The brand new Chapel chosen next to disregard the law

Although it y is a very common routine regarding Mormon religion, hence the fresh new Mormon religion enjoys offered polyandry throughout records, the truth is that the Mormon people today do not habit polygamy, however, consider it as a life threatening offense against the statutes of the home, along with up against the laws and regulations of your own gospel.

Polyandry Example you to definitely Lay Legal Precedent

George Reynolds belonged to your Chapel from Goodness Christ off Second-Big date Saints (this new “Mormon” Church) as he is faced with bigamy within the 1874. Brand new LDS Chapel experienced at the time the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Operate off 1862 is actually unconstitutional, because it rejected this new Church’s players the right to routine the religion easily by permitting them to enjoys multiple partners, that was element of their faith. The fresh new Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act is actually a rules, closed by Chairman Abraham Lincoln, you to definitely prohibited polygamy, and you can minimal the level of church- and you will low-profit-had territories to a max worth of $50,100.

S. Attorney several witnesses which you can expect to testify to the fact that Reynolds performed in fact features a couple of spouses, and this he was indicted to possess bigamy by the a huge Jury into the Oct of 1874

Given that Utah is a much-flung colony, and you may Lincoln got their hand complete with the burgeoning Civil War, the law wasn’t implemented. The reason behind brand new fees up against Reynolds is actually he elia Jane Schofield as he had been .

Reynolds is actually being employed as a receptionist for the president of the LDS Church at that time. At the same time, the new Church’s governing body provided to help the U.S. Finest Judge that have a test situation who would assist influence the newest constitutionality of your anti-bigamy legislation by giving new Judge having a great defendant. Continue Reading