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Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century
The practice of plural marriage among Latter-day Saints that drew intense government scrutiny and led to its abandonment
Followers of the Latter Day Saint movement practiced plural marriage starting in the 1830s. The doctrine was publicly announced in Utah Territory in 1852 by Brigham Young, leading to significant conflict with the United States government until the practice was officially discontinued in 1890.
When is Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century kept?
Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century is kept from the 1830s until 1890.
Plural marriage was a religious practice within the Latter Day Saint movement during the nineteenth century. Followers believed this doctrine allowed men to marry multiple women. The public announcement of this custom sparked severe political backlash in the United States. Federal laws targeted the community to stop the practice. The church leadership eventually issued a manifesto to end plural marriages permanently.
Origins and announcement
The practice likely began in the 1830s among early followers. Church founder Joseph Smith is credited with introducing the concept posthumously. In August 1852, Brigham Young and Orson Pratt formally announced the doctrine in Salt Lake City. This revelation occurred nine years after Smith's death. The announcement followed the community's relocation to Utah Territory. Leaders claimed Smith received the original instructions decades earlier.
Government opposition
American authorities strongly condemned the custom. Political platforms included pledges to ban the practice alongside slavery. Tensions rose between federal appointees and local Mormon leaders. The United States dispatched troops during the Utah War. Congress passed several acts to curb the tradition. The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862 banned plural marriage. Subsequent legislation stripped the church of property and voting rights for practitioners.
Legal battles
Courts upheld the constitutionality of anti-polygamy laws. George Reynolds became a key figure in testing these statutes. He served prison time for practicing the custom. The Edmunds-Tucker Act dissolved the church corporation. It seized assets over fifty thousand dollars. Women lost their right to vote in the territory. Local judges were replaced by federal appointees. These measures aimed to dismantle the community's legal autonomy.
End of the practice
The church faced extinction under federal pressure. Leaders operated underground to avoid arrest. Wilford Woodruff disguised himself to evade capture. In 1890, he issued a manifesto ending plural marriage. This decision restored the church's standing with the government. The practice ceased officially for the main denomination. Some members continued the tradition outside official channels.
How Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century is kept
Men entered into multiple marital unions through religious ceremonies. The practice involved sealing couples in temples. Wives often lived in separate households or shared accommodations. Children from these unions formed large extended families. The arrangement required significant financial resources and social coordination. Leadership encouraged adherence to strict moral codes within these households.
When and where
The custom began in the 1830s and ended in 1890. It was most active in the 1850s and 1880s. Dates were set by religious revelation and civil law conflicts.
The practice was centered in Utah Territory. Communities existed in Illinois before the westward migration. Salt Lake City served as the primary hub for announcements and ceremonies.
What Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century means
Participants viewed the union as a divine commandment. It represented obedience to God's revealed will. Families believed it strengthened their spiritual bonds. The practice was seen as essential for eternal progression. Critics argued it caused social harm and inequality.
Who takes part
- Brigham Young: Announced the doctrine publicly in 1852
- Joseph Smith: Attributed with originating the revelation
- Wilford Woodruff: Issued the manifesto ending the practice
- George Reynolds: Tested anti-bigamy laws in court
- Emma Smith: Denied knowledge of the original document
Then and now
The mainstream church abandoned the practice in 1890. Modern Latter-day Saints do not perform plural marriages. Small fundamentalist groups continue the tradition separately. The historical period remains a subject of academic study.
Questions people ask about Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century
When is Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century kept?
Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century is kept from the 1830s until 1890.
Why did it end?
Federal laws and property seizures threatened the church's survival. A 1890 manifesto officially discontinued the practice to restore legal standing.
Was it legal?
No. Federal acts like the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act banned it. Courts upheld these laws against religious freedom claims.
See also
NikahThe Islamic marriage contract that establishes a binding union between two people.
Banns of marriageThe public announcement of an impending marriage in church or town hall to allow for legal objections.Self-uniting marriageA wedding where the couple marries each other without a third-party officiant.Jewish prenuptial agreementA contract signed before the wedding to ensure a Jewish divorce can happen if one spouse refuses.Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Latter Day Saint polygamy in the late-19th century", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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