“In revealing this to you, I have placed my life in your hands, therefore do not in an evil hour betray me to my enemies.” — Joseph Smith¹

In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith began teaching the practice of plural marriage to a select group of Saints, starting with Louisa Beaman and Joseph Noble in fall 1840.^2,3 The practice was considered a commandment from God, though it was initially introduced privately due to its controversial nature. Several apostles, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, struggled to accept the principle at first. Brigham stated that he "desired the grave" in response to learning about the practice of plural marriage.⁴ Eventually, both apostles received spiritual confirmation that the practice was commanded by God. Women were also encouraged to seek their own spiritual confirmations before entering into plural marriages.^5,6

1. Joseph Bates Noble, Affidavit, in Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, CHL

2. Joseph Bates Noble, Affidavit, in Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, CHL

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 36, 432-435

4. Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo, Gospel Topics Essays

5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 37, 443-446

6. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 40, 483-484, 490