Polygamy Practices and Prophetic Influences
Explore the historical context of polygamy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its acceptance by certain prophets like Joseph Smith, and the subsequent cessation of the practice. Delve into the commonality among prophets like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, and Brigham Young, and understand the nuances and controversy surrounding plural marriages through the lenses of various perspectives.
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Presentation Transcript
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, and Brigham Young. What do these prophets had in common? D&C 132:1-2 (question) THREE CASE STUDIES: D&C 132:15, 18, 19 D&C 132:34-40 (answer) Cross Reference Jacob 2:24, 30
T/F Quiz on Polygamy 1. Joseph Smith accepted the practice of polygamy easily. 2. Joseph Smith was not a polygamist 3. Joseph s associates accepted the practice with excitement 4. Most Mormons practiced polygamy 5. Most Mormon men had only 2 wives 6. Most plural marriages were happy 7. Plural wives gave birth to more children than monogamous wives 8. The 1stwife s consent was necessary before a second was taken
"That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. "God said, 'Thou shalt not kill;' at another time He said, 'Thou shalt utterly destroy.' This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 256). "Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 256).
Samuel Clemens: Image:Mark Twain Cigar.jpg The most famous reaction to Plural Marriage was Mark Twain s. After he visited Utah in the 1860's with his brother. I saw the Mormon Women. Then I was touched in my heart. It warmed toward these poor ungainly and pathetic homely creatures. I said, No, the man that marries one of them has done a Christian act of charity which entitles him to the kindly applause of mankind.
Plural Marriage Joseph called Heber C. Kimball in to his office and said, Heber the Lord has revealed to me that in the worlds to come your lovely wife Vilate is to be my wife. Go home and bring her back and I will have her sealed to me. That is all I wanted to talk to you about, goodbye. said in his own account that the heavens were as black as a piece of coal during those three weeks. Finally Heber came to the conclusion that what the Prophet was asking him to do was wrong and that Vilate should be his and not Joseph s. Heber loved his wife and went through turmoil for the next three weeks. He However, Heber knew Joseph was the Prophet and he must be obeyed.
Plural Marriage Heber took Vilate to the Prophet and when Joseph opened the door Heber said, I have come as you have requested. She is all yours. Joseph began to sob and said, Your test was a great as Abraham s. He then sealed Heber and Vilate for time and all eternity.
If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows polygamy, the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage. Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct 1998 Gen. Conf.
1. What does marriage teach about Jesus Christ? 2. What is something you could go- and-do today that would bring you closer to Him? 3. NEXT LESSON: Think about what you know about the Second Coming.
