SYDNEY, Australia - ABC's Foreign Correspondent broadcasted a story Tuesday, 18 October, titled "The Mormon Moment." This report is one of hundreds being published and aired worldwide each week about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members (also known as Mormons).
These reports are part of a broader conversation going on about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We want to be part of that conversation, especially when it comes to defining who we are and what we believe. No faith should be defined by those not of the faith.
Polygamy has no part in the Church and has not since 1890. Showing polygamists as part of a story about Mormons and Mormonism does not educate viewers on who we are and what we believe.
Unfortunately, however, the article attempted to imply that polygamists are part of a larger "Mormon" community, some of whom eschew the practice of polygamy while others regard it as normal behaviour.
The reality, in fact, is that polygamous groups in America's mid-west have nothing to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are not dissident wings of the Church. Virtually none have ever been members of the Church. The term "Mormon", if used in association with polygamists, confuses the public about the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.
Read more here concerning Latter-day Saints and the Practice of Plural Marriage.