Joseph Smith and His Wives: A Historical and Theological Perspective on Marriage

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, remains one of the most controversial religious figures in American history. One of the key areas of scrutiny is his practice of plural marriage and the ages of his wives. Critics often seek to compare his marriages with modern ethical standards, but historical context is essential in evaluating these relationships.

Marriage and Adulthood in Historical Context

Throughout much of history, the age of marriage varied based on cultural, legal, and societal norms. In early America and much of the Western world, girls were considered eligible for marriage at ages younger than today’s legal standard of 18. In the 19th century, legal adulthood often began at age 14, especially for females, as life expectancy was shorter and family responsibilities began earlier.

Joseph Smith’s marriages reflected the norms of his time. Of his plural wives, some were young by today’s standards but were considered adults during his era. The youngest of his wives, Helen Mar Kimball, was 14 when she was sealed to him in a union that was primarily theological in nature, as she remained with her parents until maturity. The majority of Smith’s wives were in their 20s and 30s, consistent with contemporary practices.

The Theological Basis of Marriage

From a Christian conservative perspective, marriage is a covenant ordained by God. Biblical figures, including patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, and David, also practiced polygamy under divine sanction. The age of marriage in biblical times was not subject to modern legal constraints but was instead based on cultural customs and family decisions.

The LDS doctrine during Smith’s time viewed marriage as an eternal principle meant to establish strong family units. Plural marriage was seen as a restoration of ancient biblical practices, intended to fulfill divine commands rather than personal desire.

Comparison with Islamic Marriage Practices

While Islam and early Mormonism both practiced plural marriage, key differences exist in their approaches. The Islamic tradition, as recorded in historical texts and the Hadith, allows marriage to girls as young as nine, exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha when she was six, with the marriage consummated at nine (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5134). This practice was justified within Islamic law but remains controversial today.

In contrast, Joseph Smith’s marriages occurred within a framework where his wives were considered socially and legally of marital age for their time. Unlike Islamic teachings, which allow marriage at prepubescent ages in certain interpretations, early LDS doctrine emphasized that marriages, even plural ones, were covenant-based and involved adult responsibilities as understood in 19th-century America.

Legality and Morality of Marriage

Marriage laws have changed over time, but the principle remains that an adult in their respective era is considered capable of making marital commitments. What was lawful and acceptable in Joseph Smith’s time should be viewed through the lens of historical precedent rather than modern reinterpretation. While society today has set 18 as the legal standard for adulthood, past generations often had different standards that were equally legitimate within their legal and religious frameworks.

Conclusion

Joseph Smith’s plural marriages were a reflection of 19th-century norms, and when examined in historical context, they do not equate to the controversial aspects of Islamic marriage practices that involve prepubescent unions. Theologically, marriage is a sacred covenant, and as long as individuals involved are considered adults in their time, the union remains legitimate in the eyes of God.

Understanding history requires avoiding presentism—the fallacy of imposing modern values on the past. From a conservative Christian perspective, what matters most is whether marriages align with divine will and established law. Joseph Smith’s marriages, though debated, should be understood within their proper historical and religious framework rather than through the lens of contemporary moral judgments.

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Citations

1. Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

2. Compton, Todd. In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1997.

3. Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5134.

4. Newell, Linda King, and Valeen Tippetts Avery. Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994.

5. The Holy Bible, Matthew 19:6 (KJV).