Book of mormon on polygamy

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 in nauvoo. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book is very different from van wagoners effort. In an attempt to justify early mormon polygamy, many mormons point to the bible. Description nauvoo polygamy is a meticulously researched and skillfully written work on mormon polygamy. Jul 06, 2008 the book of mormon itself inveighed against the sin of polygamy conformably to the book of mormon, the book of doctrine and covenants expressly declared that we believe that one man should have but one wife, and one woman but one husband. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife. Sep 04, 2018 mormon church founder joseph smith insisted on introducing polygamy in the early 1800s despite knowing the societal risks and getting pushback from other leaders and his first wife, recounts a new. Salt lake city ap mormon church founder joseph smith insisted on introducing polygamy in the early 1800s despite knowing the.

Best book at the time on mormon polygamy has still stood the test of time as an indispensable resource decades later. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. The mormon church claims to be the only true christian church today. These are a few examples of what polygamy culture looks like. God commanded some of the prophets of old in the bible to practice polygamy. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. While latterday saints today do not know all the reasons for gods command, they do understand some reasons why god would command the practice of polygamy. Js1169 hardy, carmon, list of plural marriage discourses. Portraits of a utah town and other acclaimed works, including mormon polygamy. Written by lds member richard vanwagoner, a graduate from byu who has won awards from the mormon history association and the dialogue foundation for his important historical work, the book covers the beginning of mormon polygamy with joseph smith up to the flds and modern day plural marriage. 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.

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 book of mormon account is basing its statements on an interpretation of mosaic law to defend a new to them negative position on polygamy. See the commentary on biblical polygamy by michael d. 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. This was one factor which did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the lord. The same book of mormon and the same article that commanded the nephites that they should not marry more than one wife, made an exception. Polygamy documents master index how to search fundamentalist documents about check these out joseph smiths polygamy website questions about polyandry dan vogel spins the evidence joseph smith was a polygamist dialogues discussing polygamy controversies website modern polygamy and mormon fundamentalism 2017 visit to the flds yearning for zion ranch in texas is john c. It is a thorough volume that is scholarly, and eludicates many important issues that, unfortunately, are often distorted in more polemical works.

Bringhurst, a cultural mormon and a liberal democrat, stands in stark contrast to foster, an active latterday saint and a conservative republican. Alexander although the occasion of many of the sermons i have given in church gatherings has faded into oblivion, the evening i reported my mission in the ogden twentyninth ward is indelibly impressed on my mind. Polygamy documents master index how to search fundamentalist documents about check these out joseph smiths polygamy website questions about polyandry dan vogel spins the evidence joseph smith was a polygamist dialogues discussing polygamy controversies website modern polygamy and mormon fundamentalism 2017 visit to the flds yearning for. In getting there, smith had to have done something pretty big, which for all intents and purposes was publishing the book of mormon, a religious text smith translated from gilded plates and which describes the history of hebrews. Aug 17, 2017 following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness.

Too many mormon women are abused by polygamy culture. He is coauthor of the biographical resource, a book of mormons, and has published in brigham young university studies, dialogue. 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. Book of mormon statements about the practice of polygamy does joseph smiths lack of children through polygamy contradict the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth.

The book of mormon makes it clear that the lord may, under some circumstances, command the practice of plural marriage. For a churchapproved work to state that polygamy involved conjugal relations and use the term polyandry is landmark. As early as the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, latter day saint doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable only if it was commanded by god. Nauvoo polygamy is a meticulously researched and skillfully written work on mormon polygamy. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible. By the 1880s, an estimated 2030 percent of mormon families practiced polygamy. For the mormon mainstream, the 1887 edmundstucker act proved the final straw. Although the lds church banned the practice of polygamy in 1890, mormons have. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the lord. New mormon narrative history book includes polygamous. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm.

How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. Jan 26, 2017 the historian laurel ulrich uses the diaries of 19thcentury mormon women to tell the story of polygamy in a house full of females. My story of growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breakin. 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. Mar 10, 2020 the second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. Sep 04, 2018 the book is a robust and honest version of early church history and while it doesnt dwell on polygamy, its notable that it provides the history of plural marriages in a straight forward way, said patrick mason, a professor of religion at claremont graduate university in california who is the chair of mormon studies at the college.

Jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. George, the perspectives of two prominent mormon plural wives eliza r. The book lays to rest many of the false assumptions that are currently held by practicing utah mormons regarding the reasons for polygamy such as. Drawing from jacob 2, apostle orson pratt, in an 1859 sermon, taught that polygamy was positively forbidden to be practiced by the ancient nephites except as otherwise commanded by god. This book, edited by two notable lds historians newell bringhurst and craig l.

Mar 28, 2016 for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Mar 17, 20 mormons change references to blacks, polygamy the changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. Mar 28, 2016 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. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. By the time of his death in 1844, joseph smith is believed to have married at least 33 women, with some as young as 14 years old. The historian laurel ulrich uses the diaries of 19thcentury mormon women to tell the story of polygamy in a house full of females. Mormon church founder joseph smith insisted on introducing polygamy in the early 1800s despite knowing the societal risks and getting pushback from other leaders and his first wife, recounts a new. Members are called latterday saints lds or mormons, after the book of mormon, which purports to be another testament of jesus christ.

For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on. Popular polygamy books meet your next favorite book. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. Explaining polygamy and its history in the mormon church. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Mormon polygamy and physical rehabilitation of humankind, journal of history of sexuality, 10. Was the practice of polygamy general knowledge among latterday saints in 1835 when the article on marriage was published. How the women of the mormon church came to embrace polygamy. The author does not take sides in this tangled web of theology and practice, but instead has produced what may well be the definitive work on polygamy. Following young, mormon theologians heralded polygamy as a core doctrine and as evidence of patriarchal manliness.

Congress renewed its attack on polygamy by disincorporating the church and seizing its assets. After all, abraham and jacob and david and solomon had more than one wife. Wellwritten and concisely summarized, it is one of the first books you should read if you want to track the principles history throughout mormonism. What the book of mormon says about polygamy jacob 1. That said, the long answer to the question above is. Book of mormon statements about the practice of polygamy jump to subtopic.

The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. Another testament of jesus christ is similar to and complimentary to the holy bible. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon. Foster is perhaps the single best volume on the issue of mormon polygamy i have thus far encountered. Mormons change references to blacks, polygamy the changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. Van wagoner is a clinical audiologist and lehi city historian, author of lehi. Polygamy as practiced in the 1800s was very different than the polygamy often practiced by modern fundamentalist groups. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. The mormon handbook is a reference to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, headquartered in salt lake city, utah. As early as the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, latter day saint doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable only if it was. Joseph smiths sermon against polygamy book of mormon.

In april 1844, joseph smith referred to polygamy as john c. The book is a robust and honest version of early church history and while it doesnt dwell on polygamy, its notable that it provides the history of plural marriages in a straight forward way, said patrick mason, a professor of religion at claremont graduate university in california who is the chair of mormon studies at the college. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Mormonism and polygamy the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. Mar 23, 2017 that said, the long answer to the question above is.

After months and months of questions about our religion and christian beliefs, we felt it. Polygamy plural marriage lds church perspective on polygamy. A portrait of religious excess winner of best book awards from the mormon history association and john whitmer historical association. Although it is a faithful book, it accurately describes some of the disturbing details of polygamy and mentions the book of mormon translation details that most members are unaware of. The mormon church has acknowledged that josephs polygamous marriages were sexual in nature and to already married women polyandry. Mormons believe that god commanded early latterday saints to practice polygamy for a time. Polygamy culture life outside the book of mormon belt. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives. Mormon women fear eternal polygamy, study shows in our church, headquartered in salt lake citynot the fundamentalist and often violent or bizarre breakoff groups such as the one made infamous by warren jeffsbut the lds church of the tabernacle choir, mitt romney, and donny and marie osmondthe church that i attend weeklypolygamy is not an artifact in a museum. 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.

While the bible is the record of israelites in the holy land, the book of mormon is an account written by israelite prophets among a branch of israel that dwelt anciently in the americas. In early mormon history, it was a minority practice, with only about onethird of adult women involved in polygamous marriages. This volume features articles on the churchs legal confrontation with government over polygamy, various aspects of plural marriage in st. Outsiders sometimes ask mormons often in jest, occasionally in concern whether they practice polygamy. The book of mormon explains that only when god commands it can a man have more than one wife at a time. The book of jacob condemned polygamy as adultery, 71 but left open the proviso that for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god.

The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at specific periods when he has declared otherwise. Its a fairly tame book and probably the best lds book for members that only want a slight introduction to some of the more colorful aspects of mormon history. This spotlight on polygamy is likely to make the majority of mormons who are nonfundamentalist uncomfortable. The book of mormon unequivocally condemns the practice of polygamy. The book of mormon, translated in 1829, makes mention of polygamy and, while it seems to forbid polygamy, it recognizes that sometimes god commands men to practice polygamy. Van wagoners work gives essentially equal balance to the mormon practice of polygamy from the early 1830s until the present day. Check out this fascinating article which shows what book of mormon prophets thought of polygamy and also why polygamy was practiced in the. 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. The book of mormon itself inveighed against the sin of polygamy conformably to the book of mormon, the book of doctrine and covenants expressly declared that we believe that one man should have but one wife, and one woman but one husband. The book of mormon, along with his revelations, then became fundamental tenets of the mormon church. Members of the lds church or mormons have not practiced polygamy for over. Lds and mormon are used interchangeably throughout the handbook. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1.

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. New mormon narrative history book includes polygamous roots. The book of mormon identifies one reason for god to command it. 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. Apr 20, 2014 and it could hardly go unnoticed that the book of mormon, which joseph compiled before 1831, condemned polygamy, in two passages from the book of jacob. Hardys book, on the other hand, deals almost exclusively with the postmanifesto era polygamy between 1890 and 1910.