Was the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints the only church in America to support polygamy?

Question

Now, I'm not going to judge Mormons because my church says that you can't get divorced.

It's dirty but Mormons had the right idea. Instead of getting a divorce just marry your mistress.

Too bad old Henry VIII wasn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints he could have a wife in every room at Windsor castle. LOL:)

But all joking aside Brigham Young didn't hide his sins in the closet. He flaunted his sinful lifestyle in public. Ironically he had a house built that he called, "Lions House" where he housed all of his 51 wives (just like the house on "Big Love", the HBO special about Mormon polygamy).

http://www.utah.com/mormon/lion_house.htm

You can even get married there.

http://www.weddingsattemplesquare.com/venues/lh.html

I wonder if they require you to bring say 10 wives? LOL! Well maybe they don't do that anymore:)

Answer 1

If I remember correctly and I may be wrong, the christian bible teaches polygamy as well. The only difference is in timothy where elders and deacons should be the husband of one wife. What about the guys that didn't want that responsibility? What about guys that had more than one wife when they converted from judaism. Many of the old testament patriarchs had more than one wife. Why not now?

I hope you all realize of course that I'm totally joking, and am not suggesting any such thing.

Answer 2

Some African tribes and Islam allow for polygamy: The holy Quran, Islamic scriptural book, Chapter on The Women (Q 4:3) that “And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among (other) women such as are lawful to you – (even) two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then (only) one…”

Polygamy is an excellent way to quickly create many converts. Mormons figured this out very early on, and the only time Joseph Smith spoke of an angel threatening him with a sword was when he needed to convince another woman to be his sexual partner. A few women were not so gullible as to believe his story and left his fate with the sword bearing angel up to chance. (summarized from The Latter Day Saints in the Modern Day World by Whalen)

For those who think that the Bible condones polygamy: think again. Several Old Testament men such as Abraham, Jacob and Solomon practiced polygamy which was a pagan practice. Search anywhere in the Bible to see whether or not God approved of it. These men's lives were riddled with chaos because of their bad choices.

Answer 3

It's the only one I know of. However, the Mormon church no longer allows it, to my knowledge.

The Mormon church tends to frown on extramarital affairs, so even a man who practiced polygamy, in the approval of the church, was not really doing it for the reason you suggest -- marrying a current mistress.

To be fair, even the most respected good guys in the Bible/Torah were guilty of polygamy and infidelity. King David, a man after God's own heart, had polygamy, adultry and murder sins in ONE instance. He bedded another man's wife, had her husband murdered, then added her to his menagerie of wives.

Technically, polygamy was ok with God, particularly in the Old Testament. Adultry, extramarital affairs were not, and was a sin worthy of death.

Answer 4

He didn't have all of his wives in one house. He had houses in Logan, Ogden, Provo, Manti, and St. George, where he had some of his wives living. And Lucy Decker Young lived in teh Beehive house.

However, just before he died, he deeded a house to all his surviving wives. According to his daughter, he said he wished he had done that a lot sooner.

Answer 5

define "creepy". I advise, i discover Catholic Mass to be in basic terms somewhat creepy. right this is a common Church service for us. Announcments beginning off hymn beginning off prayer Ward company (callings, releases, confirmations, infant advantages, etc.) Sacrament hymn blessing and passing of sacrament (bread and water) talks, with an interlude hymn or (first Sunday of hte month) rapid and Testimony service. final hymn final prayer Thats it. i do no longer understand if something right here looks creepy to you. it is your call.

Answer 6

Um...actually you are judging Mormons.

.....just another Mormon hater.

(and "Big Love" isn't about a Mormon, it's about a non-Mormon living in Utah)

Answer 7

yes the key word is WAS