Edward Stevenson
May 1, 1820 – January 27, 1897
Until a month or so ago I had never heard of Edward Stevenson. I obviously knew about the MTC (Missionary Training Center), but had no idea one of the buildings on BYU’s campus was named in his honor or what significance this man’s name surely holds for everyone whose shadow has crossed the doorway.
For those who don’t know who this man was you’ll learn he is considered the premiere example of what a missionary’s life should look like.
Our questions are why and are the missionaries aware of this man’s past? The history of this man’s personal life shows no hint of what it means to be a missionary for the Lord when you take several factors of his life into account.
1. He was a polygamist
2. He broke God’s commandments by marrying sisters – 2 or 3 sets of them.
3. He didn’t care for his family before leaving on his missions.
4. He married children.
As I looked for information on this person I was reminded once again how members of the 
Church kept repeating the same behavior pattern we’ve seen in our previous additions to our series on Polygamy & Mormon Church Leaders.
Loyalty to Joseph Smith and the Church outweighed loyalty to the family which is odd considering they call themselves a family focused church. Furthermore, while out pounding the pavement for God the Bible is maligned by preaching a false gospel that was delivered by an angel of light. Galatians 1:6-9.
Mr. Stevenson had anywhere from 6-8 wives – the number is unclear due to lack of verifiable information and somewhere around 28 kids. You can read our short bio on him and the wives here.
The reason I feel it’s important to add this man’s bio to our series is because I know the pride these young people hold in their hearts for their church and culture. When you’re a young Mormon without a lot of life experience it’s only natural to believe what you’re taught without question. I feel that each and every Mormon deserves to know the truth, thus the work of LAM.
More than anything we’re praying Mormons young and old come to a saving knowledge of this Jesus in the Bible. We hope they understand the Jesus of Mormonism and the Jesus of Christianity aren’t the same.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
1 Cor 1:18
This is interesting because many college campuses have buildings named after people. Who takes time to find out what that person did? Here you see each and every name, symbol on the LDS temples, etc. tells the real story of Mormonism and not what the leaders are trying to put across to members today. When we ask TODAY’S members about their history, they were not taught this so say that WE must be lying. All they have to do is read their history to see the truth.
In my Christian church we talk about Historical Christianity. We can read about the ancient people and how the Bible came about, who the early leaders were, and where the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creeds, etc. came from. Nothing is hidden.
I know – who stops to wonder about the person that a building is named for? It’s a rare day when I do.
The history of Christianity smacked me square in the face when I moved to Europe. It was obvious something happened in history that I hadn’t learned about in Utah. Shocking!