Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act facts for kids
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| Long title | A bill to punish and prevent the Practice of Polygamy in the Territories of the United States and other Places, and disapproving and annulling certain Acts of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah. |
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| Nicknames | Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862 |
| Enacted by | the 37th United States Congress |
| Effective | July 1, 1862 |
| Citations | |
| Public law | Pub.L. 37-126 |
| Statutes at Large | 12 Stat. 501 |
| Legislative history | |
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The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act was a law passed by the United States Congress. President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law on July 1, 1862. This law was proposed by Justin Smith Morrill from Vermont.
The act made it illegal to practice bigamy in U.S. territories like Utah. Bigamy means being married to more than one person at the same time. The law also limited how much property churches and non-profit groups could own in any U.S. territory. They could not own more than $50,000 worth of property.
This law was mainly aimed at the Mormon practice of plural marriage (marrying more than one person). It also targeted the large amount of property owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the Utah Territory.
Interestingly, the law did not set aside money to make sure it was followed. President Lincoln chose not to strictly enforce this law. He quietly allowed Brigham Young, a leader of the LDS Church, to ignore the Morrill Act. In return, the Mormons agreed not to get involved in the American Civil War. Federal troops stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah were told not to challenge the Mormons on this issue.
The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act was later changed by other laws. These included the Edmunds Act in 1882 and the Edmunds–Tucker Act in 1887.
How the Law Was Enforced
The government began enforcing these laws in July 1887. The issue eventually went to the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court of the United States. This happened in a case called Late Corp. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. United States.
On May 19, 1890, the Supreme Court supported the Edmunds–Tucker Act. This act took away the LDS Church's legal status as a corporation. Within five months, the LDS Church officially stopped the practice of plural marriage. They did this with a statement known as the 1890 Manifesto.
On October 25, 1893, Congress agreed to return the property that had been taken from the LDS Church. This was because the church had stopped the practice of plural marriage. Congress noted that the church "no longer encourages or gives countenance to any manner of practices in violation of law."
Impact of the Law
The enforcement of these laws led to many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facing legal trouble in Utah Territory. After the Edmunds Act was passed, practicing plural marriage became a crime. It could lead to 6 months in prison and a fine of $300.
Many Latter-day Saints who were in plural marriages had to go into hiding. They did this to avoid being arrested and charged.
In 1890, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the 1890 Manifesto. This statement announced that the Church would no longer teach plural marriage. It also said that no members would be allowed to enter into new plural marriages.
See also
- Utah War (1857–1858)
