The practice of plural marriage, commonly known as polygamy, was instituted among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1840s. For roughly 50 years thereafter, plural marriage was practiced by some Latter-day Saints before the practice was discontinued in 1890. The beginning and end of plural marriage in early Mormonism was closely linked to doctrine and history of the LDS Church.
There were several main reasons why early Mormons believed in and practiced plural marriage:
1. Belief it was Biblically sanctioned
One of the primary reasons was a belief that the practice was biblically sanctioned. Founder Joseph Smith instituted the practice in the 1840s after reporting a revelation from God to restore “all things” necessary for salvation, including plural marriage. This was based in part on Old Testament examples of prophets like Abraham and Jacob taking multiple wives. Passages like Genesis 16:3, Genesis 25:1, Genesis 29:23-30, Exodus 21:10, Deuteronomy 21:15-17, 2 Samuel 12:7-8, and 1 Kings 11:3 were seen to indicate divine approval of plural marriage under at least some conditions.
LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants 132 provided a rationale for plural marriage, stating it was for specific spiritual purposes such as raising up a righteous seed unto the Lord (v. 62-63). This revelation tied the practice to salvation and exaltation in the highest level of heaven.
While the Bible condemns many practitioners of plural marriage, it was believed the principle itself was not wrong. Mormons viewed polygamy in the same light as the Bible’s endorsement of eating meat, which was permitted even if individual meat-eaters were sinful. They believed God only condemned the unrighteous implementation of polygamy.
So in summary, early Mormons sincerely believed plural marriage had biblical precedent and was approved by God for restoration in the modern era.
2. Belief Joseph Smith was a true prophet
Closely tied with the first reason, Mormons believed in plural marriage because their founder Joseph Smith commanded the practice as a prophet of God. When Smith reported receiving a divine revelation in the early 1840s to restore polygamy, faithful Mormons sincerely believed he was acting as God’s mouthpiece to bring back biblical doctrines and practices.
Smith reportedly took plural wives himself and introduced other church leaders to the practice. As Mormons believed Smith was restoring Christ’s true church on earth, they trusted his revelations were inspired of God. Their faith in Smith as a prophet led them to embrace the difficult and controversial doctrine of polygamy.
In fact, plural marriage was considered a test of faith for early Latter-day Saints. Accepting the practice when societally unpopular was seen as proof of one’s commitment to follow God’s will, even under difficult circumstances. Many early Mormons believed in plural marriage simply because their prophet had instituted it.
3. Belief it brought believers closer to God
In addition to biblical precedent, Mormons embraced plural marriage based on an belief the practice brought believers closer to God. As mentioned, LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants 132 provided a theological rationale that closely intertwined plural marriage with one’s spiritual standing and potential for exaltation.
Specifically, the revelation on celestial marriage indicated only those individuals who fully lived the principle of plural marriage would be exalted to the highest tier of heaven. Smith reportedly taught the highest sacraments of salvation could only be received through such marriages.
So for early Latter-day Saints, plural marriage represented a key part of their spiritual journey and relationship with God. Practicing polygamy was seen as necessary for individual exaltation and a holy community.
In their minds, the difficulties of living the principle developed character and brought them nearer to God and eventual salvation. This theological framework led many early Mormons to staunchly defend plural marriage.
4. Belief it strengthened community ties
Some scholars argue early Mormons believed plural marriage strengthened community ties and supported church growth. Forming extended families bonded members together in the largely persecuted religion. The practice also enabled more rapid proliferation of Latter-day Saint homes as more women could be married simultaneously.
Polygamy theoretically expanded each man’s familial obligations, resources and security to a broader network of wives and children. While undoubtedly challenging in practice, some Mormons believed the system cultivated greater caring for others within a tight-knit community.
So for some, plural marriage helped solidify community bonds in a fledgling church that considered itself the literal House of Israel. The unusual family structures were seen as unifying – though in practice polygamy also sometimes provoked rivalries and divisions as well.
5. Belief it allowed fuller obedience to the command to multiply
Mormons also believed polygamy enabled fuller obedience to the Genesis commandment to “multiply and replenish the earth.” LDS scriptures emphasized the importance of marriage and children for exaltation. Polygamy theoretically allowed men and women to bear more children than monogamy.
For Mormons who took the mandate to raise up a righteous seed very seriously, plural marriage provided another avenue to expand their posterity. Bearing more children for the Lord was considered a spiritual blessing.
This helps explain why many Mormon women defended the practice – they saw it as an expression of devotion to God by bearing and raising more children within their religion. The multiplication of children devoted to Christ was considered a joy and privilege.
So in the Mormon worldview oriented toward eternal families, polygamy enabled more children and expanded households devoted to God’s kingdom.
6. Belief it allowed all worthy women to be married
Due to persecution, the early Mormon community had a higher ratio of marriage-aged women to men. Some Mormons saw plural marriage as an opportunity to provide more women the chance to marry and obtain the promised blessings of marriage.
While difficult to practice emotionally, some defenders of polygamy considered it a more equitable system than leaving many women unmarried. They believed plural marriage allowed all worthy women to enjoy theprivileges of marriage and motherhood indirectly if they could not secure or did not desire a monogamous marriage.
Of course, polygamy was still contested and controversial among early Mormons. But some Mormon women accepted it based on a belief it maximized marriage opportunities for female believers at that time.
They saw polygamy as the best available option for women devoted to their faith yet unable to find or uninterested in monogamous marriage. Consent levels to polygamy likely varied based on personal circumstance.
7. Belief opposition was based on religious persecution
Finally, it’s important to note that outside hostility and opposition reinforced many early Mormons’ support of plural marriage. They believed condemnation of polygamy stemmed primarily from religious persecution, not from genuine moral objections.
Having faced intense persecution since the church’s founding, Mormons were highly suspicious of outside critics of their faith and practices. They tended to dismiss rejections of plural marriage as continued religious bigotry, not good faith critiques.
This bunker mentality strengthened their resolve to defend polygamy as an essential practice ordained by God regardless of societal disapproval. Persecution actually cemented their belief in plural marriage as a keystone doctrine.
Harassment also made Mormons less inclined to prayerfully re-evaluate the practice. They believed rejecting polygamy would be succumbing to religious oppression, not standing up for truth. So outside hostility reinforced polygamy in the Mormon mindset.
Conclusion
In summary, the origins and rationale behind 19th century Mormon polygamy were complex and multifaceted. By examining key theological beliefs and historical context, we can better understand why early Latter-day Saints passionately defended the practice as a commandment from God.
Though foreign to modern sensibilities, they saw it as biblical, a requirement for exaltation, and a unifying force strengthening their fledgling church. Polygamy seemed to them a natural extension of their devotion to marriage, family, multiplication, and community.
While the human toll of polygamy must still be addressed, grasping early Mormon beliefs helps us comprehend this controversial practice within its historical and religious setting. Understanding why 19th century Mormons believed in plural marriage allows more empathy, insights, and bridges of understanding.
