Helen Mar Kimball facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helen Mar Kimball |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Helen Mar Kimball August 22, 1828 Mendon, New York, United States |
| Died | November 13, 1896 (aged 68) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′26″N 111°51′47″W / 40.774°N 111.863°W |
| Spouse(s) | Joseph Smith Horace Whitney |
| Children | 11, including Orson F. Whitney |
| Parents | Heber C. Kimball Vilate Murray |
Helen Mar Kimball (born August 22, 1828 – died November 13, 1896) was a woman who lived during the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement. She was one of several women who entered into a special type of marriage called "plural marriage" with Joseph Smith, the founder of the movement. She was 14 years old when she was married to him. After Joseph Smith's death, when she was 16, she married Horace Whitney. She and Horace had eleven children together. Their son, Orson F. Whitney, later became an important leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Contents
Helen Mar Kimball's Life
Her Early Life
Helen Mar Kimball was born in Mendon, New York, on August 22, 1828. She was the third of nine children born to Heber C. Kimball and Vilate Murray. Helen was the only daughter in her family who lived to adulthood. She was very close to her younger brother, William. Her parents joined the Latter Day Saint church in 1832 when Helen was three years old.
In the fall of 1833, Helen's family moved from Mendon to Kirtland, Ohio. This was where the church had its main headquarters at the time. In 1835, her father, Heber C. Kimball, became an apostle. This meant he had to travel often for church missions, spending a lot of time away from home.
Baptism in the Chagrin River
Helen was baptized by Brigham Young in the Chagrin River. This happened during the winter when the river was frozen. Her father had to cut a hole in the ice so she could be baptized. Helen later wrote that she didn't feel cold. She had wanted to be baptized for a long time and felt no discomfort from the icy water.
Moving West
In 1838, the Kimball family moved again. They went from Kirtland to Far West, Missouri, to join other church members. When they arrived, there was a lot of tension between the Latter Day Saints and other people in Missouri.
In early 1839, Helen's family had to leave Missouri. This was because of an order from the governor that forced Latter Day Saints out. They left in the middle of winter. Helen remembered having to keep walking to avoid freezing. The family eventually arrived in a town called Commerce, Illinois. This town was later renamed Nauvoo. Helen's father built a house in Nauvoo near the temple. He became a very important leader in the church and a close friend of Joseph Smith.
Marriage to Joseph Smith
In the spring of 1843, when Helen was 14 years old, her father talked to her about a new church teaching called "plural marriage." He asked if she would agree to be "sealed to Joseph" (meaning married to Joseph Smith).
Helen was surprised by this idea. She later wrote that it felt like "a sudden shock of a small earthquake." Joseph Smith gave her 24 hours to decide. Helen agreed after Smith explained that it would help her and her family achieve eternal salvation. Helen was married to Joseph Smith in May 1843. She was 14, and he was 37. This marriage was kept secret, and Helen continued to live with her parents.
Helen initially found the idea of plural marriage difficult. She wrote that she "hated polygamy with my heart." However, later in her life, she became a strong supporter of the practice. She wrote articles and pamphlets defending it. She believed it was a sacrifice for a greater, eternal reward.
While living in Nauvoo, Helen became very good friends with Sarah Ann Whitney. Sarah was also married to Joseph Smith. Helen and Sarah were like "the two halves of one soul."
Her Family Life
After Joseph Smith died in 1844, Helen was 16 years old. She had become close to Horace Whitney, who was 22. Horace was the brother of her friend Sarah Ann Whitney. After some time, Helen and Horace decided to marry. They were married on February 3, 1846.
Shortly before the Latter Day Saints left Nauvoo, Helen was married to Horace Whitney in the Nauvoo Temple. This marriage was "for time," meaning for their lives on Earth. She was also sealed to Joseph Smith (who had passed away) "for eternity." Horace Whitney stood in for Joseph Smith during this ceremony.
Helen and Horace Whitney began the long journey across the plains with other Latter Day Saints. They reached Winter Quarters, Nebraska, in June 1846. Helen was 19 when she had her first child in May 1847. Her husband was away at the time. Sadly, the baby was stillborn. In August 1848, while traveling west, Helen had another child who died soon after birth. This birth made Helen very sick, and she almost died. After a long recovery, she had her third child in September 1849, who also died shortly after birth.
Despite these hardships, Helen eventually had eleven children with Horace Whitney. They were married for 38 years until Horace passed away. Their son, Orson F. Whitney, became an apostle in the LDS Church.
Later Years
Helen Mar Kimball became a writer and journalist. She wrote articles for newspapers like the Deseret News and the Woman's Exponent. She also wrote pamphlets, which are small booklets. These pamphlets included "Plural Marriage as Taught by the Prophet Joseph" and "Why We Practice Plural Marriage." In these writings, she defended the practice of plural marriage.
Helen Kimball Whitney died in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1896. She was 68 years old.
