Jacob in the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy except when God commands it to "raise up seed."

Webster's Dictionary's definition of "affair" (1830).

1830 U.S. Census lists Samuel Alger in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

JST Genesis 16:1–6 depicts Abraham as a polygamist, with Sarai as his wife and Hagar as his concubine.

Joseph records William McLellin's 1832 excommunication.

1835 D&C declares that the Church believes in monogamy.

Joseph and Oliver Cowdery receive the sealing keys in April 1836.

Joseph reports that he returned to Kirtland from Salem in September 1836.

Daniel S. Miles writes in LDS periodcial that members of the Seventy who practice polygamy will be disfellowshipped.

Joseph informs the council that "a matter" involving Cowdery had not been "satisfactorily settled."

Joseph's 1838 history narrating the appearance of Moroni, who quoted biblical prophecies on the restoration of sealing keys.

Joseph's 1838 history identifies April 6, 1830 as the founding date of the Church of Christ.

Oliver Cowdery calls Joseph's relation with Fanny Alger a "dirty, nasty, filthy scrape/affair."

Letter from Thomas Marsh with multiple testimonies regarding Joseph's and Fanny Alger's relationship.

Joseph records William McLellin's 1838 trial and excommunication.

Elders' Journal says Mormons do not "believe in having more wives than one."

Joseph reported that he was born on December 23, 1805.

Joseph issues mission call to George Washington Harris in July 1840.

Nauvoo City Council Minutes note return of George W. Harris from his mission.

Joseph disavows "The Peacemaker" and Udney H. Jacob.

John C. Bennett identifies seven plural wives married to Joseph by mid-1842.

John C. Bennett publishes exposé of Joseph and alleges the practice of having "spiritual wives" among the LDS in Nauvoo.

Brigham writes in his journal in Masonic code about one of Joseph's sealings.

John C. Bennett issues a jury summons and includes David Sessions as a juror.

Joseph records John Snider's mission call to England.

Joseph's Journal entry for May 4, 1842 describing first endowment ceremony.

Public notice of John C. Bennett's excommuncation published in the Times and Seasons.

Orson Pratt writes apparent suicide note after discovering a scandal involving his wife Sarah Pratt, John C. Bennett, and Joseph.

Fanny Brewer claims that Joseph had "unlawful intercourse" with "a young orphan girl."

William Holmes Walker recounts his sister Lucy's marriage to Joseph.

Oliver Olney publishes anti-Mormon book in 1843 that briefly touches on polygamy in Nauvoo.

Times and Seasons editor disavows the claim that the LDS advocate "a plurality of wives."

Joseph gives teaches on the nature of eternal marriage and sealing to Benjamin F. Johnson in 1843.

Joseph's journal entry indicating he was "married" on May 28, 1843.

Joseph C. Kingsbury manuscript copy of D&C 132.

Lott family Bible records marriage date for Malissa Lott's marriage to Joseph.

Joseph's journal records the arrest, trial, and fine of Augustine Spencer for $100 due to an assault on his brother, Orson Spencer.

Hancock County court document records Charles Ambrose Foster's lawsuit against Joseph for false imprisonment and injury, asking for $1000 in damages.

Joseph and Joseph W. Coolidge state that Charles Ambrose Foster's lawsuit against them has no merit.

Nauvoo Expositor claims that Joseph was practicing plural marriage using manipulation and secrecy.

Extracts of the Nauvoo Expositor attacking Joseph.

Nauvoo Expositor claims that Joseph used his position as Prophet to gain political and civic power.

Joseph orders the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.

Nauvoo City Council orders Mayor Joseph to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor.

Joseph calls for all citizens of Nauvoo to curtail such speech as might inflame passions and raise up mobs.

The Nauvoo Neighbor reports on and defends the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.

Joseph details his arrest for the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor, and his trial, and discharge that same day in Nauvoo.

Willard Richards records that justices of the Nauvoo Municipal Court dismissed the charges against those that destroyed the Nauvoo Expositor.

Samuel James and Porter Rockwell went to visit Governor Ford to deliver papers and letters related to the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.

Governor Ford writes to the Nauvoo City Council condemning the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor and outlining the steps he intends to take.

Oliver B. Huntington describes Norman Buell's disaffection from the Church.

Joseph Smith manuscript history describing the first time the endowment ceremony was given.

Warsaw Signal alleges Marinda Nancy Johnson was sealed to Joseph as a "spiritual wife" was Orson Hyde was on his mission.

Joseph H. Jackson alleges Joseph proposed marriage to his sister Lucy Smith Millikin.

Deed from Joseph to Jonathan Harriman Holmes for land in Nauvoo.

Pottawattamie High Council minutes mentions Oliver Cowdery's rebaptism.

Reuben Miller mentions Oliver Cowdery's rebaptism by Hyde in November 1848 in a letter to Henry Sabey.

Eliza R. Snow explains to Joseph F. Smith the context of the 1842 Relief Society declaration.

1850 U.S. Census lists "Francis Custer" as 31 years old.

J. W. Gunnison writes about and criticizes Mormon polygamy.

Joseph Lee Robinson recalls JS telling him about an angel with a sword commanding he restore plural marriage.

John Taylor recalls being introduced to plural marriage along with Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball in the summer of 1841.

John L. Smith recounts visit with Sarah Kingsley Cleveland and John Cleveland.

The Republican Party Platform of 1856 lists polygamy as one of the "twin relics of barbarism."

Andrew Jenson provides biographies of Windsor Palmer Lyon and Sylvia Lyons.

Patty Bartlett Sessions recalls her and David Sessions's conversion to the Church.

Phelps reproduces purported JS revelation dated July 17, 1831 foretelling a time when church elders would take "wives of the Lamanites and Nephites."

Millennial Star reviews William McLellin's excommunication and hostilities toward the Saints.

Brigham says Joseph learned about plural marriage by a "manifestation" in 1830–1831; claims Oliver Cowdery at first accepted plural marriage.

F.D. Richards records that Joseph Noble "performed the first sealing ceremony in this Dispensation" between Joseph and Louisa Beaman.

Ruth D. Vose swears affidavit affirming she was married to Joseph as a plural wife in February 1843.

Emily D. P. Young swears affidavit saying that she was married to Joseph.

Emily D. P. Young swears second affidavit affirming a second sealing date to Joseph.

Malissa Lott swears affidavit affirming her marriage to Joseph Smith.

Desdemona Fullmer swears affidavit affirming her marriage to Joseph.

Joseph B. Noble swears affidavit affirming he "married or sealed" Joseph to Louisa Beaman on April 5, 1841.

Eliza Partridge swears affidavit affirming her marriage to Joseph.

Eliza Partridge swears affidavit affirming she was resealed to Joseph Smith.

Augusta Adams Young swears affidavit giving date of Joseph's marriage to Fanny Young.

John Benbow gives testimony that Joseph visited plural wife Hannah Ells at his (Benbow's) house.

Orson Pratt says that Joseph said polygamy was "a true principle" in 1831.

Mary Elizabeth Lightner claims Joseph was commanded to practice polygamy in July 1834.

William McLellin describes the Smith/Fanny Alger relationship to Joseph Smith III.

Eliza R. Snow bears testimony of plural marriage in Relief Society meeting.

William Clayton swears affidavit giving details about firsthand knowledge of plural wives married to Joseph.

William Clayton recounts the writing of the revelation on plural marriage.

Deseret News prints Samuel Alger's obituary.

William McLellin is quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune about Joseph and Fanny Alger's sealing.

First canonical edition of D&C 132 in the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Eliza J. Webb refers to Joseph's and Fanny Alger's relationship as similar to a "sealing."

John Doyle Lee mentions unsourced "report" that Joseph was sealed to Marinda Nancy Johnson "for an eternal state" with Orson Hyde's knowledge.

Eliza Partridge recalls her introduction and conversion to plural marriage.

Eliza R. Snow writes letter to Daniel Munns, denies "carnal" nature of her marriage of Joseph Smith.

Emma Hale Smith gives testimony denying Joseph Smith practiced polygamy.

Thomas Gregg criticizes practicing polygamy in "the system of Mormonism."

Marinda Nancy Johnson recalls Joseph Smith introducing her to plural marriage.

Eliza R. Snow recalls Joseph telling her an angel with a sword commanded him to practice plural marriage.

Helen Mar Kimball Whitney recalls her introduction to plural marriage and sealing to Joseph Smith in late autobiography.

Presendia Lathrop Huntington Buell briefly mentions her sealing to Joseph and feelings on plural marriage.

Helen Mar Kimball Whitney gives seconhand account of her father being introduced to plural marriage in July 1841.

Helen Mar Kimball recalls hearing that Joseph preached on plural marriage publicly in 1841.

Helen Mar Kimball Whitney published book defending plural marriage and Joseph Smith as a prophet.

Helen Mar Kimball Whitney gives account of her introduction to plural marriage and sealing to Joseph.

Susa Young Gates quotes Joseph in 1835 claiming to have authority to marry others.

Minutes from St. George Utah Stake conference; Erastus Snow recounts incidents relating to origins of plural marriage, including Joseph being commanded by an angel to practice it.

Almera Johnson swears affidavit affirming her status as a plural wife of Joseph.

Helen Mar Kimball Whitney publishes book defending plural marriage.

Eliza Snow recounts a conversation between Lorenzo Snow and Joseph about plural marriage and the angel with a sword.

Clark Braden alleges JSoseph was tarred and feathered in 1832 for being "too intimate" with Marinda Nancy Johnson.

Emily D. P. Young recounts her conversion to plural marriage.

Eiza R. Snow says that she lived with the Smiths in the "Spring of 1836."

Eliza R. Snow recounts her conversion to plural marriage.

Wilhelm Ritter von Wymetal recounts Helen Mar Kimball's marriage to Joseph.

Joseph F. Smith denies the practice of "polygamy"; uses semantics to distinguish what Joseph practiced.

Nancy Alexander claims that "plurality of wives" was practiced in Kirtland.

Rhoda Richards bears testimony of her sealing to Joseph and her faith in him as a prophet.

Mary Ann Frost Pratt recalls the conversion of her sister Olive Frost to plural marriage and her marriage to Joseph.

Joseph learned about plural marriage in 1831; Alger is listed as "one of the first plural wives sealed to" Joseph.

Eliza R. Snow identifies Fanny Alger as "one of the first wives Joseph married."

Orson F. Whitney recalls the circumstances surrounding his mother Helen Mar Kimball Whitney's marriage to Joseph.

Daniel H. Wells mentions Albert Smith's reaction to Joseph's marriage to Esther Dutcher.

Reprinted obituary of Fanny Alger.

Newspaper reporting Fanny Alger's (Custer) death in 1889.

Official text of Wilford Woodruff's 1890 manifesto ending plural marriage.

Joseph B. Noble testifies he saw Joseph in bed with Louisa Beaman.

Malissa Lott affirms she "roomed" with Joseph Smith "as his wife."

Emily D. P. Young affirms she had "carnal intercourse" with Joseph Smith.

Lucy Walker recalls that Joseph saying he learned the "principle of plural marriage" in 1831.

Lucy Walker affirms she lived with Joseph as a wife.

Lorenzo Snow testifies in Temple Lot Case; says Joseph told him an angel with a sword commanded he practice plural marriage.

Zina D. Young recalls hearing from Joseph how an angel with a drawn sword commanded him to practice plural marriage.

Levi Hancock recalls that Joseph told him to take Fanny Alger to Missouri.

Emily D. P. Young writes letter explaining her marriage to Joseph and testimony of plural marriage.

Newspaper report of Lucy Walker's public testimony of Joseph and polygamy.

Maria Jane Johnston Woodward recalls private conversation with Emma; says Emma affirmed plural marriage was a true principle but felt jealous over it.

Joseph F. Smith, as editor, discusses Joseph's plural wives in the Improvement Era.

Lucy Walker swears affidvait to being a plural wife of Joseph Smith and bears her testimony of plural marriage.

Johnson recalls Hyrum Smith telling him that an angel had commanded him to practice plural marriage.

Joseph A. Kelting recalls conversation with Joseph Smith about plural marriage; says Joseph was worried about legal problems with the practice.

Benjamin F. Johnson recalls that his sister and Eliza Partridge stayed with Joseph at his (Johnson's) house in 1843.

Mary E. Lightner says that Joseph was commanded by an angel in 1834 to practice plural marriage.

Joseph Fielding Smith makes semantic distinction between "polygamy" and celestial marriage.

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner recalls Joseph telling her an angel appeared to him 3 times between 1834 and 1842 commanding him to practice plural marriage.

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner recalls being introduced to plural marriage; affirms that Joseph told her an angel appeared to him multiple times to command he practice it.

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner recalls being introduced to plural marriage; affirms that Joseph told her an angel appeared to him multiple times to command he practice it.

Lucy Walker publishes her testimony of Joseph's prophetic qualities.

B. H. Roberts makes unsourced claim that the Bible revision project influenced Joseph as early as 1831 to consider the restoration of plural marriage.

B. H. Roberts provides contextual commentary to the "Happiness Letter".

Osborn J. P. Widtsoe writes that Joseph was receiving "revelations" of plural/eternal marriage as early as 1831.

Josephine Lyon recalls Sylvia Lyons saying on her deathbed she is the daughter of Joseph's.

Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl write commentary on D&C 132.

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner recalls how her husband Adam Lightner was never baptized.

Published version of William Walker's reminiscience and journal on his introduction to the practice of polygamy.

Irvin F. Fisher, Sylvia Lyons's grandson, recounts history of her sealing to Joseph.

John A. Widstoe discusses Joseph Smith and the origins of plural marriage.

Bruce R. McConkie includes entry in first edition of Mormon Doctrine on the "Article on Marriage" and mentions JS's polygamy.

B. H. Roberts writes on the history Joseph and plural marriage for an official Church history publication.

Davis Bitton discusses plural marriage and mentions its origins with Joseph Smith.

Dean Jessee discusses Joseph's marriages to Emily and Eliza Partridge in the June 1979 Ensign.

Leroli C. Snow provides late account of Emma Hale Smith pushing Eliza R. Snow down the stairs.

Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery discuss Emma Smtih's polygamy denials in her "last testimony."

Richard S. Van Wagoner summarizes 1832 tar and feathering of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigon.

Lawrence Foster discusses Emma Smith's polygamy denial interview.

Gracia N. Jones writes about Emma Smith; mentions Emma's struggles with plural marriage.

Martha Sonntag Bradley and Mary Brown Firmage Woodward write about Zina Huntington's relationships with Henry Jacobs and Joseph Smith.

Church book on LDS history refers to Joseph Smith beginning plural marriage.

Andrew F. Smith recounts the details of John C. Bennett's excommunication in 1842.

Todd Compton summarizes the Fanny Alger family background.

Todd Compton argues Lucinda Pendleton was married to Joseph in 1838.

Todd Compton identifies 33 women as Joseph Smith's wives with an additional 8 as possibilities; comments on sexual relations of polyandrous marriages.

Jeni Broberg Holzapfel and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel introduce Helen Mar Kimball's writings; briefly discuss her marriage to Joseph.

Todd Compton reviews women who rejected plural marriage proposals from Joseph.

Scott H. Faulring provides an overview of Oliver Cowdery's rebaptism in November 1848.

Gary James Bergera reviews the likely authorship of "Buckeye's Laments" poems published in 1844; concludes probably Wilson or William Law composed them.

Church Institute manual discusses the history of plural marriage.

BYU RSC publication of JST manuscripts; volume editors provide timeline of JST translation.

Richard Lyman Bushman explains the possible background for the 1835 "Article of Marriage."

Richard Lyman Bushman discusses the "Happiness Letter" and its supposed intent relating to plural marriage.

Bushman writes on Joseph's relationship with Fanny Alger and plural marriage generally; believes it was probably Joseph's first plural marriage in mid-1830s which he resumed in 1841.

Church manual on Joseph Smith summarizes how he introduced plural marriage.

Ugo Perego et al. determine through genetic testing that neither Oliver N. Buell or Mosiah L. Hancock are biological children of Joseph's.

Brian C. Hales reviews Joseph's sealing to Sylvia Sessions. Concludes they were sealed in late 1842–early 1843 and most likely did not have sexual relations.

Mark Staker argues that Alger lived with the Smiths between 1834 and 1836.

Brian C. Hales reviews evidence for claims that Oliver Cowdery practiced plural marriage; concludes he most likely did not.

The ages of Joseph's plural wives are compared to other regions of 19th-century America.

Todd Compton reviews demographic evidence for early marriage among 19th century Mormons.

Brian C. Hales discusses polyandry in Joseph Smith's plural marriages.

J. Spencer Fluhman reviews evidence for sexuality in Joseph's marriage to Helen Mar Kimball.

John Turner writers on the origins of plural marriage in Nauvoo and discusses Brigham Young's participation.

Revelation to Joseph where the Lord promises that the Church will be given the power to pay off their debts during his eastern trip.

Brian C. Hales discusses Joseph Smith's polyandry; concludes he did not practice "sexual polyandry" but merely "ceremonial polyandry."

Brian C. Hales catalogues primary sources on Joseph's plural wives.

Brian C. Hales summarizes the Orson/Sarah Pratt, Joseph, and John C. Bennett scandal.

Brian C. Hales reviews historical sources pertaining to Emma's reaction to plural marriage.

Brian C. Hales gives overview of evidence for sexuality in some of Joseph's plural marriages.

Brian C. Hales writes on the ultimatum Joseph gave to Lucy Walker.

Scott Bradshaw reviews the legality of Joseph's plural marriages under Illinois state law; concludes he most like was not breaking any laws.

Brian C. Hales and Laura H. Hales give overview and chart of Joseph's plural wives.

Brian C. Hales and Laura H. Hales review the early Mormon practice of plural marriage.

Nicholas L. Syrett gives history of "child bride" marriage in the United States; also discusses Mormon examples.

Peggy Fletcher Stack reports on findings of Andrea Radke-Moss relating to Eliza R. Snow's sexual assault.

Brian C. Hales reviews and responds to claims that Joseph did not practice plural marriage.

W. Smith explains the evolution of the meaning of "celestial marriage."

Richard E. Bennett characterizes Helen Mar Kimball's marriage to Joseph as a "dynastic sealing."

Brian C. Hales Journal of Mormon History article exploring Joseph's denials of practicing polygamy.

Craig Foster provides data on regional marriage ages between 1850-1880.

Ugo Perego reports on how DNA results rule out Josephine Lyon as Joseph's daughter.

Craig Foster reviews demographic evidence related to early marriages among 19th century Mormon polygamists.

Benjamin E. Park writes favoring Louisa Beaman as Joseph's first plural wife.

FamilySearch lists Fanny Alger's birthdate as September 30, 1817.

The Joseph Smith Papers provides historical context to the statement on marriage in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.

Biographical summary of George Harris.

FamilySearch provides biography of Mary Heron.

Joseph Smith Papers lays out biographical summary of Jonathan Holmes.