Dec 15, 2014 by far the most shocking aspect of joseph smiths polygamy is the fact that a dozen or more of his plural wives were legally married to other men for at least part of the time. It appears that sometime shortly after the book of mormon was published, joseph smith learned that plural marriage was a true doctrine and would eventually be practiced by church members. Neilson in 1901, the first mormon missionaries went to japan, including alma o. Polygamy is an everchanging teaching within mormonism. The third reason given by joseph smith for the practice of plural marriage comes as polygamous couples multiply and replenish the earth. The truth about the book of mormon gives people the opportunity to examine the book of mormon s teachings to see for themselves whether they be good or evil. It asserts, in biblical times, the lord commanded some to practice plural marriage the marriage of one man and more than one woman. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious. The book of mormon makes clear that, though the lord will command men through his prophets to live the law of plural marriage at special times for his purposes, monogamy is the general standard jacob 2. In 1904, the church strictly prohibited new plural marriages.
Mormons believe that god commanded early latterday saints to practice polygamy for a time. For the range of topics related to plural marriage narrated in the first volume of saints, see plural marriage in the book s index. How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. Lds leaders announced plural marriage as an official mormon church practice in 1852. Fourteen years later in 1904, church president joseph f. Doctrines of the mormon church by david padfield the stick of judah and ephriam ezek. Whether we call it sin, iniquity, wickedness, evil. Year of polygamy the story of mormon plural marriage.
The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. In september 1890, the president of the lds church issued the manifesto which advised ending new plural marriages in the united states, although the practice was permitted to continued in the colonies of mexico and canada. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. 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. They are provided for the use of fairmormon and its readers. At that time, he allegedly received a revelation in 1843 that living the principle of plural or celestial marriage in this life was a prerequisite to receiving the fullness of gods celestial glory in the next. 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. Still, a small number of fundamentalists, who broke from the church, continue to practice plural marriage. Plural marriage the truth about the book of mormon.
Plural marriage did result in the birth of large numbers of children within faithful latterday saint homes. The difference is that the book of mormon allows for an exception in cases that are specifically commanded by god. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a house full of females. Jun, 2018 joseph smith married emma hale on 17 january of 1827. Laurel based the book on journals and letters of women and some men, writings that were recorded as the marriage system developed, with the intent to understand peoples true and immediate reactions to it. Mormon marriage is intended to be eternal, conditioned upon the kept covenants of each participating spouse.
Abominations is a broader term and covers every thought, deed, and attitude that is offensive to a god who cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance alma 45. This material is part of a collection of draft essays on lds plural marriage. Early polygamous mormon marriages through the eyes of the wives. One of the best places to start the discussion of plural marriage is in the book of mormon where the prophet jacob taught the nephites that gods commandment for them was, there shall not be any man among you have save it be one wife. Nevertheless, there were many latterday saint women who publicly defended the practice of plural marriage, arguing that they were willing participants in such practice. On 24 september 1890, president wilford woodruff issued his famous manifesto which stated in part. A podcast series by lindsay hansenpark of feminist mormon housewives that follows the mormon faith through the lens of the principle of plural marriage from its genesis in 1831 with its originator joseph smith, through the hidden history and governmental pressure, to today and contemporary practicing fundamentalist mormons.
As viewed by the lds church, plural marriages in the early church, when properly authorized and conducted, were, in fact, celestial marriages. This common perception linking mormonism with the practice of one man marrying two or more women has caused the public relations department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, mormon great consternation over the years, even though. In 1890, the lord inspired church president wilford woodruff to issue a statement that led to the end of the practice of plural marriage in the church. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Joseph smith and plural marriage brian and laura hales. Thereafter, for more than half a century, plural marriage was practiced by some latterday saints. The mormon church and polygamy a quick history lesson in the mormon churchs involvement with the issue of plural marriages. Where in the book of mormon does it talk about eternal. 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. Plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870. Jan 17, 2017 how mormon polygamy in the 19th century fueled womens activism pulitzer prizewinning historian laurel thatcher ulrich says that for mormon women living in 19th century utah, plural marriages. Lds church authority and new plural marriages, 1890 1904 by d. Plural marriage in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, gospel topics essay. The plural word whoredoms used 27 times is the general book of mormon term for unchastity in all of its forms. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at. Plural marriage in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Working paper joseph smiths plural marriages by richley crapo. The book of mormon highlights one group of people, for example, who were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed 4 nephi 1. Polygamy bookintroduction of eternal marriage fairmormon. However, if the nephites were giving their daughters in marriage to rulers in neighboring lands in order to cement trade relationships, then those marriage relationships would have also been contrary to the same principles of law that forbade. The 1850s saw many plural marriages, but the rate seems to have declined afterward due to government persecution and changing social standards. And thus, the bible and the book of mormon have become one in gods hand, according to mormon belief. Polygamy is dissected through a feminist viewpoint, with. Misrepresenting polygamy, especially that of joseph. I kind of look at the gospel as a stream of water, and its the purest at its source, says wilde, a spokeswoman for principle voices, a utahbased group that educates the public about polygamy. An article published in 2014 on, the mormons official website, repeats the claim that god commanded abraham to take hagar as a plural wife.
They were to live monogamy like the book of mormon saints. Marriage creates the best possible environment in which to raise children. 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. Author davis bitton author val lambson this is a short summary of three papers in this issue of byu studies quarterly offering new insights into the importance of polygyny, or polygamy, in nineteenthcentury mormondom. Feb 16, 2017 publicly mention the religion of mormonism and the first thought to come to mind is polygamy or, as it is also called, plural marriage. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods. Plural marriage and families in early utah meridian magazine. Plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 1835. Mormon doctrines of plural marriage, polygamy, and baptism.
Mormon polygamy the short version polygamy articles. How can the book of mormon help strengthen my family. A house full of females is a history exploring mormon polygamy as it unfolded, written by one of our countrys foremost historians. The plural wives of joseph smith, is a calmly crafted work designed to bring truth and understanding to this segment of latterday saint history which too often has been characterized by either deliberate obfuscation or shameless sensationalism. Why did the early mormons believe in plural marriage. Youd be excommunicated if you were caught doing that. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on polygamy.
Early polygamous mormon marriages through the eyes of the. Joseph smith and plural marriage brian and laura hales fair mormon. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace. Following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness. Eventually, he and a small number of church leaders entered into plural marriages in. Gospel topics, plural marriage and families in early utah gospel topics, 20in accordance with a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriage the marriage of one man to two or more womenwas instituted among members of the church of jesus christ of. Moroniand topicabrahamic covenant and other covenants. What do you think about the plural marriages in the mormon. The book of mormon teaches one god, not plural gods as in mormonism.
Plural marriages, when authorized are just as much marriages and just as chaste as single ones. God has a perfect plan in place for imperfect people. Mormon leaders had wanted to convince the government that the church was giving up polygamy. Check out this fascinating article which shows what book of mormon prophets thought of polygamy and also why polygamy was practiced in the. There are some tiny religious groups who use the book of mormon but have nothing to do with the lds church who practice polygamy. Cowley from their quorum were announced during the churchs april 1906 general conference. In accordance with a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriage the marriage of one man to two or more womenwas instituted among members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the early.
How mormon polygamy in the 19th century fueled womens activism. The book of mormon condemns the practice of plural marriages in no uncertain terms. A house full of females plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870 by laurel thatcher ulrich illustrated. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife. New mormon narrative history book includes polygamous roots. The lds church has now officially acknowledged in an article on its website that joseph smith was sealed to a number of women who were already married. In the book of mormon, the lord explains that a man should have one wife, but then explains for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise. By sometime in june of 1829 he had completed dictating the text of the book of mormon. Insights on the justification of plural marriages in early. Laurel thatcher ulrich, a distinguished history professor emerita from harvard university, has recently released a longawaited and widely acclaimed work on women and plural marriage in early mormonism, titled a house full of females. Jan 26, 2017 a house full of females plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870 by laurel thatcher ulrich illustrated. But the word of god burdens me because of your grosser crimes. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a. A fascinating account of the cooperation and unity among mormon women in the context of 19th century efforts by the federal government to prohibit plural marriages.
Called plural marriage by mormons in the 19th century, polygamy began in nauvoo, illinois, where joseph smith established the religious practice in the early 1840s. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on. The book of mormon identifies one reason for god to command it. 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. Sep 04, 2018 the book is a robust and honest version of early church history and while it doesnt dwell on polygamy, its notable that it provides the history of plural marriages in a straight forward way. Jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. Taylor and the reverend nishijima kakuryo, 1901 author reid l. The church continued enhancing the gospel topics pages on by posting an enhanced page titled plural marriage and families in early utah. Plural marriage was the nineteenthcentury lds practice of a man marrying more than one wife. And because the early lamanites kept the commandment against plural marriage, concubinage, and whoredoms, jacob told the nephites that the lord god will. The practice of plural marriage, or polygamy, in mormonism goes back to joseph smith, who in 1843 said he received an eternally binding commandment from god that men should take multiple wives.
Joseph smiths polyandrous plural marriages mormons in. Polygamy and the law of sarah mormon women project. Eventually, he and a small number of church leaders entered into plural marriages in the early years of the church. Plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870 kindle edition by ulrich, laurel thatcher. He offers his grace, power, blessing, hand on a marriage where couples promise and strive, however imperfectly, to live his laws which bring the greatest happiness and peace, through. It teaches that god is a spirit not a resurrected man with a physical body. Members of the lds church or mormons have not practiced polygamy for over. The website summarizes these teachings by chapter1 nephi.
She has previously published four books related to colonial and revolutionary america, one of which, a midwifes tale, won both a bancroft and a pulitzer prize. Bennion laurel thatcher ulrich, a distinguished history professor emerita from harvard university, has recently released a longawaited and widely acclaimed work on women and plural marriage in early mormonism, titled a house full of. If plural marriage in the context of mormon history is an area that interests you, i highly recommend you take a short moment to read the. It mentions heaven and hell, not three degrees of glory, no temple marriage or secret temple ceremonies in fact it condems secret combinations. A stunning and suretobe controversial book that pieces together, through more than two dozen nineteenthcentury diaries, letters, albums, minutebooks, and quilts left by firstgeneration latterday saints, or mormons, the neverbeforetold story of the earliest days of the women of mormon plural marriage, whose right to vote in the state. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible.
It was promoted by the church leadership and sanctioned, if. Was joseph smiths relationship with fanny alger an affair, or was it actually his first plural marriage. Commencing in 1862, federal laws were passed against the practice of plural marriage in hopes to protect mormon women and the american civilization in general. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard. Mar 04, 2017 historians like to say, no source, no history, laurel thatcher ulrich writes in her new book, a house full of females. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible.
Rates of polygamous marriages varied at different points throughout the second half of the nineteenth century in mormon settlements. Looking at plural marriage and mormons from vantage of. Jan 10, 2017 a fascinating account of the cooperation and unity among mormon women in the context of 19th century efforts by the federal government to prohibit plural marriages. In a house full of females plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870, laurel thatcher ulrich rewinds the tape, seeking to understand how mormon women arrived at. In 1831, joseph revised the bible noting the accounts of the ancient patriarchs who practiced polygamy. Laurel thatcher ulrich makes a compelling case for the positions of mormon plural wives who supported plural marriage, not only on the basis of theological truth, but on a quasi. Joseph smith, founder of mormonism, taught that a righteous man could help numerous women and children go to heaven by being sealed in. The plural marriages of joseph smith mormonism research. First there are no plural marriages in the mormonlds church. First there are no plural marriages in the mormon lds church. Wilde, 74, was raised in the mainstream lds church but became part of the fundamentalist mormon movement and the second wife in a plural marriage. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from.
This video shows the progression of teachings from antipolygamy to teaching that it is essential. 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. Van waggoner reports, a definite increase in plural marriages occurred after utah statehood was granted in 1896. Government, the mormon church announced in a manifesto that it would give up its practice of polygamy plural marriage and their separate economy, including their united order a system where all things, material and financial, are held in common. Joseph smith restores the practice of plural marriage.
Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. While there were limited plural marriages after 1890 to 1896, the number increased after utah attained statehood. After god revealed the doctrine of plural marriage mormon polygamy to joseph smith and commanded him to live it, the prophet, over a period of years, cautiously taught the doctrine to some close associates. Mormon fundamentalists cleave to the view that there is no celestial marriage that is not plural, while the lds church claims otherwise. In accordance with a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriagethe marriage of one man to two or more womenwas instituted among members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the early 1840s.
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