Fundamentalist Polygamy Today: How Splinter Groups Continued the Practice After the LDS Church Renounced It

Fundamentalist polygamy refers to the practice of plural marriage by various independent religious groups who broke away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) following its official renunciation of polygamy in 1890. These groups, often small and insular, consider plural marriage a core religious principle, believing it is essential for salvation and exaltation, a doctrine that directly contradicts the modern LDS Church's teachings and policies.

The 1890 Manifesto and the Schism

For decades in the 19th century, the LDS Church openly practiced plural marriage, or polygamy, as a religious tenet. However, intense legal and social pressure from the U.S. government, including the Edmunds Act of 1882 which criminalized polygamy and disenfranchised polygamists, eventually led to a crisis. In 1890, LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff issued the "Manifesto," officially advising members to refrain from new plural marriages. This decision, driven by the desire to avoid further federal prosecution and enable Utah's statehood, marked a pivotal moment. While the mainstream church gradually phased out the practice and excommunicated those who continued it, some members refused to abandon what they saw as a sacred commandment, leading to the formation of various independent fundamentalist groups dedicated to preserving plural marriage.

Core Beliefs and Modern Practices

Today, fundamentalist polygamist groups operate entirely separately from the mainstream LDS Church. Their core belief is that plural marriage is a divine ordinance necessary for achieving the highest degree of salvation in the afterlife. They often view the 1890 Manifesto as a temporary measure or a betrayal of fundamental doctrine. Practices vary among the dozens of different groups, but generally involve a man marrying multiple women. These communities are often geographically isolated, emphasizing self-sufficiency and strict adherence to their interpretations of early Mormon doctrines and social structures. Leadership within these groups is typically patriarchal, with significant authority vested in male spiritual leaders who sanction marriages.

While some fundamentalist groups are relatively benign, others have faced scrutiny and legal action for practices such as child marriage, abuse, and exploitation. The insular nature of many of these communities can make it difficult for authorities to intervene, and members, particularly women and children, may be cut off from mainstream society and resources.

Why It Matters Today

The continued practice of fundamentalist polygamy matters due to its complex intersections with legal, social, and human rights issues. In the United States and Canada, where most of these groups reside, polygamy remains illegal. This creates legal ambiguities for families, particularly regarding inheritance, child custody, and welfare. More critically, concerns often arise around consent, especially in cases of underage marriages, and the potential for abuse and control within highly patriarchal and isolated communities. Understanding these groups is crucial for addressing issues of religious freedom, child protection, and the challenges faced by individuals seeking to leave such environments, while also distinguishing their practices from the mainstream LDS Church's current teachings.