Description
Book Synopsis: From the Mormon Church’s public announcement of its sanction of polygamy in 1852 until its formal decision to abandon the practice in 1890, people on both sides of the "Mormon question" debated central questions of constitutional law. Did principles of religious freedom and local self-government protect Mormons’ claim to a distinct, religiously based legal order? Or was polygamy, as its opponents claimed, a new form of slavery—this time for white women in Utah? And did constitutional principles dictate that democracy and true liberty were founded on separation of church and state? As Sarah Barringer Gordon shows, the answers to these questions finally yielded an apparent victory for antipolygamists in the late nineteenth century, but only after decades of argument, litigation, and open conflict. Victory came at a price; as attention and national resources poured into Utah in the late 1870s and 1880s, antipolygamists turned more and more to coercion and punishment in the name of freedom. They also left a legacy in constitutional law and political theory that still governs our treatment of religious life: Americans are free to believe, but they may well not be free to act on their beliefs.
Details
Discover the fascinating and controversial history of polygamy in nineteenth-century America with "The Mormon Question: Polygamy and Constitutional Conflict". Dive into the heated debates surrounding religious freedom, local self-government, and the rights of women. With meticulous research and gripping storytelling, Sarah Barringer Gordon sheds light on the complexities of this era and the impact it had on the nation's legal and political landscape.
Uncover the central questions that defined the "Mormon question" and influenced constitutional law. Was polygamy a protected religious practice under principles of religious freedom? Or was it a form of slavery that oppressed white women in Utah? Explore the arguments and legal battles that shaped the nation's understanding of democracy and the separation of church and state.
The struggle for victory over polygamy was hard-fought, with years of intense argument, litigation, and conflict. In the end, antipolygamists seemed to prevail, but at a cost. As resources poured into Utah, coercion and punishment were employed, compromising the concept of freedom. This legacy still resonates in our treatment of religious life today, highlighting the tension between belief and action.
Delve into this captivating history and gain a deeper understanding of the constitutional conflicts that shaped America. Order your copy of "The Mormon Question: Polygamy and Constitutional Conflict" now and explore the roots of our nation's religious freedom.
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