The Mormon Fundamentalist Interpretation

The significance of the 1886 revelation to most Mormon fundamentalists is based in part upon their interpretations of its message. Polygamist writer Ogden Kraut affirmed: “The content of this [1886] revelation … was of most significance, because the information revealed has served as a guide ever since.”6 The general opinion of Mormon fundamentalists seems to be that plural marriage was a “law” and, therefore, could never be revoked or suspended. Lynn L. Bishop affirmed: “In the revelation to John Taylor, dated September 27, 1886, the Lord said that he had not, could not and would not revoke the Law of Abraham which is Plural Marriage…. The Lord has commanded in no uncertain terms that we must obey this law of Celestial Marriage, that is plural marriage, in order to obtain exaltation.”7 According to writer/compiler Gilbert Fulton, “The Lord said He would not revoke the law of celestial plural marriage in 1886.”8 The authors of Voices in Harmony quote the revelation adding their own brackets: “I have not revoked this law [plural marriage], nor will I.”9

In 1940, polygamous leader Joseph W. Musser summed up the common view embraced by modern polygamists concerning the 1886 revelation: “Here the Lord very clearly and definitely says, that in order to enter into His glory, men MUST live the law of plural marriage. He makes no exceptions. There are no ‘ifs’ nor ‘ands’ about it. ‘All those who would enter into my glory MUST and SHALL obey my law.’ And ‘my law,’ as the Lord was treating it, is the law of plural marriage” (emphasis in original).10

More specifically, some modern polygamists affirm that the commandment referred to in the 1886 revelation as well as the conditions of the law (which must be obeyed) all point to plural marriage.11 Fundamentalist leaders like Leroy Johnson and Rulon C. Allred agreed, indicating that the new and everlasting covenant mentioned here is essentially plural marriage.12 In addition, fundamentalists may insist that because Abraham was a polygamist, to “do the works of Abraham” requires the practice of plural marriage.13

With virtually no disagreement, Mormon fundamentalist leaders and adherents declare that the 1886 document is a genuine revelation that affirms that the directive to practice plural marriage constitutes God’s law, a condition of the law, and/or a covenant, and therefore is still binding upon all sincere followers of the restoration. They feel the revelation vindicates their attempts to practice polygamy after the 1904 Manifesto when church president Joseph F. Smith stopped authorizing new plural sealings for the living.14