Do mainstream Mormons practice polygamy today, as portrayed on HBO Big Love?
No, they do not. The mainstream Mormon Church officially ended the practice of polygamy in 1890. Why did Mormons first institute polygamy? Church founder, Joseph Smith, said he received a revelation from God, which is still canonized Mormon scripture as Doctrine and Covenants Section 132. In the revelation, the Lord commands him to take virgins “an hundredfold in this world” for the purpose to “multiply and replenish the Earth” so “they may bear the souls of men.” This was the only published reason Joseph Smith ever gave for the Mormon practice of polygamy. (D&C 132: 55, 62-63) Joseph Smith also testified an angel with a sword came to him many times and commanded him to practice polygamy or else he would lose his life. The second church leader, The Prophet Brigham Young, stated that the reason polygamy was instituted by the Lord was so that “noble spirits which are waiting for tabernacles (bodies) might be brought forth.” (J of D 4:56) When did Mormon polygamy start? According to histo
