the reason i ask i was looking at this resolved question where the guys gets an earbashing from several americans saying it wa illegal, but i thought mormons were allowed and a few other of there fanatical religons
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AlwiXTqpkzqBDKOLFiSB8UESBgx.?qid=20060606172658AA2DY2n
2006-08-22 08:13:44 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
didnt the founder have fifty plus wives or something like that
2006-08-22 08:23:08 · update #1
The answer to the question is no.
I'm not a "Latter Day Saint" (aka Mormon) but I have a lot of friends that are and I know the churches official stance-it is not accepted, preached, encouraged, etc. It is illegal in all states and the church would have no authority to say otherwise.
Because of the history of the church which apparently allowed it in the mid 1800's, some try to practice it today (they are VERY few and far between), and upon being exposed, they would be ex-communicated (sort of). The churches official explanation for the apparent change in policy is that Joseph Smith (founder) who is alleged to have dozens of wives, was only legally married to one woman, all others were just "bound" to him through various esoteric rituals practiced by the church in those days. It IS an open joke among some Mormons especially in Utah, and one can find a Mormon made brew (yes, actual beer) available at Smiths grocery stores in Utah called "Polygamy Porter". One can also find a t-shirt in "Hot-Topics" at the malls in the US picturing a man and two women saying, "Utah-we spread the love."
All that being said though, I know of NO Mormons that actually condone polygamy and few find jokes about it funny. That's about as honest and balanced and informed an answer as I think you're likely to get.
2006-08-22 08:31:56 · answer #1 · answered by Eliphas C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, Mormons are not fanatical. Second, it is illegal in all states. Third, mormons have not practiced polygamy for over 100 years.
According to the Lord's law of marriage, it is lawful that a man have only one wife at a time, unless by revelation the Lord commands plurality of wives in the new and everlasting covenant. (D. & C. 49:15-17.) Speaking of "the doctrine of plurality of wives," the Prophet said: "I hold the keys of this power in the last days; for there is never but one on earth at a time on whom the power and its keys are conferred; and I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwise." (Teachings, p. 324.)
2006-08-23 19:11:43 · answer #2 · answered by notoriousnicholas 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From this page - Utah law:
http://www.polygamy.org/history.shtml
"No inhabitant of this State shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship; but polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited."
Utah State Code
76-7-101. Bigamy -- Defense.
(1) A person is guilty of bigamy when, knowing he has a husband or wife or knowing the other person has a husband or wife, the person purports to marry another person or cohabits with another person.
(2) Bigamy is a felony of the third degree.
(3) It shall be a defense to bigamy that the accused reasonably believed he and the other person were legally eligible to remarry.
2006-08-22 15:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Allow me to clarify something: the practice of polygamy ended in the Mormon Church over 100 years ago. Any members found practicing polygamy now are excommunicated (which is the harshest punishment the church can give). There are some people who have been excommunicated who still claim to be members, but they are not.
People like that can lead to a lot of confusion - and shows like "big love" certainly don't help.
best wishes.
2006-08-22 15:26:22 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! I am a mormon, pologamy is not practiced within our religion it was done away with in the late 1800s early 1900s the reason is one many don't understand. If one is found practicing this they are excommunicated from our church. There is a relgion that branched out from ours called the RE-ORGANIZED LDS church, and some attempt to practice it but they are in no way affiliated with our church... it IS illegal
2006-08-22 15:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are not allowed to have more than one wife in the USA. Utah was the last state to put a law on the books forbidding it.
2006-08-22 15:20:50 · answer #6 · answered by oconnorct1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not legal for Mormons or any other religion to have more than 1 wife. But they do anyway.
2006-08-22 15:20:59 · answer #7 · answered by Amy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's illegal everywhere in the US. But in Utah they don't usually enforce the law unless the women are underage.
2006-08-22 15:22:06 · answer #8 · answered by TC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not legal, but in Utah there are many that do and get away with it. I lived in Utah so I know, but i'm not sure how other states handle polyamy.
2006-08-22 15:27:32 · answer #9 · answered by Nikky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Legally no, but in at least one state I know men can have as many wives as they want, but the state only recognizes the first one. Hence only one "legal" marriage, but they can have as many ceremonies and call as many women their wife as they want
2006-08-22 15:22:10 · answer #10 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋