In 2016, however, reaction to the book of mormon among non mormon readers is much more positive, with some now classifying the book as a classic. What was life like for mormon pioneer women in polygamy. This volume features articles on the churchs legal confrontation with government over polygamy, various aspects of plural marriage in st. Polygamy bookinitiation of the practice fairmormon. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives. There was a book printed at my office, a short time since, written by udney h. Jan 17, 2017 im terry gross back with pulitzer prizewinning historian laurel thatcher ulrich, author of the new book a house full of females, about polygamy and womens rights in early mormonism. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon. 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. A great book for a general knowledge of mormon polygamy, and a quick read.
In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a law. As the lds church settled in what became the utah territory, it eventually was subjected to the power and. The original twochapter peace maker pamphlet was published in nauvoo, illinois with joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, listed as the printer.
Wellwritten and concisely summarized, it is one of the first books you should read if you want to track the principles history throughout mormonism. Hardys book, on the other hand, deals almost exclusively with the postmanifesto era polygamy between 1890 and 1910. It is not clear that the early saints contemplated any exceptions to this command in their own case. Mormon polygamy was one of the leading moral issues of the 19th century in the united states, perhaps second only to slavery in importance. Disagreement over smiths doctrine of plural marriage has been among the primary reasons for multiple church schisms.
Mormon polygamy mormon girlz polygamy marriage free. How can we explain polygamy when someone asks about it. With the exception of converts, initial reaction was hostile. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is very different from van wagoners effort. 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. For i, the lord god, delight in the chastity of women. Jacob 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This book, edited by two notable lds historians newell bringhurst and craig l. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. Polygamy was slow to spread throughout the church, taking years to catch on.
Jacob forbade this practice, and declared monogamy to be the norm unless i willraise up seed unto me. It is commonly found where the value of womens labor is high and may be practiced as a way of acquiring allies. Van wagoners work gives essentially equal balance to the mormon practice of polygamy from the early 1830s until the present day. A young, single man at byu approaches an attractive coed and, after a date or two or 30, tells her he has received revelation that she is to become his wife. After all, abraham and jacob and david and solomon had more than one wife. Mcconkie controversially stated in his 1958 book, mormon doctrine, that god will obviously reinstitute the practice of polygamy after the second coming of jesus christ. 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. Second, in the book of mormon, polygamy is prohibited unless the lord needs to raise up seed unto me jacob 2. Apr 18, 2018 too many mormon women are abused by polygamy culture. Congress renewed its attack on polygamy by disincorporating the church and seizing its assets.
Army forced a miraculous revelation that maybe it wasnt such a good idea after all. We came into this world and have our agency, in order that we may prepare ourselves for a kingdom of glory. The same book of mormon and the same article that commanded the nephites that they should not marry more than one wife, made an exception. One states that the abomination of solomon and david was in their breaking the commandments in torah according to the text, and while there are. 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. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. That being the general rule, jacob went on to qualify that law, saying that plural marriage is justifiable but only when god commands it. Come follow me insights into jacob 14, mar 9mar 15. These are a few examples of what polygamy culture looks like.
The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god. About mormon polygamy the principle of polygamy, the practice of more than one woman being married to the same man, has likely caused the most controversy in the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, also known as the lds church or the mormon church. Mormongirlz offers wonderful access to the mystery, taboo cravings of young mormon young girls and what sister evangelists actually do once no one is wanting. The book of mormon makes it clear that the lord may, under some circumstances, command the practice of plural marriage. Jacob specified that plural marriage may be practiced when god commanded it, but insisted that monogamy was otherwise the norm. And, in fact, the descendents of polygamous families sustained the church for years. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. The book of mormon was published on march 26, 1830.
While latterday saints today do not know all the reasons for gods command, they do understand some reasons why god would command the practice of polygamy. Joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, privately taught and practiced polygamy. It is a thorough volume that is scholarly, and eludicates many important issues that, unfortunately, are often distorted in more polemical works. The prophet jacob rebuked the nephites for their practice of having many wives and concubines. In an excellent new book, paula kelly harline lets them tell us in their own words. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one. Mormon polygamy mormon girlz free download as powerpoint presentation. Nov 21, 2008 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. God does not approve of polygamy, and it should only be instituted when it is specifically commanded by god. The musical the book of mormon did much to duck controversy and rein in giving excessive offense to the mormon church. Polygamy culture life outside the book of mormon belt. An introduction to mormon polygamy with todd compton. Mcconkie, in his book mormon doctrine, looked forward to the time when the holy practice of polygamy would be practiced once again. What the book of mormon says about polygamy jacob 1.
John dehlin january 17, 2006 church history, joseph smith, mormon doctrine, polygamy, top 10 polygamy, top 10 truth claims, top 100 leave a comment. In civil law, when someone forces you to sign a contract with a gun at your head, the contract is not considered valid. Mix play all mix book of mormon central youtube come follow me insights into mosiah 46, april 2026 duration. Another testament of jesus christ is similar to and complimentary to the holy bible.
The first specificallylds encounter with plural marriage was the 1829 book of mormon. There is a very interesting section on the politics involved in ending polygamy in the mainstream church. For the mormon mainstream, the 1887 edmundstucker act proved the final straw. The standard doctrine of the church is monogamy, as it always has been, as indicated in the book of mormon jacob chapter 2.
A man may cement his bonds with several other men by marrying their sisters or daughters. Polygamy, or plural marriage, would increase the descendents of faithful mormon families. In early mormon history, it was a minority practice, with only about onethird of adult women involved in polygamous marriages. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. After smiths death in 1844, the church he established splintered into several competing groups. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. 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. Polygamy victims share their horror rick alan ross.
Mormons believe that god commanded early latterday saints to practice polygamy for a time. Mormonism and polygamy the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. Nov 14, 2014 mormon historian todd compton, whos written a book on smiths polygamy, says theres good evidence smith married at least 33 women by the time he was murdered by a mob in 1844. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. The mormon religion, founded by joseph smith, had polygamy as one of its tenets until the guns of the u. And here is the quote from the mormon church about why they can practice polygamy. While the bible is the record of israelites in the holy land, the book of mormon is an account written by israelite prophets among a branch of israel that dwelt anciently in the americas. 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. In the bible, for instance, we read about abraham, isaac, jacob, and others who. Aug 15, 2004 men believe they are the linear descendants of jesus, moses or early mormon leaders, and they dont want to dilute the bloodline by marrying outsiders. Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastitymen may seek riches to help their fellowmenthe lord commands that no man among. The passage from the book of mormon condemns david and solomons practice and the practice of plural marriage in general, and the doctrine and covenants.
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. Current state of polygamy in the latter day saint movement. God commanded some of the prophets of old in the bible to practice polygamy. Why didnt the book of mormon musical make fun of polygamy. Mooreemmett, who has written extensively about polygamy, includes the stories of 18 women in this jarring book. Drawing from jacob 2, apostle orson pratt, in an 1859 sermon, taught that polygamy was positively forbidden to be practiced by the ancient nephites except as otherwise commanded by god. Alexander although the occasion of many of the sermons i have given in church gatherings has faded into oblivion, the evening i reported my mission in the ogden twentyninth ward is indelibly impressed on my mind.
George, the perspectives of two prominent mormon plural wives eliza r. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. List of books and articles about polygamy online research. How might readers make sense of this connection between polygamy and material wealth. Polygamy not popular among mormon pioneers, says new book.
Mormon church publishes essay on founder joseph smiths polygamy. Jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. Foster is perhaps the single best volume on the issue of mormon polygamy i have thus far encountered. Phelps would publicly teach the idea of eternal marriage soon thereafter. For one thing, plural marriage was, and still is, illegal all over north america. For more detailed information on joseph smiths wives, get in sacred loneliness by lds historian todd compton. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the lord. Polygamy as practiced in the 1800s was very different than the polygamy often practiced by modern fundamentalist groups. The peace maker is a pamphlet written by the latter day saint author udney hay jacob in 1842. Carmon hardy, mormon historian, truth and mistruth in mormon history, in lavina fielding anderson and janice merrill allred, eds. In an attempt to justify early mormon polygamy, many mormons point to the bible. Saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize polygamy.