The Edmunds-Tucker Act: How Federal Law Forced the LDS Church to Abandon Polygamy
Passed in 1887, this U.S. federal law disincorporated the LDS Church and seized its assets, directly leading to the church's official abandonment of plural marriage.
- Federal law passed in 1887 targeting polygamy in U.S. territories.
- Disincorporated the LDS Church and authorized seizure of most church property.
- Required anti-polygamy oaths and stripped voting rights from polygamists.
- Directly led to the LDS Church's 1890 Manifesto officially ending the practice of polygamy.
The Edmunds-Tucker Act was a U.S. federal law passed in 1887, primarily aimed at suppressing the practice of polygamy in U.S. territories, most notably Utah. It targeted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) by disincorporating it, seizing its property, and imposing severe penalties on individuals involved in plural marriage.
Key Provisions and Their Impact
Building upon earlier anti-polygamy legislation like the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act (1862) and the Edmunds Act (1882), the Edmunds-Tucker Act dramatically escalated federal pressure. It legally disincorporated the LDS Church and the Perpetual Emigration Fund, which had assisted converts in migrating to Utah. The law authorized the federal government to seize almost all church property exceeding $50,000 in value, with exceptions only for buildings used exclusively for worship, like temples.
Beyond property, the Act attacked the political and civil rights of those practicing polygamy. It abolished women's suffrage in Utah, which had been granted in 1870. The law required an anti-polygamy oath for all voters, jurors, and public office holders, effectively disenfranchising many Latter-day Saints. It also made polygamy and "unlawful cohabitation" (living with more than one spouse) easier to prosecute, compelling wives to testify against their husbands and disinheriting children born of polygamous unions.
- Disincorporated the LDS Church and seized most of its assets.
- Abolished women's suffrage in Utah.
- Required anti-polygamy oaths for voting and public office.
- Made prosecution for polygamy and cohabitation easier, including compelled spousal testimony.
The Edmunds-Tucker Act marked the peak of federal efforts to eradicate polygamy and proved to be a pivotal turning point. Facing the imminent loss of all its assets and the continued imprisonment of its leaders, the LDS Church issued the 1890 Manifesto, officially abandoning the practice of plural marriage. This decision paved the way for Utah's eventual statehood in 1896 and fundamentally reshaped the relationship between the church and the U.S. government. While mainstream Latter-day Saints ceased the practice, the Act's legacy also highlights the origins of fundamentalist groups who separated from the church to continue plural marriage.
