Originally posted by: sean wookie
How young is too young?

This is what slays me. According to Utah Law 18 years old is the legal age.
16-17 year olds may marry with parental consent
15 year olds may marry with parental consent, Juvenile Court approval and counseling.

However, there are actual laws in Utah and Arizona (called the Child Bigamy Law) that prohibit a married adult from taking a second spouse who is under the age of 18.

Now, with these plural marriages, they aren't actual legal entities. i.e. The second and beyond wives are NOT entering into a legal marriage, but a spiritual one. To top that off, the parents ARE giving their consent to these underage marriages.

I expect this one to go to the Supreme Court. There are some serious First Amendment and Ambiguous State Statute issues at stake.

Warren Jeffs may be a sick puppy, and I seriously doubt God really did tell him that the only way to heaven is through having lots and lots of wives and babies. BUT, the teaching is grounded in scripture and religion, and the parties are willing participants, so this is going to get very interesting. I'm popping corn and sitting down to watch the fight.