Polygamy as a Means of Control: The Abrahamic Test and Joseph Smith's Manipulative Power Play

One of the most disturbing episodes in the history of Joseph Smith’s polygamous practices is his so-called "Abrahamic test," where he demanded Heber C. Kimball, a close follower and friend, to give up his wife, Vilate, to be married to Joseph. This event not only showcases Joseph Smith's manipulative tendencies but also reveals the emotional turmoil he inflicted on his followers, cloaking his desires in the guise of spiritual tests and divine revelations.

Heber C. Kimball's Emotional Turmoil: A Friend's Betrayal

Heber C. Kimball, a trusted associate of Joseph Smith, was faced with a shocking and heart-wrenching proposition when Joseph demanded his wife, Vilate, in marriage. This was framed as an "Abrahamic test," similar to the biblical story where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. However, the comparison is deeply flawed and reveals Joseph’s willingness to manipulate those closest to him under the guise of divine authority.

According to Kimball’s journal, the request shattered him emotionally and spiritually. Heber was so devastated by the demand that he fasted for three days, seeking solace and guidance from God. His faith was tested to the point where he could neither eat nor drink, overwhelmed by the emotional and spiritual weight of such a request​. The comparison to Abraham is deeply inappropriate, as Abraham's test was given directly to him by God and involved his son, not another man's wife. Heber’s response highlights the betrayal he must have felt, as he was not just Joseph’s follower but also his friend.

Vilate Kimball: A Wife's Heartbreak

Vilate Kimball, Heber’s wife, also suffered greatly under this oppressive "test." She had already made many sacrifices for the church and for her husband's faith, and this final demand pushed her to the breaking point. In Heber’s biography, it is noted that Vilate was emotionally torn, knowing that her husband was being asked to offer her up to another man under the guise of spiritual obedience.

This test, if one can even call it that, was not about faith but rather a power play designed to test the loyalty and subservience of Joseph's followers. It caused immense suffering for the Kimball family, especially Vilate, who was crushed emotionally and spiritually by the idea of being handed over to another man.

A Manipulative Test: Twisting the Story of Abraham

Joseph Smith justified this demand by comparing it to Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac. However, this comparison is manipulative at its core. The biblical story of Abraham was about obedience to God,  in a matter that involved his own family, not taking another man's wife.  The request was DIRECTLY from God to Abraham! 

There is no precedent in scripture where God demanded such a thing from a man regarding his wife. This so-called "test" was nothing more than an abuse of spiritual power, designed to force compliance from those around Joseph.

To equate a demand for another man's wife with Abraham's test shows a deep misunderstanding—or deliberate twisting—of scripture. This was not a test of faith in any biblical sense but rather a manipulative, narcissistic move designed to satisfy Joseph’s lustful desires. He used his position as a prophet to exploit the trust and faith of his followers, pressuring them to submit to his own desires under the guise of divine command.

Emotional Manipulation: The Aftermath of the Proposal

When Heber eventually brought Vilate to Joseph, having passed the "test" in Joseph's eyes, Joseph wept, claiming that he never intended to take Vilate as his wife. Joseph tears were likely part of the ruse, as evidence throughout his manipulative adulterous career show this man has no compassion, Lucy Walker being a prime example of this.  

However, the emotional damage had already been done. This cruel test caused immense emotional suffering for both Heber and Vilate, demonstrating that Joseph's claims of divine direction were more about testing his followers' absolute loyalty and less about spiritual refinement​.

Heber’s biographer captures the devastation that the request had on his faith and his emotional state. It was not simply an act of obedience but rather an act of submission to a manipulative leader. The depth of Heber's suffering, as well as Vilate's, was immense. This was not a spiritual test but an abuse of trust.

Polygamy as a Tool for Control

This "Abrahamic test" is a prime example of how Joseph Smith used polygamy as a means of control. By demanding something so outrageous and personal, Joseph was able to solidify his power over his Heber and Vilate. He knew that if they were willing to give up their most cherished relationships—such as their spouses—at his command, they would be loyal to him no matter what.  This set up Heber and Vilate so perfectly as their relief that Joseph never intended to marry Vilate was short lived….He then reveals his true intentions.  He wants their FOURTEEN YEAR OLD daughter Helen!

Polygamy, in this context, was not about religious doctrine but about power. Joseph created a system in which loyalty to him superseded all other commitments, even those between husbands and wives. This manipulative dynamic allowed him to satisfy his own desires while maintaining an iron grip on his followers, convincing them that their salvation depended on their willingness to submit to his authority​.

Conclusion: Joseph Smith’s Narcissistic Manipulation

The story of Joseph Smith’s so-called "Abrahamic test" involving Heber and Vilate Kimball is not one of faith but of manipulation. Joseph twisted the scriptures and the trust of his followers to suit his own desires, inflicting emotional and spiritual harm on those who were loyal to him. This was not about testing faith in the way of Abraham’s test, but rather a narcissistic power play designed to see how far Joseph could push his followers.

The lasting emotional damage to the Kimball family serves as a reminder of the lengths Joseph was willing to go to satisfy his own lustful appetites, using his followers’ faith as a tool for control. His demands had nothing to do with Abraham’s test and everything to do with consolidating his power and asserting control over the lives of those who trusted him.

References:

Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer, p. 93.

Vilate Kimball, "Journal of Heber C. Kimball."

Oliver Cowdery, "Letter to Warren A. Cowdery, January 21, 1838." Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 55-57.