Comments on: My Perspective on Polygamy

By: Mormon Heretic » Introduction to “More Wives Than One” by Kathryn Daynes

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:44:49 +0000

[...] may remember my earlier post outlining my perspective on Polygamy, as well as Bushman’s perspective. I must say that I was very uncomfortable [...]

By: Mormon Heretic » Balaam: Prophet, Wicked One, Both, Neither?

Mormon Heretic » Balaam: Prophet, Wicked One, Both, Neither? — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:28:19 +0000

[...] one of my requests! Tara and I have been discussing several topics, such as the Priesthood Ban, Polygamy, and Abraham, and the story of Balaam always seems to come up. She takes the position that Balaam [...]

By: Establishing the tribes of Israel: the real reason for plural marriage « LDS Anarchy

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:48:54 +0000

[...] I would check out what was new. That’s when I saw he had two recent posts on polygamy. (See My perspective on polygamy—he also has the same post at Mormon Matters—and Bushman’s Perspective on Polygamy, Alger [...]

By: MH

MH — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:24:12 +0000

“Laws and covenants don’t change, but commandments do, as I stated previously.”

Ok, I think some definitions are in order. Tara, what are your specific distinctions between laws, covenants, and commandments?

By: Bishop Rick

Bishop Rick — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:00:01 +0000

Brigham Young commissioned Orson Pratt to write a paper on Celestial Marriage and upon completion to deliver it in discourse form to the church in the Tabernacle. This discourse is recorded in the Journal of Discourse volume 1 pg. 53. In his opening sentence, he equates the topic of Celestial Marriage to Plurality of Wives.

Brigham Young references this discourse in talks of his own, reiterating what Pratt stated. I have also read a talk by John Taylor (in the JoD) who unequivocally states that the New and Everlasting Covenent is Plurality of wives. I can’t remember the location of that one, but will look it up and post when I find it.

MH is absolutely correct that the early church did not separate Celestial Marriage (The New and Everlasting Covenant) and Plural Marriage.

Tara: I’m sorry, but polygamy was not merely a temporary commandment as you state. It was the New and EVERLASTING COVENANT.

Big difference.

By: Mormon Heretic

Mormon Heretic — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:36:41 +0000

Tara seems to be making separating plural marriage from the New and Everlasting Covenant in this comment. It seems to me she is engaging in an argument of semantics. It is absolutely clear to me that prophets Joseph Smith until Wilford Woodruff's Manifesto, clearly viewed these things as the same. Since then, perhaps a distinction could be made between the two, but clearly there was no separation prior to Woodruff. In fact, some people have believed Celestial (or plural) marriage was so central to salvation, that they have continued the practice. The Allred group, the LeBaron Group, and even some apostles continued to perform polygamist marriages, that a second Manifesto happened in 1904. At least 2 apostles resigned (Matthew Cowley's resignation led to the appointment of David O McKay as a new apostle.) Clearly Matthew Cowley did not support Woodruff's revelation banning polygamy in 1890.

By: Bushman’s Take on Polygamy at Mormon Matters

Bushman’s Take on Polygamy at Mormon Matters — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:35:20 +0000

[...] few weeks ago, here at Mormon Matters, I posted on My Perspective on Polygamy (with a longer version found on my blog.) I hinted that I wanted to talk about it some more, and [...]

By: MH

MH — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:50:17 +0000

Doug and Tara. Thanks for helping me hit 100 comments! This is my first triple-digit post!

Doug, you said, But Josesph Smith was inspired with it. Did he get everything right in regard its practice? Probably not.

Do you mind telling me what Joseph Smith got wrong in the practice of polygamy? I’m curious.

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:17:58 +0000

DougT,

I appreciate your testimony of the principle of polygamy. I haven’t prayed on the subject, but in my own studies, I have been touched by the Spirit very powerfully even in spite of my own reservations about it. I didn’t understand it, didn’t want to live it and had a hard time understanding why God might expect me to live it someday. Yet I remained open and hoped to better understand it.

And I agree that it isn’t meant for now.

By: DougT

DougT — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:55:19 +0000

I can testify without doubt that polygamy WAS inspired by God. The Holy Ghost and I have spent hours discussing this subject. He has demonstrated its point.

The principle is simple. The answer is in front of our faces, in so many aspects. Yet it isn’t time to be preaching the practice of this principle. I therefore can’t explain it here.

But Josesph Smith was inspired with it. Did he get everything right in regard its practice? Probably not. But any new concept requires education.