15. Joseph Told a 12 Year Old he was to Marry Her
September 21, 202411. Emma Never Consented for the Majority of Joseph’s marriages
September 23, 2024
Apostle Orson Hyde was sent on a mission to dedicate Israel. While he was gone Joseph secretly married his wife, Marinda Hyde.
Table of contents
- Apostle Orson Hyde was sent on a mission to dedicate Israel. While he was gone Joseph secretly married his wife, Marinda Hyde.
- A1) While Orson Hyde is away on a mission, Joseph Smith marries Orson Hyde’s wife. Several accounts claim this was done secretly. It is unclear when or if Hyde learned about Marinda’s sealing to Smith.
- Questions these Facts Raise
A1) While Orson Hyde is away on a mission, Joseph Smith marries Orson Hyde’s wife. Several accounts claim this was done secretly. It is unclear when or if Hyde learned about Marinda’s sealing to Smith.
Supporting Sources and Quotes
Sidney Rigdon: “So that if R. [Richards] Should take a notion to H.’S [Hyde’s] wife in his absence, all that is necessary to be done is to be sealed. No harm done, no adultery committed; only taking a little the advantage of rights of priesthood. And after R. Has gone the round of dissipation with H.’S wife, she is afterwards turned over to S. [Smith] And thus the poor silly woman becomes the actual dupe to two designing men, under the sanctimonious garb of rights of the royal priesthood. H. By and by finds out the trick which was played upon him in his basense, by his two faithless friends. His dignity become affended, (and well it might) refuses to life with his wife, but to be even with his companions in iniquity, takes to himself three more wives. Kind reader, be not startled at the above recital of facts.”
- J. GI SON DIVINE [Sidney Rigdon], "To the Sisters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," Latter Day Saint's Messenger and Advocate (Pittsburgh) 1/10 (15 March 1845): 154–158. Online here:https://archive.org/stream/100435#page/n155/mode/2up
“Marinda personally testified concerning a second sealing through a signed affidavit “that on the [blank] day of May A.D. 1843, at the City of Nauvoo, County of Hancock, State of Illinois, She was married or Sealed to Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of Said Church, according to the laws of the same, regulating Marriage; in the presence of Eliza Maria Partridge Lyman, and Emily Dow Partridge Young.””
- Brian Hales website: https://josephsmithspolygamy.org/plural-wives-overview/marinda-nancy-johnson/
Questions these Facts Raise
So I have to assume God wanted Joseph to marry a faithful apostles wife, likely without even talking to the apostle beforehand? If so, this changes what I think of God. If not, this behavior is despicable by Joseph.
Regardless of whether this was sanction by God or Joseph, can I continue to respect Joseph’s integrity after knowing this? If not, how can I ever “Praise to the Man”?
