An Examination of the Controversial Practice of Polygamy of the Mormons

Seven or more wives? What young boy wouldn’t like the idea of having many women, not having to hide it, and it being accepted, approved off, and actually greatly supported and pushed? If you were a Mormon in the 1800s you might have practiced this custom. This is called polygamy, meaning the men were permitted and encouraged to have multiple wives. Although most people believe Mormons practice polygamy, I contend, they ceased this practice in 1890, when it became illegal to practice in the United States.

The practice of polygamy in the LDS church ended in 1890, but people still believe that it is practiced among the Latter Day Saint church members. One twitter user, posing as the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith Junior, posted, “Sorry you are feeling ignored. I have 30+ wives. You are lucky to see me once a month. #ShareGoodness #Mormon #Polygamy @therealEmmaHale” (@4JosephSmithJr). This user is mocking Mormons and saying he has many wives, with the hashtag polygamy explaining what he was referring to.

He tags another mock user named therealEmmaHale. Emma Hale was Joseph Smith’s first wife, who while she obeyed the commandment, did not love the concept of her husband marrying and having relationships with other women.

Another example that people believe Mormons practice polygamy is in the TV show Family Guy. Peter is trying to find his own religion and tries Mormonism. When his wife walks into a room with Peter surrounded by three other women, his wife asks what he is doing. He responds, “I’m going to be Mormon … Come on, nailing a different wife every night that’s a no brainer” (Family Guy).

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified

Proficient in: Polygamy

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

It is a very common misconception that Mormons practice polygamy. There are two main reasons why it is commonly believed Mormons practice polygamy today. Starting in 1852, the principle was publically announced. The practice was publically practiced, regardless of the constant ridicule and persecution they received from those around them. One of the reasons polygamy was practiced is so that “the birth of large numbers of children within faithful latter day saint homes” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) could happen. If more children were able to be born into righteous families that were members of the church, then more souls would be saved and there would also produce more children born into the church.

One easy way to jump start an increase of offspring was polygamy. Many argue that Christianity opposes polygamy, and even the Book of Mormon, the book translated by Joseph Smith the prophet, teaches a man should be faithful to his one wife and her alone. Although this is true, the bible actually states that in times when commanded by god it is permitted for man to have multiple wives when the Lord sees fit. Joseph Smith received revelation from God telling Joseph that it was God’s will for them to practice polygamy at this time. Although the saints were supposed to accept the principle, women could choose to enter into a monogamous marriage, polygamous marriage, or no marriage at all. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints officially ended the practice in 1890. However, after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, a group of the saints broke off and created what they called the Reformed Latter Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has no association with the Reformed LDS church. The RLDS continued to practice polygamy even after it was made illegal. They continue even today to continue polygamy. They also are sometimes referred to as Mormons, giving people the misconception that the real Mormons practice polygamy, which is why the misconception exists.

Today, Mormons believe in monogamous relationships. A husband must be faithful to his wife and only her, and a woman must be faithful to her husband and none other. In a publication by the church, it states, “A man who holds the priesthood shows perfect moral fidelity to his wife and gives her no reason to doubt his faithfulness” (Hunter). Any man who gives his wife reason to doubt his faithfulness to her is then under subjugation to disciplinary action by the leaders placed over him. In addition to this, any member found to be practicing polygamy is excommunicated from the church. “Today, any person who practices plural marriage cannot become or remain a member of the church” (The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints). Even right after the government made it illegal, the families that had polygamous marriages continued to support their extra wives. They did not marry more, and when they were convicted by the law they paid fines and served jail time without trouble. However, a group of people who broke off of the church and call themselves Reformed Mormons, The Community of Chirst, or RLDS, continues to practice this custom. This then came across to some people as the Mormons, not the reformed Mormons, continue to practice polygamy.

The truth is that Mormons fully believe and practice monogamy. They believe that husband and wife should be completely faithful to each other and practicing polygamy will result in excommunication from the church. However, there are still churches that do practice polygamy that may be misunderstood to be Mormon.