Male-only Priesthood, the Urim & Thummim, Sad Multiple Wives Stories...
Both sexes shared the priesthood which provided a tailor-made opportunity for sexual activity to be part of their pagan faith. God removed the opportunity by confining the role of priests to men.
Does Our Doctrine enable Abuse?
It’s time to clarify to members, other polygamist sects, and the world that a mistake was made. This mistake caused harm. But we can repent and no longer contribute to the damage.
More Joseph Smith Papers and Was He a Polygamist?
Michelle Stone presents some compelling research to conclude that Joseph was not a polygamist
These are a Few of my Favorite Things
Here are a few of my favorite polygamy-related sites that rely on scripture, research, and logic. They lead me to, not away from God.
Jacob 2:30—Comparing Meanings
Jacob 2:30 is the linchpin of multiple wives—or at least it is if you interpret verse 30 to mean that God will occasionally command this lifestyle
Polygamy Stuff in the Joseph Smith Papers
The Joseph Smith Papers are providing some interesting, polygamy-related findings
The Antidote to 132
Men are condemned for having multiple wives in Jacob 2 and women are condemned if they don’t become multiple wives in Section 132. Jacob 2 goes head-to-head with Section 132 hitting on many of the same points but with the opposite view.
Another Interpretation of Jacob 2:30
Ryan Fisher postulates that the missing piece of the theological puzzle is that the promised land must be a specific location, with clear rules for the occupants
Faith in God
Believing that God is an eternal polygamist derails faith—it interferes with a correct understanding of God’s character, perfections, and attributes
Not an Innocent Bystander
The Church is the majority Mormon sect—the main polygamous church, the one that no longer wants to be associated with polygamy or called LDS or Mormon (probably for fear of being confused with polygamists)—that has perpetuated the doctrine behind this legislation
A Major House of Confusion
I believe Section 132 and its polygamy doctrine is built on a house of confusion
A Speculative Explanation Found Wanting
Like a Ponzi scheme, the first men investing in polygamy take multiple wives, including those much younger than themselves, but the generations of later investors have already contributed their potential wives, so the multiple wives scheme is doomed to collapse
Does God Want His Name Associated With This?
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”
Is This Abominable Whoredom Occasionally Commanded?
The lone Book of Mormon verse used to justify this principle, when the context is considered, means the opposite of what has been taught
Living this Principle Causes Harm
The evidence shows that living polygamy is harmful to families, which makes it confusing that a family-centered church ever endorsed a potentially family-damaging principle
Conflicting Doctrine — Relationships, Sex, Sin
Zina Diantha Huntington Jacobs Smith Young, married monogamously to Henry Jacobs, then polygamously to Joseph Smith and later polygamously again to Brigham Young, had more than enough credentials to speak on this topic
Would an Agency-Denying Principle Be Restored?
D&C 132 conveys that women can be given as wives, treated as property and their freedom to choose is insignificant
The Basis for the Doctrine
Hagar, not Sarah, is the example for multiple wives. By joining Sarah and Abraham, a slave with limited agency creates the threesome that becomes our model for this family arrangement
God is Not the Author of Injustice
God permits injustice in the world that results from His children’s choices, but God is not the author of injustice
The Narrative is a Source of Truth
God patiently tolerated some ancient cultural norms, including polygamy and slavery; however, His toleration does not mean approval