Joseph Smith’s practice of plural marriage remains one of the most controversial and troubling aspects of early Mormon history. Official LDS Church essays now acknowledge that he married dozens of women, including some who were already married to other men, often with the claim of divine command. Early Church leaders issued public denials of “spiritual wifery” while secretly endorsing so-called celestial plural marriages—a stark contrast that raises serious questions about honesty, morality, and divine authority. Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Hebrews 13:4). Polygamy in Joseph Smith’s practice contradicts this biblical model and underscores a broader departure from God’s design for marriage. Furthermore, the secrecy surrounding these marriages reflects human deceit rather than divine guidance. For instance, Luke 8:17 says, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
In this video, we explore how these secret plural marriages were concealed behind carefully crafted statements, what this reveals about the early LDS Church’s struggles with polygamy and public perception, and why the biblical view of marriage points to truth, transparency, and God-centered fidelity.
