Latter-day Saints and divorce in the nineteenth century

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Mormonism and divorce in the nineteenth century

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• Divorce among Mormons in the 19th century
• Some 19th century Mormons did not receive civil divorces before remarrying
• Joseph Smith's performance of marriages in Ohio

Divorce among Mormons in the 19th century

Summary: Some critics like to emphasize that some LDS members did not receive civil divorces before remarrying—either monogamously or polygamously. They either state or imply that this shows the Saints' cavalier attitude toward the law.

Jump to Subtopic:

• Gospel Topics: "Divorce was therefore available to women who were unhappy in their marriages"
• Question: How were divorces formalized among Mormons on the frontier in the 19th century?
• Question: Was it normal not to obtain a formal civil divorce in 19th century America?

Some 19th century Mormons did not receive civil divorces before remarrying

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: Was it normal not to obtain a formal civil divorce in 19th century America?
• Question: How were divorces formalized among Mormons on the frontier in the 19th century?

[[../Illegal marriages in Ohio|Joseph Smith's performance of marriages in Ohio]]

Summary: Critics charge that Joseph Smith performed monogamous marriages for time of already-married members, violating Ohio law in Kirtland. Such claims are false and represent a misunderstanding about the marriage and divorce law of the day.

Jump to Subtopic:

• [[../Illegal marriages in Ohio#Question: Did Joseph Smith violate marriage laws in Ohio by performing marriages?|Question: Did Joseph Smith violate marriage laws in Ohio by performing marriages?]]
• [[../Illegal marriages in Ohio#Question: When Joseph Smith performed the marriage of Newel Knight and Lydia Bailey, were they guilty of bigamy since Lydia had not been formally divorced from her previous husband?|Question: When Joseph Smith performed the marriage of Newel Knight and Lydia Bailey, were they guilty of bigamy since Lydia had not been formally divorced from her previous husband?]]

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