Plural marriage

Plural marriage (also formerly known as spiritual wifery) is a type of polygamy that was practiced by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and continues to be practiced today by several small sects of Mormon fundamentalists. It included polygyny and rare cases of polyandry. Most plural marriage relationships involved sexual relations between the husband and each of the wives, though some plural marriage relationships were celibate. Most plural marriages did not involve group sex. The most extensive use of plural marriage was by a minority within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the mid- to late-19th Century. This church, however, renounced the practice in 1890, and formally began excommunicating polygamists in the early 20th Century. Many polygamists who left the church at that time have formed small, isolated, and close-knit communities in areas of the Rocky Mountains.

Related Topics:
Polygamy - Joseph Smith, Jr. - Latter Day Saint movement - Mormon fundamentalists - Polygyny - Polyandry - Celibate - Group sex - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 19th Century - 1890 - Excommunicating - 20th Century - Rocky Mountains

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Today, the LDS church seeks vigorously to disassociate itself from the practice of plural marriage, and will continue to excommunicate its polygamist members. Moreover, the church has attempted to convince journalists not to refer to Latter Day Saint polygamists as "Mormons" or "Mormon fundamentalists". The press, however, has generally not complied, because modern polygamists embrace the term Mormon. Small sects of Mormon fundamentalists continue to practice plural marriage, and generally consider the practice to be a requirement for entry into the highest heaven, which they call the "third degree" of the Celestial Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Journalists - Latter Day Saint - Mormon - Mormon fundamentalists - Heaven - Celestial Kingdom

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