THE DOCTRINE OF PLURAL MARRIAGE
Patriarchal, Celestial & Plural Marriage
1. The Seer, Prospectus; January, 1853; Orson Pratt.
The views of the Saints in regard to the ancient Patriarchal Order of Matrimony or
Plurality of Wives as developed in a revelation given through Joseph the Seer, will be fully
published.
2. Millennial Star., Vol. 22:498-99; 1860.
The polygamy of the "Mormons" is a renewal of the ancient patriarchal order.
3. Affidavit of Joseph B. Noble signed June 26, 1869; Historical Record, Vol. 6:221.
. . .that in the fall of 1840, Joseph Smith taught him the principle of celestial or plural
marriage, or a plurality of wives; and that. . .
4. Affidavit of John Benbow signed 28 August 1869; Historical Record, Vol. 6:222.
President Joseph Smith taught him and his wife, Jane Benbow, the doctrine of celestial
marriage, or plurality of wives, Hyrum being present.
5. J.D. 13:197; October 9, 1869; George Q. Cannon.
We have heard, during Conference, a great many precious instructions, and in none have I been
more interested than in those which have been given to the Saints concerning that much mooted
doctrine called Patriarchal or Celestial Marriage.
6. Affidavit of Benjamin F. Johnson signed March 4, 1870; Historical Record, Vol. 6:221.
. . .where, to my great surprise, he [Joseph] commenced to open up to me the principle of plural
or celestial marriage.
7. Affidavit of William Clayton signed February 16, 1874; Historical Record, Vol. 6:225.
After giving me lengthy instructions and information concerning the doctrine of celestial or
plural marriage, he concluded his remarks. . .
8. Affidavit of Eliza R. Snow published in the Deseret News October 22, 1879; Historical
Record, Vol. 6:224.
. . .he could not do it more effectually than by proving her denial of any knowledge of
polygamy (celestial marriage), and its practice by her husband.
9. Deseret News, May 20, 1886; Historical Record, Vol. 6:220; Joseph F. Smith.
. . .they are not denials of plural or celestial marriage as taught by Joseph and Hyrum. . .
10. Historical Record, Vol. 6:223; Andrew Jensen.
Further, the fact is established that Joseph Smith received the revelation on celestial or plural
marriage, and the eternity of the marriage covenant.
11. Spencer's Letters, p. 193; Orson Spencer.
When God sets up any portion of His Kingdom upon the earth, it is patterned after his own
order in the heavens. When He gives to man a pattern of family organization on the earth that
pattern will be just like his own family organization in the heavens. The family of Abraham was
a transcript of a celestial pattern. . .This family order of Abraham was spread out before God,
and met with His entire and full approbation. And why did God approve of it? Because it is the
only order practiced in the celestial heavens, and the only peaceful, united, and prosperous
order that will endure, while man invented orders and devices will utterly deceive and perish
with the using.
The New & Everlasting Covenant of Marriage
1. Utah Stake Historical Record #64904/CH0/1877-1888. Quarterly Conference held March 3rd
and 4th, 1883; Sunday, 2 PM (page 271-); President Wilford Woodruff.
The new and everlasting Covenant is marriage, plural marriage - men may say that with their
single marriage the same promises and blessings had been granted, why cannot I attain to as
much as with three or four, many question me in this manner I suppose they are afraid of
Edmunds, what is the Covenant? it is the eternity of the marriage covenant, and includes a
plurality of wives and takes both to make the law - the Lord leads the mind step by step to this
point - first that all covenants must be made by his power - next the eternity of the covenant
reaching into Eternity after this the Lord tells us what the Law is and how he justified his
servants. God commanded Abraham and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham because this was the
law ordained for the fullness and glory of God before the world was. This was the law and from
Hagar sprang many nations, the Lord has said that to whom this Revelation is given, that they
are eligible to this law, its blessings and its requirements - the men can only be saved by acts of
Righteousness and the woman are under the same law. Joseph Smith declared that all who
became heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ must obey his law or they cannot enter into the
fullness and if they do not they may loose the one talent, when men are offered knowledge and
they refuse it they will be damned and there is not a man that is sealed by this priesthood by
covenants to enter into the fullness of the law and the same with the woman she says she will
observe all that pertains to the new and everlasting Covenant both are under the Covenant - and
must obey if they wish to enter into a continuation of the lives or of the seeds.
2. Declarations of the First Presidency on Temple Work, Vol. 5:44; May 22, 1888.
President's office
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 22, 1888
Bishop S.A. Woolley,
19th Ward, Salt Lake City,
Dear Brother: . . .
You asked whether a person who has once been married in the Endowment House or Temple,
and is left a widow or a widower, commits adultery by marrying again when the ceremony is
performed by a justice of the peace or a civil officer.
There is a manifest impropriety, which every Latter-day Saint who has had his or her
endowments should perceive, in such a person going to a civil officer to have a ceremony of
marriage performed. The fact that such a person does so is in evidence that he or she is falling
away, because if in good standing a recommendation could be obtained for the temple, where
the ceremony could be performed, should be performed according to the order which God has
instituted. But a person marrying under such circumstances does not commit adultery.
You ask some other questions concerning how many living wives a man must have to fulfill the
law.
When a man, according to the revelation, marries a wife under the holy order which God has
reveals and then marries another in the same say, he enters into the new and everlasting
covenant, so far as he has gone he has obeyed the law. I know of no requirement which makes
it necessary for a man to have three living wives at a time.
With kind regards,
I remain,
Your Brother,
W. Woodruff.
3. First Presidency Letterpress Copybooks, 1877-1949, p. 385; CR/1/20/#17.
Feb. 25th, 1889
Elder Martin Johansen,
Ferron
Dear Brother:--Your letter of Feb. 20th, asking certain questions, has been received.
It would be quite proper for you to submit all such questions to the Bishop of you[r] Ward or
the President of your stake. However, in reply to your question as to what is meant in Sec. 131
Book of Doc. & Cov.--viz:
"If a man hath one wife seal[ed] to him in the Temple for time and for all eternity, will he enter
into the celestial glory and have increase, or hath it reference to a man who hath more than one
wife sealed to him?"
It may mean one wife, under certain circumstances; but when circumstances will permit it
means more.
The words through the Prophet Joseph, as recorded in Sec. 131 Doctrine and Covenants, are
correct and mean what they say.
With kind regards, Your Brother, W. Woodruff
The Patriarchal Law of Marriage Given to Abraham
1. J.D. 4:224; February 8, 1857; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Pres. Heber C. Kimball.
Do you suppose that Joseph and Hyrum and all those good men would associate with those
ancient worthies, if they had not been engaged in the same practices? They had to do the works
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in order to be admitted where they are; they had to be
polygamists in order to be received into their society.
2. J.D. 11:268-69; August 19, 1866; Salt Lake Bowery; Pres. Brigham Young.
It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all
your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, you will be polygamists at least in
your faith, or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has
obtained. This is as true as that God lives.
3. J.D. 13:200; October 9, 1869; Salt Lake Tabernacle; George Q. Cannon.
God revealed that strait and narrow way (D&C 132:22) to Abraham, and taught him how he
could enter therein. He taught him the principle of plurality of wives; Abraham practiced it and
bequeathed it to his children as a principle which they were to practice.
4. J.D. 21:10; December 7, 1879; 17th Ward Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City, at the Funeral of
William Clayton; Joseph F. Smith.
And as he [Wm Clayton] has here stated, as having come from the mouth of the Prophet, this
doctrine of eternal union of husband and wife, and of plural marriage, is one of the most
important doctrines ever revealed to man in any age of the world. Without it man would come
to a full stop; without it we never could be exalted to associate with and become gods, neither
could we attain to the power of eternal increase, or the blessings pronounced upon Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, the fathers of the faithful.
5. J.D. 23:132; May 14, 1882, Sunday; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Wilford Woodruff.
We declare to all men that the God of heaven commanded Joseph Smith to introduce and
practice the patriarchal order of marriage, including the plurality of wives. And why? Because it
was the law given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for certain purposes.
6. Life of Wilford Woodruff, p. 542, by Matthias F. Cowley; October 13, 1882.
Concerning the Patriarchal Order of Marriage, President Taylor said: 'If we do not embrace that
principle soon, the keys will be turned against us. If we do not keep the same law that our
Heavenly Father has kept, we cannot go with Him. A man obeying a lower law is not qualified
to preside over those who keep a higher law.' In harmony with the remarks of President Taylor,
Elder Woodruff observed: 'The reason why the Church and Kingdom of God cannot advance
without the Patriarchal Order of Marriage is that it belongs to this dispensation just as baptism
for the dead does, or any law or ordinance that belongs to a dispensation. Without it the Church
cannot progress. The leading men of Israel who are presiding over stakes will have to obey the
law of Abraham, or they will have to resign.'
7. The Gospel Kingdom, p. 390; 4th ed.; Revelation given to President John Taylor, October
13, 1882.
You may appoint Seymour B. Young to fill up the vacancy in the presiding quorum of
Seventies, if he will conform to my law; for it is not meet that men who will not abide my law
shall preside over my priesthood.
Necessary to Gain Exaltation & Fulness of Glory
1. J.D. 1:54; August 29, 1852; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Orson Pratt.
In reply we will show you that it is incorporated as a part of our religion, and necessary for our
exaltation of the fulness of the Lord's glory in the eternal world. Before we get through, we will
endeavour to tell you why we consider it an essential doctrine to glory and exaltation, to our
fulness of happiness in the world to come.
2. J.D. 11:269; August 19, 1866; Salt Lake Bowery; Pres. Brigham Young.
The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.
Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father
and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto
them, and they refused to accept them.
3. Historical Record, Vol. 6:226; February 16, 1874; William Clayton.
From him [Joseph Smith] I learned that the doctrine of plural and celestial marriage is the most
holy and important doctrine ever revealed to man on the earth, and that without obedience to
that principle no man can ever attain to the fulness of exaltation in celestial glory.
4. J.D. 20:28; July 7, 1878, Sunday morning; Salt Lake Tab.; Joseph F. Smith.
Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity, or
non-essential to the salvation or exaltation of mankind. In other words, some of the Saints have
said, and believe, that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for
time and eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly
could with more than one. I want here to enter my solemn protest against this idea, for I know it
is false. . .The marriage of one woman to a man for time and eternity by the sealing power,
according to the law of God, is a fulfillment of the celestial law of marriage in part --- and is
good as far as it goes --- But this is only the beginning of the law, not the whole of it.
Therefore, whoever has imagined that he could obtain the fullness of the blessings pertaining to
this celestial law, by complying with only a portion of its conditions, has deceived himself. He
cannot do it.
5. Journal of Eliza M. Partridge (Smith) Lyman, pp. 92-94; 1879.
It is now about thirty-six years since the Prophet Joseph Smith taught to me the principles of
Celestial Marriage. I was then married by the order and have raised a family of both sons and
daughters in what is called Polygamy, and I am not afraid to say that it is one of the most pure
and holy principles that has ever been revealed to the LDS, and one that is necessary to our
exaltation.
* * * Then let us rejoice my Sisters, that we are numbered with the People of God, that we have
embraced the Celestial Order of Marriage, and happy shall we be in a coming day if we have
never spoken lightly of sacred things.
6. J.D. 24:146; May 6, 1883, Sunday morning; Quarterly Stake Conference held in Logan,
Cache County, Utah; George Q. Cannon.
And I obeyed the doctrine of patriarchal marriage, upon the same principle of salvation and of
exaltation, and that if I would be exalted in the presence of God I must obey the law.
7. The Contributor, Vol. 13:196; February 1892; First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles.
We, the First Presidency and Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, beg
respectfully to represent to your Excellency the following facts:
We formerly taught to our people that polygamy, or celestial marriage, as commanded by God
through Joseph Smith, was right; that it was a necessity to men's highest exaltation in the life to
come. . .up to a short time before September, 1890 [when the Manifesto was issued].
8. Historical Record, Vol. 6:231; Bishop S. A. Woolley.
. . .and that no man could or would receive a fulness of celestial glory and eternal life, except he
obeyed that law, and had more than one living wife at the same time.
Necessary For The Church To Advance Forward
1. J.D. 11:221; April 7, 1866; Salt Lake Tabernacle; John Taylor.
Joseph Smith told others; he told me, and I can bear witness of it, 'that if this principle was not
introduced, this Church and kingdom could not proceed.' When this commandment was given,
it was so far religious, and so far binding upon the Elders of this Church, that it was told them if
they were not prepared to enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in
consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be taken from them.
2. J.D. 21:10; December 7, 1879; Funeral of William Clayton, held at the 17th Ward
Meetinghouse, Salt Lake City; Joseph F. Smith.
And as he has here stated, as having come from the mouth of the Prophet, this doctrine of
eternal union of husband and wife, and of plural marriage, is one of the most important
doctrines ever revealed to man in any age of the world. Without it man would come to a full
stop.
3. J.D. 24:229-230; June-July 1883; John Taylor's trip to Bear Lake.
And I will tell you what Joseph Smith said upon the subject. He presented this principle to the
Twelve, and called upon them to obey it, and said if they did not, the kingdom of God could not
go one step further.
4. Life of Wilford Woodruff, p. 546; by Matthias Cowley; July 1883.
The law of the Patriarchal Order of marriage belongs to this dispensation, and after it was
revealed to the Prophet Joseph, he was commanded to receive it. If he and the people had
rejected it, the Church and Kingdom of God would have advanced no further and God would
have taken it from them and given it to another people.
5. Historical Record, Vol. 6:232, by Andrew Jensen; Comments of Sarah M. Kimball & John
Taylor; No date.
. . .God had revealed it again and instructed him [Joseph] to teach it with commandment, as the
Church could travel (progress) no further without the introduction of this principle. (Sarah M.
Kimball)
President Taylor spoke briefly, stating that he was present at a meeting of the leading
authorities of the Church in Nauvoo, at which the subject of the revelation on celestial marriage
was laid before them and unanimously received as from God. Joseph declared that unless it was
received the Church could progress no further. Soon after he met the Prophet Joseph, who
addressing [me] said the time had come when he must embrace the doctrine of plural marriage.
(John Taylor)
Living Plural Marriage Does Not Bring Sorrow
1. J.D. 11:301; February 3, 1867; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Pres. Brigham Young.
I do not wonder at this people having trouble; I do not wonder at some of our sisters having
sorrow in what is termed plural marriage; for they do not live so as to have the Spirit and power
of God upon them; if they did, they could see its beauty and excellence, and not a word would
be said against it from this time henceforth and forever. But they see this with a selfish eye, and
say, 'I want my glory and my comfort here.'
2. J.D. 12:312; November 29, 1868; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Pres. Brigham Young.
Our sisters need not be worried about any doctrine. Brother Penrose said it would be better for
them if they believed in the doctrine of polygamy. But they do believe it; they know it is true,
and that is their torment. It perplexes and annoys many of them, because they are not sanctified
by the spirit of it; if they were there would be no trouble.
3. Life of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 546-47; by Matthias F. Cowley; July, 1883.
It has been said that the Patriarchal Order of Marriage has caused more sorrow to the daughters
of Eve than any other principle ever revealed from Heaven to men, but this is not true. No
divine principle brings trouble to those who faithfully obey it. If they who are in it have
troubles it is not the fault of the principle but because of weakness and of the false traditions
which surround them. The Lord never gave a law to the children of men which will give to
them exaltation and glory except through the observance of that law.
Opposition To Plural Marriage Brings Damnation
1. J.D. 3:266; July 14, 1855; Provo Bowery; Pres. Brigham Young.
Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you
will be damned; and I will go still further and say, take this revelation that the Lord has given,
and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.
2. J.D. 11:211; April 4, 1866; Salt Lake Tabernacle; Pres. Heber C. Kimball.
I speak of plurality of wives as one of the most holy principles that God ever revealed to man,
and all those who exercise an influence against it, unto whom it is taught, man or woman, will
be damned, and they, and all who will be influenced by them, will suffer the buffetings of Satan
in the flesh; for the curse of God will be upon them, and poverty, and distress, and vexation of
spirit will be their portion; while those who honor this and every sacred institution of heaven
will shine forth as the stars in the firmament of heaven, and of the increase of their kingdom
and glory there shall be no end.
3. J.D. 11:221; April 7, 1866; Salt Lake Tabernacle; John Taylor.
Where did this commandment come from in relation to polygamy? It also came from God. It
was a revelation given unto Joseph Smith from God, and was made binding upon His servants.
When this system was first introduced among this people, it was one of the greatest crosses that
ever was taken up by any set of men since the world stood. Joseph Smith told others; he told
me, and I can bear witness of it, 'that if this principle was not introduced, this Church and
kingdom could not proceed.' When this commandment was given, it was so far religious, and so
far binding upon the Elders of this Church, that it was told them if they were not prepared to
enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in consequence of it, the
keys of the kingdom would be taken from them. When I see any of our people, men or women,
opposing a principle of this kind, I have years ago set them down as on the high road to
apostasy, and I do to-day; I consider them apostates, and not interested in this Church and
kingdom.
4. J.D. 13:42; October 8, 1869; Salt Lake Tabernacle; George A. Smith.
Is not the man that denounces Celestial Marriage a liar? Does he not work abominations?
5. J.D. 17:159; August 9, 1874, Sunday afternoon; Lehi City Meetinghouse; Pres. Brigham
Young.
I want to say to my sisters that if you lift up your heels against this revelation, and say that you
would obliterate it, and put it out of existence if you had the power to nullify and destroy it, I
say that if you imbibe that spirit and feeling, you will go to hell, just as sure as you are living
women. Emma took that revelation, supposing she had all there was. . .She went to the
fireplace and put it in, and put the candle under it and burnt it, and she thought that was the end
of it, and she will be damned as sure as she is a living woman. Joseph used to say that he would
have her hereafter, if he had to go to hell for her, and he will have to go to hell for her as sure as
he ever gets her.
6. J.D. 17:224-225; October 7, 1874, Wednesday; Salt Lake Tab.; Orson Pratt.
I did hope there was more intelligence among the Latter-day Saints, and a greater understanding
of principle than to suppose that any one can be a member of this Church in good standing, and
yet reject polygamy. The Lord has said, that those who reject this principle reject their
salvation, they shall be damned, saith the Lord; those to whom I reveal this law and they do not
receive it, shall be damned. * * *
Now I want to prophecy a little. It is not very often that I prophecy, though I was commanded
to do so, when I was a boy. I want to prophecy that all men and women who oppose the
revelation which God has given in relation to polygamy will find themselves in darkness; the
Spirit of God will withdraw from them the very moment of their opposition to that principle,
until they will finally go down to hell and be damned, if they do not repent.
7. Historical Record, Vol. 6:227; January 10, 1885; Thomas Grover.
Brother Hyrum was called upon to read the revelation. He did so, and after the reading said,
'Now, you that believe this revelation and go forth and obey the same shall be saved, and you
that reject it shall be damned.'
Parable of the Talents Refers to Plural Marriage
1. Historical Record, Vol. 6:221-222; March 4, 1870; Benjamin F. Johnson.
He [Joseph] also told me that he would preach a sermon that day for me which I would
understand while the rest of the congregation would not comprehend his meaning. His subject
was the ten talents, 'unto him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundantly, but from
him that hath not (or will not receive), shall be taken away that which he hath (or might have
had)'. Plainly giving me to understand that the talents represented wives and children, as the
principle of enlargement throughout the great future to those who were heirs of salvation.
2. J.D. 16:166; August 31, 1873, Sunday; Bowery, Paris, Oneida County, Idaho; Pres. Brigham
Young.
Now, where a man in this church says, 'I don't want but one wife, I will live my religion with
one,' he will perhaps be saved in the celestial kingdom; but when he gets there he will not find
himself in possession of any wife at all. He has had a talent that he has hid up. He will come
forward and say, 'Here is that which thou gavest me, I have not wasted it, and here is the one
talent,' and he will not enjoy it, but it will be taken and given to those who have improved the
talents they received, and he will find himself without any wife, and he will remain single for
ever and ever. But if the woman is determined not to enter into a plural marriage, that woman
when she comes forth will have the privilege of living in single blessedness through all eternity.
3. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; October 14, 1882. At a meeting of the First Presidency,
Quorum of the Twelve and Stake Presidents, Erastus Snow said:
E Snow said that Joseph Smith said that the parable that Jesus spoke of that the man who had
one talent & hid it in the Earth was the man who had but one wife & would not take another
would have taken from him & given to one who had more.
4. J.D. 24:75; April 6, 1883, General Conference; Salt Lake Tab; Erastus Snow.
It is as Jesus said concerning the man who hid it in a napkin; he laid it carefully away, and by
and by brought it out, saying, here it is as I received it, not having increased at all; in other
words, we are just where we were when we started. Another one says I received two talents;
and have increased to four, another says I received five talents, and now have ten; the master
says to the one who hid his talent, who perhaps laid it carefully away and kept it nice, watching
over it with the greatest care; of in other words, to him who did not multiply and increase, but
on the contrary took pains to avoid doing so, 'Take from him that which he seems to have and
give to him that has ten; for he that has and improves upon that which he receives, shall receive
more abundantly.'
The Law of Sarah
1. Doctrine & Covenants 132:61, 65; July 12, 1843.
And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to
espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are
virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for
they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to
no one else.
Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things
whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer
unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from
the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded
Abraham to take Hagar to wife.
2. The Seer, p. 41; March 1853; Elder Orson Pratt.
When a man who has a wife, teaches her the law of God, as revealed to the ancient patriarchs,
and as manifested by new revelation, and she refuses to give her consent for him to marry
another according to that law, then it becomes necessary for her to state before the President the
reasons why she withholds her consent: if her reasons are sufficient and justifiable, and the
husband is found in the fault or in transgression, then he is not permitted to take any step in
regard to obtaining another. But if the wife can show no good reason why she refuses to comply
with the law which was given unto Sarah of old, then it is lawful for her husband, if permitted
by revelation through the Prophet, to be married to others without her consent, and he will be
justified, and she will be condemned, because she did not give them unto him, as Sarah gave
Hagar unto Abraham, and as Rachel and Leah gave Bilhah and Zilpah to their husband, Jacob.
3. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; October 26, 1868; Remarks made at the funeral of Vilate
Kimball by her husband, Heber C. Kimball.
I have taken 40 wives and many without her knowledge but she afterwards gave them to me in
the Temple.
4. J.D. 16:166-67; August 9, 1873, Sunday Afternoon; Lehi City Meeting House; Pres. Brigham
Young.
I recollect a sister conversing with Joseph Smith on this subject. She told him: 'Now, don't talk
to me; when I get into the celestial kingdom, if I ever do get there, I shall request the privilege
of being a ministering angel; that is the labor that I wish to perform. I don't want any
companion in that world; and if the Lord will make me a ministering angel, it is all I want.'
Joseph said, 'Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not know what you will want.' He then said
to me: 'Here, brother Brigham, you seal this lady to me.' I sealed her to him.
5. J.D. 17:159; August 31, 1874, Sunday; Delivered in the Bowery, Oneida County, Idaho;
Pres. Brigham Young.
If it is the duty of a husband to take a wife, take her. But it is not the privilege of a woman to
dictate the husband, and tell who or how many he shall take, or what he shall do with them
when he gets them, but it is the duty of the woman to submit cheerfully.
6. Letter to Mrs. Malinda J. Merrill from Pres. John Taylor; January 19, 1883; Salt Lake City,
Utah; Spec Coll/BYU/File #M/1267.
Mrs. Malinda J. MerrillSalt Lake City, Utah
Fremont, Piute Co., UtahJanuary 19, 1883
Dear Sister:
***
You further inquire: "What is the difference in a man having dead wives sealed to him than
living women, so that he has one living wife; will they gain as great an exaltation if they have
dead women sealed to them as they would if they had living women sealed to them?" This law
pertains more particularly to the living, and on this point I refer you to verse 52 wherein it is
said: "And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my
servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have
said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God," and in the 64th verse: "And again,
verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he
teaches unto her this law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe
and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy
her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law." "This is the
law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law, when I commanded
Abraham to take Hagar to wife." You seem to be desirous of having dead women sealed to your
husband instead of living ones, where as the law pertaining to these matters does not put things
in that shape. We read that the Lord commanded, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife,
and it is for wives as well as husbands to perform their part in relation to these matters as
explicitly stated in verse 64. * * * Circumstances do not always place it in the power of man to
enter into this covenant and these matters are left with the Lord to adjust, but no man or woman
has authority to point out any other way than that which the Lord has appointed.
7. Letter from Pres. John Taylor to Bishop A. A. Kimball, November 19, 1886; First Presidency
Letterbook Copybooks, 1877--1949/Vol. 14:18-19; CR/1/20/#12 Church Archives.
Bishop A.A. Kimball
Kanosh, Millard Co.
Dear Brother.
You submit a peculiar case to me in your letter of the 15th a woman who is the wife of one of
our Elders, herself incapable of bearing children because of physical malformation, threatens
her husband with the Pen[itentary] if he shall attempt to obey the law of God, and take to
himself another wife and obtain for himself a posterity which otherwise he cannot have.
If it were not for the law of man he could do this without her consent, after having given her the
privilege of exercising the right of the law of Sarah. As we are now situated he cannot do this
without endangering his liberty, through her taking advantage of the Edmunds law. But there is
more than one law of the land and under another law he can obtain a separation from her,
physical malformation being deemed by the law a sufficient cause for divorce. * * * If he is a
worthy faithful Latter-day Saint and there be nothing against him more than this, he should not
be denied the privilege of going to the Temple, or of taking a wife without condemnation. He
ought, however, to treat his first wife with kindness and sustain her; but if she still persists in
threatening him for obeying the law of God, she herself becomes a transgressor and has no right
to fellowship in the Church.
8. St. George Temple Minute Book, pp. 102-103, 4 October 1888; K9361R; James G. Bleak;
CR/100/14/#2/CHO; Research Files 1950-1974. Church Archives Vault. Declarations of the
First Presidency on Temple Work, Vol. 8:35.
Our young people come here to be married to be husband and wife through all eternity taking
upon them covenants to observe all the laws, rites and ceremonies pertaining to the Holy order
of matrimony, this is the way God has established, and the ceremony that seals one wife to a
man seals other wives. And when a man takes a wife they enter this sacred order and covenant
to observe all the rites in this. The man covenants to take more wives, the woman covenants to
do the part of Sarah and gives her consent for him to take more wives. Hoped the young people
would understand these things. A covenant not kept is a covenant broken. When we enter that
covenant we must continue in it. Still there is no one here who will say you shall take more
wives, that is left entirely with yourselves.
Must Be Practiced Under Priesthood Control
1. J.D. 13:201-02; October 9, 1869; Salt Lake Tabernacle; George Q. Cannon.
It is necessary that this principle should be practiced under the auspices and control of the
priesthood. God has placed that Priesthood in the Church to govern and control all the affairs
thereof, and this is a principle which, if not practiced in the greatest holiness and purity, might
lead men into great sin, therefore the Priesthood is the more necessary to guide and control men
in the practice of this principle.
2. Questions & Answers Concerning Celestial Marriage, pp. 1-12; June 25, 1882; A Revelation
through President John Taylor; Church Historians Office.
Question: Is the law of Celestial Marriage a law given to this nation or to the world?
Answer: No, in no other sense than as the Gospel is given, and in accordance with the laws
thereof. So far as it is made known unto them as the Gospel is made known unto them and is a
part of the New and Everlasting Covenant; and it is only those who receive the Gospel that are
able to, or capable of, entering into this Covenant. [page 2] Have I not said through my servant,
Joseph, that "all Kingdoms are governed by law," and if they receive not the law of My Gospel
they cannot participate in the blessings of celestial marriage, which pertains to my elect.
No person, or people, or nation can enter into the principle of celestial marriage unless they
come in by me, saith the Lord, and obey the law of my Gospel through the medium of him who
is appointed unto this power, as made known unto my people through my servant, Joseph, in a
revelation on "The eternity of the marriage covenant, including plurality of wives." * * *
You are not now sent to proclaim this principle to the United States, nor the world; nor to urge
it upon them. It is not for them as a nation, or nations, only as many as accept the law of my
Gospel and are governed thereby. Behold, if you were to preach this principle unto them and
they said, "We accept it," Could you then administer it unto them? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.
Have I not said, "Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of
confusion.
Cause For Withdrawal & Future Practice
1. Journal of Abraham H. Cannon; October 1, 1890, Wednesday; Salt Lake City, Utah; Meeting
of the Quorum of the Twelve.
John H. Smith: I cannot feel to say that the manifesto is quite right or wrong. lt may be that the
people are unworthy of the principle and hence the Lord has withdrawn it. I cannot consent to
cease living with my wives unless I am imprisoned.
2. William H. Smart Diary, 1901-1902 Book, p. 94; July 28, 1901.
At Wasatch Stake MIA Conference, remarks of Sister and President Joseph F. Smith: "Sister
Smith bore a very strong testimony to the divinity of the principle of plural marriage. Pres.
Smith endorsed it. He said it was taken away from the people--like the law of consecration-because the saints rejected it, and neither would be restored until there is a people prepared to
live them. Anyone should beware that casts slurs upon the birth of those born under this
covenant. Also that men who will not appreciate their wives and children and provide for them
will lose them."
3. Letter From Anthony W. Ivins to Mr. Thomas H. Jones, Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua,
Mexico; June 25, 1926; Film 272/Box 15/Letters #499-501/CHO. Pres. Joseph F. Smith is
being quoted in the letter.
Brother Ivins, plural marriage must be discontinued, in Mexico as well as in other parts of the
Church. When you return to Mexico I want you to see that no more plural marriages are
solemnized there. Tell the brethren there that they must cease their activities. There is no man
who is authorized to perform a plural marriage, not even I can do it after the action taken by the
conference, unless they shall vote again in favor of it.
4. Mormon Doctrine, p. 578; 1966, 2nd edition; Bruce R. McConkie.
Obviously the holy practice will commence again after the second coming of the Son of Man
and the ushering in of the millennium (Isa. 7).
Plural Marriage Ceremony
1. The Seer, Vol. 1, No 2, pp. 31-32; February, 1853.
The wife stands on the left hand of her husband, while the bride stands on her left. The
President, then, puts this question to the wife: "Are you willing to give this woman to your
husband to be his lawful and wedded wife for time and for all eternity? If you are, you will
manifest it by placing her right hand within the right hand of your husband." The right hands of
the bridegroom and bride, being thus joined, the wife takes her husband by the left arm, as if in
the attitude of walking: the President, then, proceeds to ask the following question of the man:
"Do you brother, (calling him by name,) take sister, (calling the bride by her name,) by the right
hand to receive her unto yourself to be your lawful and wedded wife, and you to be her lawful
and wedded husband for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and promise, on your part,
that you will fulfill all the laws, rites, and ordinances, pertaining to this holy matrimony, in the
new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of
your own free will and choice?" The bridegroom answers, yes. The President, then, puts the
question to the bride: "Do you, sister, (calling her by name,) take brother, (calling him by
name,) by the right hand, and give yourself to him, to be his lawful and wedded wife for time
and for all eternity with a covenant and promise, on your part, that you will fulfill all the laws,
rites, and ordinances, pertaining to this holy matrimony, in the new and everlasting covenant,
doing this in the presence of God, angels, and these witnesses of your own free will and
choice?" The bride answers, yes.
The President then says, "ln the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the authority of the Holy
Priesthood, I pronounce you legally and lawfully husband and wife for time and for all eternity;
and I seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection, with power to come forth in the
morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory, immortality, and eternal lives; and I seal
upon you the blessings of thrones, and dominions, and principalities, and powers, and
exaltations, together with the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and say unto you be
fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your
posterity in the day of the Lord Jesus. All these blessings, together with all other blessings
pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, I seal upon your heads, through your
faithfulness unto the end, by the authority of the Holy Priesthood, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."
2. The L.D.S. Millennial Star, Vol. 15:214; 1853.
Do you, brother (calling him by name), take sister (calling the bride by her name) by the right
hand and receive her unto yourself, to be your lawful and wedded wife, and you to be her
lawful and wedded husband, for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and promise on your
part, that you will fulfill all the laws, rites, and ordinances, pertaining to this holy matrimony, in
the new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the presence of God, Angels, and these
witnesses, of your own free will and choice? (The bridegroom answers: yes)
Do you, sister (calling her by name), take brother (calling him by name) by the right hand, and
give yourself to him, to be his lawful and wedded wife for time and for all eternity, with a
covenant and promise on your part, that you will fulfill all the laws, rites and ordinances,
pertaining to this holy matrimony in the new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the
presence of God, Angels, and these witnesses, of your own free will and choice? (The bride
answers: yes)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood, I pronounce
you legally and lawfully husband and wife, for time and for all eternity; and seal upon you the
blessings of the holy resurrection, with power to come forth in the morning of the first
resurrection, clothed with glory, immortality and eternal life; and I seal upon you the blessings
of thrones, and dominions and principalities, and powers and exaltations, together with the
blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and say unto you, be faithful and multiply and replenish
the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity in the day of the Lord Jesus. All
these blessings, together with the blessings pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, I
seal upon your heads, through your faithfulness unto the end, by the authority of the Holy
Priesthood, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
3. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; September 17, 1854; Ms/f/115.
President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of Consecration & had an
interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle. The subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the
Seer and the doctrine it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said he
ought not to have published the marriage ceremony--lt was sacred and one of the last
ceremonies attended to in the endowments and ought not to have been given to the world.
Brother Pratt said that he thought it was no harm as the plurality of wives and its doctrine was
to be published to the world. He said he should not have done it---if he had thought there had
been the least harm in it. President Young said he was satisfied that he intended no wrong in it.
4. History of Utah, pp. 353-354, by Hubert H. Bancroft. n.d.; Typed w/o sic. This rendition
closely follows the pattern given by Orson Pratt in The Seer.
Ann Eliza Webb, who was twice married according to Mormon practice, once by Brigham, and
afterward to him, thus describes the ceremonies:
After registration, which includes names, age, place of birth, with county, state, or country, 'we
went before Brigham Young, who was waiting for us,' and who asked, 'Do you, Brother James
Dee, take Sister Ann Eliza Webb by the right hand, to receive her unto yourself, to be your
lawful and wedded wife, and you to be her lawful and wedded husband, for time and eternity,
with a covenant and promise on your part that you will fulfil all the laws, rights, and ordinances
pertaining to this holy matrimony, in the new and everlasting covenant, doing this in the
presence of God, angels, and these witnesses, of your own free will and accord?' 'Yes'. 'Do you,
Sister Ann Eliza Webb, take Brother James Dee by the right hand, and give yourself to him, to
be his lawful and wedded wife, for time and for all eternity, with a covenant and promise on
your part that you will fulfil all the laws, rights, and ordinances pertaining to this holy
matrimony, in the new and everlasting covenant, doing this is the presence of God, angels, and
these witnesses, of your own free will and accord?' 'Yes'. 'In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and by the authority of the holy priesthood, I pronounce you legally and lawfully husband and
wife, for time and for all eternity. And I seal upon you the blessings of the holy resurrection,
with power to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory,
immortality, and everlasting lives; and I seal upon you the blessings of thrones, and dominions,
and principalities, and powers, and exaltations, together with the blessings of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. And I say unto you, Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, that you may
have joy and rejoicing in your prosperity in the day of the Lord Jesus. All these blessings,
together with all other blessings pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, I seal upon
your heads, through your faithfulness unto the end, by the authority of the holy priesthood, in
the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost. Amen'
'The scribe then entered the date of the marriage, together with the names of my mother and the
one or two friends who accompanied us.' When the marriage is a polygamous one, the wife
stands on the left of her husband, and the bride at her left hand. The president then puts this
question to the wife: 'Are you willing to give this woman to your husband, to be his lawful and
wedded wife for time and for all eternity? If you are, you will manifest it by placing her right
hand within the right hand of your husband.' The right hands of the husband and bride being
thus joined, the wife takes her husband by the left arm, as in walking, and the ceremony then
proceeds as in the manner quoted above. Of course, as these ceremonies took place in the
endowment house, the temple robes were worn.
MARY WAS SEALED TO THE FATHER
1. Luke 1:26-35
26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named
Nazareth,
27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the
virgin's name was Mary.
28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is
with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of
salutation this should be.
30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name
JESUS.
32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give
unto him the throne of his father David:
33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no
end.
34. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the
power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born
of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is
the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And
the angel departed from her.
2. The Seer, p. 158; October, 1853; Elder Orson Pratt
The fleshly body of Jesus required a mother as well as a father. Therefore, the father and
mother of Jesus, according to the flesh, must have been associated together in the capacity of
husband and wife; hence, the virgin Mary must have been, for the time being, the lawful wife of
God the Father: we use the term lawful wife, because it would be blasphemous in the highest
degree to say that he overshadowed her or begat the Savior unlawfully. * * * He had a lawful
right to overshadow the virgin Mary in the capacity of a husband and beget a son. * * *
Whether God the Father gave Mary to Joseph for time only, or for time and eternity, we are not
informed. Inasmuch as God was the first husband to her, it may be that he only gave her to be
the wife of Joseph while in this mortal state, and that he intended after the resurrection to again
take her as one of his own wives to raise up immortal spirits in eternity.
3. Box Elder News, Brigham City, Utah, January 28, 1915; Discourse of President Joseph F.
Smith at the Box Elder Stake Conference, December 20, 1914, morning session of conference.
Now, little boys and girls, when you are confronted by infidels in the world who know nothing
of how Christ was begotten, you can say he was born just as the infidel was begotten and born,
so was Christ begotten by His Father who is also our Father---the father of our spirits---and He
was born of His mother, Mary.
The difference between Jesus Christ and other men is this. Our fathers in the flesh are mortal
men who are subject unto death, but the Father of Jesus Christ in the flesh is the God of
Heaven. Therefore Jesus, as he declared, received the power of life from His Father and was
never subject unto death but had life in Himself. * * *
These are truths and I wish they could be instilled into the hearts of these little children so that
they will not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine and be confused by the teachers of
atheism. * * *
Now my little friends, I will repeat again in words as simple as I can, and you talk to your
parents about it, that God the Eternal Father is literally the Father of Jesus Christ.
Mary was married to Joseph for time. No man could take her for eternity because she belonged
to the Father of her divine Son. In the revelation that has come thru Joseph Smith we learn that
it is the eternal purpose of God that man and woman should be joined together by the power of
God here on earth for time and eternity.
TOPICS FROM THE JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES ON PLURAL MARRIAGE
1. Anti-PM Laws Unconstitutional
1:54; 6:360; 14:267; 22:186
2. Benefits & Results of PM
3:265; 11:203; 13:203; 20:200; 26:43; 13:207-8; 14:58; 20:37; 22:280-1; 23:227
3. Women who Object to PM should Leave their Husbands
4:55-56
4. Reasons For PM
3:264-5; 4:56, 254-5, 259; 5:92; 9:36; 11:210; 22:189; 24:164; 25:227; 5:22; 23:225-8; 9:36;
11:203-4, 210-211; 11:111; 12:261; 13:197, 205-6; 5:291; 17:228; 20:27; 23:132; 24:40; 25:21
5. Curse of the Woman
4:57; 5:290; 16:167; 23:225-8; 13:207
6. Our Progeny Constitutes Our Kingdom
3:266; 11:262; 22:97
7. Plurality of Husbands Is Wrong
2:85; 13:41; 18:55
8. PM Only for Worthy Priesthood Holders
1:119; 3:265; 4:255; 9:269; 11:210; 9:269; 20:27-29; 23:64-65 .
9. Eternal Nature of PM
1:65; 11:271; 11:210; 13:197; 13:205; 17:225; 23:65; 24:229
10. Must Not be Ruled by Passion
5:290; 9:36-8; 20:199
11. History of PM
9:322; 13:202; 12:262; 23:298; 24:164-5; 25:21; 13:193-4; 20:29; 16:167; 20:29; 21:9; 23:131;
26:115; 1:50
12. PM and Traditions
4:255; 6:350; 22:281; 23:66
13. Monogamy is not the Marriage System of Heaven
9:322
14. Must Live PM to get Fulness Blessings
13:199-200; 20:30
15. Those who Can't Accept PM Not Fit for Celestial Kingdom 11:269; 11:222; 11:205; 13:43;
15:28; 17:100; 22:96; 16:166
16. PM must be Lived in Purity
13:201-02; 20:27; 22:188; 23:230
17. Trials Are connected with PM
13:205; 16:122-23
18. Is PM Difficult For Women to Accept & Live?
11:268; 11:301; 12:312; 13:206; 11:54-55; 25:21; 17:159; 18:375; 16:123; 24:162
19. Glory Is Greater in PM than Monogamy
20:29-30
20. Duties of Fathers, Mothers, & Children in PM
4:255-56; 6:190; 9:37-9; 11:211; 5:291; 23:230; 24:231
--------------------------------------------------------------Christ Was Married:1:345-6; 2:80-2; 4:260
Talents: 2:86
Nec for Exal: 3:266; 13:207; 18:375; 26:181; 21:10
Results in Dam:3:266; 11:212; 6:281; 13:194; 17:159; 17:224-5; 20:31; 11:269
Works of Abraham:4:259; 9:322; 11:269-71; 13:200
Hus/Wif must live their own callings: 4:258
Cause for Withdrawal:11:224
Control by Prhd:13:208-9; 17:228; 23:240-1, 280; 23:65; 24:46; 26:342; 13:201
Cel/Pat/PM:23:132; 24:229; 26:341
Prostitutes will have flesh rot:2:86-7
Bishops to have at least 1 wife:2:88-90
Order of Heaven places man first, then the woman:4:257-8
Must Live PM to be with Joseph:4:224
All Gods are polygamists:11:269
Millions of Women to be saved, fewer men:13:207
Reproach in women is to be barren:13:41; 15:28
More happiness in PM than out:24:318, 163
Polygamy is not Bigamy:26:341
Gospel Mysteries