The introduction and implementation of the principle, 18301853 smith, merina on. Ed pilkington uncovers a closed world of sisterwives and. 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. The book of mormon doesnt talk about polygamy and the bible never promotes it. 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. Wellwritten and concisely summarized, it is one of the first books you should read if you want to track the principles history throughout mormonism. Studies of the 19thcentury mormon image in the united states have found the mormons were most closely associated with plural marriage. Jan 26, 2017 the historian laurel ulrich uses the diaries of 19thcentury mormon women to tell the story of polygamy in a house full of females. While many writers have been critical of him and his teachings, most are impressed with at least some of his accomplishments. Eyewitnesses, however, give us no indication that joseph smith instituted this marital innovation for any reason other than that he was commanded to. And, in fact, the descendents of polygamous families sustained the church for years. Seven reasons why mormon polygamy, though no longer practiced in the lds church, still raises relevant critical issues about its claim to be the only true church. Mormon child brides polygamy and mormonism are inseparably entwined.
In the book of mormons book of jacob, chapter 2, verses 2329 and 3335, the practice of taking multiple wives is described as whoredoms and abominable before god, and the lands that practice such things are cursed by god. Portraits of a utah town and other acclaimed works, including mormon polygamy. Mar 28, 2016 for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. But the trial of a fundamentalist mormon for assisting in the rape of a minor could change all that. Make yourselves gods offers a counterhistory of early mormon theology and practice, tracking the saints from their emergence as a dissident sect to their. The historian laurel ulrich uses the diaries of 19thcentury mormon women to tell the story of polygamy in a house full of females. In the western united states, there are at least 30,000 people. I wanted to get a good book on polygamy and lds historian grant palmer said that this was still the definitive guide on understanding mormon polygamy. Faithful reading of hit book of mormon chicago tribune. 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. In polygamy culture, the woman is either seen as unrighteous for not giving consent or not seen at all.
The book of mormon identifies one reason for god to command it. A portrait of religious excess winner of best book awards from the mormon history association and john whitmer historical association. In 1889, thenpresident and prophet wilford woodruff received a revelation stating that the time for polygamy and the outlaw mormon had passed. Second, in the book of mormon, polygamy is prohibited unless the lord needs to raise up seed unto me jacob 2. 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. Modern mormon teachings about polygamy, the history and why so many people still associate mormons with plural marriages. By the 1880s, an estimated 2030 percent of mormon families practiced polygamy. The beginnings of mormon polygamy joseph smiths polygamy. Did early church leaders state that the book of mormon condemns polygamy. Bennetts spiritual wife system and warned if any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the bible, the book of mormon, or the book of doctrine and covenants, set him down as an imposter. This book discusses the issue in a frank and honest manner without taking sides in the difficult matter of lds polygamy. The divine principle is still in the mormon scripture and is still respected by the lds church, but the practice is not. View all hotels near the book of mormon on tripadvisor. 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.
Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. This scripture was used by john taylor in 1850 to quash mormon polygamy rumors in liverpool, england. The works of victor hugo, john gunnisons the mormons or latter day saints, john hydes mormonism. This book is a sociological analysis without the anti mormon sentiment characteristic of sectarian publications. The introduction and implementation of the principle, 18301853. He is coauthor of the biographical resource, a book of mormons, and has published in brigham young university studies, dialogue. Special thanks to the salt lake city community of christ for hosting such a wonderful evening and for the many listeners who came to enjoy the experience. Joseph smith and the origins of mormon polygamy bringhurst, newell g.
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. Mormons and polygamy in american political culture, 18521890. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives. 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. This is precisely what brian david mitchell did when he abducted elizabeth smart. 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. Ill take the biting specificity of these songs over the tired polygamy.
The book of mormon is the product of the sometimes rude and. Aug 17, 2017 explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. Why didnt the book of mormon musical make fun of polygamy. The book is similar in style and treatment to bryan wilsons, sects and society. Why was polygamy prohibited in the book of mormon but. Abraham lincoln and the mormons religious studies center. Smith first dictated the revelation about plural marriage on july 12, 1843, though he always denied it outside the mormon community, and the polygamy doctrine was not publicly acknowledged until 1852. The church stopped practicing polygamy more than 100 years ago and now throws out any members who are polygamous. This spotlight on polygamy is likely to make the majority of mormons who are nonfundamentalist uncomfortable. In april 1844, joseph smith referred to polygamy as john c. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on polygamy. Jesus did say, a man shall leave his family and cleave to his wife and they shall become one, which leaves very little room for anybody that believes in jesus to think that he was promoting 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. The book of mormon is a mess compared to the well organized bible.
As much of the shows satire is aimed at the cliches of socalled golden age musicals as at dogooder fantasies of africa, and the laughs still roll easily. Mar 28, 2016 what does the book of mormon say about polygamy. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god. Theres rape culture, and then theres polygamy culture. The 1893 columbian exposition, also known as the chicago worlds fair, presented the latterday saints with their first opportunity to exhibit the best of mormonism for a national and an international audience after the abolishment of polygamy in 1890. I read the book and was astounding but what i learned about polygamy and how the early saints really practiced it. The musical the book of mormon did much to duck controversy and rein in giving excessive offense to the mormon church. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence duration.
The practice of polygamy in the mormon church unfolded at a time when some religious fringe groups experimented with marital dynamics, including polygamy, as they reinvented the image of religion. He describes the complete history of mormon polygamy from its origins in the 1830s to the current day fundamentalists. He is coauthor of the biographical resource, a book of. He published a five hundredpage book of scripture, organized a new. Apr 18, 2018 both rape and polygamy cultures are generous to the man and critical of the woman. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876.
Dear gramps, in my search for truth i began to study the lds religion. Mormonism, the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Polygamy culture life outside the book of mormon belt. Mormon stories podcast is excited to team up with sunstone to present a recording of our live podcast on 12518 with carol lynn pearson where we discuss her book, the ghost of eternal polygamy.
This volume features articles on the churchs legal confrontation with government over polygamy, various aspects of plural marriage in st. Dec 05, 2012 the book of mormons chicago cast meet the lead actors in this winters most anticipated musical. Mormons, apart from a few fringe sects that might call themselves such and such mormons but are not in any. In the western united states, there are at least 30,000 people involved in the practice of mormon based polygamy. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy.
Even though only a tiny minority of mormons practiced plural marriage, many church leaders were very reluctant to abandon it, arguing that to do so would. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Mormonism and polygamypurpose of plural marriage polygamy. On november 18, 1861, the executive mansion borrowed the following books from the library of congress.
From the perspective of protestant america, nineteenthcentury mormons were the victims of a peculiar zealotry, a population derangedsocially, sexually, even raciallyby the extravagances of belief they called religion. Best book at the time on mormon polygamy has still stood the test of time as an indispensable resource decades later. He said in the book of mormon it was an abomination in the eyes of the lord, and they were to adhere to these things except the. After the manifesto, some mormons continued to enter into polygamous marriages, but these eventually stopped in 1904 when church. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. 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. George, the perspectives of two prominent mormon plural wives eliza r.
The book of mormon, now five years old, has returned to chicago for second time in two years, still wildly popular, but more of a known entity. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. The book of mormon chicago 2020 all you need to know. One of the most offensive aspects of mormonbased polygamy is the rampant practice of taking underage girls as polygamous wives. Members of the lds church or mormons have not practiced polygamy for over. Welldocumented treatment on the development of the doctrine and practice of plural marriage in mormonism. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths.
Nov 20, 2006 over the years a blind eye has been turned to the practice of polygamy in the united states. Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths polygamy. 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. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. The book of mormons chicago cast meet the lead actors in this winters most anticipated musical. Necessary for exaltatiowe know that marriage is required for exaltation. Many mormons, especially those with polygamous ancestors, say they were well aware that smiths successor, brigham young, practiced. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church has been the subject of criticisms since it was founded by american religious leader joseph smith in 1830 polygamy is perhaps the most controversial, and was a key contributing factor for smiths murder. The classic example is the man who asserts a woman was asking for it by wearing that short skirt. This book is a sociological analysis without the antimormon sentiment characteristic of sectarian publications. It took the creators of south park to push mormons out into telling our stories.
Van wagoner is a clinical audiologist and lehi city historian, author of lehi. The mormon church officially renounces polygamy history. One of the most offensive aspects of mormon based polygamy is the rampant practice of taking underage girls as polygamous wives. Carmon hardy, mormon historian, truth and mistruth in mormon history, in lavina fielding anderson and janice merrill allred, eds.
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