My boyfriend says that mormon men in Utah can have six wives. Is this legally recognized by the state? I'm thinking wtf... that is bigamy. He says its not though because of freedom of religion. So really... where are these six marriages recognized?!
2007-04-18 18:39:29 · 9 answers · asked by WTF 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Sorry, your boyfriend is wrong. Mormons don't practice polygamy, it is against their religion. Additionally, one of the core beliefs of Mormons is to obey the laws of the land, and the laws make it illegal to have more than one spouse. "Freedom of religion" does have it's limits.
2007-04-19 04:52:24 · answer #1 · answered by straightup 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It's not unlike any other state as far as monogamy is concerned, and the church (finally) respects that law. There are no laws that prohibit marrying another if the previous spouse has died, or divorced.
The fundamental difference is the teaching is that a man may be 'sealed' to as many wives as time and death permits. It's also a requirement to enter the highest 'kingdom' in the afterlife, but exactly how this will be achieved in this life remains unrevealed. A woman cannot be sealed to more than one husband ordinarily, nor hold positions of any authority within the church.
But that's not the biggest difference about living in Utah - Mormonism is not a Sunday-go-to-meeting church, it is a complete societal culture, not unlike Islam.
It is outstandingly conservative, ultra-conformist, and unfortunately, if you are not a member and refuse to 'give in' to the missionary effort, your social life will revolve around what few apostates remain in that state. You will not be accepted by the 'good sisters', not out of meaness or conspiratory measures, but because your presence makes them uncomfortable. Your 'difference' is disturbing, especially if you and your BF are not married.
The upside is outside the urban areas life is slower, nicer and pretty much stress free, unless you have six kids born nine months and 10 minutes apart. But you'd have plenty of company.
2007-04-19 14:26:19 · answer #2 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Polygamy was outlawed in the 1800's. I've heard, but not completely positive the the FLDS faith (Fundementalist Latter Day Saints) still practice multiple marriges.
Polygamy earlier in the lDS church was reconized. At that period in time there were many women and much less men. To survive during those days you had to have a farm not only for wood and food but to earn money. It was hard to earn money other wise and many women were struggeling because they didn't have husbands to help them. That's when Polygamy came up. It was actually a solution to a problem. Men would have several wives that way they all would be supported. They'd have food, water, heat, a home.
Now and days though it is outlwed. LDS members no longer practice it.
2007-04-22 13:36:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your other answers are right that it's just some weird, tiny, offshoot groups that do that - and they are breaking the law.
Um, I'm LDS, I grew up in California, but I've also lived in Utah. I must say it is a different experience. In California my faith wasn't all that common, I was different for being the kid that didn't drink - in Utah, it's a lot more common, I'm not unique at all for not drinking - so I'll definitely say the "Utah experience" is still a pretty different experience, even when you're accustomed to the LDS faith.
2007-04-19 05:07:26 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have some really good straight forward answers. But to quickly address your original question, "What is it like being a Mormon in Utah?" in some ways it's easy because there are others around you to help you. other ways it's difficult in that you can't help feel ashamed sometimes when you do something contrary to what is taught. and you swear your neighbors are talking about you. But, really this goes anywhere where there is a high concentration of on faith.
2007-04-19 09:09:13 · answer #5 · answered by Coool 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your boyfriend does not know what he is talking about.
In Utah you can only have 1 wife. It has been that way ever since Utah became a state.
2007-04-19 17:45:36 · answer #6 · answered by J T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are offshoots of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints that still practice polygamy. It's not legal, but for some reason, the states of Utah and Arizona don't enforce the laws all that much.
2007-04-18 23:02:24 · answer #7 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Uh, your boyfriend is either misinformed or speaking of the fundamentalist LDS church - remember Warren Jeffs? He is the leader of the FLDS church - not to be confused with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and those members practice polygamy eventhough it is against the law...
I am an LDS member (real Mormon, not FLDS) and I have one husband and he has me - his one wife. We believe in obeying the laws of the land and having one spouse is one of them. I love living in Utah.
2007-04-19 12:14:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The official LDS church does not practice polygamy, anyone who does will be excommunicated from the church, no matter where they live.
2007-04-19 02:50:01 · answer #9 · answered by divinity2408 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋