How Joseph Smith Introduced Polygamy: The Secret Revelation and Hidden Practice

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), introduced the practice of plural marriage, also known as polygamy, to his followers through a revelation he claimed to receive from God. This practice was initially kept hidden from the broader church membership and the public, often involving Smith marrying women without the full knowledge or consent of his first wife, Emma.

The 1843 Revelation and Its Secrecy

Smith dictated the key revelation on plural marriage, now known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 132, on July 12, 1843. This text outlined the doctrine of eternal marriage and included provisions for plural marriage, presenting it as a divine commandment for certain individuals to enter into for the purpose of raising up righteous offspring and fulfilling God's covenant. However, the revelation was not immediately shared with the church at large; rather, it was recorded and circulated among a select, trusted few.

The decision to keep the practice secret stemmed from multiple factors: fear of widespread public condemnation, potential legal repercussions against bigamy, and the immense difficulty of convincing a predominantly monogamous society, and even many church members, to accept such a radical change to marital norms. Smith himself struggled with the concept and its implementation, delaying its full introduction for years after he claimed to first receive the commandment.

Early Plural Marriages and Emma Smith’s Opposition

Beginning in the early 1840s, Joseph Smith began taking plural wives, often referring to these unions as “sealings” for eternity. Historical estimates suggest he was sealed to approximately 30 to 40 women. These relationships varied in nature; some were for time and eternity, others for eternity only, and some involved women who were already married to other men. Many of these unions were conducted discreetly, away from public view and often without Emma Smith’s knowledge or explicit consent.

Emma Smith was profoundly opposed to plural marriage. Her resistance was a significant challenge for Joseph Smith, and historical accounts describe intense domestic strife and emotional turmoil within their household as a result. While she may have at times reluctantly accepted or participated in some aspects of the practice under duress, her general stance remained one of strong rejection, causing her great distress and complicating Smith's efforts to implement the practice among others.

Gradual Unveiling and Public Controversy

Despite attempts at secrecy, rumors and partial knowledge of plural marriage began to circulate within Nauvoo, Illinois, where the church was headquartered. After Smith’s death in 1844, the doctrine was more openly, though still cautiously, practiced by leaders like Brigham Young. It was not until 1852, in Salt Lake City, that Brigham Young publicly announced the doctrine of plural marriage to the world. This official announcement, years after Smith’s initial revelation, confirmed the rumors and solidified the practice as a tenet of the church.

The public revelation of plural marriage triggered immense controversy and persecution, both from the American government and from other Christian denominations. This opposition played a significant role in the church’s decision to migrate west to Utah and shaped much of its subsequent history, leading to decades of legal battles and social conflict until the practice was officially discontinued by the church in 1890.

Sources

• Church History topics on LDS.org (e.g., "Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo").
• Doctrine and Covenants Section 132.