Mormon Church outlaws polygamy.

Since its inception in the 1830s, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the Mormon Church) was known for its controversial practice of polygamy, or “plural marriage.” While the practice played a vital part in the early years of the church, the institution forever altered its path in a historic event on October 6 of 1890: the Mormon Church outlawed polygamy.

Polygamy in the Mormon Church was rooted deeply in its genesis. The church’s founder, Joseph Smith, is credited with introducing the practice, purportedly having received a revelation from God affirming its importance. Smith and his followers saw plural marriage as a holy duty, with some church leaders stating they had been commanded by divine decree to engage in the practice.

For outsiders and non-members, however, the practice of polygamy was not viewed favorably. From the moment the Mormon Church publicly announced its endorsement of polygamy in 1852, it faced heavy criticism and backlash from mainstream American society. This backlash fueled hostility that Mormons faced across the United States, often resulting in violent confrontations.

The national outcry against polygamy precipitated legal efforts to suppress the practice, starting in the mid-19th century. A series of laws were passed that increasingly penalized sects practicing polygamy. These laws levied severe penalties on the Mormon Church, triggering a tense standoff with the U.S. government.

It was against this backdrop of mounting tension that a momentous event occurred on October 6, 1890, signaling a dramatic shift in the Mormon Church’s stance on polygamy. The church’s then-president, Wilford Woodruff, issued a formal statement: the Manifesto. In this declaration, Woodruff announced that the church would no longer endorse the practice of plural marriage. This decision was arguably one of the most defining moments in the history of the Mormon Church.

The development of the Manifesto was no overnight decision. The looming threat of the U.S. government seizing the church’s assets and imprisoning its leaders played a major role in triggering the change. Furthermore, the societal isolation and economic hardship faced by the church and its members due to its stance on polygamy contributed significantly to the decision. In a bid to ensure the survivability of the church and the well-being of its members, Woodruff felt compelled to outlaw polygamy.

Since the Manifesto’s unveiling, the stance of the Mormon Church on polygamy has been unequivocal: while polygamy was a part of its history, it is not a part of its present or future. The revolutionary 1890 declaration, while preserving the church and shielding it from the legal and societal pressures of the time, was not universally accepted by all members. A minority of Mormons, feeling that the church was abandoning a fundamental tenet of its doctrine, chose to break away, forming splinter groups that continued to endorse polygamy.

Today, the Mormon Church continues to distance itself from its polygamous past. Church leaders vigorously condemn the practice, and individuals found practicing polygamy are excommunicated.

the outlawing of polygamy by the Mormon Church on October 6, 1890, marked a significant turning point in the organization’s history. This radical transformation ensured the survival and continued growth of the church in the face of mounting societal and legal pressure—a testament to the adaptability and resilience of this institution.

The story of the Mormon Church’s historic decision to outlaw polygamy is a vivid testament of how cultural, societal, and governmental pressures can drive significant policy changes within religious institutions. It demonstrates the tension between tradition and adaptation, a theme that continues to resonate in discussions regarding religion and modern society.