Mormonism (LDS) - Polygamy

This is the teaching that Mormons are typically identified with. The early polygamous believers claimed that Jesus himself was a polygamist. This has not been officially disavowed, it is just considered moot and a non-issue.The LDS teaches that man cannot reach the highest level of heaven (exaltation) without having a wife and exaltation can only come to a man and his wife. Marriage ceremonies held outside of the temple are considered 'until death do you part'. Marriage ceremonies held in the temple performed by the appropriate authority are deemed eternal. What is baffling about the doctrine of polygamy is the church's official stance on it.On the one hand, the practice of Polygamy was banned from LDS doctrine in 1890 by the prophet Wilford Woodruff. The official church stance since that time is that polygamists are excommunicated. Yet LDS apologists will tell you that, again, this is just a misunderstood directive from the prophet Woodruff. The bottom line is that Polygamy is a doctrine included in the doctrine of eternal marriage. It was presented to the Church in conference in 1852 and canonized as scripture. It still is a viable doctrine and part of scripture but not a current practice among living spouses.