Polygamy

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

Does God allow polygamy (polygyny)?

While polygamy (polygyny) occurred in the Bible, this topic deals with what the scriptures say about it (not what people actually did).

Commentary: The correct term to use is polygyny (the practice or condition of having more than one wife at one time).

Old Testament

A man shall have one wife - Key Verse -
Genesis 2:24 - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Commentary: It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

A man shall not multiply wives to himself - Key Verse -
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 [14] When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; [15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. [16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. [17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. [18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: [19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: [20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. Commentary: God commands even the king to be like his people, "That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren." This includes not having more than one wife, "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself," because doing so is less than perfect, "that his heart turn not away". It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

A man shall not multiply wives to himself - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
[14] When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
[15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
[16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
[17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
[18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
[19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
[20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Commentary: God commands even the king to be like his people, "That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren." This includes not having more than one wife, "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself," because doing so is less than perfect, "that his heart turn not away". It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

New Testament

Polyandry is expressly forbidden - Key Verse -
Romans 7:1-3 [1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Commentary: A woman married to two living men is called an aldulteress

Polyandry is expressly forbidden - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Romans 7:1-3
[1] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
[2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
[3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Commentary: A woman married to two living men is called an aldulteress

A husband and wife should treat each other as themselves
1 Corinthians 7:2-5 [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. [3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. [4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. [5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. Commentary: No description is given about how one wife should treat another wife or a husband should treat another husband. Also, the tenses uses makes it clear that verse 2 is speaking about a single man and a single woman.

A husband and wife should treat each other as themselves

1 Corinthians 7:2-5
[2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
[3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
[4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
[5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Commentary: No description is given about how one wife should treat another wife or a husband should treat another husband. Also, the tenses uses makes it clear that verse 2 is speaking about a single man and a single woman.

A bishop is allowed only one wife - Key Verse -
1 Timothy 3:2,12 [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; [12] Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Commentary: It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

Elders are allowed only one wife - Key Verse -
Titus 1:5-6 [5] For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: [6] If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. Commentary: It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

Book of Mormon

God's commandment is that one husband will have one wife - Key Verse -
Jacob 2:33-36 [33] Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives, and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord, [34] Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. [35] Wherefore, I, the Lord God, will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. [36] Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none: For I, the Lord God, delighteth in the chastity of women. Commentary: These verses are very clear that the polygyny of Solomon and David were not approved by God and that God's commandment is that one husband shall have one wife.

God's commandment is that one husband will have one wife - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Jacob 2:33-36
[33] Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives, and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord,
[34] Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.
[35] Wherefore, I, the Lord God, will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old.
[36] Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none: For I, the Lord God, delighteth in the chastity of women.

Commentary: These verses are very clear that the polygyny of Solomon and David were not approved by God and that God's commandment is that one husband shall have one wife.

God's commandment is that one husband will have one wife - Key Verse -
Jacob 2:54-56 [54] Behold, the Lamanites, your brethren, whom ye hate, because of their filthiness and the cursings which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; [55] For they have not forgotten the commandments of the Lord, which were given unto our fathers, that they should have, save it were one wife: and concubines they should have none; and there should not be whoredoms committed among them. [56] And now this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore because of this observance in keeping this commandment, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become a blessed people. Commentary: God reiterates that His commandment is one husband should have one wife.

God's commandment is that one husband will have one wife - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Jacob 2:54-56
[54] Behold, the Lamanites, your brethren, whom ye hate, because of their filthiness and the cursings which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you;
[55] For they have not forgotten the commandments of the Lord, which were given unto our fathers, that they should have, save it were one wife: and concubines they should have none; and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.
[56] And now this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore because of this observance in keeping this commandment, the Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and one day they shall become a blessed people.

Commentary: God reiterates that His commandment is one husband should have one wife.

Many wives and concubines is not right in the sight of the Lord - Key Verse -
Ether 4:48 - And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men's shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings. Commentary: It is clear that marriage is between a single man and a single woman.

Statements of Belief

- No Found or Stated Position

- Consistent with Scripture

- Partially Consistent with Scripture

- Inconsistent with Scripture

Anabaptism

Anglican

Assyrian Church

Church of Christ

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches)

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Community of Christ

Eastern Orthodox

Islam

Jehovah's Witnesses

Judaism

Lutheran

Methodist

Pentecostal

Presbyterian

Roman Catholic

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Southern Baptist Convention

Anabaptism -

Anglican -

Assyrian Church -

Church of Christ -

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -

Epitome of Faith (RLDS Addendum):
We believe that the doctrines of a plurality and community of wives are heresies and are opposed to the law of God. The Book of Mormon says: "Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord; for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife, and concubines he shall have none, for I, the Lord God delighteth in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me saith the Lord of Hosts."

RLDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section 49:3a-3b
[3a] And again, I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry, is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man; [3b] wherefore it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;

Section 111:4b - Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife; and one woman but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.

Commentary: Statements that marriage is for one man and one women is consistent with the scriptures.

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -

LDS Doctrine and Covenants Section 132:
132:38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

Commentary: This directly contradicts LDS Book of Mormon 2:24-27 (RLDS Book of Mormon Jacob 2:33-36), "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord." God states in the scriptures that He does not change (Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;).

32:61-62 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

Commentary: Having more than one wife directly contradicts the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the LDS Doctrine and Covenants (see LDS Doctrine and Covenants Section 49:15-16 below).

LDS Doctrine and Covenants Section 49:15-16 (RLDS 49:3a-3b) [15] And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man. [16] Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;

Commentary: LDS Section 132 contradicts LDS Section 49

Origins of the Topic

Old Testament

New Testament

Book of Mormon

Statements of Belief

Anabaptism -

Anglican -

Assyrian Church -

Church of Christ -

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -

Community of Christ -

Eastern Orthodox -

Islam -

Jehovah's Witnesses -

Judaism -

Lutheran -

Methodist -

Pentecostal -

Presbyterian -

Roman Catholic -

Seventh-Day Adventist Church -

Southern Baptist Convention -