Joseph Smith (1805 – 1844) was the founder of the LDS church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon church); was publicly accused during his life (1805-1844) of sexual misconduct, including adultery and illegal polygamy; in May 1844, a Hancock County, Illinois grand jury indicted Smith for perjury, fornication and polygamy; died in June 1844.

Joseph Smith was the founder and first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS church or Mormon church.

FLOODLIT’s purpose is to help people learn about instances of sex crimes allegedly perpetrated by Mormon church members, and about instances where Mormon officials allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct or failed to support sexual abuse victims.

Smith was publicly accused during his life (1805-1844) of sexual misconduct, including adultery and illegal polygamy.

In May 1844, a Hancock County, Illinois grand jury indicted Smith for perjury, fornication and polygamy.

Smith died in June 1844.

Have any info on this case? Contact FLOODLIT.

Reader-funded investigative journalism

Help us raise money

FLOODLIT needs to raise funds to cover immediate operating bills and keep our independent newsroom running.

If this case report, our source documents, or our database have been useful to you, please help us.

Donate now →

FLOODLIT is 100% reader-funded. Every amount helps.

Search the FLOODLIT Database

Share this page https://floodlit.org/a/a329/

Sources

  1. Zion high council and bishopric, Minutes, Far West, Caldwell Co., MO, 12 Apr. 1838 - The Joseph Smith Papers, Joseph Smith Papers, September 21, 2023.
  2. Did Plural Marriages Include Sexual Relations? - Joseph Smith's Polygamy, Joseph Smiths Polygamy, September 21, 2023.
  3. Temple Lot Case - Archive.org, Archive, April 1, 2015.
  4. Mormon Stories Podcast 324-326: Grant Palmer discusses sexual allegations against Joseph Smith, Mormon Stories, February 26, 2012.

  • 1. Zion high council and bishopric, Minutes, Far West, Caldwell Co., MO, 12 Apr. 1838 - The Joseph Smith Papers

    • 20230921
    • News article
    • Joseph Smith Papers

  • 2. Did Plural Marriages Include Sexual Relations? - Joseph Smith's Polygamy

    • 20230921
    • News article
    • Joseph Smiths Polygamy

  • 3. Temple Lot Case - Archive.org

    • 20150401
    • News article
    • Archive

  • 4. Mormon Stories Podcast 324-326: Grant Palmer discusses sexual allegations against Joseph Smith

    • 20120226
    • News article
    • Mormon Stories

Documents

Have docs or info? Add information

Criminal case documents

We believe this person was never criminally charged, so no related criminal case documents exist. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please contact us.

Civil case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Other documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.

Timeline

  • 1805
    Born

Videos

    • Video title: Joseph Smith as a Sexual Predator - 2009-06-20
    • Video description: presentation by Sandra Tanner

Add information

If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
The abuser/defendant/accused's name. You can put a partial name (e.g. John) or a full name (e.g. John Allen Smith)
Tell us what you think the date(s) should be.
Share links, comments, updates or any other information you like.
Let us know any other thoughts you have about this case listing.
Upload images or documents.
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf, docx, webp, jpe, Max. file size: 32 MB, Max. files: 5.
    You can use a pseudonym or leave this empty if you prefer.
    We will only use this to contact you, and will not share it with anyone without your consent.

    Other Mormon sex abuse cases

      • Keith Vallejo (1974 – ) was a Mormon bishop in Utah; accused of sexually abusing and raping two underage girls; in 2017, was found guilty in a jury trial of ten counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse and one count of first-degree felony object rape; sentenced to five years to life in prison
      • View report »