Utopian Societies - Polygamy
During the early 19th century many Americans attempted to create Utopian societies. In preparation for the second coming of Jesus, communities reorganized themselves and experimented to achieve social equality and perfectibility in Christ. They enforced unusual practices and perceived Godly commandments ranging from non traditional marital arrangements to restrictions of hot baths.
A few of these groups were the Shakers, the Oneidas, and the Latter-day Saints. Communal living was an effort to create a better way of life. Most of those attracted to Utopian communities had been profoundly influenced by evangelical protestantism during the second great awakening. Revivalism left them wanting to further reform society.
The Shakers believed celibacy was God’s commandment. Oneidas practiced complex marriage, not commiting to one person. Latter-day Saints, like some other utopian communities practiced polygamy, which practice still exists in some branches of Mormonism today. Latter-day Saints continue to practice the doctrine in temples pertaining to eternal marriage.
“In establishing his Zion, Joseph joined a large company of utopian community builders. Between 1787-1860, 137 communitarian experiments were undertaken in the United States.” (Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling pg. 165)
New Latter-day Saint converts, Jesse Gause and Sidney Rigdon rose quickly to positions of prominence in the Latter-day faith. An early record book states that on March 8, 1832 only 5 months after Jesse’s baptism, Joseph Smith “chose this day and ordained brother Jesse Gause and Brother Sidney Rigdon to be counsellors of the ministry of the presidency of the High priesthood.” Gause had lived in a Shaker community and Rigdon had passionate convictions in favor of communal living before joining the Latter-day Saints. Gause settled into his new role, accompanying Joseph Smith to Jackson County, MO. between April and June 1832, in order to set up the Law of Consecration.
These Utopian communities adhered to various socialist ideas and were considered radical because members were wanting to create a new social order rather than reform the old. For The Latter-day Saints, they sought to create Zion or the New Jerusalem where members were instructed to give all they had to the church and sought to recapture the purity of heart that existed in the primitive church, preparatory for the second coming of Jesus. Continued efforts to live the Law of Consecration, in this manner, was discontinued a short time later in 1833.