Scholars and church historians say a newly obtained copy of William Clayton’s 1840s diary will be published by Yale University Press next year, offering fresh documentation of Joseph Smith’s practice of plural marriage. The LDS Church officially acknowledged that Smith married multiple wives, the youngest being 14, in an essay released several years ago.
Historical context
For most of the 20th century, many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints were unaware of Smith’s plural marriages because the church kept the subject largely silent. Outside historians, however, have long cited affidavits, memoirs and contemporary records that suggest Smith had more than 30 wives.
Clayton’s diary
William Clayton served as Smith’s secretary in Nauvoo, Illinois, and his diary is considered a primary source for that era. The most sensational entries—detailing Smith dictating what became Doctrine and Covenants Section 132 and describing his secret marriages—have been public for decades. A previously hidden copy of the full diary, obtained surreptitiously, will be released in an annotated edition by Yale University Press.
Matthew Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, told a recent “Mormon Land” podcast that the diary shows Smith’s ideas about plural marriage pre‑date the formal revelation in 1843. He added that the practice was kept secret to avoid persecution.
Scholarly assessment
Historians such as Todd Compton, author of *In Sacred Loneliness*, argue that while the Clayton entries are not flawless, they, together with sworn affidavits from women who claimed to be Smith’s wives, build a strong case for Smith’s plural marriages. Other scholars, like Cheryl Bruno and Michelle Stone, note that the 1871 Clayton affidavits lack the cohesion needed for an airtight defense, but still contribute to the overall picture.
Some members of the LDS community, described by historian Matthew Bowman as “polygamy deniers,” claim the evidence is insufficient. Bowman suggests this denialism reflects a broader cultural suspicion of institutions.
Impact on believers
Current Latter‑day Saints, raised in a monogamous society, often find the historical practice of plural marriage difficult to reconcile with their faith. Church officials acknowledge the emotional challenge and hope the forthcoming publication will allow members to confront the full history of early Mormonism, including daily life in Nauvoo and the construction of the temple before the westward trek.
The release of the annotated diary is expected to spark renewed discussion within the church and among scholars about how to present this aspect of its founder’s life while respecting the faith’s contemporary values.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
