MODERN-DAY MORMON FUNDAMENTALISM

There are an estimated 30,000 polygamists living in the United States, most of them in the Intermountain western states. The vast majority of them fall into the category of "Mormon fundamentalism," a term that is used to describe a particular group (or individual) who espouses the Mormon scriptures (The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price) and who follow the original teachings of Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, and early leaders, such as Brigham Young.

Mormon fundamentalists embrace the doctrine and practice of polygamy, or "plural marriage" as it is generally referred to. It is a central tenet of Mormon fundamentalism, and is considered a requirement for achieving salvation or "exaltation" which is the highest "degree of glory" in Heaven--godhood.

Mormon fundamentalists generally reject the mainstream Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) as misguided at best, apostate at worst, because they abandoned the practice of polygamy in the late 19th Century, under pressure from the US Federal government. Likewise, the mainstream LDS Church will not accept anyone as a member who is known to be practicing polygamy.

Therefore, Mormon fundamentalists believe that they are practicing "true" orthodox Mormonism; and it could certainly be argued that, in terms of doctrine, practice, and lifestyle, the fundamentalist groups more closely resemble the Mormonism of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young than does the mainstream LDS Church today.

There are a number of different Mormon fundamentalist groups, ranging in size from a couple hundred to several thousand. Each group has differences in lifestyle, doctrinal issues and leadership. However, virtually all of the groups believe that obedience to the “celestial principal of plural marriage" is their means to salvation, or exaltation. There are a number of other doctrines or practices which were historically espoused by the mainstream LDS Church that now are only believed or practiced by Mormon fundamentalists.

There are also many "independent" fundamentalists, who live the principles of Mormon fundamentalism, including plural marriage, but are not associated with any particular group.

The official estimate of 30,000 has been challenged by some who believe that the actual number is significantly higher. The reasoning behind this is that this figure was based on self-reporting, and most fundamentalists shy away from making their lifestyle known. In addition, this figure does not include those fundamentalist groups and individuals who live in Canada and Mexico.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MORMON FUNDAMENTALISM

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed to have received the directive to live polygamy straight from the mouth of God. Smith recorded this revelation in Section 132 of The Doctrine & Covenants, one of the Mormon Scriptures (which are held in higher esteem than The Bible).

The "revelation" in Section 132 threatens hell, damnation and destruction to those who refuse to enter into the lifestyle of polygamy, or "celestial marriage" as it was generally called. Smith even referred to the practice of plural marriage as the “new and everlasting covenant.” Although the Mormon church officially gave up the practice of plural marriage around 1890, this directive remains a part of their scriptures:

For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132:4)

The abandonment of plural marriage as a practice outraged many Mormons (who had been taught that it was an "everlasting" covenant), and following the mainstream church's rejection of the practice, many "breakaway" groups formed, generally rallying around one self-proclaimed leader or another. Some of the groups formed shortly after the abandonment of plural marriage by the LDS Church; other groups have formed more recently in modern movements to return to the fundamentals of Mormonism, in response to "compromises" within the mainstream LDS Church.

CHARACTERISTICS of MORMON FUNDAMENTALISTS

It should be noted that there are some significant differences among the various groups. Some live in isolated compounds; others live among the general population. Some follow strict dress codes and other rules of conduct; others have greater degrees of freedom. Some groups are known to promote violence, sexual abuse, incest, and marriage of underage girls; while in other groups, these practices are condemned. The unifying factor among Mormon fundamentalists is the belief in the doctrine and practice of polygamy as taught by the early founders of Mormonism, such as Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and John Taylor.

Religious People

Mormon fundamentalists are very religious people. They are fervently dedicated to their spiritual belief system. They are true, ardent believers, and willingly face the hardships and struggles that often accompany the polygamist lifestyle, because they genuinely believe that it is what God requires. It has been said that if Christians lived for the truth as hard as the cults live for a lie, the whole world would soon be evangelized. Fundamentalists live hard for their beliefs.

Hard Working People

Mormon fundamentalists have a strong and loyal work ethic. They work long and hard. Most are not afraid of difficult manual labor. Their work is for the “kingdom” and they give all they’ve got.

Pleasing God

Mormon fundamentalists believe that their difficult lifestyle and living plural marriage is the way to please God, and that Heaven (and godhood) is attained through living the doctrine of plural marriage. Most fundamentalists are zealous for God, but their zeal is without knowledge.

Grace or Law

Most people living in fundamentalist groups have either never heard of, or have no biblical concept of God’s Grace. For them, salvation is attained through living their laws and regulations and through obedience to their doctrines - a higher degree of celestial glory is given to those who live plural marriage. Men who live plural marriage become gods and their wives become their goddesses sharing their husband in a polygamous union throughout eternity.

Information Control

Many Mormon fundamentalist groups have a tight leadership hierarchy in place over their members. They maintain a secure hold on information that they allow or disallow their members to read. The advent of the Internet, however, means that information can be accessed without having a telltale book or magazine lying around. We are therefore eager to maintain this web page to help get the message out to them that living plural marriage is not God’s method of salvation.

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 he is 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. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132:61, 62)

Closed Communities

Because of the nature of their private and often secretive lifestyle, many Mormon fundamentalist communities are generally closed to most outsiders. In some groups, this privacy and isolation appears to contribute to elevated degrees of abuse--physical, mental and sexual. This abuse is most often perpetrated on the children.

In fact, in a few groups, sexual abuse and incest are practically institutionalized, and used for procuring their celestial harem. When children live with these practices from birth, it is extremely difficult for them to comprehend the idea that what they have lived and learned is not true. The intense mind control, thought-control and brainwashing assures leaders that their people will stay.

A Shield & Refuge Ministries

While we are especially concerned about those individuals and groups who live under threat of violence and abuse, we believe that ALL Mormon fundamentalists (and indeed all people!) need to know the truth of Jesus Christ, and the message of salvation entirely by grace, through Him alone.

We will assist those seeking to leave dangerous circumstances, but we desire to reach out to all members in the love of Jesus, to share with them the Truth that can set them free--not just of the bondage of a particular situation, but also the spiritual bondage that entraps anyone who holds to the doctrines of Mormon fundamentalism.