Was polygamy necessary in the 19th century because there. The states reputation dates back to its founders, mormon pioneers, whose faith included plural. In that raid some 200 women and children were hauled to detention centers, while 26 men were brought up on polygamy charges. Although the lds church banned the practice of polygamy in 1890, mormons have historically wed many wives. A summary and an invitation by davis bitton, val lambson, lowell c. Many polygamist communities across the state of utah have been suspected of or exposed for. A man may cement his bonds with several other men by marrying their sisters or daughters. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints commonly known as.
Polygamy was probably a significant factor in the utah war of 1857 and 1858, given republican attempts to paint democratic president james buchanan as weak in his opposition to both polygamy and slavery. It is commonly found where the value of womens labor is high and may be practiced as a way of acquiring allies. Plural marriage and womens rights in early mormonism, 18351870 vintage, 2018. For more crosscultural examples of multiple marriage or stories about the intrigues and violence accompanying historical polygamy, see stephanie coontz, marriage, a history. Mormon colonies in mexico is also the title of a 1938 book by thomas cottam romney. The polygamy was also encountered sporadically at the native americans, in the. Article iii, section 1 of utah s constitution guarantees perfect toleration of religious sentiment. He describes the complete history of mormon polygamy from its origins in the 1830s to the current day fundamentalists. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. In 2005, mormons celebrate the bicentennial of joseph smiths birth. The fundamentalist church of jesus christ of latter day saints is a polygamous splinter group of the mormon church based in colorado city, ariz.
The books recognition of polygamy which the faith banned in 1890 and prohibits today is the most recent example of the utahbased faith acknowledging polygamous. Incest and mormon polygamy, journal of mormon history 18, no. Young largely ignored the federal agents the fillmore administration sent to. Some utah mormons who still wanted to engage in polygamy escaped to the remote border town of short creek to evade law enforcement. Van wagoner took great liberties in writing the book including cherrypicking references.
Polygamy is a remnant of the early teachings of the utah based church of jesus christ of latterday saints, whose members fled persecution over the practice to settle the utah territory in 1847. Plural marriage and families in early utah the bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at specific periods when he has declared otherwise. The book is published by the university of utah press. For the perspectives of women in utah polygamy, see laural thatcher ulrich, a house full of females. New mormon narrative history book includes polygamous roots. Willard marriott library 295 south 1500 east, suite 5400 salt lake city, utah 84112. The book details the story of mormons who sought refuge in mexico after fleeing from us authorities for polygamy.
The books recognition of polygamy which the faith banned in 1890 and prohibits today is the most recent example of the utahbased faith. Salt lake city ap mormon church founder joseph smith insisted on introducing polygamy in the early 1800s despite knowing the societal risks and getting pushback from other leaders and his first wife, recounts a new church history book. A nearly 600page book that covers early church history from 18151846. Polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for more than half of the 19th century in semisecrecy and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by up to 30 percent of church families. This new book by foster and watson on the history of mormon fundamentalist polygamy is a very enjoyable, insightful volume. Mormons finally settled in the utah territory, before it was part of the states, and made a quiet life for themselves there. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. In 1893, the salt lake temple was finished and dedicated, forty years after it was officially begun. If you speak to some latterday saints regarding the issue of polygamy the marriage on one man to multiple women, one of the most common arguments still used is pointing out how there were more women than men in the 19th century utah. Thats, like, one of the main things the state is famous for, right. Current state of polygamy in the latter day saint movement. Tapestry against polygamy, composed of former plural wives, are countered by defenders of polygyny such as the women who wrote harmony of polygamy. The meat of the book is about the trial of mary ann kingston, a teenage girl from one of the most infamous polygamous clans in utah, who ran away after her father brutally beat her for daring to try to leave her husband, who was also her uncle.
Utahs laws governing polygamy can be traced back to its unique history. In 2002, the olympics come to utah and the church receives much press throughout the world. It further provides that no inhabitant of that state shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship. The history of polygamy dates back to a long time ago, since this has been practiced for many centuries by cultures from all over the world.
Perhaps more serious than the imprisonment of individuals, the acts threatened to bankrupt the lds church and polygamy was preventing utah from becoming a state. After this milestone towards statehood, mormons began to gradually become more open about their involvement in polygamy. Although rumors and exposes multiplied, it was not until 1852 that mormons in brigham youngs utah took a public stand. Mormon history is full of suffering, persecution, and trials, but always the saints were faithful and rose above the challenges they faced. Mary ann was his 15th wife, and not the only blood relative he was married to.
The sociological and social psychological aspects of the mormon polygamous family. Numerous petitions for statehood were denied because of the practice of polygamy, publicly avowed by the mormons in 1852. Polygamy within utah territory ceased, although plural marriages were performed for a short time afterward outside the united states. Edward martin, church history library, the church of jesus christ of latterday. Edward leo lyman, the mormon quest for utah statehood. Was it right and christlike to force women into polygamous marriages.
Polygamy was not openly practiced in the mormon church until 1852 when. This book traces the history of polygamy in the mormon community to give background on the kingston case, and tells the stories of women who escaped polygamy, activists who fight against it, and proponents of the practice. When utah became a territory in 1851, brigham young was appointed by congress to be its first governor. Smith identifies thirtytwo plural husbands and fiftyfour plural wives, but. This book discusses the issue in a frank and honest manner without taking sides in the difficult matter of lds polygamy. A portrait of religious excess winner of best book. At the age of 14 her name was added by her father to the joy book. New lds church narrative history book includes polygamous roots. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on.
Wikipedia book book v t e joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, privately taught and practiced. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at specific periods when he has declared otherwise. The lds church began to practice polygamy in secret under the leadership of prophet joseph smith. In recent years, the church acknowledged that joseph smith wed as many as 40 wives, some. Mormon history association the role of edmunds antipolygamy act of 1882 in the history of the united states of america. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. With the official end of polygamy, persecutione eased somewhat. Striving to live the principle in utah s first temple city. The mormon question university of north carolina press. Polygamy was not openly practiced in the mormon church until 1852 when orson pratt, an apostle, made a public speech defending it as a tenet of the church. In utah, in the united states of america, polygamy is constitutionally and statutorily prohibited. My story of growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breakin. All eight of her greatgrandparents settled in utah before the civil war.
Professor mcdannells new book offers a history of modern mormon women that takes. How mormon polygamy in the 19th century fueled womens activism pulitzer prizewinning historian laurel thatcher ulrich says that for mormon. Colleen mcdannell publishes new book, upcoming book talk open. In his book, history of civilization vol 1 p 61, will durant says. In 1862, the united states congress passed the morrill. In 1890 the supreme court ruled in 1890 that the government could indeed seize church propertyincluding temples.
Jeffs, the selfproclaimed prophet has a long history of arranging marriages among his followers in a. The problems of polygamy october, 12th 2015 comments 27612 views polygamy is the next battleground for marriage in the united states in fact, just last month a federal judge declared laws on the books in utah that guard against polygamy to be unconstitutional the state may still outlaw plural marriages, but it cannot. Mary elizabeth rollins lightner, utah genealogical and historical magazine july 1926. The hebrew society has partially accepted polygamy and there are traces that say that it happened in the classical china too. While reading, i thought it was a very fair overview of the origins of polygamy and then later, the origins, developments, and internalexternal debates amongst the various fundamentalist groups. 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. From 1852 until 1890, mormon church leaders preached and encouraged members, especially those in leadership positions, to marry additional wives. Joseph smith of new york founded the mormon church in 1830 after having earlier experienced a series of visions, one of which directed him to ancient hidden golden tablets that. New lds church narrative history book includes polygamous. In utah, young is able to ignore the federal government, until the practice of polygamy prevents utah s statehood. Protests in utah in 2016 against a lawmakers proposal that would make polygamy a.
Utah senate unanimously moves to decriminalize polygamy. Utah is indeed known for polygamy theres even a local beer cheekily called polygamy porter but also has a surprisingly contentious past when it comes to nonmonogamous marriages. Today, the prophet of a polygamist community in utah, warren jeffs. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church august 17, 2017 10. If you enjoy utah history, this is a worthwhile book to read. List of books and articles about utah history online. Cartoon hardy, the taylorcowley affair and the watershed of mormon history. Brigham young is appointed governor of the utah territory.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. But the resolution of the utah war bought the lds church time, during which it evolved as a faithrenouncing polygamy in 1890, for example, to smooth the way to utah statehoodto become the. The books recognition of polygamy which the faith banned in 1890 and prohibits today is the most recent example of the utah based faith acknowledging polygamous roots. Van wagoner is supposed to be a comprehensive study of mormon polygamy but it is not.