In the LDS Church, is it true that polygamy is going to be reinstated sometime in the future?

Question

Do you have to participate in polygamy to achieve exhaltation? If yes, why is this necessary? Please provide sources.

Are there any other LDS women out there who are extremely uncomfortable with this?

Answer 1

Nothing will ever be forced on us. That is contrary to God. Even in the early days of the church, when polygamy was practiced, the first wife [or wives] had to agree to an addition - not only in the theoretical, but also in the particular. A man couldn't just go out and select a wife. Read up on some of the Journals of the early saints who participated in polygamy, it will clear a lot of this up for you.

Remember, our most precious gift from our Heavenly Father is our agency -- it is an eternal principle. We will not lose it in the worlds to come.

If you have further questions, feel free to email me.

Answer 2

At the time polygamy was practiced there was a legitimate reason for it. Today it would serve no purpose. If you study history you will find that the practice polygamy was not that uncommon at the time throughout the United States. It was a much different world then. An unmarried woman had virtually no rights. She couldn't vote, own land or hold any real job. An unmarried woman was a social outcast, and if she didn't have someone to support her she would be financially destitute. Woman in such circumstances would often prefer to be a 2nd or 3rd wife than have no husband at all. You also have to consider that men had a higher mortality rate than women. If the husband died and there was no one available to marry it put the widow in a very difficult position. Many plural marriages were completely nonsexual. In the 1800's when polygamy was practiced marriage wasn't what it is today. It was more of a business arrangement and was a social necessity. Plural marriage wasn't about lust or self gratification, it was about compassion. When society and conditions changed in the US, polygamy was no longer necessary and was done away with by law and by revelation from God.

The polygamy you hear about today is nothing like what happened in the 1800’s and has nothing to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). When the leader of the LDS Church put an end to polygamy, some members of the church were not willing to accept it. These members split off and formed their own church called The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). They believe in polygamy and practice it illegally to this day.

Answer 3

A marriage performed by the priesthood authority is necessary to achieve exaltation for those that have the ability. Plural marriages are not necessary.

I don't believe polygamy will be reinstated, at least before the Millenium. Who knows what'll happen then.

I believe that we live in the dispensation of the fulness of times and that everything had to be restored at least for a while, including polygamy. Now that it has been restored and taken again, there is no purpose to bringing it back.

Answer 4

no and no. It's not necessary for exhaltation and even if it were to ever be reinstated, not everyone would have to participate in it. There is no doctrine saying that it will be reinstated.
Personally, I don't give a hoot either way. I love my marriage the way it is, but I think polygamy would be harder on him than it would be on me.

Answer 5

There won't be any unhappy or disgruntled Celestial beings.

It's never been stated that it will be reinstated, however many speculate that it will be in the next life. After all, multiple women can be sealed to the same man.

No, polygamy is in no way required for exaltation.

Answer 6

In the LDS Scripture "Doctrine and Covenants" it says basically "put up or shut up" to Emma Smith, concerning whether or not she was willing to give her blessings to Joseph Smith to take on more wives. It is true that nobody was "forced" into polygamous marriage but many girls were told that by marrying a church leader, theirs and their familys places in heaven would be assured. I was taught this as a Mormon and at the time had no problem with it.

Answer 7

When it was practiced, it was required for exaltation.

When it was repealed, it was prophesied that it would return to the Earth before Christ's second coming.

Now, it is interpreted that it wasn't "polygamy" that was required, but simply marriage in the temple. The prophecy stands, but the Church makes a conscious effort not to address it, because they realize that they will never actually reinstate it, and they don't want to call public attention and scrutiny to the "technicality" that it's supposed to return.

Answer 8

If you truly understood the doctrine you would not have a problem with it.

However you don't and no matter what I say to help you understand the doctrine, you would have a problem with it.

Will it be reinstated? Not in this life.

Is it required for Exhaltation? Yes

Is it required for Salvation? NO

Sources: Get your own. That way when you have to work for something, you appreciate the knowledge more.

Answer 9

I don't know.
If it is you can be sure that it will be at a time when we are able to receive it.
Personally I hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime.
That said when Joseph first told Emma about the revelation concerning polygamy she wasn't all for it either.

Answer 10

Heck no, I'm not uncomfortable with it! It could work out really well. Shoot, if you make friends with your "sister wives", the poor husband is cooked!!