Are Mormon Families Practicing Polygamy?
No. Mormon families are not practicing polygamy today. This is often misunderstood or misrepresented in the media and throughout society. The Mormon Church stopped practicing polygamy in 1890, when the president of the Church received revelation that it should cease. Mormon history tells us that polygamy was introduced by the Prophet Joseph Smith, who received a revelation from God that men were to have more than one wife at those times wherein the Lord commands it. The Lord revealed that the purpose is to raise up seed unto the Lord, and that only a righteous people can succeed at the practice. When not ordained and commanded by God, a man was to take only one wife. At that point in time, polygamy served a purpose. The Lord has given this commandment in the past, as when he instructed Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and many others to practice polygamy. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff put an end to plural marriage in the Mormon Church. The end of polygamy came from the same source as the commandment to practice it. President Woodruff received a vision from the Lord, proving to him that continuation of the practice would bring so much persecution that the Church and its families would no longer be able to function. From them on, the Mormon Church has had no involvement in plural marriage.
The early saints followed the law is because it was a commandment from God. It was difficult for everyone involved (including Joseph Smith himself), and increased the persecution suffered by the Latter-day Saints.
Although Mormons practiced polygamy in the past, Mormons have not supported the practice of polygamy for over a century. There are, however, a few apostate groups that practice polygamy in Utah, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. This can cause confusion because many of these groups consider themselves to be “fundamentalist Mormons,” even though they have nothing to do with the Mormon Church. After polygamy ended in 1890, a few Mormons still believed in the institution and started their own religions, calling themselves Reformed Latter-day Saints or Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. Polygamy has no place in the modern Mormon Church. In fact, if any member of the Mormon Church is ever caught practicing polygamy, he or she is excommunicated from the Mormon Church. Often times, in movies and television programs, Mormons are portrayed as if they still practice polygamy. This is not an accurate portrayal.
In modern day, Mormons are committed to the traditional view of marriage between a man and a woman. Mormons believe that a family should consist of a father, mother and children. In the Mormon temple, families can be sealed together for time and eternity. In God’s plan, family relationships can bring everlasting happiness into our lives. Satan knows this and tries to destroy the family by tempting some people to practice polygamy and other immoral practices. But these will not lead to true happiness. Nothing can bring greater joy than raising a family in the Lord’s way.