A bit misleading. She was 23 when he "married" her.
It is probable some of the women Smith, and particularly Young, married were wives "in name only."
It is also possible some of those already-married women Smith married were "for eternity," to take effect only in the afterlife.
This story is complex and really rather appalling. I think it's bad enough without misrepresenting any of it.
I am really unclear why the article claims the LDS just fessed up. This has all been public knowledge for decades or perhaps a century.
There's a HUGE difference between covering the subject directly and forthrightly and either censoring it, or covering it indirectly.
For example, many bios are written by Lds leaders on their historical "prophets." ALL of the Mormon prophets through part of World War II were polygamists (Grant being the last).
When you look thru most Lds church bios, and books, on these "prophets" -- the polygamous wives are usually not addressed.
For example, Emma Smith is often cited as Joseph's wife. But the rest of his "wives" are not.
‘I am really unclear why the article claims the LDS just fessed up. This has all been public knowledge for decades or perhaps a century.’
Take a sample of 100 LDS members and see how many always knew a) that Joseph had many ladies b) that some were teens c) that a number of them were already married to other men d) that Joseph did not tell Emma. I’ll guess less than 5%.
If you believe that, I have a deed that is probably for the Golden Gate Bridge that I can sell to you.