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What is the official position of the Mormon Church in regards to polygamy?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) in regards to the polygamy is that the practice was banned among it's members in October 1890, and anyone found practicing polygamy is to be immediately excommunicated.
The Church holds that there is no such thing as "Mormon Fundamentalism" and that polygamist offshoot groups are apostate and in violation of both religious and civil law.
Check out the "Related Links" below for official Church information in regards to polygamy.
AnswerPolygamy was practiced in the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as the misnamed Mormon Church is officially known) as a direct commandment from God. Even though this was viewed as a commandment from the Prophet Joseph Smith, and upheld by prophets after his death, only a very small percentage of the church's population ever practiced polygamy.Though several speculations have been made as to the reasoning behind the practice, there is no official church doctrine explaining the practice other than that it was a direct commandment from God. Under severe persecution, the early Saints continued to practice plural marriage because they believed in being obedient and recognized it as their religious right, protected under the Constitution of the United States of America to do so. Eventually, laws were passed which made the practice illegal, though few (if any) of these laws existed when the practice began. Though it is clear the Prophet Joseph Smith received revelation quite a bit earlier, the official revelation was not recorded until July 12, 1843, and was not given as a commandment to the body of the Church until 1852. The practice was continued, despite opposition and persecution, until 1890, through the lives of the first four presidents of the Church.
By the 1880s, many church leaders had to live in hiding because they continued to practice plural marriage, which had been made illegal. They knew they would be held accountable to a higher law, however, so they continued to obey the commandment they had been given.
By 1890, however, persecution was reaching a level which threatened to disenfranchise the Church and strip it of its property, dissolving it as an organized body. Then-president Wilford Woodruff sought the Lord's council through much prayer and fasting. He received revelation that the Church would be dissolved unless the Saints ceased practicing polygamy. God recognized the sacrifices they had made to obey His commandments and retracted the commandment. The revelation and proclamation regarding the cessation of polygamy is dated September 24, 1890. From that time to the present, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not encouraged nor condoned the practice of plural marriage. While individuals who had entered plural marriages previous to September 24, 1890, continued in those relationships, no new plural marriages were condoned by the Church.
Today, there are several fundamentalist groups who have broken off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While many of these people claim to be "Mormon" (which term is, in fact, just a misnomer for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), they are not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ. Any person who is found to enter into a polygamous relationship today is either not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or is excommunicated. This does not mean that current Latter-day Saints think the practice was always contrary to the law of God-quite the opposite. They never would have practiced it in the first place if it had not been a commandment. Latter-day Saints believe it was appropriate when God commanded it and became inappropriate to enter into the practice after He withdrew the commandment. While its early practice should not be viewed with guilt or shame by current Latter-day Saints, the present practice is viewed as contrary to the will of God.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) is that it no longer practices or condones the practice of polygamy. This change in stance was implemented in 1890. Polygamy is strictly prohibited in the Church today, and any member practicing it would be subject to disciplinary action, including possible excommunication.
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What reference cites the abolishment of polygamy by the mormons?
Polygamy was abolished by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) in October 1890. The document that imposes this rule is now known as "Official Declaration 1" and is located in the Doctrine and Covenants, which Mormons regard as scripture. You can read Official Declaration 1 at the "Related Links" below.
Do voters and Christians know that when Mormonism began they practiced polygamy and that God is a Polygamist?
There are several problems with this question: First, Polygamy did not enter the Mormon church until 13 years after it began. It was not practiced by the membership of the church until 1843. Second, nowhere in Mormon doctrine does it say that God is a polygamist. This is not an official doctrine of the church. Third, Mormons do not deny that the church practiced polygamy from 1843 to 1890. Just because they ended the practice doesn't mean they deny it ever happend. But, to answer the question, yes. The majority of Americans do know that early Mormons practiced polygamy. In fact, many polls have indicated that polygamy is the first thing people think of when they hear the word "Mormon." The church is trying to change this, as they haven't practiced polygamy for over 120 years.
Is polygamy practiced today by Mormons banned from the Mormon Church?
Polygamy was banned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) over 120 years ago in 1890. Those practicing polygamy today are not really Mormons, because they have been excommunicated (kicked out) of the Church. Anyone found practicing polygamy is immediately excommunicated.
Can the Church of God of Prophecy be linked to polygamy?
No. The main groups linked to polygamy are Mormon splinter groups. The main one is called The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The main group of Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was linked to it in the past, but hasn't practiced it since 1890.
Why did Mormons abolish polygamy?
Early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) practiced polygamy because they believed that God had revealed to Joseph Smith that the Biblical practice of polygamy was to be restored. They ended the practice in 1890 after a later prophet, Wilford Woodruff, said he had received a revelation from God to end the practice. You can read the official answer to this question from the Church, as well as answers from Mormon church members at the "Related Links" below. You can also read the revelations restoring and ending the practice of polygamy in the Church.
Is Utah the biggest polygamy state?
Most polygamy in the United States is done within the borders of Utah and Arizona. Many FLDS members live in the twin communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. There are several religious groups in the United States that actively promote the practice of polygamy, or plural marriage. Most (but not all) claim some historical connection to early Mormonism, and frequently call themselves "Mormon Fundamentalists" or "Fundamentalist Mormons," a term that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (mainstream Mormons), who do not practice polygamy, often object to. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints renounced polygamy in 1890 as part of the events enabling Utah to become a state of the United States. Today, the church will excommunicate any member found to be practicing polygamy, even in countries where polygamy is legal, thus, FLDS members are not members of the official Mormon church.
Can a Mormon have two wives?
The practice of plural marriage was officially abandoned in 1890, and the church issued an official manifesto ordering an end to polygamy. The Mormon Church no longer supports the practice of plural marriage, and requires its members to abide by the law. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons or LDS Church) ended the practice of polygamy in 1890, making an official public declaration against plural marriage. There are small groups that have left the LDS Church who have resumed the practice. The LDS Church excommunicates any person who practices polygamy.
Is polygamy still practiced in the Mormon church?
No. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Mormon†church) discontinued the practice of polygamy in the United States in 1890 and internationally in 1903. Anyone found entering into a polygamous marriage since that time has been excommunicated from the church. The polygamy ban caused some polygamy supporters to split from the church and create their own groups, many of which are still in existence today. Members of these groups often refer to themselves as “Mormon Fundamentalistsâ€, although they are not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon church.
When did Mormons stop polygamy?
Polygamy was officially banned within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) in October 1890. Anyone found entering into a polygamous marriage since that time has been excommunicated from the church.
Do the Church of Latter Day Saints teach polygamy?
No. The Church of Latter-Day Saints officially banned polygamy in the 1800's when the concept created much debate among the Mormons (another name for those who are affiliated with the Church of Latter Day Saints). However despite this ban many Mormons practice polygamy still. In Utah, about 60,000 Mormons practice polygamy (5% of the Utah Mormon population).
Which Latter-day Saint scripture revoked polygamy and admitted men of African descent to the priesthood?
None! The document that revokes polygamy is called 'Official Declaration 1'. The document that allows men of African descent to the priesthood is called 'Official Declaration 2'. They are included in most copies of LDS scriptures but are not considered part of the church's scriptural canon. You can read them at the "Related Links" below.
Is polygamy permitted in mormonism?
No. In it's early days, some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) practiced polygamy, but this was outlawed in the 1890's. Anyone found practicing polygamy today is excommunicated from the church.
