Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

FAIR Answers—back to home page

Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

[[{{{L}}}|{{{H}}}]]

Important introductory material on plural marriage available here

Answers portal
Plural marriage
RESOURCES
Joseph Smith era: Joseph Smith & intro When did it start? Spiritual witnesses BoM & polygamy D&C vs. Jacob 2 1835 D&C denial Polyandry Children? Emma Smith Marriages to young women Lustful motives? Not Biblical? Wives already married? Early Christian attitudes Post-Joseph Smith: Required for exaltation? Brigham in JD 11:269 Difficulties? Hiding Brigham's history? Law of Adoption Manifesto & politics? Post-Manifesto–present Post-Manifesto marriages Modern Church
PERSPECTIVES
MEDIA
OTHER PORTALS
Joseph Smith, Jr. Temples

Learn More

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Historical Overview of the Introduction of Plural Marriage by Joseph Smith	Of all of Joseph Smith’s teachings and practices, none has been more controversial than plural marriage.
When did Joseph Smith First Learn of the Correctness of Plural Marriage?	Several witnesses affirmed it occurred in the early 1830s.
Polygamy In Other Religious Sects in the 1830s	First, there is no contemporary evidence to support that early missionaries viewed the Cochranites marital pluralities favorably. In addition, it is unclear why Joseph Smith or other Church leaders needed the Cochranite example to introduce them to plural marriage. They were unquestionably already aware of Old Testament patriarchs who married polygamously without apparent condemnation. Also, it appears that if polygamy was mentioned in Kirtland meetings either because of a Cochranite connection or for any other reason, Church members undoubtedly would have condemned the practice. Lastly, Parley Pratt related that he did not learn of the restoration of the practice of plural marriage until after his return from England in 1843.
1830s Accusations of Polygamy Against Joseph Smith and The Church	It appears that beginning in 1831, accusations of polygamy were leveled at the Church in general. Based upon assumptions that the law of consecration included a community of wives as one of its tenets, several of these charges were published. Understandably, Church leaders actively denied such allegations.
The Church’s Strict Moral Standard Against Sexual Immorality	During the 1830s, several individual members were guilty of immoral practices that may have been labeled as “polygamy.” Their activities were not ignored by their non-member neighbors or their Church leaders.
1840—Plural Marriage Secretly Introduced	Sometime in 1840 Joseph Smith first broached the topic of plural marriage privately to trusted friends. Most of the apostles were in England and thus were unavailable for an introduction to the practice.
Joseph Smith’s Personal Polygamy	Many are quick to declare that Joseph's polygamy sprang from religious extremism and/or sexual desire. This article explores the difficulties that Joseph had with plural marriage, and evidence for what truly motivated his acts.
The Faith of the Nauvoo Polygamists	Why did early members of the Church practice polygamy? Were they all dupes? Easily manipulated? Religious fanatics who believed Joseph could do no wrong? This article explores the initial reactions and eventual decisions made by the first generation of polygamists in Nauvoo.

Learn More

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Historical Overview of the Introduction of Plural Marriage by Joseph Smith	Of all of Joseph Smith’s teachings and practices, none has been more controversial than plural marriage.
When did Joseph Smith First Learn of the Correctness of Plural Marriage?	Several witnesses affirmed it occurred in the early 1830s.
Polygamy In Other Religious Sects in the 1830s	First, there is no contemporary evidence to support that early missionaries viewed the Cochranites marital pluralities favorably. In addition, it is unclear why Joseph Smith or other Church leaders needed the Cochranite example to introduce them to plural marriage. They were unquestionably already aware of Old Testament patriarchs who married polygamously without apparent condemnation. Also, it appears that if polygamy was mentioned in Kirtland meetings either because of a Cochranite connection or for any other reason, Church members undoubtedly would have condemned the practice. Lastly, Parley Pratt related that he did not learn of the restoration of the practice of plural marriage until after his return from England in 1843.
1830s Accusations of Polygamy Against Joseph Smith and The Church	It appears that beginning in 1831, accusations of polygamy were leveled at the Church in general. Based upon assumptions that the law of consecration included a community of wives as one of its tenets, several of these charges were published. Understandably, Church leaders actively denied such allegations.
The Church’s Strict Moral Standard Against Sexual Immorality	During the 1830s, several individual members were guilty of immoral practices that may have been labeled as “polygamy.” Their activities were not ignored by their non-member neighbors or their Church leaders.
1840—Plural Marriage Secretly Introduced	Sometime in 1840 Joseph Smith first broached the topic of plural marriage privately to trusted friends. Most of the apostles were in England and thus were unavailable for an introduction to the practice.
Joseph Smith’s Personal Polygamy	Many are quick to declare that Joseph's polygamy sprang from religious extremism and/or sexual desire. This article explores the difficulties that Joseph had with plural marriage, and evidence for what truly motivated his acts.
The Faith of the Nauvoo Polygamists	Why did early members of the Church practice polygamy? Were they all dupes? Easily manipulated? Religious fanatics who believed Joseph could do no wrong? This article explores the initial reactions and eventual decisions made by the first generation of polygamists in Nauvoo.

Learn More

See also Brian Hales' discussion

Historical Overview of the Introduction of Plural Marriage by Joseph Smith	Of all of Joseph Smith’s teachings and practices, none has been more controversial than plural marriage.
When did Joseph Smith First Learn of the Correctness of Plural Marriage?	Several witnesses affirmed it occurred in the early 1830s.
Polygamy In Other Religious Sects in the 1830s	First, there is no contemporary evidence to support that early missionaries viewed the Cochranites marital pluralities favorably. In addition, it is unclear why Joseph Smith or other Church leaders needed the Cochranite example to introduce them to plural marriage. They were unquestionably already aware of Old Testament patriarchs who married polygamously without apparent condemnation. Also, it appears that if polygamy was mentioned in Kirtland meetings either because of a Cochranite connection or for any other reason, Church members undoubtedly would have condemned the practice. Lastly, Parley Pratt related that he did not learn of the restoration of the practice of plural marriage until after his return from England in 1843.
1830s Accusations of Polygamy Against Joseph Smith and The Church	It appears that beginning in 1831, accusations of polygamy were leveled at the Church in general. Based upon assumptions that the law of consecration included a community of wives as one of its tenets, several of these charges were published. Understandably, Church leaders actively denied such allegations.
The Church’s Strict Moral Standard Against Sexual Immorality	During the 1830s, several individual members were guilty of immoral practices that may have been labeled as “polygamy.” Their activities were not ignored by their non-member neighbors or their Church leaders.
1840—Plural Marriage Secretly Introduced	Sometime in 1840 Joseph Smith first broached the topic of plural marriage privately to trusted friends. Most of the apostles were in England and thus were unavailable for an introduction to the practice.
Joseph Smith’s Personal Polygamy	Many are quick to declare that Joseph's polygamy sprang from religious extremism and/or sexual desire. This article explores the difficulties that Joseph had with plural marriage, and evidence for what truly motivated his acts.
The Faith of the Nauvoo Polygamists	Why did early members of the Church practice polygamy? Were they all dupes? Easily manipulated? Religious fanatics who believed Joseph could do no wrong? This article explores the initial reactions and eventual decisions made by the first generation of polygamists in Nauvoo.

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

Notes