I grew up Mormon...

I no longer am active in any church activities, and don't consider myself a member of the church.

As far as the polygamy issue goes, all I know is that in Primary (LDS Sunday School for young children) and in the Young Women's Program, we were always told that the practice of polygamy among Mormons started on the Mormon Trail from Nassau to Salt Lake, when many men were killed in various ways, leaving widows and children, and that these women and children were basically adopted into other families.

They always told us that once the Mormons were settled in Salt Lake City, and had established communities, that the practice was discontinued at the direction of Church elders, without any direction from the American Government. But everything I've ever read that wasn't a church publication (not that there are many publications on church history regarding this issue, they pretty much avoid talking about it) seemed to say that the Mormons were forced by the government to abandon the practice once the Utah Territory was assimilated into the US.

I always sort of felt that there was an embarrassment within the Church that the whole thing ever happened. Of course, I grew up in Texas, and have never known anyone who was ever involved in a polygamous relationship. The climate may be somewhat different in Utah.

As far as questions re Mormon garments, try this link: Click here


-Branwen