Joseph Smith's 1843 polygamy revelation

Background. Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, dictated a revelation on July 12, 1843, in Nauvoo, Illinois, concerning plural marriage. This document is widely accepted by historians as originating from Smith. The revelation authorized certain men to have more than one wife, a practice that had been introduced earlier through code words like 'celestial marriage' following scandals involving John C. Bennett.

Reception and Dispute. Hyrum Smith read the revelation to the High Council on August 12, 1843, dividing the hierarchy into polygamist and anti-polygamist factions. The document's authenticity was contested; Emma Smith denied its existence, while the RLDS Church rejected it as not originating with Smith. Despite public denials by Smith in October 1843, rumors persisted, and affidavits accusing leaders of following the teaching contributed to tensions leading to Smith's murder in 1844.

Later Repudiation. In March 1844, Emma Smith publicly denounced polygamy as evil. Several associates later wrote that Joseph Smith repudiated the plural marriage system and attempted to stop its practice shortly before his death in June 1844. The church's current approach emphasizes historical abhorrence of polygamy and acknowledges scholarly research on Nauvoo period practices.