Times are getting tough for Polygamists...

[Don Corleone]

Looks like "Big Love" has stirred up more attention from the authorities then the real polygamists would appreciate: What do you mean I only get one

Now, this is probably a question for Pindar or somebody else more familiar with the Latter Day Saints. Most LDS folks I meet are very devout. Being a Methodist, we may disagree on dogmatic and theological grounds, but I certainly don't question their intentions. They clearly hold themselves to the standards they proclaim, and they don't do anything that isn't in keeping with their beliefs. So, I ask, where does the teaching on polygamy come from? Is it from the Book of Mormon? I've never read it (lazy, not closed-minded... I haven't even read the entire Old Testament ). But I just don't see where polygamy would be allowed. I know prior to the Captivity, many Jewish men kept concubines, and somewhere between the time of Ezra and Christ, that fell out of favor. It's clear that Christ lines up on the one-man, one-woman view of things. So where does the justification for one-man, several-women come from?

I know most LDS don't practice polygamy, and I'm not trying to tar anybody's reputation. I'm just seriously curious. LDS won't even drink coffee, so it's not like they play fast and free with allowing themselves to indulge in things they know they ought not to....

[Kralizec]

Mormons believe in the same Old Testament and New Testament (bar some minor differences of course that occur in different versions) as other christians, and in addition to that the Book of Mormon.

Another question: how do Mormons harmonize the existence of their post-Jesus prophets with Bible scriptures that say that there wouldn't be any? (in Revelation, I think- not sure though)

[Lemur]

Revalation. Man. Now there's a book I wish had gone into the Apocrypha pile. People get more wacked-out ideas from Revalation than from the rest of the Bible put together.

Joseph Smith approved of polygamy. The LDS gave it up as part of the deal for becoming integrated with the U.S. in the 1800s. Very old news. Practicing polygamists are all considered apostate.

P.S.: Pindar (a.k.a. "The AntiGah") can fill in all of these blanks better than the rest of us ever could.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Well everyone associates Polygamy with Mormons, you do realise that it was banned from the church in the very late 1800s. Most Mormons I know frown upon it as much as everyone else, in fact it annoys them slightly when its brought up.

EDIT: My mums a mormon, thats how i know :D

[Divinus Arma]

Polygamy? Fine.

"assigning" or "reassigning" teenage girls: sick and evil.

Banning young men so they can't become love interests for young girls: sick and evil.


This guy Jeffs give polygamy a bad name. What a bloody jerk off.

[Pindar]

So, I ask, where does the teaching on polygamy come from? Is it from the Book of Mormon?

Hello,

Polygamy and Mormonism: Polygamy is not taught in the Book of Mormon. Interestingly, in the text there is a group condemned for going in for the idea. The sense is they were lechers running amuck. Polygamy came to the fore as a principle in Mormon thought in the late 1830's as I recall, but wasn't openly taught until after the flight to the Rocky Mountains (1847). Its practice probably became the key identifier and source of tension between Mormons and the U.S. The U.S. actually declared war on Mormons in the 1850's. Apparently, some abolitionists in Washington expected the Utah Territory to join with the Confederacy, as polygamists were held as morally comparable with slave holders and thus likely to join together in their opposition to what is right and just.

Mormons consistently appealed to the notion of freedom of religion in their struggle with the Government. In 1878 the issue was brought before the Supreme Court in the Reynolds Case. The Court ruled against the practice. Government pressures increased: church leaders were hunted and imprisoned, properties were seized, assets confiscated etc. In 1890 the LDS Church issued statements know as the "Manifesto" where polygamy was to end. From that time forward it was no longer practiced among LDS in the U.S. Some Mormons fled to Mexico or Canada in the hopes of preserving their families. Other groups disavowed the Church's action taking the reversal as a sign the leadership had fallen and many small splinter groups emerged and went underground. At present, these groups survive in both the wilds of the desert, small cities like Colorado City in Arizona and as closet communities in Utah itself. I haven't seen Big Love, but from what I've heard, it sounds like it would be set with one of these closet groups in Utah.

But I just don't see where polygamy would be allowed. I know prior to the Captivity, many Jewish men kept concubines, and somewhere between the time of Ezra and Christ, that fell out of favor. It's clear that Christ lines up on the one-man, one-woman view of things. So where does the justification for one-man, several-women come from?
I know most LDS don't practice polygamy, and I'm not trying to tar anybody's reputation. I'm just seriously curious. LDS won't even drink coffee, so it's not like they play fast and free with allowing themselves to indulge in things they know they ought not to....

The idea behind polygamy in Mormon thought is tied to a larger rhetorical stance of the faith. This is the idea of a doctrinal restoration of what was. This includes both right understanding and authority to act regarding the things of God. Marriage is seen as Divinely instituted and polygamy as one possible form of marriage. Historically, polygamy was the norm. It both predates the Mosaic Period (recall the multiple wives of the Patriarchs) was practiced during it (recall the multiple wives of Moses) and continued afterwards. There are no disavowals of polygamy in the canon (New Testament or otherwise). Jews actually continued the practice up into the Tenth Century. Christians moved away from it as they adopted more and more the Greco-Roman model which was monogamy.

I think men are polygamous by nature: serial monogamy being one simple example. If that is correct, then it is interesting how polygamy is despised and rejected by so many, even among those who accept gay lifestyles in the name of tolerance. If Big Love becomes popular and depending on how they depict polygamists in the show, if will be interesting to see if that has an impact on ideas about polygamists in general.

[Pindar]

Another question: how do Mormons harmonize the existence of their post-Jesus prophets with Bible scriptures that say that there wouldn't be any? (in Revelation, I think- not sure though)

There are no scriptures that say there will be no more prophets. There is this:

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it." -Amos 8 11-12

Which is taken as an Apostasy from the truth.

I think what you are thinking of is this:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19

This is sometimes taken as one reason any additional scripture should be rejected (including any scriptural claims by the Book of Mormon). The Mormon rejoinder would be the book is referring to itself: John's "Apocalypse" and not to any larger canon as at the time of his writing the Bible did not yet exist. Another example would be:

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you" -Deuteronomy 4:2

which if taken as precluding any additional scripture would exclude all texts that followed Deuteronomy which is grim news for most of the Bible. The Bible itself would gradually come together over the next few centuries following John as various texts came into or out of favor. The Book of Revelation was one that was in dispute but ultimately made it into the fold.

[Byzantine Mercenary]

There are no scriptures that say there will be no more prophets.

well it does say in matthew 24

''be careful that no one fools you. 5 many will come in my name, saying, 'i am the christ', and they will fool many people.''

[Pindar]

well it does say in matthew 24

''be careful that no one fools you. 5 many will come in my name, saying, 'i am the christ', and they will fool many people.''

Verse 24 is even better: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

The issue for the believer or would be disciple appears to be discernment between the false and the true.