Where did fundamentalist polygamy in America begin? Polygamy isn't new. Until the 20th century, more than two-thirds of the world's population allowed polygamous marriage. But polygamy among Christians in the United States of America presents an anomaly. Polygamy as part of a religious belief began among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1840's, when the founder and prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., quietly spoke to a few of his closest associates concerning a revelation he said he'd received instructing him to initiate "The Principle of Plural Marriage." Some historians speculate that without the quantum leaps of population made possible by polygamy, the Latter-day Saints would not have survived losses incurred during the raids by mobs, the exposure of Winter Quarters, and the trek across the Great Plains, not to speak of the 500-man Mormon Battalion mustered to fight the Mexican War, in addition to other casualties of the Old West. The Church continued the practice until 1890, when political and legal pressure to give up polygamy reached a fevered pitch, and the LDS Church passed a manifesto to end it.
Fundamentalists believe that God does not change and insisted that "the Principle" is an eternal law lived by exalted beings. But members in good standing of the LDS Church agree that the obligation to live polygamy has been removed and, in fact, is cause for excommunication.
To fundamentalists who insist that "God does not change," I'd point out that the Creator of All formed Canada geese to be polygamous during times of disease and sparse population, monogamous during times of balance, and homosexual during times when the population outstrips food availability. I suspect that God can collude with Nature to do whatever needs to be done to make life work. What do you think?
-
Meghan Markle Shared a Poignant Message About Working Moms as She Calls for More Childcare Support
Archewell is supporting the "National Business Coalition for Child Care."
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Kanye West Told Kim Kardashian She Was Dressed Like Marge Simpson and Her Career Was Over After the WSJ Innovator Awards
This is awful.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Kate Middleton Just Revealed Prince Louis' Favorite Superhero
A fine choice.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
30 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, show them these statistics.
By Megan Friedman
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the Organization
Under Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
By Rachel Epstein
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State Legislators
Emily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
By Emily Cain
-
Your Abortion Questions, Answered
Here, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
By Rachel Epstein
-
The Future of Afghan Women and Girls Depends on What We Do Next
Between the U.S. occupation and the Taliban, supporting resettlement for Afghan women and vulnerable individuals is long overdue.
By Rona Akbari
-
How to Help Afghanistan Refugees and Those Who Need Aid
With the situation rapidly evolving, organizations are desperate for help.
By Katherine J Igoe
-
It’s Time to Give Domestic Workers the Protections They Deserve
The National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, reintroduced today, would establish a new set of standards for the people who work in our homes and take a vital step towards racial and gender equity.
By Ai-jen Poo
-
The Biden Administration Announced It Will Remove the Hyde Amendment
The pledge was just one of many gender equity commitments made by the administration, including the creation of the first U.S. National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.
By Megan DiTrolio