George Reynolds, was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in the Utah Territory under federal laws. Reynolds married Amelia Jane Schofield while still being married to Mary Ann Tuddenham, therefore he was charged with the violation of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act which is a federal law forbidding polygamy in all federal territories. This act stated that "Every person having a husband or wife living, who marries another, whether married or single, in a Territory, or other place over which the United States have exclusive jurisdiction, is guilty of bigamy, and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, and by imprisonment for a term of not more than five years..." Reynolds did not dispute the fact that he had broken the law, but instead argued that it was a religious requirement that he marry multiple women. The Mormon religion supported multiple marriages; in fact, polygamy was even seen as a religious obligation for most Mormon men. Reynolds argued that the 1st Amendment clearly states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise …show more content…
Meaning that while laws cannot interfere with religious belief and opinions, laws can be made to regulate some religious practices. For example, Human sacrifices are a part of some religious rituals, but they cannot be tolerated in the United States. Chief Justice Waite stated that "If we do not make the Constitution the Supreme Law, and allow each person to make up their mind about what law to obey on religious grounds, we would put religious belief over the Constitution." Meaning this would undermine order and the government would only exist in