Meanings
- MormonismderogatoryoftenuncountablePolygyny; plural marriage.
It is more than likely that the Rhode Island law against breaches of marriage covenants was a direct response to the rapid spread of spiritual wifery in this period.
1974, William G. McLoughlin, “Free Love, Immortalism, and Perfectionism in Cumberland, Rhode Island, 1748–1768”, in Rhode Island History, volume 33, page 702 more examples
It seems he knew nothing of spiritual wifery before he came here. I suggested to him that, after such a discourse from Brigham, he was in duty bound to take two or three wives, at least.
1855 September, [Cornelia Ferris], “Life Among the Mormons”, in Putnam’s Monthly Magazine […], volume 6, number 33, page 265In it he stated his conviction that Bennett had not taught polygamy or spiritual wifery, and his belief that the church leaders at Voree were set “like flint” against spiritual wifery in every form.
1930, Milo Milton Quaife, The Kingdom of Saint James: A Narrative of the Mormons, page 97
Cite this entry
spiritual wifery. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spiritual%20wifery
“spiritual wifery.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spiritual%20wifery. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “spiritual wifery,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/spiritual%20wifery.
Source: spiritual wifery on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.