority by direct revelation from God. When I look at the seal of the new Covenant and reflect that all the covenants made by the authority of man are only made to be in force during the natural life, and end there I rejoice that what is done by the Lord has an endless duration. No marriage is valid in the morn of the resurrection unless the marriage Covenant be sealed on earth by one having the keys and power from the Almighty God to seal on earth, and it shall be bound in heaven. Such a sealing will have full effect in the morn of the resurrection. Almost every principle that is communicated to us is made to have an evil effect through the foolishness of some who seek to build up themselves, and destroy the truth of which they are ignorant. O ye foolish Elders ye are only sent into the world to preach the first principles of the Gospel, faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. All the mysteries are to be taught in Nauvoo where they can be taught so as to be understood. No spiritual wife doctrine ever originated with me. God Almighty has given to us by Revelation a plan of salvation, redemption, and deliverance, and the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood.”

History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

Link to the discourse in the Joseph Smith Papers project.

"Another indictment has been got up against me. It appears a holy prophet has arisen up, and he has testified against me…. God knows, then, that the charges against me are false….I had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made one proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives….This new holy prophet has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dared not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this…William Law….swears that I have committed adultery. I wish the grand jury would tell me who they are….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….Wilson Law [William’s brother] also swears that I told him I was guilty of adultery….I have rattled chains before in a dungeon for truth’s sake. I am 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….I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers." –Joseph Smith, May 26, 1844

“And further it can be proved that B. Young and P. P. Pratt were the first to preach and to practice the "spiritual wife" doctrine, in the city of Boston and other places, my dissent from any such doctrine of course gave annoyance. That the church funds have been misapplied, I have no hesitation in asserting, for of necessity I have been made acquainted with the fact that several houses have been filled up with women who have been secretly married to Brigham Young, H. C. Kimble [Kimball], and Willard Richards—women with little children in their arms, who had no means of support except from the tithing funds [which these apostles controlled]. I heard my brother Joseph declare before his death, that Brigham Young was a man, whose passions, if unrestrained, were calculated to make him the most licentious man in the world and to complete this man’s [Brigham’s] reign of power, there was adopted, as I have before alluded to, the system of spiritual wifery, which was entered into secretly.... Men’s wives and daughters were secretly married at night-time to this Young, H. C. Kimball, William [Willard] Richards, and others, and, in the dark night, were attending the secret lodges, until most of the "Seventies" were thus sealed and bound under a cloak of adopting children into their kingdoms.... [I]t was the common practice for these wicked plotters to boldly and blasphemously proclaim before people, in the presence, too of hundreds that had been "sealed up" to them, that such a doctrine [as polygamy] was false, and he that practiced it was a scoundrel, and the woman that admitted it, no other than a harlot.

I declare to you, my brethren, that I heard John Taylor proclaim this on one occasion, so vociferously as almost to turn him black in the face, while in a day or two afterwards he was seen sneaking through a garden, to get into a house by the back way to visit his ‘spiritual wives’. (William Smith, A Proclamation, Warsaw Signal, Warsaw, Illinois [October 29, 1845], page 1)

"At one time my husband [Joseph] came to me and asked me if I had heard certain rumors about spiritual marriages, or anything of the kind; and assured me that if I had, that they were without foundation; that there was no such doctrine, and never should be with his knowledge or consent. I know that he had no other wife or wives than myself, in any sense, either spiritual or otherwise."

I find it fascinating that Hyrum, Joseph, and Emma all produced documents available to the public that denounced polygamy and the sins that were creeping into the culture of the saints. All of these talks were given within months of the murder of Joseph, Hyrum, and Samuel.

“That while we render credence to the doctrines of Paul, that neither the man is without the woman; neither is the woman without the man in the Lord, yet we raise our voices and hands against John C. Bennett’s “spiritual wife system,” as a grand scheme of profligates to seduce women; and they that harp upon it, wish to make it popular for the convenience of their own cupidity; 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 into the gulf of fallen nature, ‘where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched! and let all the saints say, Amen!”

I’d highly suggest you check out the full document below. Emma doesn’t mince words about the sins, lies, and wickedness that were being perpetuated among some of the brethren.

Read the full document here.

Read the original document here

Mark Twain exonerated Joseph, and blamed Brigham for polygamy.

In 1872, famed humorist and writer Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) chronicled his adventures while touring the Western United States (including visiting Brigham Young in Salt Lake City). Although full of fictional hyperbole, lampoonery of the Saints, and jocular jabs at the Book of Mormon, he also included some very candid observations which were presented without humor and as matter of fact. Of the Utah LDS, Twain recorded:

"Polygamy is a recent feature in the Mormon religion, and was added by Brigham Young after Joseph Smith’s death. Before that, it was regarded as an ‘abomination.’" (Mark Twain, Roughing It, p. 76. )

Twain then wryly observed that even though in the second chapter of Jacob, in the Book of Mormon the Lord condemns polygamy and “will not suffer” that His people practice it, that “Brigham ‘suffers’ it” (ibid). At the end of the book, Twain solemnly recorded:

"Joseph Smith, the finder of the Book of Mormon and founder of the religion, was driven from state to state…. The neighbors rose up and drove the Mormons out of Ohio, and they settled in Missouri…. The Missourians drove them out, and they retreated to Nauvoo, Illinois…. But the Mormons were badgered and harried again by their neighbors. All the proclamations Joseph Smith could issue denouncing polygamy and repudiating it as utterly anti-Mormon were of no avail; the people of the neighborhood…claimed that polygamy was practiced by the Mormons…. Finally Nauvoo was invaded by the Missouri and Illinois Gentiles, and Joseph Smith killed…. Brigham seized the advantage of the hour and without other authority…hurled Rigdon [from leadership of the Church] and occupied it himself…. [The people] straightway elected Brigham Young president….

One of the last things which Brigham Young had done before leaving Iowa was to appear in the pulpit dressed to personate the…lamented prophet Smith, and confer the prophetic succession, with all its dignities, emoluments and authorities upon ‘President Brigham Young!’ The people accepted the pious fraud with the maddest enthusiasm, and Brigham’s power was sealed and secured for all time. Within five years afterward he openly added polygamy to the tenets of the church by authority of a ‘revelation’ which he pretended had been received nine years before by Joseph Smith, albeit Joseph is amply on record as denouncing polygamy to the day of his death….

Up to the date of our visit to Utah…Brigham Young was the only real power in the land. He was an absolute monarch—a monarch who defied our President…who received without emotion the news that the august Congress of the United States had enacted a solemn law against polygamy, and then went forth calmly and married twenty-five or thirty more wives." (Mark Twain, Roughing It, Appendix A: 392-395.)

Twenty Three "Denials"

1 - 1835
“General Assembly,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (August 1835) 2: 162. 1835 Doctrine and Covenants Section CI (101). 1844 Doctrine and Covenants Section 109.

“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.”

2 - 1837 May
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate (Kirtland, Ohio), May 1837, page 511.

“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...”

3 - 1837 Nov
[Editorial,] Elder’s Journal, 1 (November 1837), 28.

“7th. Do the Mormons believe in having more wives than one?” [Answer in next issue.]

4 - 1837 Nov 29
Kirtland Elder’s Quorum Record, 1836-1841, edited by Lyndon W. Cook and Milton V. Backman, Jr. (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1985), 35.

“the charge that was preferred 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 Tollan 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[w]loged 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 [sic] the room to obtain a bill from her Elder Freeman Manifest a Car[e]less indifferent spirit.”

5 - 1838 July
[Editorial,] Elder’s Journal, 1 (July 1838), 43.

"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 [sic] 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."

6 - 1838 Dec 16
Joseph Smith, Liberty, Missouri to Saints in Caldwell County, Missouri, December 16, 1838, published in Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002), 419-20.

“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...”

7 - 1841 Oct 15
An “Intelligent” Non-Mormon, “The Mormons,” reprinted in the Times and Seasons, 2 (October 15, 1841), 580.

“He believes—just as we do—that they have been grossly misunderstood and shamefully libeled…. it 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.”.

8 - 1841 Dec 15
“Caution!” in the Times and Seasons, 3 (December 15, 1841), 636.

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: “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.”

9 - 1842 Apr 10
The Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2, Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992), 376 and History of the Church, volume 4, page 487.

“Preached in the grove after Elder Wm Law, had spoken, a[nd] pronounced a curse upon all Adulterers & fornicators & unvirtuous persons, & those who had made use of his name to carry on their iniquitous designs.”

10 - 1842 Jul-Aug
Affidavits and Certificates, Disproving the Statements and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett’s Letters. Nauvoo, Illinois, August 31, 1842; "Extra." (Photocopy / Transcript)

11 - 1842 Sep 1
“Inasmuch as the public mind has been…,” Times and Seasons, 3 (September 1, 1842), 909; see also 939.

“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.’”

12 - 1842 Sep 24
“Extract of a Letter from Robert D. Foster,” The Wasp, 1 (September 24, 1842).

The Wasp published an extract of the letter from Robert D. Foster defending Joseph Smith and the Church against John C. Bennett’s charges.

13 - 1842 Oct 1
“On Marriage,” Times and Seasons, October 1, 1842, 939–940. [After reprinting the 1835 D&C section CI are the following.]

“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 church of 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.”

14 - 1842 Oct 15
“For The Wasp,” The Wasp, 1 (October 15, 1842).

“…I challenge Bennett or any other man or woman to show a more examplary [sic] man beneath the sun, or cite to any time or place when he [Joseph] has violated the laws of his country, or when he has taught, either publicly or privately, by precept or example, any thing repugnant to the laws of the Holy Bible, or worthy of bonds or death. It can't be done; it is too well known that he stamps with indignation and contempt every species of vice—if it had not been so Bennett would have been with us yet.... Alas, none but the seduced join the seducer; those only who have been arraigned before a just tribunal for the same unhallowed conduct can be found to give countenance to any of his black hearted lies, and they, too, detest him for his seduction, these are the ladies to whom he refers his hearers to substantiate his assertions. Mrs. White, Mrs. Pratt, Niemans, Miller, Brotherton, and others. Those that belong to the church have had to bear the shame of close investigation as to their adulteries, and have been dealt with according to church order, in such case made and provided, in the Book of Covenant…”

15 - 1843 Mar 15
“H.R.” letter reprinted from the Boston Bee in the Times and Seasons, 4 (March 15, 1843), 143.

“...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 of private property, and we do what others do not, practice what we preach...”

16 - 1843 Oct 5
Joseph Smith's journal. Andrew H. Hedges, Alex D. Smith and Brent M Rogers, eds., The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Volume 3: May 1843–June 1844, Salt Lake City, Church Historian’s Press, 107.

[October 5, 1843] “walked up and down st. with scribe.—and gave inst[r]uction to try those who were preaching teaching or preaching the doctin of plurality of wives. On this Law. Joseph forbids it. And the practice ther[e]of—No man shall have but one wife”

17 - 1844 Feb 1
“NOTICE,” Times and Seasons, 5:423.

"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 6th of April next, to make answer to these charges.

Joseph Smith / Hyrum Smith
Presidents of said Church."

18 - 1844 Mar 15
“To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ. . .” Times and Seasons 5 (March 15, 1844), 474.

“To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday [sic] 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 Smith"

19 - 1844 Mar 20
“Virtue Will Triumph,” Nauvoo Neighbor 1 (March 20, 1844) [187].

“...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.
M. Ells, Sec. pro tem.”

20 - 1844 Apr 8

Hyrum Smith, April 8, 1844, discourse not published. Transcript on Richard E. Turley, Jr. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Provo, Utah: BYU Press, vol. 1, DVD # 1, volume 6, pages 1984-91. Found on page 11 of the addendum, which begins after page 2028.

"One reason I speak to the Elders is in consequence of the ten thousand reports which come to me from abroad – almost every foolish man runs to me, to enquire if such and such things are true, and how many spiritual wives a man may have. I know nothing about it; what he might call a spiritual wife, I should not know anything about. . .

"I wish the Elders of Israel to understand it is lawful for a man to marry a wife, but it is unlawful to have more, and God has not commanded any of you to have more. . . for a man to go into the world and talk of this spiritual wife system he is as empty as an open sepulcher. . .

"No spiritual wife doctrine ever originated with me. . .

"No man would have more than one wife or they will join together and beat him. If I was a woman, and got so fooled, I would hide my head. I give the sisters leave to wring his nose who teach such stuff. . .

"We don’t want bogus makers, counterfeiters, or preachers of the spiritual wife system."

21 - 1844 May 26
Joseph Smith quoted in Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, eds. The Words of Joseph Smith: Contemporary Accounts of the Nauvoo Discourse of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Provo, Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center, 1980, 26, May 1844 (Sunday Morning), p.377.

“...Another indictment has been got up against me. It appears a holy prophet [William Law] has arisen up, and he has testified against me: the reason is, he is so holy...I 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 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.

22 - 1844 Jun 10
CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR SESSION, June 8th, 1844. John S. Dinger ed. The Nauvoo City and High Council Minutes. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2011, 241; see also “EXTRA,” Nauvoo Neighbor, June 17, 1844.

“Councillor, H. Smith, ... referred to the revelation, read to the High Council of the Church, which has caused so much talk about a multiplicity of wives; that said revelation was in answer to a question concerning things which transpired in former days, and had no reference to the present time.”

23- 1844 Jun 10
CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR SESSION, June 8th, 1844. John S. Dinger ed. The Nauvoo City and High Council Minutes. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2011, 241; see also “EXTRA,” Nauvoo Neighbor, June 17, 1844.

"Mayor said. . . They make it a criminality for a man to have a wife on the earth while he has one in heaven, according to the keys of the Holy Priesthood. . .

"Mayor said he had never preached the revelation in private, as he had in public—had not taught it to the highest 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. . ."

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"Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire....Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers.... Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practised it. 'And is that religion popular in heaven?' it is the only popular religion there,..."

- Prophet Brigham Young, The Deseret News, August 6, 1862

"... the one-wife system not only degenerates the human family, both physically and intellectually, but it is entirely incompatible with philosophical notions of immortality; it is a lure to temptation, and has always proved a curse to a people."

- Prophet John Taylor, Millennial Star, Vol. 15, p. 227

“The LDS Church’s position on polygamy and Joseph Smith, is based upon the rumors and innuendos spread by John C. Bennett, enemies of Joseph’s, and the men and women who believed in and practiced polygamy, effectually makes Joseph smith the worst kind of hypocrite. Elbert Smith’s assessment is accurate, either Joseph was a monogamist or he was a liar and a fraud. Joseph was never one to back down or hesitate to proclaim all of the doctrines of the gospel, regardless of the persecution and opposition he encountered. He was a religious revolutionary who shared “deep and often poignant” thoughts and feelings on a number of difficult-to-understand topics without apology. Yet, on the subject of plural marriage the only time he spoke about it was to condemn it. The public and private words of Joseph leave little room for doubt. He emphatically denied and condemned polygamy and left a record of public and private actions opposed to the plural wife system. We can continue to believe long-standing, but false traditions, or we can choose to believe Joseph Smith.” (Joseph Smith Revealed: A Faithful Telling: Exploring an Alternate Polygamy Narrative)

I’d like to share an interesting experience I had while writing this essay. At 5:30 in the morning, I was adding the text from the original D&C 101. The majority of the essay had already been written and I was clarifying a few things. It was at this exact moment that I received a text from a friend that I don’t hear from but every few months, and never a text that early. Literally, at that moment he writes: “I’m trying to understand polygamy and I don’t get it. D&C 101 says that a man should have one wife… but was removed?”

I about fell out of my chair. What are the odds of that happening? The exact moment I’m adding commentary about section 101, I get a text about the very same topic.

Nothing is a coincidence. We went on to have a great discussion about early church history and the false narrative we’ve been taught.