Polygamy in America

Paper Summary:

The Mormon community arrived in the American West during the hot summer of 1847, and soon began trading in Salt Lake City. Despite their economic affiliations, other communities surrounding them became distraught with the Mormon's practice of polygamy. This paper examines primary documents, depicting a look into varied standpoints regarding polygamy and its start in the American West among the Mormon community.

From the Paper:

"However, despite the religious defence of polygamy many non-polygamists had persisting believes that these wives were forced into polygamists relationships. This notion is examined in Helen Mar Whitney Defends Plural Marriage. In this primary document Whitney suggests that women held the upper hand in polygamist relationships, as they had the power to decide their husband's happiness. She alludes to the notion of a "sisterhood" consisting of all the wives. Due to male absences for long periods of time these sisterhoods gained independence through their appointment of heads of household. In such cases women were depended on to complete everyday chores both feminine and masculine."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Helen Mar Whitney Defends Plural Marriage. Primary Document Collections compiled by Professor Wickett.
• Sir Richard Burton Examines Mormon Polygamy, 1860. Primary Document Collections, Professor Wicket.
• "Brigham,Brigham Young," An Anti- Mormon Folk Song, Collected in1932. Primary Document Collections. Professor Wickett.

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• Term Paper # 4755 : "Religious Freedom in America"
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• Essay # 68101 : "Monogamy: Marriage for our Times"

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