The exact time that the practice began is a matter of debate. It is evident that Joseph Smith knew about the doctrine as early as 1831, but it wasn't recorded and given to the membership of the Church until 1843. The earliest recorded polygamous marriages within the Church took place in 1843, although it is possible that a handful of them did exist in secret before that time.
The practice was stopped in 1890.
Polygamists practice polygamy which is the practice of having more than one spouse simultaneously.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) allowed men to have more than one wife for a period of 50 years, between 1840 and 1890. This practice was called "polygamy" or "plural marriage". Polygamy has been banned in the Mormon church for over 120 years, and anyone found attempting to marry multiple wives is excommunicated from the church. There were some who disagreed with the polygamy ban. These broke off and formed their own groups, many of which still exist today. These groups have similar beliefs to the mainstream Mormon church, but still practice polygamy. They call themselves "Fundamentalist Mormons". There are less than 100,000 Fundamentalist Mormons, and there are over 14,000,000 Mainstream Mormons. The Mainstream Mormons and the Fundamentalist Mormons generally do not accept each other as legitimate.
The practice of husbands and wives sleeping in the same bed began in ancient times, with evidence dating back to the early Middle Ages.
In the Bible, there are instances where individuals had multiple wives, but it is not explicitly stated whether God approved of this practice. The Bible does not provide a clear endorsement or condemnation of polygamy.
In some religious texts, such as the Bible and the Quran, there are instances of individuals having multiple wives. However, interpretations of these texts vary among different religious groups. Some believe that having multiple wives was permitted in the past but is not encouraged in modern times. Ultimately, the acceptance of polygamy as a practice permitted by God depends on individual beliefs and interpretations of religious teachings.
The early Mormon Church supported and encouraged the practice of polygamy, although this was against the law of the United States. The Church has acknowledged that its founder, Joseph Smith, had as many as 40 wives.
Polygamy is having more than one spouse. Usually, it's referring to a man with multiple wives.
Under Kenyan law, a man can have multiple wives as polygamy is legal. There is no specific limit on the number of wives a man can marry, though customs and traditions may influence the practice of polygamy.
No, it is not permissible in Christianity for individuals to have multiple wives.
In 1844 following the assignation of the Latter Day Saint prophet over 11,000 Mormons made the trek to the unincorporated land we know as Utah today to avoid persecution in Illinois. The Mormons named the land Deseret and were annexed into the Union from Mexico as the Utah Territory in 1850 as a result of the Mexican-American War. Utah was not granted statehood until 1896 as a result of the LDS practice of polygamy (having multiple wives) the U.S. government would not admit Utah until the practice was stopped.
The practice of having multiple wives in the Old Testament of the Bible was significant because it reflected the cultural norms of the time and the importance of lineage and inheritance. It also served as a way to increase a man's status and wealth. Additionally, it played a role in the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Mormon church in the 1800's could, Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage. This is one of many, but is the most known in western culture. At various times, the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, He gave this command to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon.