Oct 25, 2010 the book of mormon doesnt talk about polygamy and the bible never promotes it. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. Feb 29, 2016 polygamy in the book of mormon the book of mormon is more specific about polygamy than the bible and i want to touch on these teachings. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. Mar 28, 2016 in the case of plural marriage, the bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise official declaration 1 heading, or, in jacobs language, if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people to practice plural marriage. These are a few examples of what polygamy culture looks like. Hardys book, on the other hand, deals almost exclusively with the postmanifesto era polygamy between 1890 and 1910. Mormon church grapples with origins and polygamy youtube. If any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another,and the first. Here is the relevant passage from the new international version of the bible niv, which describes the responsibilities and powers of the king.
Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. Following a revelation to joseph smith, the practice of plural marriage was instituted among church members in the early 1840s see section 2. Modern polygamist groups are not part of the church and the church has no control over them. Jesus did say, a man shall leave his family and cleave to his wife and they shall become one, which leaves very little room for anybody that believes in jesus to think that he was promoting polygamy. Nothing easier, twain replied, no man can serve two masters. That is certainly a valid position to take for those that consider the book of mormon to be scripture, but that does not sound like the god of the bible to me.
There are many offshoots of the mainstream lds church which do, in fact, continue to practice various forms of polygamy, which was originally practiced during the mid to late 1800s by the early mormon pioneers who came to utah after being persecuted and driven out by mobs. Mcconkie, in the book mormon doctrine if you consider the flds under the word mormon, then some mormons do practice polygamy even today, as they follow the words of early mormon prophets, and even lds mormons accept doctrine that teaches the principle of polygamy, even if they try not to talk about it in public. In the case of plural marriage, the bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise official declaration 1 heading, or in jacobs language, if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people to practice plural marriage. Mar 19, 20 the bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise see 2 samuel 12. Polygamy the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Ironically, the book of mormon is more explicit in condemning the polygamous marriages of david and solomon than the bible. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. Dec 15, 2014 this article will do this specifically with regard to abraham and hagar, the prime example given by joseph smith of an old testament figure whose polygamy joseph claimed to be restoring in his practice of taking plural wives 2. In 1844 william law, a former member of the first presidency at nauvoo, formed a conspiracy along with others to depose joseph and take the leadership of the church from him. The contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. For more detailed information on joseph smiths wives, get in.
The practice began during the lifetime of founder and prophet joseph smith but became publicly and widely known during the time of 2nd prophet, brigham young. The mormon response is usually to roll the eyes and recite for the thousandth time that the latterday saints havent practiced polygamy for over a century and that anyone who practices it today is excommunicated, yada yada yada. Its ironic in that the book of mormon is the most correctly translated scripture we have and it condemns the polygamy of these prophets. Smith published what he said was a translation of these plates in march 1830 as the book of mormon, named after mormon, the. The attacks are largely without merit and in some cases, ironically leave the book of mormon evidence even more impressive than before. Mormon historians are cheering the newly released english edition of lds scriptures, pointing to new wording about race and polygamy that provides a more accurate and complex view of. By the 1880s, an estimated 2030 percent of mormon families practiced polygamy.
Today, any mormons a nickname for members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who enter into polygamy are excommunicated. Mormons discontinued the practice of polygamy more than one hundred years ago. Unfortunately, later book of mormon peoples saw the rise of wicked kings such as noah, the son of zeniff, who did not keep the commandments of god by taking many wives and concubines mosiah 11. The divine principle is still in the mormon scripture and is still respected by the lds church, but the practice is not. See the commentary on biblical polygamy by michael d. In the case of plural marriage, the bible and the book of mormon teach. Mar 04, 20 mormon historians are cheering the newly released english edition of lds scriptures, pointing to new wording about race and polygamy that provides a more accurate and complex view of the utah. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. Visit book of mormon central at follow us on facebook for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Mormon polygamy mormons discontinued the practice of polygamy more than one hundred years ago. The book of mormon unequivocally condemns the practice of polygamy.
Mar 17, 20 the changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. Mosaic law respecting the firstborn in deuteronomy 21. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. I will share the way i interpret them, but i invite the reader to prayerfully read these verses and come to their own conclusions. A careful study of genesis 16 shows that it was sarais idea for abram to have sexual relations with hagar in order to produce a child. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a. The book of mormon doesnt talk about polygamy and the bible never promotes it. Outsiders sometimes ask mormons often in jest, occasionally in concern whether they practice polygamy.
There is a very interesting section on the politics involved in ending polygamy in the mainstream church. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. Jehovah, immanuel, holy messiah, lamb of god, redeemer of israel, and so on. Joseph smith of new york founded the mormon church in 1830 after having earlier experienced a series of visions, one of which directed him to ancient hidden golden tablets that. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne.
Too many mormon women are abused by polygamy culture. Where does the god of the bible say it is ok to violate his commandments, to sin, for certain purposes. They have a unique view of cosmology and believe that all people are spiritchildren. Aug 17, 2017 following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness. Mormons believe that joseph smith, the founder of mormonism, received a revelation from god in which he was commanded to practice polygamy. Polygamy mosaic law respecting the firstborn in deuteronomy 21. Check out this fascinating article which shows what book of mormon prophets thought of polygamy and also why polygamy was practiced in the. New mormon scriptures tweak race, polygamy references.
The changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. Book of mormon terminology is even less jarring than some in the bible. As early as the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, latter day saint doctrine. A journal of mormon thought, joins jeffrey brown for a look at how the issue of polygamy factors in contemporary mormonism. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon. Van wagoners work gives essentially equal balance to the mormon practice of polygamy from the early 1830s until the present day. Mormons trace their origins to the visions that joseph smith reported he had in the early 1820s while living in upstate new york. The practice of polygamy in the mormon church unfolded at a time when some religious fringe groups experimented with marital dynamics, including polygamy, as they reinvented the image of religion. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god.
In any event, polygamy was definitely practiced in the first half of their approximately. Mormons selfidentify as christian, although some nonmormons consider mormons nonchristian and some of their beliefs differ from those of mainstream christianity. The book of mormon is a mess compared to the well organized bible. A mormon acquaintance once pushed mark twain into an argument on the issue of polygamy. Jul 06, 2011 the contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. This group of conspirators went so far as to organize a new church called the reformed mormon church and issue a call to the saints to reject joseph and join the new church see the nauvoo expositor, friday. The book of mormon account is basing its statements on an interpretation of mosaic law to defend a new to them negative position on polygamy.
Amalekites book of mormon amalekites old testament amalickiah amen amlici, amlicites ammon, descendant of zarahemla ammon, son of mosiah. This new book by foster and watson on the history of mormon fundamentalist polygamy is a very enjoyable, insightful volume. This was one factor which did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the lord. Mormons believe in the bible, as well as other books of scripture, such as the book of mormon. A young, single man at byu approaches an attractive coed and, after a date or two or 30, tells her he has received revelation that she is to become his wife. While reading, i thought it was a very fair overview of the origins of polygamy and then later, the origins, developments, and internalexternal debates amongst the various fundamentalist groups. A journal of mormon scripture published by the interpreter foundation. Bennetts spiritual wife system and warned if any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the bible, the book of mormon, or the book of doctrine and covenants, set him down as an imposter. The beginnings of mormon polygamy joseph smiths polygamy.
A great book for a general knowledge of mormon polygamy, and a quick read. The people in jacob did not understand the scriptures because it wasnt clear if polygamy was condemned or justified in the ot. Jacobs sermon is perhaps the most specific, and ill get to. The book of mormon explains that only when god commands it can a man have more than one wife at a time. In 1889, thenpresident and prophet wilford woodruff received a revelation stating that the time for polygamy and the outlaw mormon had passed. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. Eyewitnesses, however, give us no indication that joseph smith instituted this marital innovation for any reason other than that he was commanded to. Bible verses related to polygamy from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order exodus 21. This revelation was recorded on july 12, 1843 and is part of the mormon scriptures to this day doctrine and covenants 20, pp.
Polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. Joseph smiths sermon against polygamy book of mormon. In april 1844, joseph smith referred to polygamy as john c. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8. In its more than 6,000 verses, the book of mormon refers to jesus christ almost 4,000 times and by 100 different names. One of these tenets was polygamy, which his contemporaries said came as a result of smith having been commanded by an angel to marry plural wives. New mormon scriptures tweak race, polygamy references the.
Mcconkie, in his book mormon doctrine, looked forward to the time when the holy practice of polygamy would be practiced once again. Polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for more than half of the 19th century in semisecrecy and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by up to 30 percent of church families. The lds church publicly renounced the practice of polygamy in 1890, but it has never renounced polygamy as doctrine, as evidenced in lds. Polygamy the evil effects of husbands favoritism in deuteronomy 21. The bible and the book of mormon teach that monogamy is gods standard for marriage unless he declares otherwise see 2 samuel 12. After a long and tedious exposition justifying the practice, the mormon demanded that twain cite any passage of scripture expressly forbidding the practice of plural marriage. The divine plan, three streams of gratitude for jesus, a welcome introduction, providing a better understanding for all concerning the history of joseph smiths polygamy, an easier way to understanding joseph. Mormonism and polygamyin latterday saint scripture. Op cites helen mark kimball in particular, but mentions only one of her writings by name. Apr 18, 2018 too many mormon women are abused by polygamy culture. Wellwritten and concisely summarized, it is one of the first books you should read if you want to track the principles history throughout mormonism. The very title of the book is a reference to the way these women privately described their experiences. Joseph smith does not appear to have produced any children by his plural wives, except for emma, yet, doctrine and covenants 2. The book of mormon is more specific about polygamy than the bible and i want to touch on these teachings.
One expert says these additions to mormon scripture show. Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. Best book at the time on mormon polygamy has still stood the test of time as an indispensable resource decades later. Answers about mormons and mormon beliefs lds faq latter. In 1823, smith said an angel directed him to a buried book written on golden plates containing the religious history of an ancient people. The book of mormon, along with his revelations, then became fundamental tenets of the mormon church. For more detailed information on joseph smiths wives, get in sacred loneliness by lds historian todd compton. Following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness. That said, the long answer to the question above is. Gospel topics, plural marriage and families in early utah. Mormon pioneers brought the practice with them during their 1847 exodus to the great basin. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne.
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