Why did the Mormons stop polygamy?

Answer 1

Genesis 4:19 And Lamech took unto him two wives. Genesis 16:1-4 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai ... gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had.... Genesis 26:34 Esau ... took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. Genesis 28:9 Esau .. took ... Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael ... to be his wife. Genesis 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set ... his wives upon camels. Genesis 32:22 He [Jacob] ... took his two wives, and his two womenservants. Ex.21:10 If he take him another wife.... Dt.21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated.... Judges 8:30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. 1 Sam.1:1-2 Elkanah ... had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. 2 Sam.12:7-8 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel ... I gave thee ... thy master's wives.... 1 Kg.11:2-3 Solomon ... had seven hundred wives ... and three hundred concubines. 1 Chr.4:5 And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 2 Chr.11:21 Rehoboam ... took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines. 2 Chr.13:21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives.... 2 Chr.24:3 Jehoiada took for him two wives.... Mt.25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Answer 2

This is a historical misnomer. Brother Joseph Smith was only married to Emma. There is not on e single shred of credible historical evidence that he had 40 to 80 other wives. While it is " really cool" in some circles to say that he did, there is no basis in fact. It is such a treasured myth, most people will not even consider it that he was only married to Emma.

Answer 3

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) practiced polygamy from the late 1830's until 1890. The practice began because Joseph Smith received a revelation from God that said that plural marriage would be required of the most faithful Church members in order to qualify for exaltation. He kept this revelation a secret for quite some time and refused to instate the practice for several years. After the torment of disobeying God bothered him enough, he told a few of his closest friends and church leaders about the revelation, and the practice slowly took root. Only those who were asked by Church leaders to take on a plural wife were permitted to do so. The first wife also had to agree with the marriage before it could take place.

The practice of polygamy ended in 1890, and anyone found entering into a plural marriage after that time has been excommunicated.

You can read the revelation given to Joseph Smith regarding plural marriage, now Doctrine and Covenants section 132, at the "Related Links" below.

Answer 4

They dont... ANSWER: They do not practice polygamy anymore, but to answer your question, Mormons believe in obeying all the commandments of God and understand that some of God's commands are for specific people at specific times, meaning that some commands are temporary. Polygamy is one of these specific and, sometimes temporary, commands. We need to remember that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all practiced polygamy with God's blessing. Moses commanded the Israelites to not practice polygamy, yet when King David came around, God allowed him to practice polygamy - 2 Samuel 12:8 states that the Lord gave unto David everything, including his wives. Most opponents to Mormonism even use the Book of Mormon to try to prove that Mormons do not practice what the Book of Mormon teaches. They cite Jacob 2:23-24 which says that the people were practicing polygamy and that is an abomination in God's sight. They do not understand the meaning, though, of that scripture. It wasn't the actual polygamy that was abominable, it was the fact that they were practicing it without God's approval/command. Verse 30 of Jacob 2, still on the topic of polygamy, clears this up by saying: "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things." Somehow, those opposed to Mormonism "overlook" this scripture. The simple answer to this question is that Mormons believe that they are led by a true prophet of God and that God continues to speak to this prophet and lead his people as was done in biblical times. Mormons practiced polygamy because it was a commandment of God and they stopped practicing it because it was a commandment from God. We do not fully know why God does everything He does, but we do believe it is always for the benefit of man.

Answer 5

Some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) practiced polygamy from the early 1840's until 1890, when it was banned by the Church. The practice was introduced by the Church's first prophet, Joseph Smith, and ended by the Church's fourth prophet, Wilford Woodruff. Anyone found entering into a polygamous relationship since that time has been excommunicated. Looking at the records of most polygamous marriages during that time frame, it appears that it was mostly a way of looking after the widows, divorced women, and spinsters.

Answer 6

God commanded through their leader at the time that they stop polygamy. This was timely, as the Federal Government was about to come down on them about this and other issues that contradicted the majority view of American society at the time. And timing is everything, because also reveled is that the prohibition of polygamy is only for a "time". The time will come when it will be allowed again, once either society progresses and catches up with the original teachings and revelations of J. Smith, or when the Mormons sufficiently dominate politics or social morals to do so. That would then fulfill the revealed prohibition on polygamy. Study LDS, their doctrines, and revelations.

Answer 7

God commanded through their leader at the time that they stop polygamy. This was timely, as the Federal Government was about to come down on them about this and other issues that contradicted the majority view of American society at the time. And timing is everything

Answer 8

Mormon Fundamentalists practice polygamy because they believe it is a commandment from God. All Mormon groups (polygamist or not) are "Restorationist Christian" meaning they believe their religion to be the ancient Biblical religion restored (as opposed to continued or reformed) in modern times. Since polygamy was practiced by the prophets of the Old Testament, it logically follows that should be a part of a modern church which claims to be the same as that found in The Bible.
The founder of the Mormonism movement, Joseph Smith, received revelations restoring the practice of polygamy which he made public in 1843. In these revelations, after recounting the Old Testament practice, God declares, "I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things... if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified." (See Doctrine & Covenants sec. 132)
The mainstream Mormon Church discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890 (in the United States) and 1903 (internationally), as the (then) prophet Wilford Woodruff declared: "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise." (see Official Declaration 1) The abandonment of the practice caused quite a stir, even causing some top church officials to leave their posts. Many supporters of polygamy declared Woodruff a fallen prophet and left the Church, some organizing their own churches. This gave birth to the modern "Mormon Fundamentalist"Â movement.

Answer 9

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) discontinued the practice of polygamy over 110 years ago, but some calling themselves "Mormon Fundamentalists" continue the practice, although they are not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon church.
All Mormon groups (polygamist or not) are "Restorationist Christian" meaning they believe their religion to be the ancient Biblical religion restored (as opposed to continued or reformed) in modern times. Since polygamy was practiced by the prophets of the Old Testament, it logically follows that should be a part of a modern church which claims to be the same as that found in the Bible.
The founder of the Mormonism movement, Joseph Smith, received revelations restoring the practice of polygamy which he made public in 1843. In these revelations, after recounting the Old Testament practice, God declares, "I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things... if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified." (See Doctrine& Covenants sec. 132)

The mainstream Mormon Church discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890 (in the United States) and 1903 (internationally), as the (then) prophet Wilford Woodruff declared: "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise." (see Official Declaration 1) The abandonment of the practice caused quite a stir, even causing some top church officials to leave their posts. Many supporters of polygamy declared Woodruff a fallen prophet and left the Church, some organizing their own churches. This gave birth to the modern "Mormon Fundamentalist" movement.

Answer 10

No Mormons are polygamists. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) banned the practice of polygamy over 120 years ago, in 1890. Anyone found practicing polygamy today is excommunicated (kicked out) from the Church.

Some polygamists call themselves "Fundamentalist Mormons". This is because they believe that the Mormon church was wrong in banning the practice of polygamy. They are not members of the Mormon Church and usually believe that the Mormon Church has strayed from the truth.