Polygamy and the LDS Church (Mormons)

Does it Still Exist Today?

Having more than one wife and Mormonism have long been linked.... and for good reason.

"Officially," today, the main body of the LDS Church claims it "does not support polygamy." One practicing polygamy can be excommunicated.

Fact of the matter is, though, that polygamy is supported in standard LDS doctrine. The first written doctrine forbade polygamy, but then somewhere along the way, polygamy suddenly appeared to be legal and supported according church doctrine. Today, that final change back to permitting the practice of polygamy has never been rescinded. Polygamy is authorized in the LDS 132^nd section of the Doctrine and Convenants (a companion book to the Book of Mormon). In that section the following appears:

``If any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and if the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins and have vowed to no other man, then he is justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him.''

So, if one has to answer honestly about the modern LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church doctrine supporting polygamy, you have to say, "Yes."

The local media has long come down soft on the negative side of polygamy. While working at KSL Television in the television news department, reporters were regularly reprimanded for reporting on two subjects regarding the LDS Church --- Polygamy and LDS Church Finances. Any story that covered these subjects was heavily scrutinized. (KSL is the LDS Church owned TV station in the Salt Lake valley)

All local TV stations and news media followed a similar course. The LDS penetration in the Salt Lake valley is strong. You don't want to hurt another person's feelings. He may be your neighbor, close business associate or relative. So, while the coffee pot percolated with unrest, little was done to ever report polygamy "as it really is" or it's detrimental impact upon society.

And as would be expected, a somewhat soft approach toward polygamy was again given by the Salt Lake Tribune in their Sunday, June 28, 1998 edition. Several stories ran. While the negative side of polygamy was still soft, facts regarding it's early beginnings and current day problems were suggested and reported fairly clearly. For those with a curious mind, the following links have been provided to these stories:

Salt Lake Tribune article indicating modern day doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints supporting polygamy, "The Guiding Principle."

Salt Lake Tribune article telling a very sad story of young girl brought into polygamy and the failure of courts to prosecute serious crimes involving modern day polygamy, "Prosectution of plural marriages a thorney issue for courts."

Salt Lake Tribune article about the early LDS Church -- Deliberate lies told and polygamy practiced in secret, "Acknowledgment of doctrine was like tinder in parched land."

Salt Lake Tribune article about Rulon Jeffs, recent polygamist -- lives in an enormous mansion -- has many wives -- "Jeffs: patriarch, president, prophet for polygamy." -- Unbelievable but true modern day polygamy story.

Salt Lake Tribune article shows the destructive forces of modern day polygamy in Utah and Arizona, "Welfare Aids Illegal Polygamous Lifestyles."

Salt Lake Tribune article: "Attorney is Key Figures in Polygamist Kingston Clan."

Salt Lake Tribune article on child polygamy, "If Parents Want, Kids Can Vanish."

Utah State Governor Mike Leavitt supports polygamy -- Ex-polygamist wives protest!

Affidavits Give Peek Into Secretive and Incestuous Polygamist Clan (The Salt Lake Tribune 8/2/98)

Yet another polygamist group. They request meeting with Utah Governor (Salt Lake Tribune, 8/15/98)

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch leans toward polygamy (Salt Lake Tribune 8/29/98)

Fifteen year old polygamist mother dies as result of polygamy (Salt Lake Tribune 8/30/98)