The Reed Smoot Hearings and the Battle over Polygamy

The Reed Smoot hearings, which took place from 1903 to 1907, were a significant event in American history. The hearings primarily focused on the issue of polygamy and its practice within the Mormon Church. Opponents of Reed Smoot, who was a member of the Mormon Church and a Republican senator, raised concerns about the continued practice of polygamy in Utah, despite the official manifesto in 1890 declaring an end to the practice. The hearings explored the accusations of post-manifesto polygamy and the extent to which the Mormon Church influenced politics and government. The hearings also addressed concerns about the loyalty of Mormons to the federal government and the separation of church and state. Ultimately, the Reed Smoot hearings played a significant role in shaping the relationship between religion and government in America.