Best book at the time on mormon polygamy has still stood the test of time as an indispensable resource decades later. Women in polygamy twin relics of barbarism prisoners for consciences sake paving the way to statehood. The book of mormon unequivocally condemns the practice of polygamy. The practice began during the lifetime of founder and prophet joseph smith but became publicly and widely known during the time of 2nd prophet, brigham young. Polygamy wasnt a theological debate for early mormon. A portrait of religious excess winner of best book awards from the mormon history association and john whitmer historical association. By the 1880s, an estimated 2030 percent of mormon families practiced polygamy.
Is polygamy mentioned in the book of mormon answers. May 24, 2011 historically, members of the latterday saints lds or mormons practiced polygamy, although the acceptance of the practice changed as new revelation was given to the prophets of the church. Mormonism today does not practice polygamy, but neither does it claim that its past practice of polygamy was wrong. For the mormon mainstream, the 1887 edmundstucker act proved the final straw. Book of mormon statements about the practice of polygamy jump to subtopic. Wellwritten and concisely summarized, it is one of the first books you should read if you want to track the principles history throughout mormonism. Mormon women since the end of polygamy, unearths the diverse lives of modern mormon women to demonstrate the complex ways that women navigate their spiritual lives in the face of a constantly changing cultural context. Why didnt the book of mormon musical make fun of polygamy.
Portraits of a utah town and other acclaimed works, including mormon polygamy. Oct 25, 2010 the battle against mormon polygamy continued while taylor was underground, with 1887s edmundstucker act forcing women to testify against their husbands, requiring anti polygamy oaths and laying the groundwork for the u. Richard van wagoner treats the touchy subject in a fair manner, covering all periods from the 1830s to the late 20th century. See book of mormon central, what does the book of mormon say about polygamy. Polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for more than half of the 19th century in semisecrecy and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by up to 30 percent of church families. If you see the episode of southpark on the origins of the mormon church you will get a much edgier satire of the dubious aspect. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed to me, i will command my people, otherwise they shall hearken unto these things jacob 2. Nov, 2014 when i brought up the subject of mormon polygamy, the professor dismissed it as a sideshow. In 1841, it was revealed that an antimormon almanac would be published. Carmon hardy, mormon historian, truth and mistruth in mormon history, in lavina fielding anderson and janice merrill allred, eds. The practice of plural marriage by early latterday saints did lead to an increase in the number of children born to church members. Was the practice of polygamy general knowledge among latterday saints in 1835 when the article on marriage was published. On august 16 of that year, the latter day saint times and.
But the assertion that the case against polygamy is incredibly flimsy, almost entirely lacking in rational basis and animated by purely irrational fears and prejudice could not be. Popular polygamy books meet your next favorite book. The book of mormon account is basing its statements on an interpretation of mosaic law to defend a new to them negative position on polygamy. The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. Polygamy is a marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time. Mormon polygamy was one of the leading moral issues of the 19th century in the united states, perhaps second only to slavery in importance. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon, 6 vols. The battle against mormon polygamy continued while taylor was underground, with 1887s edmundstucker act forcing women to testify against their husbands, requiring antipolygamy oaths and laying the groundwork for the u. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon salt lake city, ut.
This volume features articles on the churchs legal confrontation with government over polygamy, various aspects of plural marriage in st. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. George, the perspectives of two prominent mormon plural. Drawing from jacob 2, apostle orson pratt, in an 1859 sermon, taught that polygamy was positively forbidden to be practiced by the ancient nephites except as otherwise commanded by god. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god. Joseph and hyrum were consistent in their action against the false doctrines of polygamy and spiritual wifeism, instigated by the devil and advocated by men who did not comprehend sound doctrine nor the purity of celestial marriage which god revealed for the holiest of purposes. Mar 28, 2016 in the case of plural marriage, the bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise official declaration 1 heading, or, in jacobs language, if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people to practice plural marriage.
The musical the book of mormon did much to duck controversy and rein in giving excessive offense to the mormon church. In revelation, resistance, and mormon polygamy, historian merina smith explores the introduction of polygamy in nauvoo, a development that unfolded amid scandal and resistance. Mcconkie, in the book mormon doctrine if you consider the flds under the word mormon, then some mormons do practice polygamy even today, as they follow the words of early mormon prophets, and even lds mormons accept doctrine that teaches the principle of polygamy, even if they try not to talk about it in public. Carmon hardy goes into more depth for the utah period of mormon polygamy.
Another testament of jesus christ is similar to and complimentary to the holy bible. There is a very interesting section on the politics involved in ending polygamy in the mainstream church. There are many offshoots of the mainstream lds church which do, in fact, continue to practice various forms of polygamy, which was originally practiced during the mid to late 1800s by the early mormon pioneers who came to utah after being persecuted. Smith considers the ideological, historical, and even psychological elements of the process and captures the emotional and cultural detail of this exciting and volatile period in. One of these tenets was polygamy, which his contemporaries said came as a result of smith having been commanded by an angel to marry plural wives. This is, of course, jacob chapter 2 and a little of chapter 3. Mcconkie, in his book mormon doctrine, looked forward to the time when the holy practice of polygamy would be practiced once again. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at specific periods when he has declared otherwise. The book, which included an appendix of smiths 48 wives she wrote that there were probably more.
Mormons believe that god commanded early latterday saints to practice polygamy for a time. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. Congress renewed its attack on polygamy by disincorporating the church and seizing its assets. Mormon elders who publicly taught that all men were commanded to enter plural marriage were subject to harsh discipline. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. The practice was commanded by god through living prophets and forbidden by god through living prophets. The case against encouraging polygamy is strong the atlantic. Following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on. Polygamy wasnt a theological debate for early mormon women. Joseph smiths sermon against polygamy book of mormon. For more detailed information on joseph smiths wives, get in sacred loneliness by lds historian todd compton. In his decision, rendered march 16, 1894, judge philips said.
From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. Revelation, resistance, and mormon polygamy audiobook by. While latterday saints today do not know all the reasons for gods command, they do understand some reasons why god would command the practice of polygamy. My story of growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breakin.
There are several instances of polygamy in the old testament. Polygamy was made illegal in the state of illinois during the 183944 nauvoo era when several top mormon leaders, including smith, brigham young and heber c. Jul 09, 2015 but the assertion that the case against polygamy is incredibly flimsy, almost entirely lacking in rational basis and animated by purely irrational fears and prejudice could not be more wrong. If a marriage includes multiple husbands and wives, it can be called a group. A history perhaps the best single work on the subject to date. In the case of plural marriage, the bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise official declaration 1 heading, or, in jacobs language, if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people to practice plural marriage. By placing the history of women first, rather than as a supplement to the. Moses had two wives, abraham three, jacob four, david at least 18, and solomon all of 700. When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, sociologists call this polygyny. Mar 12, 2007 it struck me the other day that the one place in the book of mormon where polygamy is addressed is unabashedly opposed to polygamy. Moses had two wives, abraham three, jacob four, david at least 18, and solomon all of. The book of mormon, along with his revelations, then became fundamental tenets of the mormon church.
How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. The book of mormon itself inveighed against the sin of polygamy conformably to the book of mormon, the book of doctrine and covenants expressly declared that we believe that one man should have but one wife, and one woman but one husband. It struck me the other day that the one place in the book of mormon where polygamy is addressed is unabashedly opposed to polygamy. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on polygamy. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. The same book of mormon and the same article that commanded the nephites that they should not marry more than one wife, made an exception. Mormonism and polygamy the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. When i brought up the subject of mormon polygamy, the professor dismissed it as a sideshow. Mar 10, 2020 drawing from jacob 2, apostle orson pratt, in an 1859 sermon, taught that polygamy was positively forbidden to be practiced by the ancient nephites except as otherwise commanded by god. While the bible is the record of israelites in the holy land, the book of mormon is an account written by israelite prophets among a branch of israel that dwelt anciently in the americas. Jacob strongly condemns it as an abomination before god jacob 2. Van wagoner is a clinical audiologist and lehi city historian, author of lehi. Why does the book of mormon warn against seeking after. What the book of mormon says about polygamy jacob 1.
1115 47 256 125 678 516 1309 266 921 1297 541 543 753 356 968 1012 872 779 45 810 85 329 781 417 1404 49 545 828 402 143 691 902 242 2 1011