Alleged Sexual Impropriety between Joseph Smith and

Jane Law

Source:

William Hall, The Abominations of Mormonism Exposed, Cincinnati: I. Hart, 1851, 12-13, 131-32.

Accusation:

He [William Law] [was] under the necessity of returning to his dwelling. When he reached it, to his utter amazement he found this delectable head prophet, and receiver and disburser of revelations, in his house along with his wife. High words and threatening language ensued, till at length the mighty prophet sneaked out of the house and left, and immediately took the precaution to place a guard around his house to protect him from the fury of the incensed brother.

After Smith’s departure, the outraged brother commenced a conversation with his wife on the subject of his visit… For some time the unhappy woman hesitated, and even denied the charge, but when her husband drew out his pistols, and placed them upon the table, declaring the she should suffer death on the spot, unless she revealed all, she told him the whole story…

The husband now put the question plainly, “Has he lain with you?” She replied that he had. After this, on the same day, the husband sought his life…”[1]

Did [the apostles] commit adultery with their brothers’ wives? Certainly no such charge, even by their enemies, has ever been made against these holy personages. But did Joe Smith do these things? Instance [sic] Brother L______’s [Law’s] wife, and many others that might be named.[2]

Discussion:

The source of Hall’s information is unknown. It is possible that he was confusing his stories, citing elements of a rumor found in antagonist literature regarding the Prophet and the wife of Dr. Robert Foster:

One of the dignitaries of the church, a Dr. Foster, who was himself deep in all the foul secrets of the iniquitous scheme… returning home one day, found the carriage of Joseph Smith at his door. Half suspecting the object of the prophet’s visit, he did not speak on the subject until his departure, when he began to question his wife. For a time she evaded his enquiries, until at length he took out a brace of pistols, gave her one, and retained the other himself, telling her that if she did not immediately disclose the prophet’s intentions, she should shoot him or he would shoot her. She then confessed that the prophet had been teaching her the “spiritual wife doctrine,” which we do not wish to lay before our readers.[3]

This narrative shares several similarities with Hall’s account, but contrasts it in that it involves different participants and the alleged crime was simply “teaching her the ‘spiritual wife doctrine’” rather than an illicit sexual relationship. In March of 1844, Joseph Smith apparently had heard the Foster rumors and responded:

We went down there and saw her, [Mrs. Foster]. President Joseph asked Sister Foster if she ever in her life knew him guilty of an immoral or indecent act, She answered, "No." He then explained his reasons for asking; which were, he had been informed that Dr. Foster had stated that Joseph made propositions to his wife calculated to lead her astray from the path of virtue; and then asked if ever he had used any indecent or insulting language to her. She answered, "Never." He further asked if he ever preached anything like the "plurality of wife" doctrine to her other than what he had preached in public? She said, "No." He asked her if he ever proposed to have illicit intercourse with her, and especially when he took dinner during the doctor's absence. She said, "No." After some further conversation on the subject, we left. Mrs. Gillman was present all the time. President Joseph and Neibaur then went on foot to the farm.[4]

Concerning the accusation that Jane Law was sexually involved with Joseph Smith, Jane’s husband, William, recorded on May 13, 1844, a month and a half before the Prophet’s death: “[Joseph Smith] had lately endeavored to seduce my wife, and had found her a virtuous woman.”[5] The entry is crossed out.

Jane Law’s son Tommy J. Law recalled in 1887: “What has been said about Joseph having made an attempt on her is not true. In such a case my father would not have started a paper against him—he would have shot his head off. No man can be more delicate and conscientious about the relations of husband and wife and more apt to be terrible in such a case, than my father.”[6]

Summary

Hall's allegation suffers from significant problems. Statements from both Jane’s husband and her son contradict the accusation. Hall’s story contains elements similar to an account involving Robert Foster’s wife, details that were denied by the Prophet. Possibly Hall was confused as he repeated a story he had heard.

[1] William Hall, The Abominations of Mormonism Exposed, Cincinnati: I. Hart, 1851, 12-13.

[2] William Hall, The Abominations of Mormonism Exposed, Cincinnati: I. Hart, 1851, 131-32; emphasis in original. William Hall is referring to the apostles as “fellow brothers.” Although William Law was not an apostle, he was a counselor in the First Presidency, the ruling council of the Church. None of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve at that time had a surname that began with “L”.

[3] Edward Brotherton, Mormonism: Its Rise and Progress and the Prophet Joseph Smith, Manchester: 1845, 15; see also History of the Church, 6:279-80.

[4] History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.11, p.271

[5] Lyndon W. Cook, William Law, Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Co., 1994, 53.

[6] “The Law Interview,” The Daily Tribune: Salt Lake City, July 31, 1887.