The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, Volume 17, No. 14, April 7, 1855, p. 212 “We are not ashamed to declare that we are polygamists. We are not ashamed to proclaim to the great nation…that is part and parcel of our religious creed.
We do this calmly, seriously, and understandingly; after due deliberation…we unhesitatingly pronounce our full and implicit faith in this principle, as emanating from God, and that under His direction it would be a blessing to the human family.” — Franklin D. Richards
Deuteronomy 17:17 “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”
The Church proudly touted their unbridled lust of polygamy in Utah after being kicked out of Nauvoo, IL for practicing the same thing.
Polygamy finally became illegal nationwide in 1862 with the passing of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Bill signed by Abraham Lincoln. For more info, see link regarding timeline. Technically, the Church wasn’t breaking US laws in Utah, but they weren’t obedient to the Lord.
The list of biblical verses condemning their behavior is too long to address here. See our sites under Reasons to Leave Mormonism for more info.
The sad part of Mr. Richards’ theory is that the doctrine of polygamy is still part and parcel of the LDS creed. D&C 132 is proof of that! It’s also proof this church talks out of both sides of its mouth. If they truly believed what they proclaim they would’ve obeyed their Articles of Faith 1:12-13 all the time.
“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men…”
Lastly, where in the Bible does it say polygamy is part and parcel of God’s gospel? Their doctrines have cheapened what the Lord intended for the gospel to mean!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
It’s interesting that they seem so offended by polygamy now and run, helter skelter in the opposite direction, when talk of it comes up. They abhor the lds splinter groups that still practice it, as if it’s a disgusting lifestyle. How to explain the mood swings, I wonder?
Personally, I believe the early church used Polygamy a a drawing card to attract more members, especially men. I am quite sure that “Lust” was something Joe and Brigham well understood and knew that it (Lust) could be used to draw new members to the church like ants to sugar.
What did Jesus say about Lust and its connection to adultery? “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
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If the Lord intended for Polygamy to be a part of the life he desired for His children, why did he say this?
Or how about in John 4:16,17, when he is speaking with the lady at the well: “He told her, Go call your husband and come back.”The woman said to him, I have no husband. Jesus said to her ,” You are right when you say have no husband. The fact is, YOU HAVE HAD FIVE HUSBANDS and the man you are with now is not your husband. What you just said is quite true.”
Why would Jesus say the things he did to this woman if she were not living the gospel as He intended us to live?
Sandra,
They “abhor” it because it associates them with the FLDS with their even nuttier theology. However, internally the LDS still looks forward to reinstating polygamy.
Glenn, Thanks for your response. I realize the church hates to be confused with the rlds…..but I have heard Mormons voice disgust about the practice of polygamy. You think LDS women look forward to reinstating polygamy? I had not heard that. Amazing. I may have to ask my still-believing daughter about that.
Soldiermp…….just finished reading 2 Sam 13 today….lust is a very bad thing. Polygamy is evil and not a thing God ever suggested. Oh, to be free of the blasphemy of mormonism.
Sandra,
No, LDS women certainly aren’t looking forward to polygamy! They didn’t like it back then even when brainwashed to accept it. No, it’s the men who want to practice D&C 132. Those men voicing disgust are probably like Muslims who say they want peace.
Glenn, That makes more sense. Women against, men for! I was raised mormon. Polygamy seemed like a foreign ritual that outgrew it’s necessity. That’s what I was taught. Baloney and evil mixed together so clear to me now.
Polygamy was never necessary to begin with except to satisfy Joe’s lust for more women. Very sad.