Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands? Have you heard about polygamy in some Mormon communities? But what about Mormon women today? Can they have more than one husband, a practice called polyandry?
Polygamy, where one man has many wives, has sparked debate in Mormon history. Yet, the idea of Mormon women with multiple husbands is less talked about.
It’s important to know the difference between polygamy and polyandry. Polygamy is when one man has several wives. Polyandry is when one woman has several husbands. The history and current practices around these terms are complex.
Contents
- 1 Understanding Mormon Marriage Practices
- 2 Can Mormon Women Have More Than One Husband?
- 3 Historical Instances of Polyandry in Early Mormonism
- 4 Modern Mormon Marriage Practices
- 5 Conclusion: Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?
- 6 FAQ
- 6.1 What is the current stance of the Mormon church on polygamy?
- 6.2 Is polyandry practiced in Mormonism?
- 6.3 How have Mormon marriage practices evolved over time?
- 6.4 Can women in the Mormon church have multiple husbands today?
- 6.5 What is the difference between polygamy and polyandry?
- 6.6 Are there any notable historical figures associated with polyandry in Mormonism?
- 6.7 How does the Mormon church view its historical practices of polygamy and polyandry today?
Understanding Mormon Marriage Practices
Mormon marriage practices are shaped by history and religion. You might know that Mormonism has a special history with marriage, especially polygamy. [Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?]
Over time, Mormon marriage has changed a lot. At first, some Mormons practiced polygamy. Polygamy in Mormonism was not accepted by everyone in the community.
In 1890, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) stopped polygamy. This change made monogamy the main type of marriage for Mormons.
Practice | Pre-1890 | Post-1890 |
---|---|---|
Polygamy | Practiced by some members | Officially discontinued |
Monogamy | Not the standard practice | Standard form of marriage |
Today, Mormon women’s rights and roles in marriage are changing. The modern Mormon community values family and the role of women in family and church.
Mormon marriage practices have changed a lot. They were influenced by history, religion, and society. Knowing about these changes helps us understand Mormonism better. [Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?]
Can Mormon Women Have More Than One Husband?
You might wonder if Mormon women can have more than one husband, known as polyandry. Mormon marriage history is complex, with many interpretations over time. To grasp the current view on polyandry, we must look at its past in Mormonism.
Polygamy, or men with multiple wives, is well-known in Mormon history. But polyandry, or women with multiple husbands, is less talked about. Historically, polyandry has been practiced in various cultures, for social, economic, or religious reasons.
Historical Context of Polyandry
In early Mormonism, polygamy was seen as a religious principle. While mostly men had multiple wives, there were cases of women married to men with other wives. This created a form of polyandrous relationship, but not traditionally.
Practice | Description | Historical Context |
---|---|---|
Polyandry | Women having multiple husbands | Rarely practiced in Mormon history |
Polygamy | Men having multiple wives | Introduced as a religious principle in early Mormonism |
Monogamy | One-to-one marriage | Currently practiced by mainstream Mormon churches |
The mainstream Mormon church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), now supports monogamy. Polygamy was stopped in 1890. Since then, the church has followed a monogamous marriage practice.
In summary, while there have been instances of polyandry in Mormon history, the current church does not support it. Knowing the history and evolution of Mormon marriage helps us understand the church’s current stance on polyandry.
Historical Instances of Polyandry in Early Mormonism
The early days of Mormonism saw instances of polyandry, which had big social impacts. You might know about polygyny, where one man has many wives. But, polyandry, where one woman has many husbands, also happened, though less often.
Joseph Smith, the founder, is a key figure in this story. He practiced polygyny but also had wives married to others, making him a polyandrous husband. For example, Joseph Smith’s marriage to women who were already married led to complex family situations.
To grasp the role of polyandry, we must look at the time and place. Early Mormon groups lived apart and followed their beliefs and the norms of their era. Below is a table showing some key cases of polyandry in early Mormon history.
Year | Individual | Practice | Community Response |
---|---|---|---|
1830s | Joseph Smith | Polygyny and instances of polyandry | Controversy and debate among followers |
1840s | Brigham Young | Polygyny, with some records of polyandrous marriages | Generally accepted within the community |
1850s | Other Mormon leaders | Various forms of plural marriage | Diverse reactions, ranging from acceptance to ostracism |
These examples show the complex and sometimes debated nature of early Mormon marriage practices. The practice varied and got different reactions from the community.
The leaders of the Mormon Church were key in shaping views on polyandry. Some, like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, believed in and practiced plural marriage. Others were more hesitant or even opposed it.
In summary, the story of polyandry in early Mormonism is both intriguing and complex. By looking into these historical moments, we understand better the social, religious, and cultural factors that shaped the Mormon community.
Modern Mormon Marriage Practices
Exploring Mormon marriage today shows the church has changed its ways. The modern Mormon church, known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has updated its views on marriage.
The church used to allow polygamy, or having more than one spouse. But in 1890, it stopped with the Manifesto. Now, the church bans polygamy, and anyone caught practicing it can be kicked out.
Now, Mormon marriage is about one man and one woman. The church values family and sees marriage as a lifelong commitment. These changes show how the church has adapted to society while keeping its core beliefs.
The church is clear: polygamy is not allowed. Yet, some groups still practice it, but they’re not part of the main Mormon church. [Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?]
The church focuses a lot on family and marriage. They encourage couples to get married in temples for eternity, not just for life.
In short, Mormon marriage has changed a lot. It moved from polygamy to a monogamous model that values family and commitment.
Conclusion: Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?
You now know a lot about Mormon marriage practices. This includes their history and how they work today. We looked into if Mormon women can have more than one husband. It turns out, in regular Mormonism, they can’t.
Mormon marriage mainly sticks to one husband and one wife. But, there were some times in the past when things were different. Back then, there were rare cases of more than one husband.
To wrap it up, Mormon women can’t have multiple husbands in the usual Mormon way. The church values monogamy a lot. This shows their dedication to traditional family values. Thinking about these practices helps us understand Mormon history and culture better.
See Also: Can the Mormon Church Help Me Financially?
FAQ
What is the current stance of the Mormon church on polygamy?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormon church, stopped supporting polygamy in 1890. Today, it kicks out members who still practice it.
Is polyandry practiced in Mormonism?
Yes, early Mormonism saw some cases of polyandry. But it was never widely accepted or supported by the church. [Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?]
How have Mormon marriage practices evolved over time?
Mormon marriage has changed a lot. The church stopped supporting polygamy in 1890. Now, it focuses on monogamous marriages.
Can women in the Mormon church have multiple husbands today?
No, the modern Mormon church does not allow polyandry. It teaches that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
What is the difference between polygamy and polyandry?
Polygamy means having more than one spouse. Polyandry is when a woman has more than one husband.
Are there any notable historical figures associated with polyandry in Mormonism?
Yes, Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s founder, married a woman who was already married. This is a famous example of polyandry in Mormon history.
How does the Mormon church view its historical practices of polygamy and polyandry today?
The church knows about its past with polygamy and polyandry. But now, it strongly opposes both. It supports monogamous marriages. [Can Mormon Women Have Multiple Husbands?]

Ramona Pearson from the USA is an experienced religious researcher and writer with over 10 years studying Mormon history, beliefs, and culture. She creates accurate, insightful content to educate and inform curious readers worldwide.