Ryan Reeder
History 390R
Derr and Esplin
February 27, 2001
1. Annie Clark Tanner indicates that the fact that her parents lived in a polygamous marriage affected her later decision to also live in the principle. Were children of polygamous marriages more likely to also engage in polygamous relationships than those that had been raised outside the principle?
2. Did the anti-polygamy legislation of the United States affect other polygamous groups, like some Indian tribes, for example? Were they also prosecuted, if they existed? If not, what was the justification for their exemption?
3. How did members of the church who did not live in polygamy view those that did? Discussion: From a social standpoint at least, it appears that all may not have been well. Apparently, celestial marriage was seen as a higher law religiously. Annie Tanner indicates the belief that it took at least three wives before one was assured the potential of attaining the highest tier of the celestial kingdom. Yet, it appears that some may have resented the practice here on earth. Martha Cragun Cox speaks of how she was ostracized when she contracted her marriage by people saying she could have been the sole wife of a young man rather than a plural wife of an old man. The story of Priddy Meeks also indicates some jealousy was involved among single suitors, who may have felt it difficult to compete with someone who didn't have a limit on matrimony. It's apparent that only a minority of members ever engaged in the practice. What was the response of faithful, married, Latter-day Saints who were not invited to live the principle? If they believed the doctrine that their eternal reward was lessened because they were not involved in the practice, did they feel slighted? Did they hope that someday they would be invited to live the practice? Or were they grateful to escape much of the prosecution which their neighbors experienced?
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