Fanny Alger

Joseph Smith’s first plural marriage, from the historical sources we now have, seems to have been a young woman by the name of Fanny Alger. While there are missing gaps in the record, from the collected sources we do have some information.

From Saints,^[1]Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth, 1815-1846, The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2018, p. 290-292. we read the following explanation of Joseph Smith’s connection to Fanny Alger:

Oliver’s falling out with the prophet went beyond disagreements over how to lead the church. Since learning about plural marriage during his inspired translation of the Bible, Joseph had known that God sometimes commanded His people to practice the principle. Joseph had not acted on this knowledge immediately, but a few years later an angel of the Lord had commanded him to marry an additional wife.^[2]Historical Introduction to Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, Feb. 15, 1838, in JSP, D6:12; Jenson, “Plural Marriage,” Historical Record, May 1887, 6:232–33; “Report of Elders Orson Pratt and … Continue reading

After receiving the commandment, Joseph struggled to overcome his natural aversion to the idea. He could foresee trials coming from plural marriage, and he wanted to turn from it. But the angel urged him to proceed, instructing him to share the revelation only with people whose integrity was unwavering. The angel also charged Joseph to keep it private until the Lord saw fit to make the practice public through His chosen servants.^[3]Lorenzo Snow, Affidavit, Aug. 28, 1869, Joseph F. Smith, Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, Church History Library; Tullidge, Women of Mormondom, 368.

During the years Joseph lived in Kirtland, a young woman named Fanny Alger worked in the Smith home. Joseph knew her family well and trusted them. Her parents were faithful Saints who had joined the church in its first year. Her uncle, Levi Hancock, had marched in the Camp of Israel.^[4]Benjamin F. Johnson to George F. Gibbs, circa Apr.–circa Oct. 1903, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, Church History Library; Mosiah Hancock, Narrative, in Levi Hancock, Autobiography, circa … Continue reading

Following the Lord’s command, Joseph proposed marriage to Fanny with the help of Levi and the approval of her parents.^[5]Mosiah Hancock, Narrative, in Levi Hancock, Autobiography, circa 1896, 63; Historical Introduction to Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, Feb. 15, 1838, in JSP, D6:12; see also Andrew Jenson, Research … Continue reading Fanny accepted Joseph’s teachings and his proposal, and her uncle performed the ceremony.^[6]Mosiah Hancock, Narrative, in Levi Hancock, Autobiography, circa 1896, 63.

Since the time had not come to teach plural marriage in the church, Joseph and Fanny kept their marriage private, as the angel had instructed.^[7]Mosiah Hancock, Narrative, in Levi Hancock, Autobiography, circa 1896, 63; Eliza Churchill Webb to Mary Bond, May, 4, 1876, Biographical Folder Collection (labeled Myron H. Bond), Community of … Continue reading But rumors spread among some people in Kirtland.^[8]Benjamin F. Johnson to George F. Gibbs, circa Apr.–circa Oct. 1903, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, Church History Library. By the fall of 1836, Fanny had moved away.^[9]Hales, Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, 1:123.

Oliver was deeply critical of Joseph’s relationship with Fanny, although how much he knew about it is unclear.^[10]Historical Introduction to Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, Feb. 15, 1838, in JSP, D6:13; see also Minutes, Apr. 12, 1838, in JSP, D6:91; and Oliver Cowdery to Warren Cowdery, Jan. 21, 1838, in … Continue reading What Emma knew about the marriage is also uncertain. In time, Fanny married another man and lived apart from the main body of the Saints. Later in life, she received a letter from her brother asking about her plural marriage to Joseph.

“That is all a matter of our own,” Fanny wrote back, “and I have nothing to communicate.”^[11]Benjamin F. Johnson to George F. Gibbs, circa Apr.–circa Oct. 1903, Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, Church History Library. This letter quotes what Fanny Alger said to others about her … Continue reading

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