Mormonism and polygamy |
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Brigham Young (1801–1877), second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), was perhaps the most famous polygamist of the early Latter Day Saint movement, marrying a total of fifty-six wives during his lifetime.[1][2] He stated that upon being taught about plural marriage by Joseph Smith, "It was the first time in my life that I desired the grave."[3] By the time of his death, Young had fifty-seven children by sixteen of his wives; forty-six of his children reached adulthood.[4] In 1902, only 25 years after Young's death, The New York Times established that Young's direct descendants numbered more than 1,000.[5]