Item Detail
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11978
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0
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0
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English
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Personal polygamy : Voices of 19th and early 20th century Mormon polygamy
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Santa Barbara, CA
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Fielding Institute
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Ph.D. diss.
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"This study of Mormon polygamy (1830 to 1930) assesses the influence of personal faith in the doctrines of the Mormon Church upon the practice and experience of polygamy. The lived experience of polygamy among nineteenth and early twentieth-century members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) can be traced by reference to personal diaries kept by faithful Mormons of the time. The study describes, using the voices of believer's themselves, how those who chose to practice polygamy believed in the legitimacy of Joseph Smith's Revelation on Celestial Marriage, and were willing to show this devotion by "living the Principle" of plural marriage. Archival and historical research covering the 100 year period form the basis for this study. Dray's genetic explanation in history (Dray, 1966, p.111), and the inclusion of primary narratives anecdotes within the body of the historical text (Layton, 1978, p.130) are used as a means of rendering the phenomenon of polygamy intelligible. C. Wright Mills (1967) stated that in order to develop a sociological understanding of an event or phenomenon, one must look at the intersection between history and the personal lives of individuals and groups. Results show polygamy to be a theologically-based practice, however one that could be fashioned to meet the needs of believers. Women (and men) who were involved in the 19th century practice of polygamy, regardless of their feelings and personal experiences with polygamy, were inclined to adhere to and practice the doctrine. It is important to note that women polygamists were able to form and reform specific aspects of the practice by their own initiatives, thus gaining some individual agency for themselves and their sisters in the faith. Implications are drawn suggesting that the Mormon Church's unique historical development as an indigenous, cultural movement on the American frontier, bred this special set of theological tenets. These beliefs were accommodated to in a diverse set of practices. The study concludes Mormon polygamists were faithful people living their religion as part of their relationship with God." [Author's abstract]