Polygamy
Many Mormon sources were consulted in the preparation of Millions of Mormons Can’t Be Wrong, Or Can They? Some are totally sympathetic to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while others — notably LDS scholars — have serious questions about Mormon history and doctrine.
Therefore: Be a Berean!
Plural Marriage
Travis S. Kerns, PhD
At present, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not endorse the concept of plural marriage.
In fact, before 1841, LDS scripture forbade plural marriage.
Why Did God Allow Polygamy? Untangling Old Testament Sexual Ethics
Sam Emadi, PhD
Among Israel’s patriarchs and kings, polygamy and concubinage seem almost a matter of course.
The FAQS: What You Should Know About Polygamy in America
Joe Carter
Excellent overview of the debate about polygamy!
Joseph Smith’s Polygamy in the Context of Changing American Religion and Culture
Robert M. Bowman, PhD
Superb Presentation!
Plural Marriage and Joseph Smith: A PR Nightmare in Mormonism
Eric Johnson
While many Latter-day Saints may know that Brigham Young and other nineteenth century Mormon men took multiple wives, they may not realize that Joseph Smith was Mormonism’s first polygamist.
A Christian perspective.
The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith
George D. Smith
Mormonism’s founder, Joseph Smith, was married to more than 30 women, meaning that Emma was not his one and only wife. Many who know about Smith’s philanderous ways may assume that these women must have been widows or “old maids” and their prophet was doing a favor to them by marrying them. However, the idea that Joseph Smith somehow rescued his plural wives from being single is just not accurate. Excellent Chart of Joseph Smith’s Plural Wives!
Insights on the Justification of Plural Marriages in Early Utah
Keith L. Brown
Polygamy, which was practiced in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is defined as “the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time.”
Joseph Smith’s Personal Polygamy
Brian C. Hales, MD
Of all of Joseph Smith’s teachings and practices, none has been
more controversial than his introduction of the practice of plural marriage among his followers. He reported that an angel commanded him not only to establish it but also to teach it as a doctrinal mandate to other Church members.
“Guilty of Such Folly”?
Brian C. Hales, MD
Accusations of Adultery or Polygamy against Oliver Cowdery.
Historians have different views regarding the possibility that Cowdery was ever involved in unauthorized plural marriage during the period of his close association with Joseph Smith (1829–1838).
Joseph Smith’s Plural Wives After the Martyrdom
Biran C. Hales, MD
Hales looks at the thirty-five wives to whom Joseph Smith were sealed in plural marriage and briefly examines their later reactions to their plural involvement with him.
Well researched and quite informative.
A Trajectory of Plurality: An Overview of Joseph Smith’s Thirty-Three Plural Wives
Todd Compton
Published in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Well researched and contains some helpful charts!
Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith
Anonymous
Written to acknowledge and remember these largely forgotten women. Great research!
Timeline of Joseph Smith Era Polygamy
B.H. Roberts Foundation
Why and how did Joseph Smith practice plural marriage? Who were the women sealed or married to Joseph? What can we say about the nature of their relationships with him? This article gets into the origins of plural marriage and addresses some of the more common questions people have about it.
Nauvoo Polygamous Families
George D. Smith
Appwndix B to: George D. Smith. Nauvoo Polygamy: “. . . but we called it celestial marriage.”
Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2008 and 2011.
Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-1846
George D. Smith
A Preliminary Demographic Report
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy?
Book of Mormon Central
Interesting presentation from a Mormon perspective.
List of Joseph Smith's Wives
Wikipedia
Joseph Smith (1805–1844), founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, taught and practiced polygamy during his ministry, and married multiple women during his lifetime. Smith and some of the leading quorums of the church he founded publicly denied he taught or practiced it.
Sealings to Legally Married Women
Author Unknown
Joseph Smith was sealed to fourteen women with legal spouses. These are some of the most puzzling of all of his plural marriages. From a ceremonial standpoint, it appears that these women had two husbands at the same time. If that were true, it would be called “polyandry” or “a plurality of husbands,” a nearly unprecedented marital dynamic.
Polygamy Often Leads to Mind Control and Abuse
Sarah Foster
Many people confuse polygamy with bigamy, which also means multiple marriages. The difference between the two is that in polygamy, all the involved parties know about one another, which is often not the case in bigamy. In this country, both are illegal. Links to an excellent online essay!
The Incredible Vision About Temples That Led to the End of Polygamy in the Church
Katie Lambert
Links to an interesting essay in LDS Living magazine!
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