The Mormon faith has it's foundation in polygamy. Why do they deny that it isn't?

Question

Look at the writings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to look no further than what it states about it.

Brigham Young made this uncompromising statement on August 19, 1866:

"The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, page 269)

http://utlm.org/newsletters/no66.htm#ABSOLUTELY%20ESSENTIAL

Eeyore. It is not prejudice to ask a question. I put a DIRECT quote from one of the religions founders and instead of answering the question you attacked me.

Mary...I point blank added the link which I got the information from.

Answer 1

They deny it, sweet girl, because their "prophet" changed the rules in order for Utah to become a state. It appears that every time something becomes unpopular within the Mormon empire, they have a revelation and change courses. The same happened when they were accused of being racist in the 1950's or '60's and wouldn't allow blacks to hold the priesthood. So they had a revelation and changed it. That's why theologians consider Mormonism to be a cult.

I thank God that HE never changes! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God bless!

Answer 2

With all the misinformation being spread by the ones who should know...yes, the LDS folks here...I thought I would also weigh in on this topic.

First of all, census records indicate that there were more men than women in the church during the early days and nowhere in the multitudes of diaries, revelations, conference addresses, etc. does it ever mention that the purpose of polygamy was to take care of the women and children who had lost husbands and children. You church members need to realize that you are passing on misinformation and do a little research before you go spreading that urban legend.

Secondly, although Joseph Smith started the LDS church, he is also considered the founder of a multitude of Mormon splinter groups. One could argue that polygamy was the foundation of the Brighamite branch of Mormonism being that those who followed Brigham Young on their westward trek were those who embraced the practice. If you do a little research you will find that there were many groups that split off from the church because they rejected polygamy. Emma Smith (Joseph's first wife) did not go west with the main body of the Saints after Joseph's death because of her disagreements with Brigham over polygamy and how Joseph's personal property (which was financially tied to the church) should be handled. The branch that her son, Joseph Smith the third, eventually became the leader of was the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and denied that the prophet was involved in polygamy for most of their history. So in a sense, polygamy was a foundational difference between the LDS church and some of its splinter groups.

Answer 3

Since the journal of discourses isn't put out by the church, it's possible that some things were either taken out of context, or were interpreted in other ways then what it was meant to be. Taking one time sentence from a long talk takes it out of context. Once that happens, it allows for misinterpretation and the likes.

Because polygamy was a very small part of the church's history, it shouldn't be looked at so heavily. It wasn't founded on the concept of polygamy, and polygamy isn't practiced today. It did happen, and none of us are denying that. It was a commandment from God for a time, but only about 5% of the church even practiced it. Seems odd that people would fixate on something that wasn't widely practiced.

Answer 4

There was at one time in the church a need for polygamy. when the mormons had been driven from their homes in Missouri and Illinois and everywhere else, they came to Utah. In the process of fighting for their religious freedom and crossing this great country, many of the men died. Because women at the time could not own land and could not vote and had no basic rights, it was necessary for them to marry another woman's husband so that they could survive. when the United States government outlawed the practice, the Mormon Church also did away with it. Our religions foundation isn't based on this concept...it was just a part of our religious history. The foundation of the LDS church is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.

Answer 5

Because its a complete and utter lie. Why else would we deny it.

Polygamy was a late mormon development. The idea that it's a foundation of the faith is absurd. It completely ignores the decade + years surounding the translation of the Book of Mormon, the revelations in Kirtland, the restoration of the Priesthood. The appearance of God, Jesus and hosts of angels to the Saints. The visions of the Gospel etc.

Brigham Young's quote in context is quite easy to understand. They were commanded to enter polygamy at the time. Anyone who is commanded by God to do something and does not do it cannot enter into exaltation. Noah could never have been exalted had he not built the Ark. Abraham could not have been exalted if he had not offered up Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. Because that is what they were commanded to do.

You see context matters. In fact, its everything. to claim that polygamy is the foundation of mormonism is disingenous at best and deceptive at worst. If you want to know the foundation of the Mormon faith, read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covnenants and the Pearl of Great Price. You will soon find that Jesus Christ is the center of them all. He is the Chief Cornerstone of the foundation which is built upon Apostles and Prophets.

I don't expect you to believe it. But why misrepresent the truth?

Answer 6

Brigham Young was one man, and an opinionated one at that.
Polygamy was begun as a way to take care of the families of men 'murdered' by good christians in 'mob violence'. the one thing christians do really well together, as a group thing.
These good christians, in 'mob groups, (like the KKK did in the south) chased the Mormons, from state to state, killing the men, raping the women, and then riding off into the night, like the cowards they were..
The practiced was continued to take care of all these women and their children, until Utah became a state, and then it was abolished.
It may have continued in the Reformed church, but, not in the main body of the LDS church.
The fact that people are not smart enough to understand the concept of ''no polygamy today'' is not the fault of the LDS, even thought it is said umteen times a week on this site.
The fact is, that people enjoy making fun of other people's religion, much, to much to stop doing it.
There is nothing lower than a person who takes the name of a person's church, Mormons, and drops a letter to make it morons, instead. WOW, can we say witty?
NOT!!!

EDIT.
HUGS and stars to Universal Pants, and CC

Answer 7

That quote doesn't mean anything. It's very likely that it wasnt even written by Brigam Young. Polygamy wasnt even a big deal, and only certain men were called to take more than one wife. It's not even close to being a foundation dude. But thanks anyways....

By the way, get over the whole polygamy thing people: It was like 150 years ago and there WAS A REASON FOR IT

Answer 8

The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and
so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances
may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted,
according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is
scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage
if they do not wish it, and they also have the right to exclude it in
their marriage contract.

Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted.
Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a
man is only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the
stringent conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with
separate housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not
associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather
associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the
Quran that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy
among the Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered
them "property".

It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated
this practice, limited it, made it more humane, and instituted equal
rights and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic decrees amount to,
taken together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it
exists. It is also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy
and not polygamy. It is a very tiny percentage of Muslims that
practice it over the world. However, permission to practice limited
polygamy is only consistent with Islam's realistic view of the nature
of man and woman and of various social needs, problems and cultural
variations.

The question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of
Islam; it also is the frank and straightforward approach of Islam in
dealing with practical problems. Rather than requiring hypocritical
and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of
individuals and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean
solutions which are far more beneficial than would be the case if they
were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married
and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal
rights or expermanence.

Answer 9

Polygamy is biblical. Read the bible and you will see that some of the greatest prophets practiced polygamy. Why do Christians ignore that little fact?

That said, how can we deny that which is not true? The Church is founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ; Christ being the chief cornerstone. Christ is the only one that saves, not polygamy or anything else.

Answer 10

CC and Universal Pants has it right. Polygamy was practiced, but I have found nothing that says the L.D.S. Church was started for sexual reasons. If anyone has any proof otherwise, I would be willing to listen or read.

Answer 11

You are telling a lie when you say that Mormonism "has it's foundation in polygamy". Will you admit that you are wrong ?