Most Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have only one wife, as the mainstream church officially ended the practice of polygamy (plural marriage) in 1890, strictly prohibiting it today and excommunicating members who practice it, though some fundamentalist splinter groups still practice it. The Church views monogamy as standard but acknowledges a historical period (roughly 1840s-1890) when plural marriage was practiced under divine instruction.
Mormon men can lawfully have one wife. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strictly prohibits polygamy (or plural marriage) today.
Two-thirds (66%) of U.S. Mormon adults are currently married, down slightly from 71% in 2007 – but still high compared with current rates among Christians overall (52%) and U.S. adults overall (48%). (Marriage rates are lower across the board than they were several years ago.)
Non-returned-missionary Latter-day Saint men had a divorce rate of 29%, while U.S. men nationally had a rate of 38%. Non-returned-missionary Latter-day Saint women had a rate of 21%, while U.S. women nationally had a rate of 48%. 28% of Latter-day Saints had been divorced.
According to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) historical records, Brigham Young was sealed to as many as 56 women.
The most controversial Mormon belief, especially historically, is polygamy (plural marriage), which the main Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) officially ended in 1890 but is still practiced by fundamentalist splinter groups, leading to ongoing public scrutiny and internal divides. Other controversial aspects include early, now-renounced, doctrines like the Adam-God theory, unique temple rituals, and beliefs about God's nature, though these generate less public controversy than polygamy.
The Pew Research Center has taken a closer look by breaking down divorce rates among specific religious groups:
The church teaches that in addition to civil marriage, which ends at death, a man and woman can enter into a celestial marriage, performed in a temple by priesthood authority, whereby the marriage and parent-child relationships resulting from the marriage will last forever in the afterlife.
Women initiate the majority of divorces, with studies showing they file in around 70% of cases, a rate that increases to about 90% for college-educated women, according to research from the American Sociological Association (ASA). This trend highlights that women often bear the emotional burden, experience unmet needs, and have greater financial independence, making them more likely to seek divorce when dissatisfied with the relationship.
Church leaders have stated that outside of marriage, prolonged and "passionate kisses" are off limits. For example, church president Spencer W. Kimball, called the "soul kiss" an "abomination" that leads to necking, petting, and "illegitimate babies".
Lack of commitment is the most common reason given by divorcing couples according to a recent national survey. Here are the reasons given and their percentages: Lack of commitment 73% Argue too much 56%
"Durfing" is a slang term used within some Mormon (LDS) circles for a sexual practice, similar to "soaking," where couples engage in penetration without thrusting as a perceived loophole to the church's strict chastity laws, often involving one person sitting on another, sometimes even with a third person involved ("jump humping"), though the church officially condemns any non-marital sex.
Academic critics have questioned the legitimacy of Smith and successors prophets as well as the historical authenticity of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham. Criticism has expanded to include assertions of historical revisionism, homophobia, racism, and sexist policies.
The wedding ceremony in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), often called a "sealing ceremony," is unique in both its setting and spiritual focus. This sacred event takes place inside a temple and is considered the most important part of a Mormon wedding, emphasizing the eternal nature of marriage.
In 1890, when it became clear that Utah would not be admitted to the Union while polygamy was still practiced, church president Wilford Woodruff issued the 1890 Manifesto, officially banning the formation of new polygamous unions within the LDS Church.
Not anyone can actually marry in the temple, but only men and women who are faithful members of the Church. Marrying a non-member is allowed, however, the marriage ceremony cannot be done in the temple.
Mormon wives, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), have diverse lives, often balancing family, church service, and careers, with traditional roles emphasizing motherhood and homemaking but modern realities showing many working full/part-time or in single-parent households, while their faith encourages modesty, abstinence from coffee/tea/alcohol, and strong family values, though individual practices and interpretations vary widely, as seen in media like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which depicts some but not all experiences.
The four behaviors that predict over 90% of divorces, known as Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which erode connection, respect, and safety, leading to relationship breakdown. These destructive communication patterns, if persistent, signal that a marriage is likely to end, with contempt being the most damaging.
This Christian teaching is echoed in 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, which forbids divorce and states that those spouses who have deserted their husband/wife should return their partner; if that is absolutely impossible, the husband and wife should remain chaste.
According to 2022 statistical reports and several surveys, the following countries have the lowest divorce rates:
For example, in some Islamic, Hindu, and even Christian countries, polygamy is a normal practice or is otherwise tolerated. Some Native American, Indigenous Australian, and Mongolian peoples practice “group marriage,” where the nuclear family consists of multiple husbands and multiple wives.
Because of its ban against same-sex sexual activity and same-sex marriage the LDS Church has a long history of teaching that its adherents who are attracted to the same sex can and should attempt to alter their feelings through righteous striving and sexual orientation change efforts (also called conversion therapy or ...
Mormons have a unique perspective on the nature of God, the origin of man, and the purpose of life. For instance, Mormons believe in a pre-mortal existence where people were literal spirit children of God and that God presented a plan of salvation that would allow his children to progress and become more like him.
Key Commandments Latter-day Saints Follow