History of Polygamy

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	Revision 36 . . November 12, 2001 11:59 am by (logged).109.250.xxx
	Revision 35 . . November 12, 2001 11:57 am by (logged).109.250.xxx

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff, author diff)

Changed: 18c18

Polygamy was practiced by the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who refered to it as plural marriage. It led to persecution of the LDS, and the prohibition of the practice after August 29, 1852, in Utah fanned public hostility against the Church. Although Latter-day Saints believed that their religiously-based practice of plural marriage was protected by the United States Constitution, opponents used it to delay Utah statehood until 1896. Increasingly harsh antipolygamy legislation stripped Latter-day Saints of their rights as citizens, disincorporated the Church, and permitted the seizure of Church property before the Church ordered the discontinuance of the practice in 1890.

Polygamy was practiced in the United States by the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who refered to it as plural marriage. It led to persecution of the LDS, and the prohibition of the practice after August 29, 1852, in Utah fanned public hostility against the Church. Although Latter-day Saints believed that their religiously-based practice of plural marriage was protected by the United States Constitution, opponents used it to delay Utah statehood until 1896. Increasingly harsh antipolygamy legislation stripped Latter-day Saints of their rights as citizens, disincorporated the Church, and permitted the seizure of Church property before the Church ordered the discontinuance of the practice in 1890.

Changed: 20c20

National attention again focused on potential polygamy among the LDS in the early 1900s during the House hearings on Representative-elect B. H. Roberts and Senate hearings on Senator-elect Reed Smoot (the [Smoot Hearings]?), which caused LDS President Joseph F. Smith to issue his "Second Manifesto" against polygamy in 1904. Since that time, it has been Church policy to excommunicate any member either practicing or openly advocating the practice of polygamy.

National attention in the United States again focused on potential polygamy among the LDS in the early 1900s during the House hearings on Representative-elect B. H. Roberts and Senate hearings on Senator-elect Reed Smoot (the [Smoot Hearings]?), which caused LDS President Joseph F. Smith to issue his "Second Manifesto" against polygamy in 1904. Since that time, it has been Church policy to excommunicate any member either practicing or openly advocating the practice of polygamy.

Changed: 22c22

Some people, mostly in Utah, who continue to practice polygamy call themselves [fundamentalist Mormons]?, but are not affiliated with the church.

Some people, mostly in Utah, who continue to practice polygamy call themselves [fundamentalist Mormons]?, but are not affiliated with the church.