How common is polygamy in Mormonism?
The precise number who participated in plural marriage is not known, but studies indicate a maximum of 20 to 25 percent of Latter-day Saint adults were members of polygamist households. One third of the women of marriageable age and nearly all of the church leadership were involved in the practice.
Is Mormon polygamy legal in the US?
However, these polygamous marriages are not recognized by American law. Because polygamy has been illegal throughout the United States since the mid-19th century, and because it was illegal in many individual states before that period of time, sources on alternative marriage practices are limited.
Why are Mormons OK with polygamy?
Many Mormons believe that one of the reasons the Lord may have sanctioned polygamy for a time was that it allowed the struggling Latter-day Saints to raise up a “righteous seed” of second- and third-generation Mormons to build the kingdom.
Can Mormon marry more than one wife?
The LDS Church publicly renounced the practice of polygamy in 1890, but it has never renounced polygamy as doctrine, as evidenced in LDS scriptures. It has always permitted and continues to permit men to be married in Mormon temples “for the eternities” to more than one wife.
Can you have more than one wife in Utah?
Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. This practice is illegal across the United States – Utah included – yet tens of thousands are still living in such communities and continue to fight for their rights to do so. There has been a ban on polygamy since Utah became a state.
Is polygamy legal in Utah?
For the first time in 85 years, polygamy is no longer a felony in Utah. A state law, passed back in March, went into effect Tuesday dropping polygamy from a third-degree felony to an infraction, basically the same legal level as a traffic ticket.