FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church of Jesus Christ and plural marriage today
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The attitude of the modern Church toward polygamy
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- Relationship of polygamy to modern Mormonism
- President Gordon B. Hinckley's comments regarding polygamy
- Twentieth century LDS publications which discuss plural marriage
Relationship of polygamy to modern Mormonism
Summary: Critics or ill-informed commentators often try to make it appear as if modern polygamist groups continue to have Church connections. Some often call upon the Church to "stop" the polygamist activities of such groups.
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- Question: Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have any association with polygamist groups?
- Question: Why did Bruce R. McConkie say that polygamy would be practiced again before the Second Coming?
President Gordon B. Hinckley's comments regarding polygamy
Summary: Gordon B. Hinckley made the following statement on Larry King Live on September 8, 1998 with regard to the practice of polygamy: "I condemn it [polygamy], yes, as a practice, because I think it is not doctrinal. It is not legal. And this church takes the position that we will abide by the law. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, magistrates in honoring, obeying and sustaining the law."
Jump to Subtopic:
- Question: Did Gordon B. Hinckley claim that polygamy was "not doctrinal" on Larry King Live?
- Question: How can President Hinckley claim that polygamy is "not doctrinal" if it was a required practice in the 19th-Century Church?
- Gospel Topics: "Today, any person who practices plural marriage cannot become or remain a member of the Church"
Twentieth century LDS publications which discuss plural marriage
Summary: Some have claimed that the Church suppressed the fact that Joseph Smith taught plural marriage, or other details. This selection of books published by Church leaders and in presses associated with the Church (e.g., Deseret Books, Bookcraft, BYU) demonstrate that there has not been silence on plural marriage. Not all of the information is entirely correct, given what is now known from the historical record, but are included here as written as a reference for the type of discussions which continued regarding plural marriage.