In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith

Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirty—three women married Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These were passionate relationships which also had some longevity, except in cases such as that of two young sisters, one of whom was discovered by Joseph’s first wife, Emma, in a locked bedroom with the prophet. Emma remained a steadfast opponent of polygamy throughout her life.

The majority of Smith’s wives were younger than he, and one—third were between fourteen and twenty years of age. A...