"Can a woman be freed from a man to whom she is sealed? Yes... And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife...If a woman can find a man holding the keys of the priesthood with higher power and authority than her husband, and he is disposed to take her, he can do so, otherwise she has got to remain where she is. To repeat, first, if a man forfeits his covenants with his wife, or wives, becoming unfaithful to his God, and his priesthood, that wife or wives are freed from him." (Brigham Young, "A Few Words of Doctrine," discourse, Oct. 8, 1861)
A TBM would probably assume that Henry Jacobs had forfeited his his covenants, but unbiased history seems to indicate that is not true. Jacobs keep both his faith, and his love for his wife:
"After Smith's death in 1844, Jacobs stood by while Young was sealed to Smith in the Nauvoo Temple.[19] Later in life, she called herself Joseph's "widow".[7]: 698 She was present at the meeting in which Brigham Young was chosen to lead the church; later, she and others recounted that Young spoke with the voice and appearance of Smith on that occasion.[20] Because she believed him to be God's chosen leader, she consented when Young, 20 years her senior, claimed he acted as Smith's proxy and proposed they be married for time (as many other members of the Quorum of the Twelve did with Smith's other plural wives). Brigham was united "for time" with Zina on February 2, 1846, and, at the same time, she was re-sealed to Smith for eternity.[10]: 103 Some scholars argue that at this point, Brigham Young and other church leaders considered her civil marriage to Jacobs canceled, superseded by the spiritual marriages, though no formal divorce was ever documented.[10] Over a decade later, Brigham would explain, "There was another way—in which a woman could leave a man—if the woman preferred—another man higher in authority and he is willing to take her. And her husband gives her up—there is no Bill of divorce required in the case it is right in the sight of God."[10] In May 1846, Young called Henry Jacobs to serve a mission to England. In August 1846, Zina's father died, and Zina took shelter in the household of Brigham Young.[15] : 84, 88, 89–91 [21] Biographer Todd Compton believed that this move supported the interpretation that Zina at this time "began to live openly as Brigham's wife".[15] : 90 [21] However it was not until six months after the return of Henry Jacobs that Zina conceived a child with Young, a daughter named Zina Presendia Young, born in 1850.[2] What is certain is that Henry Jacobs, upon his return, was brought before a church council for his role in performing marriages uniting multiple women to William W. Phelps in England without authorization. Phelps was excommunicated. Henry was "silenced" for performing the marriages. "It was decided in Council that if a man lost his wife He was at liberty to marry again whare He pleased and was Justifyed."[15] : 92 [21] The Council clearly considered at this time that Henry Jacobs's marriage to Zina was now over.
Jacobs struggled with this judgment, feeling that Zina should have remained his wife. In later years Jacob wrote to Zina: "the same affection is there .... But I feel alone .... I do not Blame Eny person .... [M]ay the Lord our Father bless Brother Brigham .... [A]ll is right according to the Law of the Celestial Kingdom of our God Joseph".[15] : 81–82 (Wikipedia, Zina D.H.Young.)
This is the best known example of what I call the "Zina Principle." But I'm guessing it is far from the only example.
