Jefferson's letter entered American jurisprudence in the 1878 Mormon polygamy case Reynolds v. U.S., in which the court cited Jefferson and Madison, seeking a legal definition for the word religion. Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen Johnson Field cited Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists to state that "Congress was deprived of all legislative power over mere opinion, but was left free to reach actions which were in violation of social duties or subversive of good order." Considering this, the court ruled that outlawing polygamy was constitutional. COUNT 5
QSN1 When did Jefferson's letter enter American jurisprudence? ANS1 1878 QSN2 What was the case that used Jefferson's letter? ANS2 Reynolds v. U.S. QSN3 What was the topic of Reynolds v. U.S.? ANS3 Mormon polygamy QSN4 What was the court seeking, in using Jefferson's letter? ANS4 legal definition for the word religion QSN5 What did the court rule outlawing polygamy was? ANS5 constitutional