ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the politics of the American anti-polygamy movement to explore the intercultural dynamic of diversion. Anti-polygamy activists gave two main arguments against polygamy: that it violated Christian public morals and that it subordinated women. Turning to examine the contemporary practice of polygamy, considers whether the concern for equal protection of women supports a case for qualified recognition of polygamy with an emphasis on ensuring a realistic right of exit, as well as discuss other contemporary cases in which the diversionary effect is at work. In 1830, Joseph Smith, a New York farmer, founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Book of Mormon, as translated by Smith, described the Hebrew origins of Native Americans and established America as God's chosen land. With regard to Mormon polygamy today, government officials have largely taken a laissez-faire approach, a departure from their approach in the earlier part of the twentieth century.
