Polygamy and the Mormon

[Ps104_33]

Joseph Smith was the founder of Mormonism, right? Brigham Young was also a very important Mormon, right? They both had multiple wives, right? Then why are those in the Mormon faith who practice polygamy cosidered a fringe element?
Why is Mitt Romney condemning polygamy when his great-grandfather had multiple wives? Was his great-grandfather a lunatic? But my main question is who is wrong? Those who practice polygamy or those who dont, or neither? Why is Romney ashamed of his past?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/02/24/D8NG82J01.html

(ps, this can be moved to the other religions forum )

 

[hillclimber1]

How did the good governor, with his supposed high moral values do the following?

The Massachusetts state Supreme Court demanded homosexual marriages in the state, it didn't have the constitutional or legal authority to order the governor to act or to order the Legislature to make any changes, and the creation of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts actually was accomplished by executive order from Romney.

 

[Helen]

There is actually a very good review of Utah history, which is the centerpiece of your question, hillclimber, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah Go down to early history. Utah wanted to become a state but could not as long a plural marriages were allowed:

During the 1870s and 1880s, laws were passed to punish polygamists, and in the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896.


​

Today the LDS church totally divorces itself (pardon the pun) from the concept of plural marriages (polygamy) even though, about 150 years ago, they were told they could not achieve their highest heaven if they were NOT part of a plural marriage.

I think that it is therefore clear that the Mormon church and its members are not so much concerned with doctrinal purity of any kind, even their own, as they are with convenience and climbing political ladders.

 

[av1611jim]

There is actually a very good review of Utah history, which is the centerpiece of your question, hillclimber, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah Go down to early history. Utah wanted to become a state but could not as long a plural marriages were allowed:

During the 1870s and 1880s, laws were passed to punish polygamists, and in the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896.



​

Today the LDS church totally divorces itself (pardon the pun) from the concept of plural marriages (polygamy) even though, about 150 years ago, they were told they could not achieve their highest heaven if they were NOT part of a plural marriage.

I think that it is therefore clear that the Mormon church and its members are not so much concerned with doctrinal purity of any kind, even their own, as they are with convenience and climbing political ladders.

Pardon me dear sister but this is in error.

The LDS church is an inaccurate description of that organization to which you refer.

The LDS church split long before some of the followers of Brigham Young migrated to Utah. Their split was over the issue of succession to the offfice of Prophet to which Joe Smith laid claim. One faction laid claim by reason of inheritance. Hence, their prophet was a son of Joe smith. The other faction laid claim by reason of appointment. Hence, their prophet was B.Young. the LDS church Nauvoo is still in Missouri claiming to be the true church which Joe founded. The LDS church Utah claims the same by reason of B.Young.

There are today 4 (I recall) "churches" laying claim to original succession to the founding church's doctrines. It is one or two of these branches which still practice polygamy even today. The Utah church did, as you pointed out, forsake plural marriages for the sake of political expediency.

FYI and BTW; southern Idaho has a greater per capita percentage of Mormons that all of Utah.I have been exposed to and studied extensively the Mormons.

And another side note: "Mormon" generally refers to the Utah church. But when saying "LDS" one is about as accurate as saying "Baptist". There are several groups identifying themselves by that term yet they differ like night and day. ha ha ha

 

[Joseph M. Smith]

Well, I am probably the only one on this board who can speak authoritatively for Joseph Smith!
.
.
.
.
.

But not the Mormon one!!

On the polygamy point: the information about statehood for Utah is generally accepted as the proper, secular interpretation. However, you will find that members of the LDS church describe it as a new revelation. The more cynical and realistic of us will recognize that revelations are sometimes conveniently timed to accomplish political ends.

On the sects, groups, naming point: the LDS group headquartered in Independence, MO, which used to be called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints now goes by the name, "Community of Christ". Not a hint, if you just look at a sign on a building, that they are Mormon. Truth in advertising issue?

 

[av1611jim]

Well, I am probably the only one on this board who can speak authoritatively for Joseph Smith!
.
.
.
.
.

But not the Mormon one!!

On the polygamy point: the information about statehood for Utah is generally accepted as the proper, secular interpretation. However, you will find that members of the LDS church describe it as a new revelation. The more cynical and realistic of us will recognize that revelations are sometimes conveniently timed to accomplish political ends.

On the sects, groups, naming point: the LDS group headquartered in Independence, MO, which used to be called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints now goes by the name, "Community of Christ". Not a hint, if you just look at a sign on a building, that they are Mormon. Truth in advertising issue?

That is something I did not know. I have seen a couple of those CoC churches in my travels and wondered what they taught or what their affiliation was. Thanks. They used to be called "Re-organites" by the Utah church.

 

[Ps104_33]

The more cynical and realistic of us will recognize that revelations are sometimes conveniently timed to accomplish political ends.

Well said Joseph Smith (not the Mormon one:thumbs: ) The same can be said of the Roman Catholic Church.(not to sidetrack)

 

[DeeJay]

Mormons believe in poligamy even today. They believe that their ansestors were right in practicing because god told them to. They believe that they will be poligimists in heaven, if they are good enough. And they believe that god is a poligimist right now.

The LDS church believes that god put a hold on poligimy on earth so that Utah could become a state. And they believe that god wants them to obey the laws of the goverment (like us). They call it the "law of the land". Dont let them fool you they believe it is a god ordaned way of marrage and they work to attain it again. If the laws were changed today allowing poligamy many would pick it up and the LDS church would promote it.

Why do they shun poligimists. NOT because they believe poligamy is wrong, they do not. Remember they believe god is a poligamist with holy mothers (never here them talk about that out loud do you).

They shun poligimists becasue they refuse to obey, what they call, the one true church.

Of course poligamy is unpopular so they do not speak about it. They make it seem that poligimy is the problem so they will not be thought of as freaks. Costco is full of poligimists, in full uniform, every Saturday. They live in every area not making much effort to hide.

When they knock on your door, ask them. They will say poligamy is wrong. But then ask if god has multipal wifes. They will say yes. They will explain it is wrong for us right now ONLY because it is against the law, and god put a temporary halt to it until the law changes.

 

[av1611jim]

I suppose that is the convinience of continued revelation huh? Both Cahtolic and Mormon attempt to squeak past Scripture in this manner.