Saving Race: Sex, Marriage, and Family in the Early Mormon Faith and Oneida Community

Both those of the Mormon faith who practiced polygamy and the members of the community at Oneida who practiced complex marriage incurred widespread persecution for their sexual mores, beliefs, and practices. Although very different in doctrine, these sects have many similarities. This paper will explore the correlations and differences among the two faiths in the areas of sex, marriage, family, and reproduction, as well as delineating the persecution they endured.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormonism, as it would soon be known, was founded by the prophet-leader Joseph F. Smith Jr. on April 6, 1830. The new religion was based on a “translation” of some golden plates that Joseph had been shown in a vision and had later found. These translations were printed in the Book of Mormon, which sought to respond to all questions that the Bible left unanswered, especially about the development of America in prehistory. The fledgling faith began in New York, but because of adverse conditions and persecution moved to Ohio, then to Missouri, then to Illinois, and finally to Utah, which is the present day stronghold of the religion. Mormons never truly practiced community of goods, but did have several forms and degrees of economic union including the United Order of Enoch and their current economic system of church support through gifts, offerings, and tithing. Although the Mormons did not succeed in becoming truly communal for more than a few years at a time, they have and have had several communities that have formed a close and cohesive culture distinct from the outside world.

Whose Kids? Our Kids! Teens and Sexual Risk-Taking

While you may not want your child to be sexually active, the reality is that your teen may engage in sexual activity without your knowledge or approval. Just one sexual experience may be enough to endanger your child's life. The risks of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) are real in today's world.

Teens and sexual risk-taking

Teens who are sexually active, but who don't use birth control are taking a big risk. Studies show that only about half of teens report always using birth control. Sexually active teens who report inconsistent or no use of condoms are at higher risk for contracting HIV than youth who are sexually active and always use condoms. While using a condom greatly reduces the chance of contracting HIV, it does not eliminate it. The only real "safe sex" is no sex.

While it may be difficult to accept, a startling number of teens report having more than one sexual partner. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease like HIV increases when a person has sex with more than one person. The risk increases even more when a condom is not used. Thousands of young people ages 13–24 in the U.S. are infected with AIDS.