The New and Everlasting Covenant

How Many Living Wives Must a Man Have to Fulfill the Law?

66. President’s Office
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 22, 1888

Bishop S. A. Woolley,
19th Ward, Salt Lake City

Dear Brother:

You ask some other questions concerning how many living wives a man must have to fulfill the law.

When a man, according to the revelation, marries a wife under the holy order which God has revealed  and then marries another in the same way, he enters into the new and everlasting covenant, and so far as he has gone he has obeyed the law. I know of no requirement which makes it necessary for a man to have three living wives at a time.

With kind regards,
I remain,
Your Brother,

W. Woodruff.

(K9361R St. George Temple Minute Book. 4 Oct 1888. Historical Department. Confidential Research Files. 1950–1974. Church Archives Vault. Restricted document. CR/ 100/ 14/ #2/ Volume 8:35)