The Mormon Polygamy Wars (1800's Edition) w/ Michelle Stone and Cheryl Bruno | Ep. 2124

The Mormon Polygamy Wars of the 1800s: An Unraveling Saga

The legacy of Mormon polygamy is a controversial chapter in 19th-century American history. This topic is pivotal as it challenges the faithful and researchers to confront discrepancies between documented history and official narrative. What ignited these so-called "polygamy wars," and how do they shape contemporary understanding of the LDS Church's origins? As discussed in depth by Michelle Stone and Cheryl Bruno on the Mormon Stories Podcast, the complexity of early Mormon polygamy spotlights the struggle between doctrinal revelations and societal norms.

Historical Context of Mormon Polygamy

The roots of polygamy in Mormonism trace back to Nauvoo in the early 1840s. Central to the clash was Joseph Smith, whose alleged practice of polygamy sparked division. Though some leaders, like William Marks, opposed the practice once aware, Smith's role remains contested. John C. Bennett, a prominent figure who initially aligned with Smith, later accused him of promoting plural marriage, leading to a public denouncement and a flurry of affidavits asserting monogamous teachings.

Despite these affirmations, by 1852 a pivotal conference in Utah marked a stark transformation. Brigham Young publicly declared the polygamous doctrine, hinting at pre-existing secrets within the church hierarchy. Official acknowledgment of polygamy, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 132, inflamed the divide between mainstream followers and dissenters, planting seeds of discord that would grow into well-documented fracture.

Examining the Core Claims