Many people know that there was polygamy in early church, and they have many different justifications for why this was. Yes there was polygamy in the bible, specifically the Old Testament, but Jesus didn't want it around anymore. God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman with no exceptions, and Jesus knew that. But it’s just not the bible that is clearly against polygamy, so is the Book of Mormon talks about how horrible polygamy is in the book of Jacob. But D&C 123:38-39 a new and everlasting covenant talks about wives and concubines given by God. This new and everlasting covenant came to an end in 1890. First why would God change his mind in the first place? God isn't a God that flip flops. Second why would a "new and everlasting covenant" come to an end? What God has said he'll do, he doesn't go back on his word. What kind of God would do that? So should all the LDS people still practice polygamy, or was there a false prophecy/revelation?
There are some facts that I want to bring up about Joseph Smith and polygamy. For reference please read In Sacred Loneliness (written by a well-documented church historian) and/or the video linked below.
1- Joseph Smith entered into 34 marriages (only includes marriages documented after death).
2- 11 of these women were teenagers when they were married (ages 14-19). Yes it was not uncommon for girls to marry young back then. But it was unheard of to be married to 11 young girls. Like it or not, this is the same thing Warren Jeffs does.
3- 11 of these marriages were polyandrous (meaning the women were still married to living men) LDS historians acknowledge that Utah Mormons (including Josephs wives) repeatedly affirmed that Joseph had physical sexual relations with all of his wives. LDS historians can't deny it. Isn't this adultery? So if church historians won't/can't deny Joseph's polyandrous relationships, how do they explain Exodus 20: 14 "You shall not commit adultery." or, Exodus 20:17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
4- Joseph Smith married 2 sets of young sisters, and he married 2 sets of mothers and daughters. One of the arguments out there is that he married these women because there was no one else to take care of them. Well what does the bible have to say? Leviticus 18:17 “Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness." This is wickedness! Plain and simple, the word of God marks this as pure wickedness.
Joseph Smith must have known this, because in May of 1844 Joseph Smith said "What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one." History of the Church vol. 6 pp. 410-411. He had 34 documented wives at the time he said this.
Here are the stories of some of his wives.
Helen Mar Kimball (has many writings) was 14 years old when Joseph Smith (who was 37 when he proposed to her) told her that if she agreed to marry him she & all of her family would be guaranteed salvation. She really didn't want to marry Joseph, but her father Heber C. Kimball and Joseph Smith arranged the marriage. Joseph died 1 year after they were married. She then married Horace Whitney; who later took more wives. Later in life she said that she thought her marriage to Joseph was purely ceremonial, and wished she had never been sealed to him.
Marinda Johnson was originally married to Orson Hyde. Joseph and Marinda were married while Orson was on his mission in Jerusalem without his knowledge. She was 26 and Joseph was 36. She was also married to Brigham Young.
The Partridge Sisters (Emily 19 Eliza 22): Joseph married Emily and another 19 year old Flora Woolworth in one day, 4 days later he married Eliza. He was 37 at the time. After their father’s death their mother married the father of the Huntington sisters. Also after their father’s death, the Partridge sisters lived in the Smith home helping Emma with the children and housework. Joseph married the Partridge sisters without the knowledge of Emma. Two months later when Emma finally consented to plural marriage, she told Joseph she wanted to pick the wives. She picked Emily and Eliza and a second ceremony was held, she was never aware they were already married. After that Emma and the Partridge sisters did not get along, and Emma demanded the marriages ended.
Zeena Huntington married Henry Jacobs in 1841. Joseph knew Zeena as a young girl. Joseph approached Zeena saying that the Lord had made it known that Zeena was supposed to be his (Josephs) celestial wife, but they (Zeena and Henry) could still live together as husband and wife. In Oct. Joseph told Zeena that he would lose his life, and his position as prophet if they were not married, so they married. After Joseph’s death Zeena Married Brigham Young.
Lucy Walker was sealed to Joseph Smith 1 day after her 17 birthday, he was 37 at the time. After her mother’s death, Joseph sent her father on a mission, and she (15 years old at the time) and her brother moved in with the Smiths. He proposed to her and gave her 24 hours, or the gate would be closed to her forever. On May 1 1843 when Emma was away, they were married. Lucy continued to live in the Smith home without Emma's knowledge of the marriage. After Joseph’s death she married Heber C. Kimball.
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