The Origins and Evolution of Polygamy in Early Mormonism
Explore the spiritual justifications, historical context, and eventual cessation of plural marriage within the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Early Mormon polygamy, or 'plural marriage,' began with Joseph Smith's claimed divine revelation in the 1840s.
- It was practiced openly in Utah for decades, seen as a religious duty for exaltation and community building.
- U.S. government pressure and legal challenges led to its official cessation by the Church in 1890.
- The practice profoundly shaped early Mormon identity, family structures, and its relationship with wider American society.
Polygamy, referred to by early Latter-day Saints as 'plural marriage' or 'celestial marriage,' was a divinely sanctioned practice within the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allowing a man to be married to more than one living wife simultaneously. It was introduced as a religious commandment, believed to be essential for spiritual exaltation and the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth.
The Revelation and Early Secrecy (1840s)
The origins of plural marriage within Mormonism trace back to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. Smith taught that he received a revelation from God in the early 1840s in Nauvoo, Illinois, commanding him to restore the ancient practice of polygamy as observed by biblical patriarchs like Abraham. This revelation, later canonized as Doctrine and Covenants Section 132, outlined theological justifications, including the raising of righteous offspring, the sealing of families for eternity, and a path to greater glory in the afterlife. Initially, the practice was kept largely secret, known only to a small circle of trusted leaders and participants, due to anticipated public outcry and legal challenges. Smith himself entered into plural marriages, as did many close associates.
Public Practice in Utah and Societal Impact (1850s-1880s)
Following Smith's death and the Mormon migration west, Brigham Young, Smith's successor, publicly announced the practice of plural marriage in 1852 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This marked a significant shift from secrecy to open advocacy. In the isolated Utah territory, plural marriage became a defining characteristic of Latter-day Saint society. It was viewed not merely as permissible but as a religious obligation for many, particularly leaders. The practice had profound social and economic implications, fostering close-knit communities, allowing for shared labor and resources, and creating extended family networks that strengthened the fledgling society.
However, this open practice also led to intense conflict with the United States government and mainstream American society, which largely viewed polygamy as immoral and a threat to traditional family values. Congress passed anti-polygamy legislation, including the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862 and the Edmunds Act of 1882, which disenfranchised polygamists, made cohabitation a crime, and allowed for seizure of church assets. These legal pressures led to widespread arrests, fines, and imprisonment for many Latter-day Saint men.
The Official Cessation (1890 and Beyond)
The escalating conflict with the U.S. government, which threatened the Church's existence and Utah's statehood, ultimately led to a pivotal change. In 1890, Church President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto, officially advising Latter-day Saints to refrain from entering into new plural marriages. This was a difficult decision, seen by many as a necessary sacrifice to preserve the Church and its people. While existing plural marriages were largely allowed to continue for a time, the Church gradually enforced the Manifesto more strictly. Subsequent declarations and disciplinary actions further solidified the Church's stance against plural marriage, leading to its complete cessation by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 20th century. Splinter groups, however, continued to practice polygamy, separating themselves from the main body of the Church.
The origins and evolution of polygamy are central to understanding early Mormonism. It was a practice born from religious conviction, shaped by societal pressures, and ultimately abandoned for the survival and integration of the Church into American society. Its legacy continues to influence the Church's identity, its historical narrative, and its relationship with both its past and the wider world.
- 'Celestial Marriage' refers to the doctrine that marriage can be eternal, extending beyond death, a core belief in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- In the 19th century, plural marriage was considered a form of celestial marriage, essential for the highest degree of exaltation.
- Today, the Church still practices celestial marriage (eternal marriage in temples), but exclusively in a monogamous context.
Sources
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Topics Essays: 'Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo'
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Topics Essays: 'The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage'
- Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132
