Portraits of a utah town and other acclaimed works, including mormon polygamy. The introduction and implementation of the principle, 18301853. Most people understand that rape culture is a term that identifies ways a society blames female victims for the inappropriate and often criminal behavior of men. Heres everything you always wanted to know about mormon polygamy, from why it started to how it works to its prevalence today. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. The utah lds interpretation of this scripture is clearly described on the origins of polygamy among the mormons page of the mormon polygamy web site as follows. Smiths revelation was questioned by many of his fellow mormons. Written by lds member richard vanwagoner, a graduate from byu who has won awards from the mormon history association and the dialogue foundation for his important historical work, the book covers the beginning of mormon polygamy with joseph smith up to the flds and modern day plural marriage. In getting there, smith had to have done something pretty big, which for all intents and purposes was publishing the book of mormon.
However, smith began to practice polygyny in the 1830s and secretly told his inner circle that he had received a revelation. One of the most offensive aspects of mormon based polygamy is the rampant practice of taking underage girls as polygamous wives. 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. Mormon child brides polygamy and mormonism are inseparably entwined. This approach figures prominently in ulrichs latest book, a house full of females. 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. Nor is the marriage of 12 yearold girls who have barely had a chance to have an education part of historical mormon polygamy. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. Recovery from mormonism the mormon church lds church. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths. How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. This book discusses the issue in a frank and honest manner without taking sides in the difficult matter of lds polygamy. He describes the complete history of mormon polygamy from its origins in the 1830s to the current day fundamentalists. Joseph smith of new york founded the mormon church in 1830 after having earlier experienced a series of visions, one of which directed him to ancient hidden golden tablets that.
Mormons change references to blacks, polygamy the changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. A portrait of religious excess winner of best book awards from the mormon history association and john whitmer historical association. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. 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. Polyandry is an unfamiliar topic to most faithful members, as it is a form of polygamy where a woman has more than one husband. Polygamy documents master index how to search fundamentalist documents about check these out joseph smiths polygamy website questions about polyandry dan vogel spins the evidence joseph smith was a polygamist dialogues discussing polygamy controversies website modern polygamy and mormon fundamentalism 2017 visit to the flds yearning for zion ranch in texas is. This new book by foster and watson on the history of mormon fundamentalist polygamy is a very enjoyable, insightful volume. 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 is a sacred text of the movement, which mormons used alongside the bible for teaching. Salt lake city ap mormon church founder joseph smith insisted on introducing polygamy in the early 1800s despite knowing the. Lamanites are no longer the principal ancestors of the american indians. Subjects include polyandry, young brides, theology, children, and emma smith.
He is coauthor of the biographical resource, a book of mormons, and has published in brigham young university studies, dialogue. 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. They have a unique view of cosmology and believe that all people are spiritchildren of god. This way, mormon judges or juries couldnt just dismiss the cases. As early as the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, latter day saint doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable only if it was commanded by god. A study of the reactions among mormons and nonmormons to the introduction of polygamy as a key mormon doctrine. Mormons believe that returning to god requires following the example of jesus christ, and accepting his atonement through ordinances such as baptism. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives. For this reason, the lord revealed polygamy to joseph smith. Mormonism and polygamy main article mormonism and polygamy background origin of latter day saint polygamy latter day saint polygamy in the late19th century 1890 manifesto second manifesto council of friends woolley 1886 revelation current state current state of polygamy in the latter day saint movement mormon fundamentalism.
Plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism. Polygamy culture life outside the book of mormon belt. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, vol. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. The book of mormon, translated in 1829, makes mention of polygamy and, while it seems to forbid polygamy, it recognizes that sometimes god commands men to practice polygamy. Concerning this record, the prophet joseph smith, who translated it by the gift and power of god, said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book see the introduction at the. Underage marriages may have happened, but they were a rarity. Any mormon who practices polygamy is subject to excommunication from the church. The lds churchs simplistic description of polygamy is complicated by the reality of josephs smiths practice of polyandry. The classic example is the man who asserts a woman was asking for it by wearing that short skirt.
Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on. Mormons believe in the bible, as well as other books of scripture, such as the book of mormon. Popular polygamy books showing 150 of 472 escape hardcover by. Discusses joseph smiths introduction of polygamy into early mormon church. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. Joseph smith taught his polygamy doctrines only in secret and dictated a. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths polygamy the mormon churchs founder was married to as many as 40 women in the years before his murder in 1844, the church acknowledged in. This is precisely what brian david mitchell did when he abducted elizabeth smart. 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.
Why polygamy is still associated with the mormon church. The bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise. Did early church leaders state that the book of mormon condemns polygamy. Unlawful cohabitation was a much easier judicial standard to prove than bigamy or polygamy. The book of mormon itself does not contain specific information about polygamy. Polygamy called plural marriage by mormons in the 19th century or the principle by modern fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by between 20 and 30 percent of latterday saint families. As early as the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, latter day saint doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable only if it was. The church officially ended the practice of polygamy in 1890, but its status as a doctrine of mormonism is exploited by mormon detractors. What the book of mormon says about polygamy jacob 1. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. New mormon narrative history book includes polygamous roots.
A site for former members and those questioning the mormon beliefs. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed. He is coauthor of the biographical resource, a book. While the mormon church has denounced polygamy and the fdls, this sect. The mormon handbook is a reference to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, headquartered in salt lake city, utah. Although the lds church banned the practice of polygamy in 1890. The founder of mormonism said the book of mormon was the most correct book of any book, including the bible history of the church, vol. The book of jacob condemned polygamy as adultery, 71 but left open the proviso that for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Second, in the book of mormon, polygamy is prohibited unless the lord needs to raise up seed unto me jacob 2.
It is important to understand that there are no mormon polygamists now. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. Ed pilkington uncovers a closed world of sisterwives and underage. The hidden world of mormon polygamy kindle edition by. Polygamy lives on in mormon temple sealings 3 august 2016.
In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old testament practice of plural marriage. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Jon does a fair and factual history of the mormon church and the rise of polygamy and the flds. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god. Van wagoner is a clinical audiologist and lehi city historian, author of lehi. Polygamy, or plural marriage, would increase the descendents of faithful mormon families. Oliver cowdery, who had taken down the dictation of much of the book of mormon, accused smith of adultery. After months and months of questions about our religion and christian beliefs, we. A study of the reactions among mormons and non mormons to the introduction of polygamy as a key mormon doctrine. Theres rape culture, and then theres polygamy culture.
Yet, essential mormon doctrines arent even found in it. How many wives did joseph smith and brigham young have. It is not to be confused with the lds church handbook of instructions after the death of joseph smith, the church he founded split into several organizations. And, in fact, the descendents of polygamous families sustained the church for years. But the trial of a fundamentalist mormon for assisting in the rape of a. In 1882, the edmunds act made unlawful cohabitation a crime, and anyone who broke the law could be imprisoned for six months. The authors examine how the book of mormon itself provides a storyline about the history of seer stones and how this helped joseph smith learn about his own prophetic gifts.
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