History of Polygamy in the LDS Church

Joseph Smith learned of the principle of polygamy, also known as plural marriage, while translating the Book of Mormon. In the early 1840’s he explained the principle to Brigham Young, but both were reluctant to live the principle. By the 1850’s polygamy was instituted as a principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however it has not been practiced in the Mormon Church for more than a century.

Why was polygamy practiced?

God revealed to Joseph Smith that polygamy is only proper when commanded by the Lord to raise up seed unto Himself.  The Lord told Joseph that once he understood the law, he would have to live it, and so would other devout members of the Church. Many people believe that it allowed a large number of second and third generation offspring to be born into families with parents deeply devoted to the Mormon Church. Men were to be called by God to practice polygamy and their worthiness was strictly watched.  Only a small percentage of Latter-day Saints practiced polygamy, and they were mostly leaders who were called to do so.

Why was polygamy ended?

There are many reasons why polygamy was stopped, but the most important is because doctrine of the Mormon Church taught that members were subject to the laws of their land and the United States had made polygamy illegal. In 1890, president of the Church Wilford Woodruff issued an official proclamation that stopped the practice of polygamy. By this time there were very few who actually practiced plural marriage.  In 1904 Prophet Joseph F. Smith attached a punishment for those who continued the practice after God had commanded that it should end, and that was excommunication.

Concerning groups who practice polygamy today, the current prophet and president of the Mormon Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, stated,

I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.

If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. An article of our faith is binding upon us. It states, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (A of F 1:12). One cannot obey the law and disobey the law at the same time.

There is no such thing as a “Mormon Fundamentalist.” It is a contradiction to use the two words together.

More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows polygamy, the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage (lds.org/newsroom)

For More Information

Plural Marriage — MormonWiki.com

Mormon-Polygamy.org