Is it fair to not consider polygamist Mormons "real" Mormons?

Question

Especially if they are more in step with the original teachings? And do Modern day mormons (LDS) reject any other teachings of Joseph Smith, or just this one?

Answer 1

We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith is not God, and the real Mormons are LDS.

Answer 2

The phrase "modern Mormon polygamist" is a misnomer. Mormons do not practice polygamy. Even in cultures where polygamy is acceptable (some Muslim countries, for example), Mormons NEVER have more than one wife. Any member found to have more than one wife is excommunicated.

Mormons believe polygamy is only acceptable on very rare occasions when God authorizes it (i.e. Abraham, Issac, Jacob, etc.). Otherwise, monogamy is the rule. (This is the message of Jacob 2:27-30 in the Book of Mormon.) Because God commanded Mormons to stop practicing polygamy in 1890, Mormons believe that modern-day polygamists are acting contrary to God's will. It is not that Mormons secretly want to practice polygamy but that the law/social norms/societal pressure prevent them. Mormons sincerely are not interested in practicing polygamy, because God has said it is no longer authorized.

Those that practice polygamy in Utah and Arizona are not Mormons. They belong to separate religions (usually FLDS).

http://www.allaboutmormons.com

Answer 3

LDS members are not polygamists. Members of the FLDS are polygamists. The LDS Church is not associated at all with the FLDS church.

We aren't "rejecting" the teachings of Joseph. Polygamy had a place in HISTORY. Many families lost the husband/father and they needed to be taken care of. We believe in modern-day revelation and we were told that the practice of polygamy was to be stopped.

The FLDS Church doesn't claim to be part of us and many state they aren't "Mormons."

Answer 4

There has been no rejection of the teachings of Joseph Smith. Not even polygamy. I site the 12th Article of Faith
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."
It is against the law in the United States to practice polygamy and so we do not practice it., but we have not rejected the doctrine, nor it is not actively taught anymore. I do not know if or when polygamy will ever be put back into practice and I really do not care.

Answer 5

We believe in obeying the laws of the land- that is a teaching of Joseph Smith. Polygamy is contrary to the Laws of the land. Also it is not required or needed at this time. I have my own theories as to why the Lord instituted this practice.

The modern day prophet receives revelation from the Lord, we pretty much go with what he says.

And no Polygamists are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the mainstream Mormon Church) They may call themselves Mormon, but they are not LDS .

Answer 6

It is my understanding that the church did not reject the teaching of plural marriage, but rather they simply stopped practicing it because it was in conflict with the laws of the land. One of the principles of the LDS gospel is to honor and obey the law, so the practice of polygamy had become sticky. As earlier noted, there is a passage in the Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon that explains the proper practice of the law. I believe Joseph Smith first began teaching the concept after long study and contemplation of Old Testament prophets e.i. Abraham, who had many wives. As far as other doctrines of Joseph Smith are concerned, I believe they are fairly closely adhered to. Blood atonement, as was earlier referenced, was a concept of Brigham Young, the second prophet of the church. Those break-off sects who still practice polygamy live a strange contortion of LDS doctrine. But as far as who you choose to call Mormon, that is purely arbitrary. We don't refer to ourselves as Mormon, but instead Latter-Day Saints. The fact is, the two churches are as similar today as the Presbyterians and the Baptists.

Answer 7

Actually, the practice of plural marriage was not instituted nor taught until just a year before Joseph Smith died, so I don't think it would really qualify as one of the Church's "original" teachings.

If you want to get technical, however, the apostate polygamist sects can't legally call themselves Mormons, because the word Mormon is a trademark owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Answer 8

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My understanding that that anyone who believes that the Book of Mormon is scripture is Mormon. I know other Mormons may disagree with me, though.

And I do not reject polygomy. I just believe that God commanded it for a time, and it is no longer needed. Like animal sacrifice, or preaching to Gentiles, or other things that God has changed in the past.

Answer 9

Every Christian denomination in practice today doesn't follow EVERY rule specified at the time of its establishment, and/or has made at least one new rule since. LDS is no exception.

However, no member of the LDS church practices polygamy. There is an off-shoot church called LDSF (Latter-Day Saints Fundamentalists, as they call themselves) that do believe in and practice polygamy. They had to organize their own denomination specifically because the LDS church does not condone polygamy, and they disagreed.

Answer 10

Since the people of this site don;t be able to understand, or comprehend?
also Mormons id the slanderous term, given to the LDS by, the people that are making fun of them. You people might want to try and remember that in the future.
Now, LDS DO NOT, (I REPEAT,) DO NOT PRACTICE POLYGAMY, ANYMORE!
THEY DON'T DO THAT, ANYMORE!
NO MORE POLYGAMY!!
NO POLYGAMY !!
The Reformed church of is a bastardized offshoot of the original mainline religion. they make up their own doctrine as they go along, and have nothing to do with the original religion, in doctrine or anyhting else.
Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth, at the behest of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father.