What happened in 1843 that got Joseph Smith married to more than half of the wives he eventually bedded?

I'll have to look up the references, but I think that 1843 was when the uproar over John C. Bennet died down.

Bennett came to Nauvoo and soon became Joseph's BFF. Bennett was a commander in the Nauvoo Legion and apparently Joseph's abortionist.

Bennett took the idea of spiritual wifery and ran with it, but got sloppy and started getting attention around Nauvoo at a time when Joseph was doing his best to keep polygamy quiet.

Polygamy slowed and possibly stopped in late 1842, until the Bennett situation could be tamped down.

Interestingly, endowments also slowed down during this period.

After the Bennett situation was resolved, endowments and Joseph's wife hunt got back up to speed.

This is all from memory, but Van Wagoner, Compton and Bergera have documented it thoroughly.

The one that got away...

Of course you're the expert on that one (critical masses, not multiple shaggings; Jesus is a gentleman and discreet).

Zina: "I'm sleeping with the prophet. I'm wife number four!"

Sylvia:"Well, he told me you were okay, but he added me because I satisfied him better."

Sarah (Whitney, not Pratt): "Well, i'm sure he liked you two for your extra padding."

Ruth: (thinking "My Edward is kind of boring): I need to get in on this stuff...

Just a thought...

Of course maybe it was just Joseph was starting his mid-life crisis...

As I recall, Emma was ill much of that time, often bedridden. I would imagine she wasn't available much.

runtu Wrote:
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> As I recall, Emma was ill much of that time, often
> bedridden. I would imagine she wasn't available
> much.

So the rotten little s**t should have stayed home and looked after her. "In sickness and in health" is what the real marriage ceremony he went through would have said.