Malissa Lott affirms she was JS's wife "in very deed."
Malissa Lott Willes, Affidavit, August 4, 1893, MS 29468, Church History Library
I told him [Joseph Smith III] that I was married to his father the Prophet, on September 20th, 1843, by Hyrum Smith, at Nauvoo, in the presence of my parents and Joseph and Hyrum Smith. My age at that time was 19 years and nine months, and I lived with him as his wife until his death. Mr. Joseph Smith Jr. asked if I would answer him a few <very> plain questions for his own special benefit. I told him I would do so with pleasure.
Question 1. Were you married to my father?
Answer. Yes.
Question. When?
Ans. I handed him the Family Bible, in which was recorded by my father, at that time, the record of my said marriage, and told him he would find it there.
Ques. Was you a wife in very deed?
Ans. Yes.
Ques. Why was there no increase, say in your case?
Ans. Through no fault of either of us, lack of proper conditions on my part probably, or it might be in the wisdom of the Almighty that we should have none. The Prophet was martyred nine months after our marriage.