The Bible and Polygamy: Does the Bible Sanction Polygamy?

A lively snapshot of a 19th‑century controversy unfolds as two prominent religious figures—an apostle of the Latter‑Day Saints and a Methodist chaplain to the U.S. Senate—step onto a Salt Lake City stage to argue whether Scripture ever permits multiple wives. Their exchange, set against the backdrop of a public challenge printed in a local newspaper, invites listeners into the charged atmosphere of a nation wrestling with faith, law, and cultural identity.

The book then presents a series of letters that reveal the behind‑the‑scenes diplomacy between the two men and Brigham Young, the church president. These correspondences expose misunderstandings, strategic wording, and a genuine desire for a “peaceful contest of argument,” offering a rare glimpse into how leaders negotiated theological disputes in an era of rapid expansion.

Finally, three sermons by a Utah pastor and two church elders round out the discussion, each interpreting the biblical texts for their congregations. Together, the debate, letters, and sermons invite listeners to hear how scholars of the day wrestled with ancient passages while confronting contemporary moral questions.