In this Episode Bill and RFM will go into a story few members know about in regards to the Prophet Joseph Smith and one of his young plural wives. It involves some re-gifting, a land deal, and Harsh Measures
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A.)
Lucien Woodworth born April 3rd 1799
* becomes a close associate of Joseph Smith around the year 1841
a.) Appointed aide-de-camp in Nauvoo Legion, May 1841
b.) Member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge
c.) Admitted to Council of Fifty, 11 Mar. 1844
d.) Traveled to Texas to negotiate with Sam Houston for possible Latter-day Saint settlement, 1844.
e.) Sent by JS to deliver letter explaining Latter-day Saint difficulties to Illinois governor Thomas Ford, 22 June 1844.
* Married Phebe Watrous in 1825 and had at least 3 children
(seen in 1850 Census) * The oldest of those children is
Flora Ann Woodworth born June 12, 1826 according to one genealogy site and
November 14, 1826 according to Brian Hales
B.) The Interactions between The Woodworth family and the Smiths generally
*
March 31, 1843 ~ Friday On the 31 friday I spent the afternoon at Mr Lucian Woodworth’s in company with Joseph Smith, Hiram Smith, Heber C. Kimball Orson Hyde, a Br Chase with our wives we had a feast of a fat turkey & had a good time (Before her Sealing to JS most likely) –
C.) Strange Interactions with potential suitor
* nineteen-year-old Orange Wight (Son of Lyman Wight) pursued Flora Ann and is interrupted and offered a ride by Joseph Smith *
He wrote, “[Having just returned from a mission] I concluded to lo[o]k about and try to pick up one or more of the young Ladies before they were all Gone, so I commenced keeping company with Flora Woodworth… [We were walking near Joseph’s home when he (JS) rode up in a carriage and invited us to take a ride]
D.) William Clayton records multiple visits by the Prophet to see young Flora Ann Woodworth
* March 31, 1843 ~ Friday On the 31 friday I spent the afternoon at Mr Lucian Woodworth’s in company with Joseph Smith, Hiram Smith, Heber C. Kimball Orson Hyde, a Br Chase with our wives we had a feast of a fat turkey & had a good time (Before her Sealing to JS most likely) * May 2nd: “Joseph rode out today with Flora W.” * June 1st: “Evening Joseph rode in the carriage with Flora.” * August 26th: “Hyrum and I rode up to my house and Joseph met Mrs. Wdth and F[lora] and conversed some time.” * August 28th: “President Joseph met Ms Wdth at my house.” * August 29th: “A.M. at the Temple. President Joseph at my house with Miss Wdth.”
E.) Joseph Smith seems to be in the picture a lot but this is because 16 year old Flora Ann has by the Spring of 1843 become a plural wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith
1.) In the spring of 1843 Joseph Smith was sealed to 16 year old Flora Ann Woodworth
