Why do mormons reject polygamy now when their founder practice it?

Question

I know originally they rejected it so Utah could become a state, but seems strange they would reject a part of their religion for that.

Answer 1

that and to keep from having the US Army violently evict them from the land they had settled ( interesting thing to research )

also the agreement was far from complete - the majority ruled ( majority of the church leaders ) there have been similar periods in Christianity - the early Christians had many beliefs about Jesus including his divinity ( the majority ruled then too so he is the Son of God ) and when the current Bible was adapted King James ( yes there was one ) decreed what changes to make ( they really don't like people knowing these things so don't spread it around - you could be stoned for heresy - well not now but soon )

Answer 2

There are already some good answers here from practicing Mormons. From my point of view, polygamy was actually a temporary principle, and if the Civil War had never happened, it is my opinion (with emphasis on the word "opinion") that at least a fraction of the soldiers who died would have met and married some of the sisters who were involved in polygamy. The reason I say that is because of doing research for a musical play, where I found out at least 1 or 2 women decided not to be a polygamous wife anymore and ended up marrying soldiers who came through Utah. The Lord's standard is actually 1 woman to 1 man (see Book of Mormon reference, Jacob 2:26-30) but on occasion - and this applied to Biblical times as well - polygamy was sanctioned as a temporary practice (with emphasis on temporary) in order to raise up a righteous generation. We are not actually rejecting polygamy, but returning to the original standard of one man and one woman - because the Civil War is long over and the practice of polygamy was ended by revelation by prophet Wilford Woodruff in 1890. In my opinion, during the Millennium under the reign of Jesus Christ, there will be time for all the family connections to get worked out. I believe there is somebody for everyone, and we will all be delighted with the eternal companion we choose to receive. Have a happy day, and I send you a gummy bear.

Answer 3

The US Government Forced them to reject their Teaching on Polygamy before Utah could become a State.

Answer 4

They didn't reject it specifically so Utah could be a state.

Polygamy has in certain times been permitted by God among His people (i.e. Abraham, Isaac, David, and in the early Christian Church) either for need (after wars when many men were killed) or as a way to further encourage people to "multiply and replenish the earth".

According to the Mormons, God allowed polygamy for about 40-50 years in the mid-to-late 1800's. At that time, as in biblical times, only a few people (roughly 3% of Mormon men) practiced it. When polygamy began to be persecuted later on, it hindered more than it helped the growth of Mormonism. So, of course, God would not want his people to suffer unduly and repealed the practice for the time being.

If you ask a practicing Mormon, he or she will probably say that "God could reinstitute it and take it back whenever he wanted" but that for the time being, with the world as it is now, it is not necessary.

Answer 5

Continuing revelation. The church would have continued to practice it, had the prophet not received revelation that it should be discontinued.

Why don't Christians practice blood sacrifice when their founder practiced it? Why don't Christians practice polygamy when nearly ALL of their Biblical prophets practiced it? Getting the picture? Continuing revelation is how God has always worked and He continues to work that way even today.

I would think that the more pressing question for a good Christian like you would be why the Mormons were driven brutally, violently from their homes many times, eventually being forced to go on a death march out of the "land of the free" in order to have freedom of religion. I would think you'd also be wondering why the US army was poised and ready to sweep down on them and massacre them just as they did the native americans if they did not change their religious beliefs... Perhaps those are questions you'd rather not think about? I don't blame you...

Edit: Jesus was a practicing Jew who worshipped in the Jewish tample and taught in the synagogue. Of course he offered up sacrifices, as did ALL Jews in His day. As to which prophets were polygamists...you may want to take a read through the Bible... Most of the prophets in there were polygamists. (for example, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, etc.)

Answer 6

The same kinds of questions could be asked of other religions. Why was there once a married pope but now Catholic priests are not allowed to marry? That is just one example.

It was a thing that was done as a way of taking care of others at the time. There have already been several good posts in response to this question and leave it at that.

Answer 7

It was only adopted because women were not allowed to work so if their husband died then one of the other men would step in to take care of her and the kids. Women today can do anything they want so there is no need for polygamy

Answer 8

Because times change. Abraham, David, Solomon et al were all polygamists too. Yet Christians and Jews don't practice it anymore.

Answer 9

beta-fish.
for my education could you tell me what blood sacrifices Jesus practiced also which Christian prophets practiced polygamy.
thanks.

Answer 10

Because on the third day Joseph Smith raised from the dead and fulfilled the old laws.