Polygamy

Mormon Polygamous Family pre 1890.

One of the most identifiable traits of Mormonism is polygamy. It’s a hot topic in today’s culture and the history of the LDS church is full of it. From it’s founder to this very day, Mormons have embraced Polygamy as a vital part of ones progression to exaltation. While it’s true that the LDS church officially banned the practice in 1890 through a manifesto written by then prophet Wilford Woodruff, polygamy is still very much a part of every Mormon’s life.



Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, had at least 20 wives. Some say even up to 33. But here is a list provided by mrm.org

1. Louisa Beaman Apr 5, 1841
2. Zina Diantha Huntington Oct 27, 1841
3. Prescendia Lathrop Huntington Dec 11, 1841
4. Desdemona W. Fullmer 1842
5. Mary Elizabeth Rollins (Lightner) Jan 17, 1842
6. Patty Bartlett (Sessions) Mar 9, 1842
7. Marinda Nancy Johnson (Hyde) Apr 1842
8. Eliza Roxcy Snow Jun 29, 1842
9. Sarah Ann Whitney Jul 27, 1842
10. Martha McBride (Knight) Aug [3] 1842
11. Almera Woodard Johnson Apr 1843
12. Ruth D. Vose (Sayers) Feb 1843
13. Eliza Partridge Mar 8, 1843
14. Helen Mar Kimball May 1843
15. Lucy Walker May 1, 1843
16. Emily Partridge May 11, 1843
17. Sarah Lawrence May 11, 1843
18. Rhoda Richards Jun 12, 1843
19. Melissa Lott Sep 20, 1843
20. Fanny Young (Murray) Nov 2, 1843

So why Polygamy? Well on July 12, 1843 Joseph Smith gave D&C 132:58–66, (Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth) as a revelation from God. The section itself states that this revelation had been known since 1831.

Brigham Young, LDS’s 2nd prophet said the following: “Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given, and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.”

But since 1890, polygamy has been banned by the church, any member who is caught practicing the plurality of wives is excommunicated.

However, we’ve all heard about Mormons who still practice polygamy today, who are they? They are from any number of splinter groups primarily from the FLDS, or Fundamental Latter Day Saints. These are the people who were raided in Texas and FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs was taken to prison. The FLDS believe that the LDS Church gave in to political pressure and that the 1890 manifesto was not of God, but rather in fear of being destroyed by the US Government. The manifesto did come at an incredibly convenient time, seeing as the United States would not allow Utah statehood until the issue of polygamy had been taken care of. The LDS believe that the manifesto is of God and that practicing polygamy today is against the law of God. LDS think the FLDS is apostate, and vice versa.

Also interesting to note would be Wilford Woodruff view on Polygamy before he wrote the 1890 manifesto: "If we were to do away with polygamy, it would only be one feather in the bird, one ordinance in the Church and kingdom. Do away with that, then we must do away with prophets and Apostles, with revelation and the gifts and graces of the Gospel, and finally give up our religion altogether and turn sectarians and do as the world does, then all would be right. We just can't do that, for God has commanded us to build up His kingdom and to bear our testimony to the nations of the earth, and we are going to do it, come life or come death. He has told us to do thus, and we shall obey Him in days to come as we have in days past" (JOD 13:165 - p.166).

Even though faithful LDS agree that polygamy shouldn’t be practiced during this lifetime, they still believe it is an essential part of their personal progression. In the case where a man loses his wife while on earth, if he is sealed to another woman they will both be his wives in the next estate. If a Mormon does not have the opportunity to partake of plural marriage while alive, they believe they will be given the opportunity after death.

LDS claim that polygamy has always been a part of God’s plan and use the Old Testament patriarchs as their example. While it is true that our forefathers did practice polygamy, there is nothing in the Bible that shows God doing anything more than allowing it. God never encouraged plural wives or concubines, and the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon are actually monogamous in nature! In the Book of Mormon Jacob 2:27: says "Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none."

The issue I have with this is that if God really instituted the practice of Polygamy, I wouldn’t let the United States bully me into disobeying God’s law. Although faithful LDS will hold that God really did suspend the practice, I think they timing was too convenient for the church. This is only personal opinion though and open to individual decisions.

The Mormon people are more than just polygamy, it is sad that most people stop at polygamy and write them off. To me polygamy doesn’t seem like the worst thing the LDS church believes in, but that’s because I believe the LDS isn’t the true church. Everyone can’t learn everything about everything, there just isn’t enough time. But since you’re reading this, you should know that polygamy is just a small part of the LDS, not it’s defining doctrine.