The collection often referred to as “the Whitney documents,” which includes contemporary sources written in Joseph’s own hand, is generally considered to be the strongest evidence of Joseph’s polygamy. Recently multiple historians I have engaged with have gone directly to the Whitney documents to explain to me why the history of Joseph’s polygamy is settled.
I strongly disagree with them. But, I realized I needed to directly address the Whitney documents to explain why I and many others (hopefully including those who watch this episode) do not see the Whitney collection as evidence of Joseph’s polygamy — but instead as evidence of something very different.
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Links:
Short: Joseph’s October 5, 1843, Journal Entry
Sarah Ann Whitney Affidavit: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/ffbd6561-0e91-4a83-b15c-a0b631ed157e/0/0?lang=eng
Elizabeth Ann Whitney Affidavit published in Women’s Exponent, A Leaf From an Autobiography:
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/WomansExp/id/6381/rec/150
https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/63cd55be-ca21-456f-ac38-eee28d2a8b98/0/0
Joseph C. Kingsbury Reminiscent Autobiography: https://archive.org/details/journal-of-joseph-c-kingsbury/page/n15/mode/2up
Orson F. Whitney biography of Newel K. Whitney: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/98b21302-fbb8-437e-887b-9dd52340be1b/0/0
Whitney Revelation: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842/1#source-note
Joseph Smith Letter to Newel and Elizabeth Whitney: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-elizabeth-ann-smith-and-sarah-ann-whitney-18-august-1842/1
Sarah Ann Whitney Blessing: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-elizabeth-ann-smith-and-sarah-ann-whitney-18-august-1842/1
Sarah Ann Whitney, Joseph C. Kingsbury Marriage Receipt: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/marriage-certificate-for-joseph-kingsbury-and-sarah-ann-whitney-29-april-1843/1
Nauvoo Marriage Registry, Sarah Ann Whitney/Joseph C. Kingsbury Entry: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-marriage-record-february-1842-january-1846/20
Nauvoo Marriage Ordinance:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-marriage-record-february-1842-january-1846/10
Nauvoo City Council Minutes 2/17/42: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/ordinance-17-february-1842/1
Newel K. Whitney Account Book (pg 100): https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/SCMisc/id/67281 https://user.xmission.com/~research/family/strange.htm#23
October 1, 1842 Times and Seasons Affidavits:
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/times-and-seasons-1-october-1842/13
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/times-and-seasons-1-october-1842/14
Emmaline B. Wells Journals:
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/p15999coll20/id/22879/rec/2
https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/emmeline-b-wells/1870s/1875/1875-05?lang=eng
Edward Tullidge, Women of Mormondom: https://archive.org/details/womenofmormondom00tullrich/page/368/mode/2up
Elizabeth Ann Whitney deed: https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/SCMisc/id/62022
Todd Compton Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMvvmjvQA9w
