Mormons and Polygamy Explained

Few aspects of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the LDS Church or Mormon Church) are as widely discussed—or as frequently misunderstood—as the early practice of plural marriage, or polygamy. For many readers, polygamy appears to define Mormonism, with some still asking: is polygamy allowed in Utah? However, the practice ended more than a century ago and is firmly rejected by the Church today. Understanding how Mormons and polygamy began, how it was practiced, and how it was discontinued helps place this complex topic within its historical and religious context.

The Religious Context of Early Mormonism

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith during a period of intense religious experimentation in the United States. Latter-day Saints believe that God continues to reveal His will through prophets, much as He had in biblical times. This belief in continuing revelation shaped nearly every aspect of early Church life, including doctrines that were unfamiliar or unsettling to outsiders.

Mormon polygamy emerged from this theological framework. Latter-day Saints viewed marriage not only as a social institution, but as a sacred ordinance with eternal significance. This broader understanding of family and eternity helps explain why plural marriage, though difficult and controversial, was embraced by some early Church members as a commandment from God rather than a cultural preference.

Joseph Smith and the Introduction of Plural Marriage

Joseph Smith introduced Mormons polygamy during the early 1840s, while the Church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois. According to historical records and later testimonies, Smith taught that God had revealed to him a commandment to restore a form of marriage practiced by certain biblical figures, such as Abraham, Jacob, and David.

This teaching was deeply challenging, even for Joseph Smith himself. Contemporary accounts suggest that he approached the subject cautiously and introduced it only to a small number of trusted associates. Smith dictated a revelation outlining the theology of eternal marriage and plural marriage, which later became Doctrine and Covenants section 132 in the Latter-day Saint scriptural canon.

Importantly, plural marriage during Joseph Smith’s lifetime was practiced privately and by very few members. It was not publicly acknowledged by the Church, in part because of strong legal, social, and moral opposition in American society. Many early Saints struggled to accept the doctrine, and some rejected it entirely.

Public Practice in Utah Territory

After Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, the majority of Latter-day Saints followed Brigham Young west to what would become the Utah Territory. There, isolated from the political and social pressures of the eastern United States, Church leaders felt greater freedom to live their beliefs openly.

In Utah, Mormons and polygamy became a visible and legally recognized practice within the Latter-day Saint community. Still, it is important to note that the majority of Latter-day Saints never practiced plural marriage. Estimates suggest that at its peak, perhaps 20–30 percent of families in Utah were polygamous, with participation concentrated among Church leaders and highly devoted members.

For those who practiced polygamy in Utah, plural marriage was framed as a religious duty rather than a lifestyle choice. Sermons and writings from the period emphasize sacrifice, obedience, and trust in God. Many polygamous families faced economic hardship, social strain, and emotional complexity. Women’s experiences varied widely: some reported feelings of spiritual fulfillment and community support, while others described loneliness and suffering.

Opposition and Legal Pressure

As the United States expanded westward, conflict between the federal government and the Latter-day Saints intensified. Polygamy became a central issue in national debates about morality, citizenship, and the rule of law. Beginning in the 1860s, Congress passed a series of laws aimed at ending the practice, including the Morrill Act, the Edmunds Act, and the Edmunds-Tucker Act.

These laws criminalized plural marriage, disenfranchised Church members, seized Church property, and imprisoned those who continued to practice polygamy. Many Latter-day Saint men went into hiding or served jail time, and families endured prolonged separation.

The Discontinuation of Polygamy

In 1890, Church President Wilford Woodruff issued a manifesto announcing that the Church would no longer perform plural marriages. Woodruff later testified that this decision came through divine inspiration and was necessary to preserve the future of the Church.

The transition away from Mormon polygamy was gradual and, at times, uneven. Some members continued to enter new plural marriages in the years following the manifesto, particularly outside the United States. In 1904, Church President Joseph F. Smith issued a second manifesto that strengthened enforcement and established excommunication as a consequence for entering new plural marriages. From that point forward, the practice effectively ended within the Church.

Today, the LDS Church teaches monogamy as the only acceptable form of marriage. Members who practice polygamy are not part of the Church, and groups that continue plural marriage do so independently, despite often being mislabeled as “Mormon.”

A Faith Perspective Today

In the modern day, some still wonder: do Mormons believe in polygamy? For modern Latter-day Saints, Mormons and polygamy is part of their history, but not their present. Church members acknowledge that the practice raises difficult questions and emotions, both for those who lived it and for those studying it today. At the same time, believers view plural marriage within the broader pattern of a God who has, at times, commanded His people to live challenging laws for purposes that may not be fully understood.

The story of polygamy in Utah and in the early Church is ultimately one of faith, struggle, and change. It reflects a community seeking to follow divine guidance as they understood it, navigating intense opposition, and eventually adapting to new direction through what they believe was further revelation.

Understanding this history does not require ignoring its complexity or its costs. Rather, it invites a thoughtful engagement with the past—one that respects both the sincerity of early Latter-day Saints and the lived realities of those affected by one of the most distinctive chapters in Mormon history.

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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