The collection often referred to as "the Whitney documents," which includes contemporary sources written in Joseph's own hand, is generally considered to be the strongest evidence of Joseph's polygamy. Recently multiple historians I have engaged with have gone directly to the Whitney documents to explain to me why the history of Joseph's polygamy is settled.

I strongly disagree with them. But, I realized I needed to directly address the Whitney documents to explain why I and many others (hopefully including those who watch this episode) do not see the Whitney collection as evidence of Joseph's polygamy -- but instead as evidence of something very different.

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Links:

Short: Joseph's October 5, 1843, Journal Entry

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dSBPzR-UUsQ

Sarah Ann Whitney Affidavit: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/ffbd6561-0e91-4a83-b15c-a0b631ed157e/0/0?lang=eng

Elizabeth Ann Whitney Affidavit published in Women’s Exponent, A Leaf From an Autobiography:

https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/WomansExp/id/6381/rec/150

https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/63cd55be-ca21-456f-ac38-eee28d2a8b98/0/0

Joseph C. Kingsbury Reminiscent Autobiography: https://archive.org/details/journal-of-joseph-c-kingsbury/page/n15/mode/2up

Orson F. Whitney biography of Newel K. Whitney: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/98b21302-fbb8-437e-887b-9dd52340be1b/0/0

Whitney Revelation: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-27-july-1842/1#source-note

Joseph Smith Letter to Newel and Elizabeth Whitney: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-elizabeth-ann-smith-and-sarah-ann-whitney-18-august-1842/1

Sarah Ann Whitney Blessing: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-newel-k-elizabeth-ann-smith-and-sarah-ann-whitney-18-august-1842/1

Sarah Ann Whitney, Joseph C. Kingsbury Marriage Receipt: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/marriage-certificate-for-joseph-kingsbury-and-sarah-ann-whitney-29-april-1843/1

Nauvoo Marriage Registry, Sarah Ann Whitney/Joseph C. Kingsbury Entry: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-marriage-record-february-1842-january-1846/20

Nauvoo Marriage Ordinance:

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-marriage-record-february-1842-january-1846/10

Nauvoo City Council Minutes 2/17/42: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/ordinance-17-february-1842/1

Newel K. Whitney Account Book (pg 100): https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/SCMisc/id/67281 https://user.xmission.com/~research/family/strange.htm#23

October 1, 1842 Times and Seasons Affidavits:

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/times-and-seasons-1-october-1842/13

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/times-and-seasons-1-october-1842/14

Emmaline B. Wells Journals:

https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/p15999coll20/id/22879/rec/2

https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/emmeline-b-wells/1870s/1875/1875-05?lang=eng

Edward Tullidge, Women of Mormondom: https://archive.org/details/womenofmormondom00tullrich/page/368/mode/2up

Elizabeth Ann Whitney deed: https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/SCMisc/id/62022

Todd Compton Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMvvmjvQA9w