Moral, Scriptural, and Theological Questions About Plural Marriage

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Moral, Scriptural, and Theological Questions About Plural Marriage

Summary: There are several moral and theological questions that surround plural marriage. This page aims to gather all of these questions and respond to them.

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Is plural marriage required for exaltation?

Critics sometimes argue that early Latter-day Saint leaders taught plural marriage was required for exaltation and that, therefore, it must still be necessary today. A careful reading of scripture, historical context, and modern prophetic teaching, however, shows that plural marriage is not a requirement for exaltation.

The Church has no position that plural marriage will be reinstated

Bruce R. McConkie wrote in Mormon Doctrine that plural marriage would resume in the Millennium. However, Mormon Doctrine was not an official publication of the Church, and his opinion does not constitute binding doctrine.

When asked whether polygamy is “gone forever,” the Church’s official newsroom responded:

 :“We only know what the Lord has revealed through His prophets, that plural marriage has been stopped in the Church. Anything else is speculative and unwarranted.”

The Church does not speculate about future reinstatement and does not teach that plural marriage is required for salvation or exaltation.

Modern instructional materials reject speculation

The 2013 Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual directly instructs:

 :“Do not speculate about whether plural marriage is a requirement for the celestial kingdom. We have no knowledge that plural marriage will be a requirement for exaltation.”

This manual represents official teaching guidance and explicitly states that there is no revealed knowledge establishing plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation.

Historical context: commandment versus permanence

Plural marriage was practiced when specifically commanded. John Taylor explained in 1866 that the command to practice plural marriage had come from God and was binding at that time.

But this reflects a broader Latter-day Saint principle: obedience to current revelation is required for exaltation. When the commandment was in force, rejecting it constituted rejecting divine instruction. When the commandment was later withdrawn, the obligation ceased.

In 1890, Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto ending the practice of plural marriage in the Church. Under the doctrine of continuing revelation, commandments can be given and withdrawn according to divine will.

Scripture distinguishes eternal marriage from plural marriage

Some critics argue that Doctrine and Covenants 132 teaches that polygamy is required for exaltation. The argument usually centers on verse 4, which warns of damnation for rejecting the “new and everlasting covenant.”

However, scripture elsewhere defines the “new and everlasting covenant” as the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 66:2; 49:9; 76:101; 131:2). It predates plural marriage and encompasses all saving ordinances—not polygamy alone.

D&C 132:19 promises exaltation to a man who marries “a wife” (singular) by proper authority and lives faithfully. The text teaches the necessity of eternal marriage, not specifically plural marriage.

The Book of Mormon reinforces that monogamy is the norm unless God commands otherwise (Jacob 2:27–30). Plural marriage functions in Latter-day Saint theology as an exception permitted only by specific divine command—not as a universal or eternal requirement.

Official clarification on eternal marriage

In 1912, Charles W. Penrose addressed the matter directly in the Improvement Era:

Question: Is plural or celestial marriage essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come?
Answer: Celestial marriage is essential to a fulness of glory in the world to come, as explained in the revelation concerning it; but it is not stated that plural marriage is thus essential.

Penrose clearly distinguished between eternal (celestial) marriage and plural marriage. Eternal marriage is essential for the highest degree of celestial glory; plural marriage is not.

Revelation is adapted to circumstance

Joseph Smith taught that God governs His Church “by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed.” Latter-day Saint theology explicitly rejects the idea that divine commands cannot change.

The Bible itself demonstrates this pattern:

• Noah was commanded to build an ark (Genesis 6).
• Moses instituted the Passover (Exodus 12).
• Jesus Christ reinterpreted Passover at the Last Supper (Matthew 26).
• Peter was later commanded to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10), reversing earlier restrictions.

In each case, obedience to current revelation—not strict permanence of former commands—was the standard.

Conclusion

Plural marriage was practiced when commanded and discontinued when rescinded. The consistent teaching of scripture and official Church instruction is that eternal marriage—sealed by proper authority—is necessary for exaltation. There is no authoritative doctrine that plural marriage is required.

Exaltation in Latter-day Saint theology is grounded in covenant faithfulness under living prophetic direction. Plural marriage is a historical practice that functioned under specific command, not an eternal prerequisite for salvation. Under current revealed doctrine, plural marriage is not required for exaltation.

Did D&C 132 contradict earlier-canonized revelations that stipulated monogamy?

Is plural marriage sexist?

Did plural marriage actually accomplish the goal of raising up seed to God?

Do Jacob 2 and D&C 132 contradict each other?

Notes (click to expand)

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