Wife of Joseph Smith - Helen Mar Kimball

Summary:

Helen Kimbal was the daughter of Apostle Heber C. Kimball. Heber wanted to have his family sealed to Joseph Smith in the afterlife so Joseph and Heber planned that Helen should marry Joseph to accomplish this. After initially being horrified at the prospect, Helen married Joseph only after her father persuaded her. Because of her age, she is considered one of the more controversial marriages.

  • Helen was 14
  • Joseph Smith was 37
  • She was single at the time
  • The marriage took place in May 1843

Why this matters:

  • This relationship began 2 months before the revelation on plural marriage was revealed.
  • Joseph acquired the help of a third party (Helen's Father) to arrange the marriage for him.
  • Helen was appalled by the idea of Joseph, a married man taking another wife but she ultimately gave in because she loved and trusted her father Heber and he wanted her to marry Joseph.
  • Joseph was over twice Helen's age.
  • Joseph would not allow Helen to attend parties or social events which made her very angry because other kids her age were enjoying being young adults. She expressed in her journal that she felt:  "and like a wild bird I longed for the freedom that was denied me".
  • Helen was married for just one year before Joseph was killed. She was a widow by 15 years old.

Learn More:

Orrin Porter Rockwell

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