“Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father’s family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere; so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York.” — Joseph Smith Jr.1
While treasure hunting for Josiah Stowell, Joseph Smith Jr. boarded with Isaac Hale and met his daughter, Emma. They fell in love, but Emma's family opposed the relationship.2 So, the two eloped and married in South Bainbridge, New York, with a justice of the peace performing the ceremony.3 Joseph was 21, and Emma was 22.4
After the couple was married, Emma moved with Joseph to the home of his parents in Manchester, New York.3 Later that same year, Emma was present when her husband retrieved the golden plates, and she served as Joseph's first scribe.5
