Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

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Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

Polygamy book, a work by author: Gregory L. Smith

[[../Introduction of the eternal marriage|Introduction of the eternal marriage]]

Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

Jump to details:

• Question: When and how did plural marriage begin in the Church?
• Question: When did Joseph Smith receive the revelation on plural marriage?

Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

Jump to details:

• Question: When and how did plural marriage begin in the Church?
• Question: When did Joseph Smith receive the revelation on plural marriage?

Initiation of the practice of plural marriage

Jump to details:

• Question: When and how did plural marriage begin in the Church?
• Question: When did Joseph Smith receive the revelation on plural marriage?

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.
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