Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage

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Polygamy > Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage

Joseph Smith's Introduction and Practice of Plural Marriage

Summary: Joseph Smith's introduction and practice of plural marriage have been the source of speculation and criticism since he first introduced plural marriage. This page gathers all the questions that have arisen and responds to them.


The Reality of Joseph Smith Practicing Plural Marriage

The Origins of the Plural Marriage Revelation

Joseph Smith's Motives in Starting Plural Marriage

Bios of Joseph Smith's Wives

Joseph and Emma Smith's Struggle With Polygamy

Potential Children from Joseph Smith's Plural Marriages

The Legality of Plural Marriage in Ohio and Nauvoo

Plural Marriage and the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants

  • Does the 1835 statement contradict polygamy? * Was Oliver Cowdery aware that some in the Church were practicing plural marriage when he authored the statement in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants?
  • Was plural marriage general knowledge when the 1835 D&C was authored?

Joseph Smith's Approach to Contracting Additional Marriages

  • Did those that entered plural marriage only do so because Joseph Smith told them to?
  • Were plural wives forced into the marriage?
  • How many Mormon women refused offers of plural marriage?
  • Did any women suffer consequences for turning down Joseph Smith’s proposals?
  • Were women put under “tremendous pressure” to accept a proposal of plural marriage?
  • Did Joseph Smith give a woman only one day to decide about entering a plural marriage, and would refusal mean terrible consequences? * Did Joseph Smith claim that an angel threatened him with a drawn sword or flaming sword if a woman refused to marry him?
  • Were women “locked in a room” to get them to accept a proposal of plural marriage?