Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, secretly married between 30 and 40 women—including several who were already married to other men and one as young as 14. While the modern Mormon Church now acknowledges these facts in its essay on “Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo,” it admits that his legal wife, Emma, was unaware of many of these relationships. Some argue these were merely spiritual “sealings,” but even the Church concedes that sexual relations were often expected.
From a Christian perspective, these actions reveal serious moral and spiritual failings. God designed marriage to be monogamous and sacred: “Marriage is honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Jesus reinforced this divine design, declaring that a husband and wife are to be united as one flesh (Matthew 19:4–5). Scripture also teaches that leaders must live with integrity and righteousness: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6) and must be above reproach in all areas of life (1 Timothy 3:2–7).
Furthermore, the Bible warns against deception and abuse of power: “Take heed that you do not do your alms before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1) and “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).
In this video, we explore the hidden nature of Joseph Smith’s marriages, the ethical and spiritual implications of his actions, and what they reveal about the man Mormons call a prophet. Christians are called to evaluate all leaders and teachings by Scripture, asking whether such a person is trustworthy with family, faith, and moral authority.
