Lucinda Pendleton Harris – Timeline of Events

Some say Lucinda Pendleton Harris married Joseph Smith as a plural wife, based on the following clues:

1. Someone saw her crying at Joseph Smith’s public funeral near the casket
2. She and her living husband George received a lot on the block across the street from the Smiths in Nauvoo (as did 11 other families)
3. The Harris family was nice to Joseph, Emma & their kids upon first arriving at their house after an exhausting trip. The record says, “immediately received under hospitable roof brother George W. Harris, treated all possible kindness, and refreshed ourselves much satisfaction, after our long tedious journey.” Because of this quote, some interpret “refreshed ourselves” as evidence of Joseph having received sexual favors from Lucinda. However, the word “ourselves” referring to his entire traveling company, including Emma and children.
4. Wilhelm Wyl’s publication 3rd-hand 44-year old memory from Sarah Pratt (published in 1886)
5. Both “sealings” (Lucinda Pendleton “sealed” herself to Joseph twice) are proxies only. Therefore, Joseph Smith had no knowledge of it the first time in 1846. Both of them were dead when it was “redone” in 1899.

Lucinda Pendleton Harris Source Analysis

Sarah Pratt’s Only “Source” Of Lucinda’s Relationship with Joseph

Sarah Pratt’s 3rd hand, 44-year-old memory is the only true source in regards to Lucinda Pendleton. In it, Pratt stated that a “Mrs. Harris” (presumed to be Lucinda Pendleton Harris) was Joseph Smith’s “mistress” since about 1838. She recalled in 1886: “Mrs. Harris was a married lady, a very great friend of mine. When Joseph had made his dastardly attempt on me, I went to Mrs. Harris to unbosom my grief to her. To my utter astonishment, she said, laughing heartily: ‘How foolish you are! I don’t see anything so horrible in it. Why, I am his MISTRESS SINCE FOUR YEARS!” (Wilhelm Wyl, “Mormon Portraits- Joseph Smith” p.60)

Other than that, there are 2 sealing records, both done posthumously:

The Sealing of Corpses… Twice

Other “evidence” of a relationship between Lucinda Pendleton Harris and HJoseph Smith stem from the sealing records of proxies.

January 2, 1846 – Lucinda Pendleton Harris is “proxy sealed” to Joseph Smith in the Nauvoo Temple “for time and all eternity”, in the same ceremony that she was sealed to her husband George Harris “for time” by Brigham Young. The record reads: “Lucinda Pendleton [born] Sept. 27, 1801 {Kinghurstworks}, Washington Co. Vermont [Virginia], was Sealed to Jos. Smith (deceased born Dec. 23d 1805 Sharron Windsor Co Vert.) for time & all Eternity. George Washington Harris acting proxy for (Pres. J. Smith Jun. deceased) G. W. Harris & Lucinda Smith were then Sealed Husband & wife for time By Pres B. Young. In presance of Orson Pratt & {F. D.} Richards & A Lyman at 28 min past 6 a.m. ___ J. D. Lee.” (“A Book of Proxey.” Nauvoo temple proxy sealings, Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 1846. Marriott Library)

April 4, 1899 – Lucinda Pendleton Morgan Harris is once again “proxy sealed” vicariously to Joseph Smith in the Salt Lake Temple, with neither person having a choice in the matter, both being dead. It’s unknown why this ordinance was redone. (Salt Lake Temple Sealing Records, Book D, 243, April 4, 1899)