In 1862 the Thirty Seventh Congress passed a law which effectively outlawed polygamy in every province and territory of the United States, including and especially in Utah. Be it enacted ... that every person having a husband or wife living who shall marry any other person, whether married or single, ... shall ...be adjudged guilty of bigamy and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, and by imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years... And be it further enacted that ... all other acts or parts of acts heretofore passed by the legislative assembly of the Territory of Utah which establish, support, maintain, shield, or countenance polygamy, be, and the same hereby are, disapproved and annulled... And be it further enacted, that it shall not be lawful for any corporation or association for religious or charitable purposes to acquire or hold real estate...of a greater value than fifty thousand dollars.
United States Revised Code, Section 5210

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