Argument #1
The Court should rule in favor of the United States. Congress, in 1862 (12 Stat. 501), saw fit to make bigamy a crime in the Territories. This was done because of the evil consequences that were supposed to flow from plural marriages.

Argument #2
The Supreme Court should rule in favor of Reynolds. His polygamy is based upon a sincerely held religious belief. The First Amendment forbids Congress from making laws which prohibit the free exercise of religion.