The Mormon Apocrypha

 In 1895, the LDS Church released a manifesto saying that General Authorities must require approval from the First Presidency before they could seek office. This was done in a possess to keep the church politically neutral. Not everyone agreed with the manifesto. Moses Thatcher did not agree with the document and was released from the Qurom of the Twelve the following year. B.H. Roberts too did not agree but signed it under the threat of losing his position. TO THE SAINTS: To the officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in General Conference assembled. DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Every Latter-day Saint will recognize the value of union, not only in action but in matters of faith and discipline. As to the rights and authority of the Priesthood of the Son of God, it is of the highest importance that there should be no difference of opinion among the officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Feeling the necessity of a corre...

This Manifesto, published on  June 17, 1933, was the last manifesto released about polygamy. It once again denounces polygamy and those who practice it. A large portion of it is dedicated to discussing the previous manifestos against polygamy.   Official Statement From the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The First Presidency have recently received letters making inquiry concerning the position of the Church regarding the contracting of polygamous or plural marriages.  It is evident from these letters, as well as from certain published material—some of it distributed during our last General Conference—that a secret and, according to reputation, an oath-bound organization of misguided individuals is seeking to lead the people to adopt adulterous relations under the guise of a pretended and false polygamous or plural marriage ceremony. While the position of the Church since 1893 has been repeatedly set forth, namely, that polygamous o...

During the Reed Smoot hearings, Joseph F. Smith released the 1904 Manifesto. This document reiterated the churches stance on polygamy and more, saying that anyone who officiates or supports plural marriages will be excommunicated. Here is the Manifesto.   [President Joseph F. Smith stated:] Now I am going to present a matter to you that is unusual and I do it because of a conviction which I feel that it is a proper thing for me to do. I have taken the liberty of having written down what I wish to present, in order that I may say to you the exact words which I would like to have conveyed to your ears, that I may not be misunderstood or misquoted. I present this to the conference for your action: OFFICIAL STATEMENT Inasmuch as there are numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into contrary to the official declaration of President Woodruff, of September 26, 1890, commonly called the Manifesto, which was issued by President Woodruff and adopted by the Ch...