How do Mormons keep a straight face as they excommunicate polygamists from their church?

Question

How do Mormons keep a straight face as they excommunicate polygamists from their church, when the entire religion was written by a polygamist?

Answer 1

They practice keeping a straight face when they read about Joseph Smith's magic glasses. In comparison it's pretty easy.

Answer 2

First of all- at the time the church was organized, poligamy was not in practice. That came many years later in a divine revelation. Joseph Smith only practiced it , the last few years of his life. Mormons believe in following the laws of the land- which I believe was a good part of the reson the practice ws stopped. It was stopped shortly after the time that laws we passed outlawing it.

Part of the reason they are excomunicating the people is because Mormons also believe in not having sex with anyone whom you are not LEGALLY married to. Since it is the second wife is not a legal wife, then that puts them in violation of that commandment, as well as in violation of the laws of the land.

Also the other thing that you have to realize is that Modern day poligamy has become more than just having multiple wives. Many times, they are young teenaged girls being forced into poligamy against their will. Many times there is also rape and insest involved and that is definitely against the rules of the church, as it should be. Molestation has NEVER and will NEVER be condoned by the LDS Church, because Jesus Christ is at the head of the church, and he does not tolerate people offending his little ones.

Now it is important to remember that in the US it is not customary for people to marry until they are adults, if they do at a younger age, they have to consent and their parents have to give permission, but I think the youngest age a person is allowed to get married is 16. That was not the case in the latter part of the 19th century, it was in fact customary for girls as young as 14 to get married, even in the US., especally in the west. So there, I jsut blew that arguement. Also when it was in practice, nobody was forced into it, the women involved had to give their consent. Also there was never a period when more than 20% of the church was practicing poligamy.

One more thing to refute your agument, I know that you don't believe this, but the church was not "written" by Joseoh Smith, he simply translated some ancient records, there is a huge difference. He also recorded many of the divine revalations which he recieved. But if course in order to believe that he was an actual prophet and that he really did restore the ancient church to the earth, you must put aside all your pride and predjudices and pray in faith. Maybe if you were more open minded you would not feel free to come here and bash some thing that you really have little knowledge of.

Answer 3

We don't try to reject our polygamist history. That would be impossible anyway. Nevertheless, we make it clear that we do not allow our members to have more than one wife at a time now.

By the way, the religion was not written by Joseph Smith (who I assume you're referring to in the question). It was authored by Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was His prophet.

Answer 4

Why do you care what Mormons do?

Do you believe the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) is the only church on the Earth authorized by Jesus Christ?

No?

If you think Mormons are fake, then why do you care how Mormons discipline their own membership?

If you do believe the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints is authorized and directed by Jesus Christ, then you understand and accept the teachings of the Church, for you recognize those teachings come from Jesus Christ.

What church are you affiliated with, or do you participate in one?

Shall we make fun of your beliefs, or ridicule your lack of faith?

Mormons either have the most important message in the entire World, or they're perpetrating a fraud.

What Mormons teach is either the truth, or else Mormons are liars.

There's no middle ground - - - it's all one, or all the other.

I'm a Mormon, and a convert, having grown up attending another church.

I can tell you the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is true.

I know, because I've read it, studied it, prayed about it, and struggled with it.

I know the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ, and the only church acting with His authority.

I know this because of years of study, prayer, and personal struggle, and because the Holy Ghost has borne witness to my spirit.

I know that Jesus Christ is alive and well, and because He overcame death, all of us, whether Mormon or not, shall also eventually be resurrected from our graves, and according to how we've lived while in mortality, we shall have opportunities for personal growth and progression through the Eternities.

This is not something that can be rationally explained.

You can only know these things if you honestly and sincerely seek to learn.

Study the Book of Mormon, compare it with the Holy Bible (which we also believe in), ask God if it's true, and test the principles that are taught by applying them in your personal life.

Then, you can know if it's really true, or if it's just a silly con game.

Answer 5

Ah, more slander...how Christ-like.
So I take it you don't believe in the bible either because there were MANY prophets of old who had multiple wives...

Yes, there were some who practicied polygamy in the early days of the church's organization for reasons I don't need to go into...but the most important reason, the only one that really matters, is because God commanded it. Then, it was taken back, probably partly because it was then against the law and we believe in obeying all laws of the land.
So, keep trying to spread rumors if that's all you can do I guess..

Answer 6

there was a court case about polygamy that was lost, and a revelation followed that polygamy ended

the problem is that the founders called it an eternal ordinance... hence the slpit in views

Ithink the difference of opinion is more sinsere than you grant, but I would not agree with either... Joeseph Smith used occultism divining stones when he came upon the tablets which violated the law of Moses.. so I have to reject him as a flase prophet

Answer 7

You mean like this:

The revelation of which you speak, dated July 12, 1843, contained the following:


"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, 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--

"Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.

"Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions . . .

"For behold, I reveal unto you a new and 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. . . .

"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. . . .

"And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood--if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another . . . he is justified; he cannot commit adultery with that 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." (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, verses 1-3, 52, 61-62)

Answer 8

Revisionism. They believe that God updates his revelations to suit current policies.