Editing Mormonism and polygamy (section)

==== Salvation ====
Polygamy was taught as being essential for [[salvation]].<ref name=":2" />{{rp|186}} Polygamy was seen as "more important than baptism" and the practice of polygamy was required before the [[Second Coming|Second Coming of Christ]]. Brigham Young said that any male member of the church who was commanded to practice polygamy and refused would be damned.<ref>{{harvnb|Hardy|2007|p=112}}</ref> Other leaders of the church taught that men who refused to have multiple wives were not obeying God's commandments and that they should step down from their [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|priesthood]] callings.<ref>{{harvnb|Hardy|2007|pp=112–113}}</ref> Church president Joseph F. Smith also spoke about the necessity of practicing polygamy in order to receive salvation.<ref>{{harvnb|Hardy|2007|p=113}}</ref> Members of the church in St George, Utah report being taught in the late 1800s that there is no [[Exaltation (Mormonism)|"exaltation"]] without polygamy.<ref>{{harvnb|Hardy|2007|p=114}}</ref> In a church-owned newspaper, an article speculates that men and women who refuse to practice polygamy will have a lesser station in the afterlife.<ref name="Hardy 2007 117">{{harvnb|Hardy|2007|p=117}}</ref>

Polygamy was also explained as being a commandment of God that was received by divine revelation and that polygamy was a part of God's plan.<ref name=":8" />{{rp|44}}