Fanny Alger left Joseph and Emma Smith’s home pregnant and under Emma’s wrath in the middle of the night. The incident set Kirtland on fire with rumors of the prophet’s adultery—or was it polygamy? Some scholars argue that the relationship was an 1835 affair, too early for polygamy, others that it was an 1833 marriage. Which of these theories is right? Or are they all wrong? We’ll piece together what happened the night Fanny was evicted, what consequences followed, and when all this occurred, illuminating Joseph and Fanny’s relationship and other longstanding enigmas.

DON BRADLEY