Transliteration from Taylor shorthand: “w-r m-r-r-d”. No contemporary record indicating whom these individuals married on this occasion has been found. Thompson, however, in an undated reminiscent account, reported that sometime in 1843, Hyrum Smith learned that “a Revelation had been given stating that Marriages contracted for time only lasted for time and were no more one until a new contract was made, for All Eternity and for those who had been sepperated by Death a Proxy would have to be obtained to Act for them.” Thompson reported that “no time was lost by those who had an opportunity of securing their Companions and the first presidency and as many of the Twelve as were [available] and the Presiding Bishop of the Church were all invited to meet in an Upper room in the Prophets House” to be married for eternity, “each Man bringing his Wife.” Thompson, whose husband Robert B. Thompson had died in 1841, noted that her situation “was a singular one and had to be considered but the Prophet soon concluded that his Brother Hyrum had the best right to act for Robert B. Thompson.” In Mercy Fielding Thompson’s marriage ceremony, Hyrum Smith thus served as proxy for Robert B. Thompson. Mercy also reported that her sister, Mary Fielding, Hyrum Smith’s second wife, stood as proxy for Hyrum’s first wife, Jerusha Barden, who had died in 1837. Assuming that the event Thompson remembered was the meeting noted here in JS’s journal, and that her memory of the purpose of the meeting, as well as what transpired in it, is accurate, this journal entry may be reporting that Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, and Willard Richards were married for eternity to their respective wives, Mary Fielding Smith, Mary Ann Angell Young, and Jennetta Richards Richards, on this date; that Mercy Fielding Thompson was married for eternity to her deceased husband Robert B. Thompson; and that Hyrum Smith was married for eternity to his deceased wife Jerusha Barden Smith. In an entry for this date, the manuscript history of Brigham Young notes only that JS “instructed us further in principles pertaining to the holy priesthood.” (“Reminiscence of Mercy Fielding Thompson,” quoted in Madsen, In Their Own Words, 194–195; Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 69; Obituary for Jerusha T. Smith, Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837, 16; JS, Journal, 26 May 1843.)

Madsen, Carol Cornwall. In Their Own Words: Women and the Story of Nauvoo. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994.

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.

On 4 June 1841, JS was appointed guardian of the children of the deceased Edward Lawrence and became legally responsible for the estate’s assets. Illinois law required guardians to periodically submit accounts. JS’s account of his guardianship during 1841–1842 was submitted to the probate justice of the peace on 3 June 1843, one day prior to the two-year anniversary of his appointment as guardian. Photographic images of the account are reproduced in Madsen, “Joseph Smith as Guardian,” 172–173, 181–192. (An Act Concerning Minors, Orphans, and Guardians [1 June 1827], Laws of the State of Illinois [1834–1837], p. 466.)

Madsen, Gordon A. “Joseph Smith as Guardian: The Lawrence Estate Case.” Journal of Mormon History 36, no. 3 (2010): 172–211.

Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835. Vandalia, IL: J. Y. Sawyer, 1835.