This is one small bit of information about Joseph Smith and his proclivity for using religion to gain access to women. Polygamy and secret marriages (over time)  became his lifestyle choice. Of course one could say that he was very shrewd in using religion as a means to gain what he wanted. On the other hand, one could say  his behavior was manipulative, evil, and demonically inspired. I’ll take a wild leap here and say that he was an evil man who twisted the Scriptures to his own destruction, and led many astray.

Some info on some of  Joseph’s wives:

It will be seen that at least twelve were married women ( with living husbands)…The ages of Joseph’s wives varied all the way from the fifteen years of Helen Mar Kimball, daughter of Heber C.Kimball,to the fifty-nine years of Rhoda Richards, spinster sister of Joseph’s secretary Willard Richards. The prophet married five pairs of sisters… When asking seventeen year old Lucy Walker to become his wife he said, ” I have no flattering words to offer,it is a command of God to you. I will give you until tomorrow to decide this matter. If you reject this message the gate will be closed forever against you.” ( No Man Knows My History, the life of Joseph Smith,336-337)

Lucy prayed and decided it was God’s will to accept plural marriage. Notice Joseph’s tactics. Lucy was his ward, She lived in his house. He did this without his wife’s knowledge,and he intimated that spiritual progress in Lucy’s life would not occur unless she did as she was told.He used intimidation,threats,and set up a process that was manipulative from the time she moved into his house. It is a shame that anyone would think Joseph Smith was a man of God.