Mormon polygamy under Brigham Young. #exmormon #polygamy #lds #mormon #josephsmith #cult

Brigham Young's Polygamous Empire: A Historical Examination

Mormon polygamy remains a topic of intense debate and scrutiny, especially when considering its implementation under Brigham Young. As the Mormon Church's second prophet, Young played a pivotal role in expanding the practice after its controversial inception by Joseph Smith. These historical decisions continue to shape perceptions of Mormonism today. Why does polygamy, a practice officially disavowed over a century ago, still echo so loudly within and outside the Church?

Brigham Young wasn't just a spiritual leader; he was the architect of a theocratic society where polygamy became the foundation. For the Saints who followed him to Utah, polygamy wasn't just sanctioned, it was exalted. Women were often persuaded or pressured to enter plural marriages, believing it was necessary for their salvation. This dynamic shaped a community quite unlike the traditional American life in the 19th century.

The Rise of Mormon Polygamy Under Brigham Young

Polygamy's official introduction into the Church dovetails with Joseph Smith's revelations in the 1830s. However, its expansion into a hallmark of Mormon society truly took root under Brigham Young. After Smith's assassination in 1844, Young asserted his leadership and led a migration to Utah. There, isolated from a hostile American society, he instituted practices unabated by external pressures.

At its zenith in the mid-19th century, Mormon polygamy was a strategic choice. For Young, it was an avenue to grow the Church quickly, with plural families producing far more offspring than monogamous ones. This growth was crucial in an environment where numbers equated strength, especially on the frontier.