The Bridegroom at Cana
In 1854, Orson Hyde taught that Jesus himself was married at the wedding at Cana, with Mary, Martha, and Mary Magdalene as his wives.
The following documents teachings on plural marriage that may be disturbing, particularly for women, survivors of religious trauma, or those affected by historical polygamy practices. These views are presented for historical accountability, not endorsement.
Audio coming soon
The Quote
“Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and he told them what to do. Now there was actually a marriage; and if Jesus was not the bridegroom on that occasion, please tell who was. If any man can show this, and prove that it was not the Savior of the world, then I will acknowledge I am in error.” — Orson Hyde, JoD 2:82 (October 6, 1854)
“We say it was Jesus Christ who was married, to be brought into the relation whereby he could see his seed, before he was crucified.” — Orson Hyde, JoD 2:82
Lyrics
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Historical Context
The Setting: October 6, 1854 — Salt Lake Tabernacle, General Conference. Orson Hyde was delivering a lecture on “The Marriage Relations” defending polygamy.
The Speaker: Orson Hyde — Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, prominent early church leader. He had previously dedicated the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews in 1841.
The Argument: Hyde argued that Jesus, as a righteous man, would have obeyed the commandment to “multiply and replenish the earth.” He claimed:
- Jesus was the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana
- Jesus had multiple wives, including Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Martha
- Jesus “saw his seed” (had children) before his crucifixion
- The descendants of Jesus were among “the chosen of God in the last days”
The Aftermath:
- This teaching was never canonized or made official church doctrine
- Modern LDS leaders have generally avoided the topic
- The church’s current position is essentially silence on Jesus’s marital status
Additional Key Quotes
“Do you mean to be understood that he had more than one wife? … I do not despise to be called a son of Abraham, if he had a dozen wives; or to be called a brother, a son, a child of the Savior, if he had Mary, and Martha, and several others, as wives.” — Orson Hyde, JoD 2:82
“He shall see his seed, and who shall declare his generation, for he was cut off from the earth?” — Orson Hyde quoting Isaiah 53, JoD 2:82
Lyric-to-Source Mapping
| Lyric | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|
| “Jesus was the bridegroom at the marriage of Cana” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “And he told them what to do” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “If Jesus was not the bridegroom… please tell who was” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “Jesus Christ who was married” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “To be brought into the relation whereby he could see his seed” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “Before he was crucified” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
| “Mary, and Martha, and several others, as wives” | JoD 2:82 | Quote |
Addressing Apologetic Responses
“This was just Orson Hyde’s personal opinion”
He was an apostle speaking in General Conference, and his words were published in the official Journal of Discourses. If apostles’ conference addresses don’t carry weight, what does?
“The church has never officially taught this”
That’s the point—apostles taught things in General Conference that the church now pretends never happened. Why were members hearing this from the pulpit if it wasn’t doctrine?
“He was just speculating”
“If any man can show this, and prove that it was not the Savior of the world, then I will acknowledge I am in error” is not the language of speculation. He’s issuing a challenge.
“We don’t know if Jesus was married”
Exactly. The church went from apostles declaring Jesus was married at Cana to official silence. Either Hyde was wrong, or the church is hiding something.
“It’s not essential to salvation”
Then why was an apostle teaching it in General Conference? If it’s not important, why teach it at all?
“Who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off from the earth.” — Isaiah 53:8, quoted in JoD 2:82