# Wife No. 19/Chapter 3
### CHAPTER III.
#### THE "REVELATION ON CELESTIAL MARRIAGE." — TROUBLE AMONG THE SAINTS.

* The Announcement of Polygamy.
* "Celestial Marriage."
* Joseph "sets himself Right."
* Mrs. Smith is very Rebellious.
* Mrs. Smith's Adopted Daughter.
* The Prophet too fond of Fanny.
* Mrs. Smith takes her in Hand.
* Marital Storms.
* Oliver Cowdery called In.
* He goes and "Does Likewise."
* Joseph first Preaches Polygamy.
* The Saints Rebel.
* The Revelation given in Secret.
* Eleven "Adopted Daughters" sealed to the Prophet.
* A Domestic Squall in the Prophet's House.
* Nancy Rigdon Insulted by Joseph.
* Sidney's Zeal Grows Cold.
* How Celestial Marriage was Introduced.
* Mr. Noble begins to Build Up his Kingdom.
* The first Plural Marriage.
* False Position of the Second Wife.
* John C. Bennett.
* His Profligacy and Crimes.
* He Apostatizes and Writes a Book.
* Joseph Defends Himself.
* Apostasy of an Apostle's Wife.
* The Prophet in Difficulties.
* The Revelation on "Celestial Marriage."
Emma Smith, "the Elect Lady.FTER the Revelation on Celestial Marriage was publicly announced, in 1852, it was stated that Joseph Smith first produced it in 1843; but there were, no doubt, hints of this new doctrine at a much earlier date. It is generally believed, and in fact well known by many of the old Nauvoo Mormons, that he had it in contemplation at a much earlier date; certain indiscretions rendering it necessary that he should find an excuse of some kind for acts that were scarcely consistent ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/70 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/71 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/72 ​means bowed her head, broke her heart, and silenced her lips, and allowed her husband to pursue his licentious course without opposition. When Joseph would not send away the girls, she said very quietly, but with a determination which showed she was making no idle threat, —
"Either those girls leave this house to-night, or I do."
"Very well," replied her husband, in a passion at having his authority questioned; "you may go, then, for I intend them to stay."
Without another word she left the house. No sooner had she gone than he began to consider the consequences of her departure directly it should be known, and she would keep neither it nor the cause which provoked her to the step a secret. The publicity of the affair was more than he dared meet. He was not yet ready to encounter the storm it would raise. Great as was his influence over his people, he did not dare risk his popularity by such a bold movement as this. Consequently he followed his wife, and prevailed upon her to return, by promising to dismiss the girls, which he did the next morning. This was her second triumph over his practice of the divine ordinance.
Emma Smith was, as may be supposed from the above-narrated incidents, an energetic, strong-minded woman, possessing a great influence over Joseph, whose superior she was, both mentally and socially, when he married her. She was fond and proud of her husband during the first years of his success; but when there was any disagreement ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/74 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/75 ​Among the earliest converts to the doctrine of plural wives was a Mr. Noble, who, more impressible, or, according to Joseph, "more faithful" than any others, opened his heart very readily to receive the teachings of the Prophet, and was willing to reduce the teachings to practice. Joseph had paid his addresses to Mr. Noble's sister-in-law, a very worthy woman, and had succeeded in overcoming her scruples so far that she had consented to be sealed to him.
He then advised Noble to seek a second wife for himself, and to commence at once to "build up his kingdom." He was not slow in following his Prophet's advice, and together the two men, with their chosen celestial brides, repaired one night to the banks of the Mississippi River, where Joseph sealed Noble to his first plural wife, and in return Noble performed the same office for the Prophet and his sister. These were the first plural marriages that ever took place in the Mormon Church, and they were obliged to be very secretly performed, and kept hidden afterwards.
The young girl that Mr. Noble married went to live with his first wife, and, as a matter of course, this arrangement ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/77 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/78 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/79 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/80 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/81 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/82 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/83 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/84 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/85 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/86 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/87 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/88 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/89 ​Page:Wife No 19.djvu/90