Joseph Smith’s Polygamy Explained (He had 30+ Wives)

I always believed that Joseph Smith and Emma were the ultimate love story. They were the perfect couple, a power duo who faced every challenge together. It’s hard to miss the images of him handing her flowers, gazing lovingly into her eyes. But here’s the thing you’ll never see in those paintings: Joseph surrounded by his other 30+ wives. Turns out, the reality of Joseph Smith’s relationships is far darker and way more complex than the romanticized tales many of us grew up with.

Joseph wasn’t just married to Emma. In fact, over 30 women were secretly bound to him, many of them in ways that feel less like spiritual unions and more like exploitation. Young girls, married women, secret marriages—all hidden from the public and, often, from Emma herself. Learning about the truth behind Joseph’s polygamy flipped everything I thought I knew upside down.

1. Polygamy Origins: Not Exactly About “Taking Care of Widows”

If you grew up in Mormonism, you may have heard that polygamy was necessary to protect widows after the Mexican-American War. I used to say this myself as a missionary. But when I did some real digging, I found out the story doesn’t hold up. Only a handful of men died in the Mormon Battalion, not nearly enough to explain Joseph’s dozens of wives. Plus, historians agree polygamy in the LDS Church began years before that war even started.

The actual history shows something darker and far more intentional. Joseph began taking additional wives as early as 1835, including several teenage girls and women already married to other men. And, despite the stories we were told about multiplying and replenishing the Earth, many of these wives were already in stable marriages.

2. Secret Marriages and a Disturbing Pattern of Grooming

If you want an example of how messy Joseph’s relationships were, look no further than Fanny Alger, a teenage girl who lived in Joseph and Emma’s home. It’s widely believed that Joseph and Fanny had a relationship behind Emma’s back. Emma eventually discovered them and kicked Fanny out. This wasn’t a one-time mistake; it was part of a pattern. Joseph’s list of wives includes seven girls under 18 and several women already married.

One of the most shocking examples is Orson Hyde, a faithful follower who Joseph sent on a mission overseas. While Orson was away, Joseph secretly married Orson’s wife, Marinda. This wasn’t about spiritual unity or eternal families—it was Joseph taking what he wanted, consequences be damned.

3. The So-Called “Heavenly Dynasty” Justification

Over the years, LDS apologists have tried to paint Joseph’s marriages as purely “spiritual” or as part of a “heavenly dynasty.” They argue he married these women to link them together in the afterlife. But if that’s the case, why did he choose young girls and married women? Why were so many of these unions hidden from Emma? The more I learned, the more this justification felt like a way to excuse behavior that was about control, not faith.

To make things even more complex, Emma was often kept in the dark, with Joseph marrying many of her close friends. He even “allowed” Emma to choose a couple of wives to appease her—but these women were ones he’d already secretly married. I believe this shows just how manipulative and calculated Joseph’s polygamy truly was.

4. A Pattern That Would Become Mormonism’s Darkest Legacy

These patterns didn’t end with Joseph. Mormonism’s connection to polygamy and secrecy has created what feels like its own true-crime genre, with tales of secret wives, abuse, and power plays. Even now, modern polygamist sects trace their practices back to Joseph’s teachings. Organizations like Holding Out HELP work tirelessly to rescue people from these communities, providing essential resources to help them escape a legacy that is, frankly, hard to shake.

5. Why Examining This History Matters Today

The story of Joseph Smith’s polygamy is not the faith-promoting tale many of us were told. It’s a story of secrets, exploitation, and manipulation disguised as divine will. For those of us who grew up revering Joseph Smith, uncovering these truths isn’t easy—but understanding this darker side is crucial. It sheds light on the doctrines that still echo in Mormonism today and, maybe, helps us understand why questioning is not only allowed but necessary.