[AmericanExceptionalist]

(No, [polygamy] wasn't [banned by the LDS Church in the late eighteenth century]...

Mormons, themselves, are probably the best arbiter of this matter.

Here is a bit from a Mormon website, as regarding the matter at hand: "President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement in 1998 about the Church's position on plural marriage:

"'This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church.... If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.'"

Here is the link: http://mormon.org/faq/practice-of-polygamy/

1910-early 1960s: Mormon leaders did not break up most of the polygamous arrangements that were already intact in 1890 & thereafter.

Why should it have been the responsibility of "Mormon leaders" to "break up" civil arrangements?

1960s: (a) Polygamy still psychologically accepted by Lds: Hardy cites a poll taken of mainstream Mormons: 40% say they would engage in polygamy if told to by their "prophet."

According to my calculations, that would mean that 60 percent would not do so.

If one presidential candidate were to receive fully 60 percent of the popular vote, would you not consider that pretty decisive?

Mormons believe there are Lds men alive now will become eternal polygamists...

To declare, boldly, that "Mormons believe" this or that, is to paint with much too broad of a brush, in my opinion.

It is a bit like one's declaring that "scientists believe in the doctrine of global warming," as if this were universally accepted among all scientists...

[Colofornian]

Why should it have been the responsibility of "Mormon leaders" to "break up" civil arrangements?

(It wasn't...you're the one claiming 1890 was some kind of magical absolute ban across the board...I'm simply pointing out, "No, it wasn't"

To declare, boldly, that "Mormons believe" this or that, is to paint with much too broad of a brush, in my opinion.

OK...then OFFICIAL Mormonism teaches...(how's that for you?)

[Colofornian]

Mormons, themselves, are probably the best arbiter of this matter. Here is a bit from a Mormon website, as regarding the matter at hand: "President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement in 1998 about the Church's position on plural marriage:

(Yup...just like used car dealers re: the lemons on their lot)