Nancy Maria Winchester

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Nancy Maria Winchester

Why was Joseph sealed to young women?

Summary: Critics argue that Joseph Smith's polygamous marriages to young women are evidence that he was immoral, perhaps even a pedophile.

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Joseph Smith’s Sealings to Young Wives: FAQ

Joseph Smith was sealed to ten women under that age of twenty. Four were nineteen, three were seventeen, one was sixteen, and two were fourteen. Marriages for young women sixteen and older were not uncommon in the mid-nineteenth century, but younger marriages were less common. Sexual relations are documented in several of the plural marriages between Joseph and the older seven plural wives, but there is no documentation supporting that the plural sealings to the two fourteen-year-old wives were consummated.

Availability for testimony in 1892 Temple Lot case

Summary: Nine plural wives were living in 1892. Whether they were called as witnesses seems to have depended upon whether they could testify to conjugality in the plural marriages. Nancy was not called, and thus likely did not have a consummated relationship with the prophet.

Little known

Summary: We know little about this marriage, other than the fact that it occurred.

Joseph Smith's Polygamy: "Nancy Maria Winchester", by Brian C. Hales

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