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In the western world, polygamy has long been viewed as a serious breach of moral values, and in
the Christian world has always been condemned. There were many people in the Bible that were
polygamous, however they did not practice that aspect of their life as a result of the teaching
found in the Bible. In almost every instance, in the Bible, where individuals practiced
polygamy,
the narrative shows that those polygamous relationships were a detriment to the individual's life,
and many times those individuals were not right in their relationship with God. As a result of the claim by the Mormon church. that it considers the Bible to be scripture and a part of its doctrinal beliefs, it seems strange it would adopt a doctrine that accepts polygamy as a command from God; a teaching foreign to Biblical teaching. Yet, the doctrine of polygamy was one of the first taught and practiced by the Mormon church and was instituted by the founder, first prophet and seer of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith. POLYGAMY CONDEMNED IN THE BOOK OF MORMON The doctrine of polygamy creates a great problem for the Mormon church, because of its claim that the Book of Mormon, translated by its founder, first prophet and seer, Joseph Smith, is the most correct and perfect book in existence; perfectly translated from the record of the golden plates revealed to Joseph Smith by god himself. Since this is the case, why does the Mormon church claim as one of its doctrines, the doctrine of polygamy, WHEN IT IS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED IN THE BOOK OF MORMON? The Book of Mormon states the following: "And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son." LDS Book of Mormon, Jacob 1:15, published 1924. "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. Wherefor, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; for I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes." LDS Book of Mormon, Jacob 2:24, 26 - 29, published 1924. "Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous that you; for they have not forgotten the commandment o the Lord, which was given unto our fathers - that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them." LDS Book of Mormon, Jacob 3:5, published 1924. "For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart and he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner wickedness." LDS Book of Mormon, Mosiah 11:2, published 1924. It is clearly apparent that in the Book of Mormon it is god, the "Lord of Hosts" who is speaking and directly condemning the practice of polygamy, forbidding its practice and issuing a curse if it is practiced. There can be no claim that the passages were not translated by "inspired" men, because they were translated "perfectly" by Joseph Smith. There can be no claim that the reader is wrongly interpreting what is said or the passages have been taken out of context. The denouncing of the practice of polygamy in the Book of Mormon cannot be denied without the denial being a lie. THE MORMON CHURCH DENIED THAT IT PRACTICED POLYGAMY IN 1835 As a consequence of charges that were made against the church, specifically that the members and leaders were engaging in and teaching polygamy (a charge that was absolutely true), the Mormon church issued its Doctrine and Covenants in 1835, containing the following passage: "Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband..." LDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section: 101, p. 251, 1835. One would think that the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants would settle the issue of polygamy forever, within the Mormon church. However, in the Mormon church, doctrines are changeable and covenants are not binding, so the issue of polygamy again raised its ugly head; this time brought to the forefront and taught by the founder and first prophet of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith. Apparently, even after "perfectly" translating the Book of Mormon, he forgot about the commands from the god he claimed to represent and produced his own new revelation on the subject. Or, did God change his mind, commanding that evil is now good and sin is now righteousness? Since Mormon gods are human beings, they are not all knowing, but continually in a state of learning. Perhaps god became more educated on the subject after issuing his denunciation in the Book of Mormon and came to a different conclusion. THE MORMON CHURCH CONFIRMS THE PRACTICE OF POLYGAMY AS A DOCTRINE IN 1876 LDS PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH GIVEN A REVELATION BY GOD IN 1843 In 1876, Section 101 of the 1835 version of the Doctrine and Covenants was removed and replaced by Section 132. Section 101 had condemned the practice of polygamy; the new Section 132 not only approved of polygamy but commanded that it be practiced. The new Section 132 was a revelation, said to have been given to Joseph Smith on July 12, 1843. The doctrine was canonized by the church and is still the official doctrine of the Mormon church, still remaining in the Doctrine and Covenants, never having been removed or repudiated. Mormon church historians believe that the 1843 date of the revelation is, in fact, only the date that it was written down as an official revelation. They believe that Joseph Smith was authorized (by revelation?) to practice polygamy as early as 1830, certainly before the 1835 version of the Doctrine and Covenants entry condemning the practice of polygamy. This claim may be more to justify Joseph Smith's actions, by giving credence to the license he allegedly received from god, at an earlier date than was claimed by the Mormon church. If the revelation from God was not given until 1843, the documented proof of Joseph Smith's polygamous activity prior to that date condemns him as a wicked and sinful abomination to god, according to the Book of Mormon. It is not known exactly how many polygamous wives Joseph Smith had, but the number could be anywhere from 27 - 48 or more. No Mormon can say that Joseph Smith has been wrongly accused of practicing polygamy when Mormon historians state that he did and his contemporaries and associates state that he did in their diaries from that time. In fact, Joseph Smith also practiced polyandry (the marrying of a woman who already had a husband). Both actions are known better under the term bigamy, and was just as illegal then as it is now. Excerpts of Joseph Smith's revelation are quoted below: "Verily, thus saith the Lord, unto you my servant Joseph {Smith}, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord justified my servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; as also Moses, David, and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives, and concubines... Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those, who have this law revealed unto them, must obey the same. For behold! I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant, and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory... Then they shall be gods, because they have no end;... God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife... Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation? Verily I say unto you, nay: for I, the Lord, commanded it... David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants,... and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. David's wives and concubines were given unto him of me,... And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith {Joseph Smith's wife} receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and are virtuous and pure before me, and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God... Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him;... And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery with that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified." LDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, verses: 1 - 4, 19, 20, 34, 35, 37 - 39, 52, 60 - 62. What is most remarkable about the "revelation" is what it indicates about the character and integrity of the god who Joseph Smith claimed to worship. If the god that gave Joseph Smith the revelation was the same god that spoke in the Book of Mormon, then there is a serious problem. In the Book of Mormon, god condemns the people who practiced polygamy, but in Joseph Smith's revelation, god claims to have justified their conduct instead. Either god is a monumental liar, or Joseph Smith's revelation is a fraud and a forgery. The Book of Mormon says: Polygamy indicates hard hearts, is a wicked practice, is an abomination to god, is considered a whoredom and those who practice it will have their land cursed by god. Joseph Smith's "revelation" says: Polygamy is a new covenant from god, commanded by god, approved by god, you become righteous by practicing polygamy and you are damned if you do not practice it. Woe unto the Mormon who was alive at the time of the founding of the Mormon church. If you were practicing polygamy prior to the revelation you were condemned and damned by God. If you somehow got your values back together, asked for forgiveness from god and then went on with your life, you were suddenly faced with a new revelation, commanding that you must return to the practice of polygamy or be condemned and damned again by god. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't practice polygamy. If you had not confessed your sin and repented and you died five minutes prior to the revelation, you would have been damned and could not have been glorified. If you could have just held on to life for five more minutes, your conduct would have been counted as righteousness and you would have been glorified and made a god. Confused? Not as confused as god, who could not remember that he damned David, Solomon and Moses for their polygamy in the Book of Mormon, when he claimed to account the practice to them as righteousness in the revelation given to Joseph Smith. It would appear that Joseph Smith's revelation came just in time, because as a practicing polygamist prior to the revelation, his soul was in great jeopardy. But isn't god wonderful? When the worst retribution was promised for sinful actions, god changed his mind and Joseph Smith could then indulge himself at will, and not only that, he could tell others that they could do the same thing. That is the best kind of religion to embrace; sin as you wish against the command of god, and a new revelation will make it all acceptable and you will be considered righteous by god in the process. Joseph Smith was practicing polygamy prior to the July 12, 1843 date in which the Mormon church said the revelation was given. In March of 1843, some four months prior to the "revelation" Joseph Smith took two sisters as his plural wives. "...the Prophet Joseph and his wife Emma offered us a home in their family,... We had been there about a year when the principle of plural marriage was made known to us, and I was married to Joseph Smith on the 4th of March 1843, Elder Heber C. Kimball performing the ceremony. My sister Eliza was also married to joseph a few days later. This was done without the knowledge of Emma Smith. Two months afterward she consented to give her husband two wives, providing he would give her the privilege of choosing them. She accordingly chose my sister Eliza and myself, and to save family trouble Brother Joseph thought it best to have another ceremony performed. Accordingly on the 11th of May, 1843, we were sealed to Joseph Smith a second time, in Emma's presence,... From that very hour, however, Emma was our bitter enemy. We remained in the family several months after this, but things went from bad to worse until we were obligated to leave the house and find another home." Historical Record, Vol. 6, p. 140, as quoted in the Salt Lake City Messenger, January 1988, "Reason!" by Jerald and Sandra Tanner Joseph Smith not only was practicing polygamy prior to receiving the revelation from god, he was also a liar by concealing his actions from his wife and causing his two new wives, Emily and Eliza, to also be participants in the deception which also entangled them in the lie. "Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy." The Holy Bible, Proverbs 12:20 (NAS) "And He was saying, 'That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." The Holy Bible, Mark 8:20 - 23 (NAS) "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of out Lord Christ but of heir own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hears of the unsuspecting." The Holy Bible, Romans 16:17 - 18 (NAS) JOSEPH SMITH PRACTICED POLYANDRY - THE TAKING OF ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE Once a deviated course is set, there is no end to the falsity that can be imagined and practiced. As in the case of Joseph Smith, his deliberate sinful violation of marriage, by engaging in polygamy, led again to his deliberate sinful violation of marriage by marrying women who already had husbands and were not divorced. Joseph Smith initiated the relationships by telling the women, under the guise of prophetic teaching, that their existing marriages were valid only under Gentile laws and were not recognized by god, because they had not been performed according to Mormon belief. Therefore those women were told they were free of the Gentile marriage and could then marry anyone else as they pleased, meaning Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith created a fabrication in order to satisfy his own lust and sinful desires. At the same time he caused others to sin when they accepted his teaching and belief. Joseph Smith is the classic example of a false prophet, and his actions are described minutely in 2 Peter 2:1 - 22 and Jude 4 - 16. THE COURSE OF POLYGAMY What has happened to this doctrine of polygamy? It was taught from the earliest days of the Mormon church by Joseph Smith and was then presented as a revelation in 1843. The doctrine continued under the leadership of president and prophet Brigham Young. He was even more adamant in teaching the doctrine. During Brigham Young's tenure as President of the Mormon church from 1844 until 1877, Orson Pratt was the foremost theologian in the church. He had much to say on the subject of polygamy: "From the... Revelation, given through Joseph, the Seer, it will be seen that God has actually commanded some of his servants {the Mormon Priesthood} to take more wives, and... if they refused to obey this command, after having the law revealed to them, they should be damned. This revelation, then, makes it a matter of conscience among all the latter-Day Saints; and they embrace it as a part and portion of their religion, and verily believe that they cannot be saved and reject it." LDS Apostle Orson Pratt, "The Seer", p. 13, 1853. Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor to Brigham Young is quoted as follows: "Some quietly listen to those who speak... against the plurality of wives, and against almost every principle that God has revealed. Such persons have half-a-dozen devils with them all the time. You might as well deny "Mormonism", and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the Twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose the doctrine, and the whole of them will be damned." Heber C. Kimball, LDS Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p. 203, 1856. "It would be as easy for the United States to build a tower to remove the sun, as to remove polygamy, or the Church and kingdom of God." Heber C. Kimball, LDS Millennial Star, Vol. 28, p. 190. Brigham Young taught the following on the subject: "Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned..." LDS President and Prophet Brigham young, Deseret News, November 14, 1855. "We are told that if we would give up polygamy--which we know to be a doctrine revealed from heaven, and it is of God and the world for it--but suppose this Church should give up this holy order of marriage, then would the devil, and all who are in league with him against the cause of God, rejoice that they had prevailed upon the Saints to refuse to obey one of the revelations and commandments of God to them... Will the latter-day Saints do this? No; they will not to please anybody." LDS President and Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, p. 239, June 3, 1866. "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. ...I heard the revelation on polygamy, and I believe it with all my heart, and I know it is from God..." LDS President and Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, p. 269, August 19, 1866. "Now, where a man in this church says, 'I don't want but one wife, I will live my religion with one,' he will perhaps be saved in the Celestial kingdom; but when he gets there he will not find himself in possession of any wife at all. He has had a talent that he has hid up. he will come forward and say, 'Here is that which thou gavest me, I have not wasted it, and here is the one talent,' and he will not enjoy it but it will be taken and given to those who have improved the talents they received, and he will find himself without any wife, and he will remain single forever and ever." LDS President and Prophet Brigham Young, Deseret News, September 17, 1873. Brigham Young must have forgotten his statements of 1855 and 1856, because in those he says that those who do not practice or deny the doctrine of polygamy will be damned. In his statement above, he says that the man who does not practice polygamy will be saved, but his only wife will be taken away from him. So much for the efficacy of sealings for eternity. Joseph Fielding Smith, the 6th president of the church said the following: "Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity, or nonessential to the salvation of mankind. In other words, some of the Saints have said, and believe that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the priesthood for time and eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could with more than one. I want here to enter my protest against this idea, for I know it is false... Therefore, whoever has imagined that he could obtain the fullness of the blessing pertaining to this celestial law, by complying with only a portion of its conditions, has deceived himself. He cannot do it. When that principle was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith,... he did not falter, although it was not until an angel of God, with a drawn sword, stood before him and commanded that he should enter into the practice of that principle, or he should be utterly destroyed, or rejected... I understand the law of celestial marriage to mean that every man in this Church, who has the ability to obey and practice it in righteousness and will not, shall be damned, I say I understand it to mean this and nothing less, and I testify in the name of Jesus that it does mean that." LDS Journal of Discourses, Vol. 20, pp. 28 - 31, 1878. When the Mormon pioneers and Brigham Young founded Salt Lake City in 1847, they foresaw the establishment of a Mormon country separate from the United States and not subject to the laws and control of the United States. Brigham Young became the governor of Utah and was soon at odds with the United States government over the control of the territory and also the enforcement of United States law. The United States government made it clear that the territory of Utah was under United States authority. In 1857, military action was taken and control of the territory was assumed by the United States. From its inception until its establishment in Utah, the Mormon church had come under criticism by society and had violated the laws of the United States because of the doctrine and practice of polygamy. The idea of Brigham Young, to establish a separate polygamous country within the borders of the United States, had no real chance of success. The conflict with the United States Government over polygamy escalated as the end of the 19th century came into view and the prospect of Utah becoming a state appeared over the horizon. After the Civil War, the concept of the American Union was cast in the blood of soldiers and Mormons in Utah had to face the fact that they had to make a choice; either obey the laws of the United States in relation to polygamy or face legal action and prison. During the period prior to 1890, there was much posturing and pontificating by the Mormon leaders, especially in relation to polygamy. The Mormon church was committed to a religious belief that led to polygamous marriages, and the United States was committed to enforcing the laws of the land and the moral values of Biblical Christianity that had caused the laws against polygamy to be established long before the establishment of the Mormon church. "'Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a State into the Union without denying the principle of polygamy?' 'If we are not admitted until then, we shall never be admitted.'" LDS President Brigham Young, Deseret News, October 10, 1866. REVELATIONS ARE NOT FOREVER Today, the Mormon church claims that it does not believe in the doctrine of polygamy and does not engage in the practice. This seems to be a great contradiction with former belief and doctrine, however, when one looks at the hierarchy of the Mormon church and what they actually believe about their positions and doctrines, it is not difficult to understand how this reversal of doctrine could be produced. NO PROPHECY, REVELATION OR DOCTRINE TAUGHT BY ANY PROPHET OF THE MORMON CHURCH, WHO IS DEAD, IS EVERLASTING, EVEN IF IT IS CLAIMED TO BE SO FROM GOD. THE MORMON CHURCH IS GOVERNED BY "LIVING PROPHETS" WHOSE PROPHECIES, REVELATIONS AND DOCTRINES SUPERSEDE ANY FORMER PROPHECIES, REVELATIONS AND DOCTRINES. EVEN WHEN THESE NEW PROPHECIES, REVELATIONS AND DOCTRINES CONTRADICT THOSE PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT, IT CAN STILL BE CLAIMED BY THE CHURCH THAT NO CHANGES HAVE EVER BEEN MADE TO MORMON DOCTRINE. It does not matter if those prophecies, revelations or doctrines contradict each other - the prophecies, revelations or doctrines of the "living prophet" cancel, nullify and replace any previous doctrine. Any previous prophecy, revelation or doctrine can be changed or replaced at any time by any "living prophet" simply by claiming a new revelation. This was the case with Brigham Young and his Adam-God doctrine. Since Brigham Young was dead, a new doctrine could then be claimed through "new revelation", and the then current "living prophet" and president of the Mormon church, Spencer W. Kimball, did just that. Brigham Young's doctrine contradicted previous Mormon teaching and Spencer W. Kimball's doctrine now contradicts Brigham Young's teaching. Contradictions do not matter - but they are not to be discussed openly. It is really not understandable how this type of "living prophet" revelation works. It would seem to be logical that it is god who gives the revelation and only uses the "prophet" as a vessel to reveal that revelation to the Mormon church. Why the death of the prophet should have any effect on the "revelation", which is from god, is a strange definition of revelation. Apparently god uses the death of prophets as a point of contact in order to clear away any old revelations that he wishes to abandon or change because they were given in error, or because of his lack of ability or integrity as a deity. The only other explanation is that the Mormon hierarchy has initiated the doctrine of the "living prophets" in order to provide a basis for changing, on their own, previous doctrines that they wish to abandon for reasons that are created by the hierarchy and not by god. Regardless of how the doctrine of the "living prophet" revelation came about, it should strike fear into the heart of every Mormon believer. No doctrine of the Mormon church can ever be considered correct, eternal or inviolate; because every doctrine can be changed when the "prophet" who gave it dies. The Mormon belief system has no integrity, consistency or eternally irrevocable principles or doctrines in which a person can place their confidence and trust. The Mormon "prophet" is a prophet while living only, and the Mormon God cannot be trusted to maintain the revelations that he has already given. By stating that revelations are eternal, and then changing his mind, the Mormon god is a liar. The Mormon believer who places trust in a God who is a liar cannot expect that his God will fulfill any promise that has been made. "...it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whosoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation." LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, "All Are Alike Unto God", p. 1. So, that explains the method. It also puts to rest the claim by any Mormon that their doctrines have never, and will never change; as LDS Apostle McConkie says above, "...or whosoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation." That means even the prophecies, revelations and doctrines of Joseph Smith are subject to change and, in fact, have been changed. It must also mean that revelation, being given by the "Heavenly Father" must not be exact, correct, or everlasting. The "Heavenly Father" himself must also not be exact or unchanging since his values change at will. Mormon doctrines have changed, they are changing now and they will continue to change in the future as the progression of "living prophets" determines what best suits their position at the time. Situational ethics and situational doctrines are not foreign to the Mormon church. The doctrine of the "living prophets" will insure that the Mormon church will be able to change its position on any issue, at any time to accommodate any circumstance, never having any regrets by looking back to the past .The "living prophet" of today will be the dead prophet of tomorrow and his revelations will then be subject to change and repudiation. Long live the "living prophet" if he wishes his revelations to remain. What did yesterday's "living prophet" say about the dead prophet, Brigham Young, and the Adam-God theory? "We warn against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance in the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine." LDS President Spencer W. Kimball, Deseret News, Church Section, October 9, 1976. Even in announcing the heresy of the Adam-God doctrine as it relates to Mormon doctrine, Mr. Kimball belied his duplicity. Fearing that contradiction of previous doctrines was still a great problem, he did not denounce Brigham Young for teaching false doctrine, he did not denounce a President of the church or a Prophet for teaching false doctrine, but he denounced the "General Authorities" of the past for ALLEGEDLY teaching false doctrine. He denounced a doctrine that he implied wasn't really wasn't taught by the hierarchy of the church but was alleged to have been taught. He sidestepped the issue, implied that the teaching never happened and said that non-specific individuals were alleged to have been involved. Dealing with truth in a truthful manner comes very hard for the hierarchy of the Mormon church, but when you are trying to cover an entire system of untruth, it becomes impossible. "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it..." The Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:14 (KJV) "God is not a man, that he should lie; nor a son of man, that he should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it." The Holy Bible. Numbers 23:19 - 20 (NIV) POLYGAMY NO LONGER PRACTICED - THE CHANGING DOCTRINE Today, the doctrine of polygamy, taught as a revelation from god by the founder and first prophet and seer of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith, has been replaced by a new "revelation" or manifesto, which sets aside the established teaching that initiated the practice. The manifesto was released on October 6, 1890 and is now part of the Doctrine and Covenants. "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the church over which I preside to have them do likewise. ...and I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land." LDS Prophet and President Wilford Woodruff, LDS Doctrine and Covenants, Declaration 1, October 6, 1890. The declaration was not a "revelation" from god, but simply a recommendation by Mr. Woodruff to the constituents of the Mormon church. It had no binding authority on the church and indicated no penalties against members who chose not to follow the "advice" in the declaration. The original and official doctrine, regarding the practice of polygamy, was not changed, repudiated or removed from the "Doctrine and Covenants, remaining as the official doctrine of the Mormon church today. The question must be asked: How did Mr. Woodruff change the doctrine regarding polygamy so that the members of the Mormon church did not have to practice the doctrine and would not be damned by not doing so? The answer is simple. He did not change the doctrine and THEREFORE ALL MORMONS WHO DO NOT PRACTICE POLYGAMY DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK AND ARE IN DANGER OF BEING DAMNED, AND ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE ELEVATED POSITION IN THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE GODS. This conclusion is inescapable considering what the "revelation" to Joseph Smith actually said: "...and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory...". LDS Prophet Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132. MORMON LEADERS CONTINUED TO PRACTICE POLYGAMY WHILE DENYING THAT THEY DID It is certain that Mr. Woodruff did not follow his own advice and many others in the hierarchy of the Mormon church chose not to follow his advice also, despite what they told their constituents:
Testimony given to the United States Congress by the Mormon leadership in the Reed Smoot Case, 1891, revealed the corruption at the highest levels of the Mormon church. LDS Prophet and President Joseph Fielding Smith revealed that he was a practicing polygamist after the Manifesto of 1890. Apostle Marriner W. Merrill performed a polygamous marriage for his son Charles E. Merrill after the manifesto of 1890. Many polygamous marriages were performed on the high seas, in Canada and in Mexico, not only with the blessing of the Mormon Presidency, but the plans were initiated through the Presidency. It is interesting to note that Prophets and Presidents Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph Fielding Smith and Heber J. Grant were all practicing polygamists after the Manifesto of 1890. A SAD LEGACY The issue of polygamy is a sensitive issue among Mormons and they do not like to discuss the subject. Most like to dismiss the issue with a statement to the affect that they simply do no practice polygamy any more. However, the issue will not go away, not because of its sinfulness, but because it was commanded by god and taught by the first seven Prophets and Presidents of the Mormon church and because the doctrine has not been repudiated. The doctrine is still part of the Doctrine and Covenants, and is a major foundation element of Mormon doctrine today. The entire concept of how the Mormon religion is structured and actually operates, both in this world and the next, is based on the concept of polygamy. Polygamy is not supported or taught in the Book of Mormon, but the doctrine has become a foundational principle that was taught beginning with the first Prophet and President of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith. An indication of how pervasive the doctrine became is that the first seven Prophets and Presidents of the Mormon church were polygamous:
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of god; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre..." The Holy Bible, Titus 1:5 - 7 (KJV) "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." The Holy Bible. 1 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous..." The Holy Bible, 1 Timothy 3:2 - 3 CONCLUSION A history of contradictions and the revelation of a god who cannot be trusted as to what he says and what he requires is the heritage of the Mormon church and its leadership. How is it possible that the Mormon church deviated so far from the doctrine regarding polygamy that is taught in the Book of Mormon within only five years of its founding? Not only are the two positions different, they are in direct opposition. The first Prophet and President of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith, who translated the Book of Mormon, completely ignored the words that he had written as a "revelation" engraved on the golden plates, and within just two or three years or their translation, began the practice of polygamy and also claimed to have received a new "revelation" that justified the polygamous conduct in which he was already engaged. Joseph Smith even pushed the limits of his polygamous practices by engaging in polyandrous relationships. The doctrine of polygamy had quickly become entrenched in the new religion because of the immoral character of the leadership, but also because of the changing direction the religion itself. Polygamy was seen as a necessity to produce the numbers of human children for the spirits of the "Heavenly Father's" world to inhabit. It was also necessary that the "Heavenly Father" have many wives to enable him to produce the millions and billions of those spirit children. The impossibility of one couple producing the numbers of children necessary in any reasonable amount of time led to the doctrine of polygamy; also a convenient accommodation and justification for conduct that had heretofore been considered immoral and abominable not only in the "Gentile" world but in the "revelation" in the Book of Mormon.
The Holy Bible, Psalm 101:7 "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..." The Holy Bible, Proverbs 6:16 -17 "For the land is full of adulterers; for the land mourns because of the curse. The pastures of the wilderness have dried up, their course also is evil and their might is not right. 'For both prophet and priest are polluted; even in My house I have found their wickedness,' declares the Lord." The Holy Bible, Jeremiah 23:10 - 11 "For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved." The Holy Bible, 2 Peter 2:18 - 19 "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" The Holy Bible, Matthew 15:7 - 9 |
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