Polygamy: Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, was the first Mormon prophet to practice polygamy.

Mormon Handbook.com ^ | 2010-2011

[Colofornian]

• He took as many as 48 wives. Sources: [Official LDS website: FamilySearch.org] [A comprehensive PDF] [Wikipedia]
• Many were teenagers, as young as 13 years old.
• Many were already married to other men and continued in polyandry: having more than one husband.
• He married pairs of sisters, and even took a mother and her daughter for wives.

The wives of the prophets

The first seven Mormon prophets had at least 135 wives.

Mormon prophet	Number of wives
Joseph Smith	48
Brigham Young	55
John Taylor	7
Wilford Woodruff	5
Lorenzo Snow	11
Joseph F. Smith	6
Heber J. Grant	3

Summary of Events

• From 1830 to 1876, LDS scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy: Book of Mormon: Jacob, chapter 2; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 101 (removed in 1876).
• During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives.
• In 1852 Brigham Young, the second Mormon prophet, publicly admitted the practice of polygamy.
• In 1876, Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which allows polygamy, was added to the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 101 which condemns it was removed. Section 132 remains part of the LDS canon today.
• Under pressure from the federal government to end polygamy, which passed law to disincorporate the church and seize its assets, Wilford Woodruff, the fourth Mormon prophet, announced he had received a "revelation" to officially end the practice. This announcement is knows as the 1890 Manifesto or Official Declaration—1.
• 14 years later, congressional hearings uncover church authorities still taking plural wives in secret, in disregard to the 1890 revelation. In response, Joseph F. Smith, the sixth Mormon prophet, issued what is known as the "Second Manifesto" condemning polygamy.
• As late as 1943 it was uncovered that Mormon apostle Richard Lyman was secretly practicing polygamy.

Timeline

1827	Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale
1830	Book of Mormon published: condemns polygamy But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord... Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. Book of Mormon, Jacob 2:23-24,27
1833	Joseph Smith marries Fanny Alger
August, 1835	Official LDS publication denies polygamy charges. Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband. Messenger and Advocate 1:163 and see also History of the Church 2:247
1835-1876	ON MARRIAGE. Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband... We have given the above rule of marriage as the only one practiced in this church...We the undersigned members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and residents of the city of Nauvoo, persons of families do hereby certify and declare that we know of no other rule or system of marriage than the one published from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants...We the undersigned members of the ladies' relief society, and married females do certify and declare that we know of no system of marriage being practiced in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints save the one contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants... Doctrine and Covenants, Section 101 (1835-1876)
April, 1837	General Authorities issue statement condemning polygamy. 1st-That we will have no fellowship whatever with any Elder belonging to the quorums of the Seventies who is guilty of polygamy or any offense of the kind, and who does not in all things conform to the laws of the church contained in the Bible and in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. Quorum of the Seventies Resolution #1 Messenger and Advocate 3:511
1838	Joseph Smith marries Lucinda Harris, who was at the time married to George Harris.
January, 1838	Oliver Cowdery confronts Joseph Smith about his polygamy. When he [Joseph Smith] was there we had some conversation in which in every instance I did not fail to affirm that what I had said was strictly true. A dirty, nasty, filthy affair of his and Fanny Alger's was talked over in which I strictly declared that I had never deviated from the truth in the matter, and as I supposed was admitted by himself. Oliver Cowdery - Assistant President and Book of Mormon witness Letter recorded by his brother Warren Cowdery. Photograph available in The Mormon Kingdom, vol. 1, p.27
April, 1838	Oliver Cowdery is excommunicated.
July, 1838	Question 7th. Do the Mormons believe in having more wives than one? Answer. No, not at the same time. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder Elder's Journal, p.43
December, 1838	Joseph Smith denies polygamy. We have heard that it is reported by some, that some of us should have said, that we not only dedicated our property, but our families also to the Lord; and Satan, taking advantage of this, has perverted it into licentiousness, such as a community of wives, which is an abomination in the sight of God. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.127 See also History of the Church 3:230
April, 1841	Joseph Smith marries Louise Beaman
October, 1841	Joseph Smith marries Zina Jacobs, who at the time was married to Henry Jacobs.
December, 1841	Joseph Smith marries Presendia Buell
1842	Joseph Smith marries Sally Fuller and Sarah Bapson.
January 6, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Agnes Coolbrith, who was the widow of Don Carlos (Joseph's brother).
January 17, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Mary Lightner, who at the time was married to Adam Lightner.
February, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Sylvia Lyon, who at the time was married to Windsor Lyon. Joseph would also marry Sylvia's mother Patty the next month.
March 1, 1842	12th Article of Faith Joseph Smith pens the 12th Article of Faith. Polygamy was a violation of the law. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder Wentworth Letter
March 9, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Patty Sessions, who at the time was married to David Sessions. Joseph married Patty's daughter Sylvia the previous month.
April, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Marinda Hyde, who at the time was married to Orson Hyde.
June, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Sarah Cleveland, Eliza Snow, and Elizabeth Durfee, who at the time was married to Jabez Durfee.
July, 1842	Joseph Smith marries Delcena Sherman and Sarah Whitney.
August, 1842	Official LDS church publication denies polygamy. But, for the information of those who might be assailed by those foolish tales about two wives, we would say that no such principle ever existed among the Latter-Day Saints, and ever will; this is well known to all who are acquainted with our books and actions. Millennial Star, Vol. 3, No. 4, p.73 Joseph Smith marries Martha McBride.
September, 1842	Official LDS publication denies polygamy. Inasmuch as the public mind has been unjustly abused... we make an extract on the subject of marriage, showing the rule of the church on this important matter. The extract is from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and is the only rule allowed by the church. "All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled. Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman." Times and Seasons 4:909
October, 1842	Office LDS publication reprints D&C 101 prohibiting polygamy. ... Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband ... Times and Seasons 3:939-940
1843	Joseph marries Hanna Ells and 14 year old Nancy Winchester.
February, 1843	Joseph Smith marries Ruth Sayers.
March, 1843	Joseph Smith marries Emily Partridge.
April, 1843	Joseph Smith marries Almera Johnson.
May, 1843	Joseph Smith marries Lucy Walker, 14 year old Helen Kimball, and sisters Sarah and Maria Lawrence.
Spring, 1843	Joseph Smith marries 16 year old Flora Woodworth.
June, 1843	Joseph Smith marries Elvira Holmes and Rhoda Richards.
July, 1843	"Revelation" on Plurality of Wives (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132) Joseph Smith dictates a "revelation" requiring the practice of polygamy to obtain exaltation: becoming gods (v.1-6, 20). This revelation would not be canonized until 1876 as Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It remains part of the LDS canon today. Up until now Joseph hid his marital trysts from his first wife Emma. Joseph's brother Hyrum attempted to present this "divine revelation" to win Emma's approval of her husband's behavior. Emma rejected it. The revelation specifically states that if Emma rejects it she would be destroyed (v.54,64). That did not happen. However it was Joseph who died within a year from now. Emma, who was 39 years at this time lived to be 75. Note that additional wives were to be virgins (v.61-62). By taking wives who were already married Joseph did not even follow his own revelation. For additional information see: History of the Church 5:501-508
January, 1844	Despite the July revelation requiring polygamy, the Mormon church continued to deny it: Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe, that one man should have but one wife, and one woman but one husband... We wish these doctrines to be taught by all that are in the ministry, that the people may know our faith respecting them, and also to correct the public mind in respect to the church. Millennial Star, Vol. 4, No. 9, p.144
February, 1844	Joseph Smith denies polygamy. As we have lately been credibly informed, that an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, by the name of Hyram Brown, has been preaching polygamy, and other false and corrupt doctrines, in the county of Lapeer, state of Michigan. This is to notify him and the Church in general, that he has been cut off from the church, for his iniquity. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder Mormonism founder Times and Seasons 5:423
March, 1844	Under the direction of Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith officiated a polygamous wedding for Mormon apostle Erastus Snow. Testimony of Erastus Snow - Mormon apostle The Historical Record 6:232
March 15, 1844	Joseph's brother Hyrum denies polygamy. Whereas brother Richard Hewitt has called on me to-day, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here: I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and loose his license and membership also: therefore he had better beware what he is about. Hyrum Smith - Assistant President Times and Seasons 5:474
April, 1844	Joseph Smith denies polygamy. We very frequently receive letters from elders and individuals abroad, inquiring of us whether certain statements that they hear, and have written to them, are true: some pertaining to John C. Bennet's spiritual wife system; others in regard to immoral conduct, practiced by individuals, and sanctioned by the church; and as it is impossible for us to answer all of them, we take this opportunity of answering them all, once for all. In the first place, we cannot but express our surprise that any elder or priest who has been in Nauvoo, and has had an opportunity of hearing the principles of truth advanced, should for one moment give credence to the idea that anything like iniquity is practiced, much less taught or sanctioned, by the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder Times and Seasons, Vol.5, No.7, p.491
April, 1844	Fallout: Presidency Counselors After Jane Law rebuffs Joseph Smith's proposal to marry him, her husband William Law, who was Joseph's Second Counselor of the First Presidency is excommunicated. Austin Cowles, the First Counselor, quits the church in protest.
May, 1844	Joseph Smith denies polygamy. Joseph Smith I had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made on proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives. This new holy prophet [William Law] has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dares not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this... What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago. Joseph Smith - Mormonism founder History of the Church 6:410-411
June 7, 1844	Excommunicated Second Counselor William Law publishes a newspaper (the Nauvoo Expositor) containing testimony condemning Joseph's polygamy. It included testimony from former First Counselor Austin Coles. Forasmuch as the public mind hath been much agitated by a course of procedure in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... In the latter part of the summer, 1843, the Patriarch, Hyrum Smith, did in the High Council, of which I was a member, introduce what he said was a revelation given through the Prophet... according to his reading there was contained the following doctrines... the doctrine of a plurality of wives, or marrying virgins; that "David and Solomon had many wives, yet in this they sinned not save in the matter of Uriah. This revelation with other evidence, that the aforesaid heresies were taught and practiced in the Church; determined me to leave the office of first counselor to the president of the Church at Nauvoo. Austin Cowles - former First Counselor Nauvoo Expositor, Vol. 1, No. 1, p.2
June 10, 1844	Joseph Smith, who is also the mayor of Nauvoo, orders the printing press of the Nauvoo Expositor destroyed. The Governor of Illinois has Joseph put in jail.
June 27, 1844	Joseph Smith's death An angry mob storms Joseph's cell and murders him.
October, 1844	Sidney Rigdon admits church authorities practice polygamy. It is a fact, so well known, that the Twelve and their adherents have endeavored to carry this spiritual wife business in secret... and have gone to the most shameful and desperate lengths, to keep it from the public... I could bring facts which can be established in any court of justice, in relation to these vile abominations practiced under the garb of religion that would make humanity blush. Sidney Rigdon - First Presidency Counselor Messenger and Advocate, Vol. 1, No. 1
November, 1844	Official LDS publication denies polygamy. The law of the land and the rules of the church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once. Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 21, p.715
May, 1845	Official LDS publication denies polygamy. The Latter-day Saints are charged by their enemies, with the blackest crimes. Treason, murder, theft, polygamy, and adultery, are among the many crimes laid to their charge... As to the charge of polygamy, I will quote from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which is the subscribed faith of the church and is strictly enforced. Article Marriage, sec. 91, par. 4, says, "Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one man should have BUT ONE WIFE, and one woman but one husband." Times and Seasons 6:894
1850	Mormon apostle John Taylor (the third Mormon prophet) publicly denies polygamy while at the time married to 7-12 wives. John Taylor We are accused here of polygamy, and actions the most indelicate, obscene, and disgusting, such that none but a corrupt and depraved heart could have contrived. These things are too outrageous to admit of belief... I shall content myself by reading our views of chastity and marriage, from a work published by us, containing some of the articles of our Faith. "Doctrine and Covenants," [Cites D&C 101]. John Taylor - Mormon prophet Three Nights' Public Discussion, p.8
September 14, 1852	Public Acknowledgement of Polygamy In a special conference, the LDS church publicly acknowledges the practice of polygamy. Deseret News Extra, September 14, 1852 [Note: File not found @ this link]
February, 1854	Mormon authority encourages polyandry. Jedediah M. Grant When the family organization was revealed from heaven - the patriarchal order of God, and Joseph began, on the right and on the left, to add to his family, what a quaking there was in Israel. Says one brother to another, 'Joseph says all covenants are done away, and none are binding but the new covenants: now suppose Joseph should come and say he wanted your wife, what would you say to that?' 'I would tell him to go to hell.' This was the spirit of many in the early days of this Church... What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph asked him for his money? He would say, "Yes, and I wish I had more to help to build up the kingdom of God." Or if he came and said, "I want your wife?" "O yes," he would say, "here she is, there are plenty more"... Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for?... If such a man of God should come to me and say, "I want your gold and silver, or your wives," I should say, "Here they are, I wish I had more to give you, take all I have got." Jedediah M. Grant - First Presidency Counselor Journal of Discourses 2:13-14
July, 1857	Official LDS publication condemns polygamy before 1843. The Latter-day Saints, from the rise of the Church in 1830, till the year 1843, had no authority to marry more than one wife each. To have done otherwise, would have been a great transgression. Millennial Star, Vol. 19, No. 30, p.475
1862	Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act United States President Abraham Lincoln signs the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act targeting the LDS church.
August, 1866	Mormon prophet Brigham Young declares polygamy a priority over obtaining statehood for Utah. "Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a State into the Union without denying the principle of polygamy?" If we are not admitted until, we shall never be admitted. Brigham Young - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 11:269
1876	Doctrine and Covenants: Section 101 removed - Section 132 inserted After 41 years as part of the LDS canon, Section 101 condemning polygamy is removed from the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 132 requiring polygamy for exaltation is canonized. Section 132 remains part of the canon today.
October, 1879	Mormon prophet John Taylor declares polygamy superior than obeying federal law. John Taylor I was asked, “Do you believe in obeying the laws of the United States?” Yes I do, in all except one—in fact I had not broken that. “What law is that?” The law in relation to polygamy. John Taylor - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 20:317
February 19, 1887	Edmunds-Tucker Act The United States Congress passes the Edmunds-Tucker Act which permits the government to seize assets and disincorporate the LDS church for continuing to practice polygamy against the law. The bill is enacted into law March 3.
May, 1887	Andrew Jenson, assistant LDS church historian, compiles what is considered the first list of wives of Joseph Smith. He documented 28 not including Emma. The Historical Record 6:233-234
October, 1890	The 1890 Manifesto: Official Declaration—1 Under increasing pressure from the federal government, including being disincorporated, the sitting Mormon prophet, Wilford Woodruff, issued a statement denying that the Mormon church was practicing polygamy. The Utah Commission, in their recent report to the Secretary of the Interior, allege that plural marriages are still being solemnized... also that in public discourses the leaders of the Church have taught, encouraged and urged the continuance of the practice of polygamy—I, therefore, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do hereby, in the most solemn manner, declare that these charges are false. We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice. Wilford Woodruff - Mormon prophet Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declaration—1 Note: About a year later Wilford began referring to the statement as a "revelation". It was canonized in 1908.
1892	Mormon prophet Lorenzo Snow condemns the practice of polygamy before 1843. Lorenzo Snow Up to the time of the presentation of that revelation to the church and its acceptance by the church, the law of the church on marriage was the same as you have read, and which I referred to in the 1835 edition of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, Exhibit E [D&C 101]. That was the law of the church up to the time of the purported revelation and its acceptance by the church; yes, sir, that is true. And a man that violated this law in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, 1835 edition, until the acceptance of that revelation by the church, violated the law of the church if he practiced plural marriage. Yes, sir, he would have been cut off from the church. I think I should have been if I had. Before the giving of that revelation in 1843 if a man married more wives than one who were living at the same time, he would have been cut off from the church. It would have been adultery under the laws of the church and under the laws of the State, too. Lorenzo Snow - Mormon prophet The Temple Lot Case, pp.320-322
1904	Reed Smoot Hearings Hearings held by the United States Congress reveal that polygamy was still being practiced secretly among LDS church general authorities.
April, 1904	Second Manifesto In response to the Reed Smoot Hearings, Mormon prophet Joseph F. Smith issued yet another statement denying polygamy. Inasmuch as there are numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into, contrary to the official declaration of President Woodruff of September 24, 1890, commonly called the manifesto, which was issued by President Woodruff, and adopted by the Church at its general conference, October 6, 1890, which forbade any marriages violative of the law of the land, I, Joseph F. Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hereby affirm and declare that no such marriages have been solemnized with the sanction, consent, or knowledge of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And I hereby announce that all such marriages are prohibited, and if any officer or member of the Church shall assume to solemnize or enter into any such marriage, he will be deemed in transgression against the Church, and will be liable to be dealt with according to the rules and regulations thereof and excommunicated therefrom. Joseph F. Smith - Mormon prophet Conference Report, p.97
October, 1905	In protest, two Mormon apostles, John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley resign from the Quorum of Twelve, as both continued to take plural wives.
November, 1943	Mormon apostle Richard R. Lyman is excommunicated for secretly practicing polygamy.
1958	Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie anticipates polygamy to resume. Obviously the holy practice [plural marriage] will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millennium. Bruce R. McConkie - Mormon apostle Mormon Doctrine, p.578

Doctrinal Teachings on Polygamy

When polygamy was openly practiced, Mormon authorities taught that:

• Those who reject it would be damned.

The Lord has said, that those who reject this principle reject their salvation, they shall be damned, saith the Lord; those to whom I reveal this law and they do not receive it, shall be damned. [p.224] I want to prophesy that all men and women who oppose the revelation which God has given in relation to polygamy will find themselves in darkness; the Spirit of God will withdraw from them from the very moment of their opposition to that principle, until they will finally go down to hell and be damned, if they do not repent. [p.225] Orson Pratt - Mormon apostle Journal of Discourses 17:224-225
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord... as touching the principle and doctrine of... having many wives and concubines— 2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter. 3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. 4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. 5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world. 6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. — Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132

• It is a requirement to obtain the highest exaltation: becoming gods.

The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Brigham Young - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 11:269 Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity, or nonessential to the salvation or exaltation of mankind. In other words, some of the Saints have said, and believe, that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for time and eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could with more than one. I want here to enter my solemn protest against this idea, for I know it is false ... [p.28] ... it is useless to tell me that there is no blessing attached to obedience to the law, or that a man with only one wife can obtain as great a reward, glory or kingdom as he can with more than one, being equally faithful. [p.29-30] Joseph F. Smith - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 20:28-30

• If polygamy is not true then neither is celestial marriage:

If plurality of marriage is not true or in other words, if a man has no divine right to marry two wives or more in this world, then marriage for eternity is not true, and your faith is all vain, and all the sealing ordinances and powers, pertaining to marriages for eternity are vain, worthless, good for nothing; for as sure as one is true the other also must be true. Amen. Orson Pratt - Mormon apostle Journal of Discourses 21:296

• That polygamy will exist in the afterlife.

I bear my solemn testimony that plural marriage is as true as any principle that has been revealed from the heavens. I bear my testimony that it is a necessity, and that the Church of Christ in its fullness never existed without it. Where you have the eternity of marriage you are bound to have plural marriage; bound to; and it is one of the marks of the Church of Jesus Christ in its sealing ordinances. George Teasdale - Mormon apostle Journal of Discourses 25:21

• That God the Father is a polygamist.

When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives with him. Brigham Young - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 1:50 The Scripture says that He, the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do no know who they were, unless His wives and children... Brigham Young - Mormon prophet Journal of Discourses 13:309

[Tennessee Nana]

Mitt Romney, Dec, 2007, speaking at the George Bush Presidential Library: “I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers – I will be true to them and to my beliefs.”

[Zakeet]

Since there are approximately equal numbers of men and women, what are all of the other guys supposed to do?

In many cases, when they begin to reach puberty, they are rounded up and dumped in city parks throughout Utah. The LDS quietly gather them up and send them to orphanages where they are given a basic high school education, then dumped back in city parks, etc.

Some time, do a Google search on the term the lost boys of polygamy. It will break your heart!

[Tennessee Nana]

#1 would be

An angel will kill me with a sword if you dont..

[garjog]

“FR used to have a pretty good LDS caucus. I guess they’ve all been banned now. I find that a bit sad.”

People are free to believe what ever the choose in this nation and we don’t want to say some religions are so weird that an adherent can’t hold office.

You are right that every religion has attributes that seem weird to outsiders.

But, the issue that concerns many of us is how the weirdness of Mormonism will be used against Romney as our candidate. When people find out what Mormon’s believe (not just historically but NOW) it will destroy Romney’ credibility. We can’t take that risk in this crucial election.

[jonrick46]

Anyone who knows anything about history knows that Joseph Smith was a polygamist. The real lesson of history is how the practice of polygamy poses a danger to our society. We are already on a slippery slope. When our society no longer values the marriage between a man and a woman, we move to cohabitation and gay marriage. Next we have marriage between father and daughter and mother and son. We have marriages of all kinds. Somewhere polygamy rounds out the buffet and society gets a huge case of food poisoning and our children get the short end of the stick.

I want a FRiend to give a convincing argument why polygamy is a danger to our society, giving historical data as to its effects on social stability. We can give names dates and the weather all we want, but without the lessons, it all becomes worthless.

[chargers fan]

I remember an episode of Big Love where Bill Paxton’s character made the comment while watching a Pioneer Day parade that the LDS didn’t want to admit the “nasty” detail of Smith or Young’s wives.

[chargers fan]

Since there are approximately equal numbers of men and women, what are all of the other guys supposed to do?

They run them off. See the whole "lost boys" issue in the West now.

[onyx]

What’s with the Prophet stuff?

There’s no such thing.

Certainly NOT Mohammed or anyone else.

[svcw]

Wrong. Romneybots in general have been banished. It has nothing to do with individual mormons.

[nickcarraway]

Wasn’t this over 100 years ago?

[nickcarraway]

Wasn’t this over 100 years ago?

[AnTiw1]

Nope, mormons are still around, there’s even one running for president.

[donmeaker]

It is amusing that our “Catholic” Newt is working his third wife while the “Mormon” Romney is still on his first.

Not much of a Catholic. Not much of a Mormon.

[donmeaker]

It is fun to re-read Mark Twain’s “Roughing It” chapters on visiting Salt Lake City. He reports being given wise counsel from Brigham Young: “42 wives was a bit excessive. No man really needs more than 10 or 11.”

[Sherman Logan]

Since there are approximately equal numbers of men and women, what are all of the other guys supposed to do?

In many polygamist societies the problem is made even worse by female infanticide.

Historically speaking, the answer is war.

Wars kill off lots of the inconvenient young men. Some of them bring back wives from the foreigners and some even bring back female slaves to be sold to the rich old men who start the wars.

An inconvenient truth about one of the roots of jihad.

Monogamy is by definition democratic. Polygamy and "sexual freedom" are by definition aristocratic.

Hot young women and rich men (young or old) are the winners in the sexual free market. "Free love" statistically means these two groups will have a higher percentage of sex with each other.

Non-rich men and non-hot women are not wanted.

This is of course to a considerable extent their own fault, as the non-rich men want only hot women and the non-hot women only want rich men.

[Elsie]

Under pressure from the federal government to end polygamy, which passed law to disincorporate the church and seize its assets, Wilford Woodruff, the fourth Mormon prophet, announced he had received a "revelation" to officially end the practice.

---

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CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

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STATE OF UTAH

COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

I, the undersigned, having been duly chosen and appointed President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in conformity with the rites, regulations and discipline of said Church, being desirous of forming a corporation for the purpose of acquiring, holding and disposing of Church or religious society property, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship, under and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3, Title 19, of the Compiled Laws of Utah, 1917, on "Churches and Religious Societies," and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, for that purpose do hereby make and subscribe, in duplicate, the following

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

First: The name of this corporation shall be the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

Second: The object of this corporation shall be to acquire, hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be conveyed to or acquired by said corporation for the benefit of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious society, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship. Such real and personal property may be situated, either within the State of Utah, or elsewhere, and this corporation shall have power, without any authority or authorization from the members of said Church or religious society, to grant, sell, convey, rent, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any part or all of such property.

Third: The estimated value of the property of which I hold the legal title for the purpose aforesaid, at the time of making these Articles of Incorporation, is One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.

Fourth: The title of the person making these Articles of Incorporation is "PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS."

Fifth: The corporation seal shall contain the words, "Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and an impression thereof is hereto affixed.

[Seal] [Signed] Heber J. Grant
President of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.

STATE OF UTAH
SS:
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

On this 26th day of November, 1923, before me, Arthur Winter, a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared HEBER J. GRANT, who is known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and duly acknowledged to me that he executed the same as such President.

[Seal] [Signed] Arthur Winter
Notary Public
Residing at Salt Lake City, Utah.
My commission expires Dec. 1, 1923.

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AMENDMENT TO

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

 

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF UTAH ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

HEBER J. GRANT, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:

That he is now and for more than twenty years last past has been the duly chosen and appointed President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as such President has been since on or about the 26th day of November, 1923, and now is, the legally constituted Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter=day Saints, a corporation sole; that under and pursuant to Section 18-7-5 R.S.U. 1933 he hereby amends Article "Fourth" of said Articles of Incorporation as now of record in the proper offices of this and other states, said article as amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE FOURTH

Fourth: The title of the person making these articles of incorporation is "President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He and his successor in office shall be deemed and are hereby created a body politic and corporation sole with perpetual succession, having all the powers and rights and authority in these articles specified or provided for by law. But in the event of death or resignation from office of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or in the event of a vacancy in that office from any cause, the President or Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of said Church, or one of the members of said Quorum thereunto designated by that Quorum, shall, pending the installation of a successor President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be the corporation sole under these articles, and the laws pursuant to which they are made, and shall be and is authorized in his official capacity to execute in the name of the corporation all documents or other writings necessary to the carrying on of its purposes, business and objects, and to do all things in the name of the corporation which the original signer of the articles of incorporation might do; it being the purpose of these articles that there shall be no failure in succession in the office of such corporation sole.

[Signed] Heber J. Grant
President of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints,
corporation sole.
[Seal]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18 day of June, 1940.
[the name of Notary Public not shown on copy of amendment]

(Original in State of Utah Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah)

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ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO THE

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

A UTAH CORPORATION SOLE

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 16-7-5 of the Utah Code Annotated 1953 (as amended) relating to amendments of articles of incorporation of corporations sole, the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole, does hereby amend its Articles of Incorporation by adding an additional Paragraph V thereto as follows:

Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed this 19th day of November, 1973.

CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole

By: [signed] Harold B. Lee
Harold B. Lee, Corporation Sole

STATE OF UTAH ) ss:
County of Salt Lake )

HAROLD B. LEE, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is now and ever since July 7, 1972, has been the duly chosen and appointed President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and, as such president, is now and ever since said date has been the legally constituted CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole; that the original Articles of Incorporation of said Corporation Sole were executed by Heber J. Grant, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; that he, Harold B. Lee, is the successor in office to the said Heber J. Grant; that he, Harold B. Lee, executed the foregoing Articles of Amendment as said Corporation Sole.

[signed] Harold B. Lee

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 19th day of November, 1973.

[signed] Wilford W Kirton, Jr
NOTARY PUBLIC
Residing at Salt Lake City, Utah
My commission expires:
2-3-77

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Articles of Incorporation as amended:

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

First: The name of this corporation shall be the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

Second: The object of this corporation shall be to acquire, hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be conveyed to or acquired by said corporation for the benefit of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious society, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship. Such real and personal property may be situated, either within the State of Utah, or elsewhere, and this corporation shall have power, without any authority or authorization from the members of said Church or religious society, to grant, sell, convey, rent, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any part or all of such property.

Third: The estimated value of the property of which I hold the legal title for the purpose aforesaid, at the time of making these Articles of Incorporation, is One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.

Fourth: The title of the person making these articles of incorporation is "President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He and his successor in office shall be deemed and are hereby created a body politic and corporation sole with perpetual succession, having all the powers and rights and authority in these articles specified or provided for by law. But in the event of death or resignation from office of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or in the event of a vacancy in that office from any cause, the President or Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of said Church, or one of the members of said Quorum thereunto designated by that Quorum, shall, pending the installation of a successor President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be the corporation sole under these articles, and the laws pursuant to which they are made, and shall be and is authorized in his official capacity to execute in the name of the corporation all documents or other writings necessary to the carrying on of its purposes, business and objects, and to do all things in the name of the corporation which the original signer of the articles of incorporation might do; it being the purpose of these articles that there shall be no failure in succession in the office of such corporation sole.

Fifth: Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tex-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sixth: The corporate seal shall contain the words, "Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and an impression thereof is hereto affixed.

[Elsie]

Decisions decisions!

Emma Hale only!!

Fanny Alger Lucinda Morgan Harris Louisa Beaman Zina Huntington Jacobs Presendia Huntington Buell Agnes Coolbrith Sylvia Sessions Lyon Mary Rollins Lightner Patty Bartlett Sessions Marinda Johnson Hyde Elizabeth Davis Durfee Sarah Kingsley Cleveland Delcena Johnson Eliza R. Snow Sarah Ann Whitney Martha McBride Knight Ruth Vose Sayers Flora Ann Woodworth Emily Dow Partridge Eliza Maria Partridge Almera Johnson Lucy Walker Sarah Lawrence Maria Lawrence Helen Mar Kimball Hanna Ells Elvira Cowles Holmes Rhoda Richards Desdemona Fullmer Olive Frost Melissa Lott Nancy Winchester Fanny Young

[Elsie]

Woodruff's large collection of diaries provides an important record of Latter Day Saint history, and his decision to formally end the practice of plural marriage among the members of the LDS Church in 1890 brought to a close one of the most difficult periods of church history.    

 

Like many early Latter Day Saints, Woodruff practiced plural marriage. 

His wives were:

• Phoebe Whittemore Carter (born March 8, 1807 – died 1885), m. 13 April 1837
• Mary Ann Jackson, m. 15 April 1846 (divorced in 1848)
• Emma Smoot Smith (1838–1911), m. 13 March 1853     <----+  Must have been an 'interesting' honeymoon!
• Sarah Brown (1834–1909), m. 13 March 1853   <------------+
• Sarah Delight Stocking (1838–1907), m. 1857^[3]

 

Matthias F. Cowley, editor of his published journals, observed that Woodruff was ...perhaps, the best chronicler of events in all the history of the Church.

 

Some recollections were recorded in his journal years after the events, which have caused some historians to question the complete reliability of certain events, as they were not recorded contemporaneously. However, in his Comprehensive History of the Church, B. H. Roberts wrote:

“

President Woodruff rendered a most important service to the church. His Journals, regularly and methodically and neatly kept and strongly bound, …constitute an original documentary historical treasure which is priceless. The church is indebted to these Journals for a reliable record of discourses and sayings of the Prophet of the New Dispensation — Joseph Smith — which but for him would have been lost forever. The same is true as to the discourses and sayings of Brigham Young, and other leading elders of the church; [and] for minutes of important council meetings, decisions, judgments, policies, and many official actions of a private nature, without which the writer of history may not be able to get right viewpoints on many things — in all these respects these Journals of President Woodruff are invaluable.[21]

”

Woodruff was an Assistant Church Historian between 1856 and 1883 and was the church's eleventh official Church Historian between 1883 and 1889.

 

 

 

 

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilford_Woodruff

 

 

 

[Elsie]

 

Polygamy: How it all got Started

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Joe: Hey Emma!   Guess what!?

 

Emma: You KNOW I hate these guessing games! What is it, Dear?

 

Joe: I heard a voice, probably the Lord, tell me I must take other wives.

 

Emma: WHAT!?   You ding bat!  Don't you KNOW what our precious BOOK says?   After all; YOU are the one that translated it!

 

Joe: Books; schmooks.   All I know is I've been COMMANDED to take other wives and you are to OBEY ME!!!

 

 

Emma:      "Though shalt NOT commit ADULTERY!!!"

 

 

Joe: Silly Woman!  You KNOW better than to take things out of CONTEXT!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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...and the rest is HISTORY...

 

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THE BOOK OF JACOB
THE BROTHER OF NEPHI

CHAPTER 2

 

  24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
  25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
  26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.
  27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
  28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
  29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
  30 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.
  31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.
  32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.

 

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Or even HERE:

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 1 Timothy 3:2-3
 2.  Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
 3.  not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

 

 

1 Timothy 3:12
   A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

 

 

 Titus 1:6
   An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

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Emma: That's IT!   I'm LEAVING your sorry *!!!

 

Joe:  DARN you Emma; you were TOLD to accept this!!   Wait!!!   I hear a voice again!!!

 

 

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THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

SECTION 132

 

  51–57, Emma Smith is counseled (commanded) to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth.

 

 

  51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to ^aprove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.

  52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, ^areceive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.

  53 For I am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto my servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things; for he hath been ^afaithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will strengthen him.

  54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and ^acleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be ^bdestroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.

  55 But if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply him and give unto him an ^ahundredfold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives and children, and crowns of ^beternal lives in the eternal worlds.

  56 And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid ^aforgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and make her heart to ^brejoice.

[Elsie]

Is that considered incest?

Well...

As long as you keep it in the family...