Does Our Doctrine enable Abuse?
Child trafficking and Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) are terrifying topics that have been in the news lately. It’s obviously something that all decent people would want to prevent and bring to an end. Certainly, the Church and its members would want to do the same.
Undocumented Polygamist Children as Victims
The gist of this We Are the People video, and this previous video (I fast-forwarded through some of the disturbing content), is that SRA happens and the guilty are allowed to get away with it in Utah.
One of the examples that came out in this video was a horrifying story of a six-year-old boy who was tortured and killed as part of the rituals. He was obtained from a polygamist family. Because there were no birth records or social security numbers, he was the perfect victim for those who were part of the Church of Satan.
The Church as an Example
On this episode of 132 Problems: Revisiting Mormon Polygamy, Michelle Stone spoke with Tonia Tewell who founded Holding Out Help. This organization assists those who come out of polygamous communities. Abuse and human trafficking are too often part of this lifestyle.
It came out in the video that polygamous sects often look to the LDS Church to prove the truthfulness of the multiple wives doctrine. After all, the largest restoration church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believes it. Of course, from their prespective the Church is not brave or righteous enough to practice it. They know the doctrine has never been denounced because multiple wives are sealed in its temples, the two top leaders are sealed for eternity to more than one woman, and Section 132 is part of the Church’s canon (and President Nelson even quoted from Section 132 in October 2023 conference). The Church’s doctrine enables these sects to confidently practice polygamy.
The Harm is Inherent
Plural marriage, polygamy, multiple wives or whatever name we choose causes harm and the Church’s muddled message has implied that this lifestyle and the harm that follows is endorsed by God. The Church’s multiple wives doctrine has even influenced the Utah State Legislature.
To beat a dead horse, 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 helps perpetuate this doctrine. Indirectly, it also perpetuates this lifestyle.
Stop It!
In 2012 Elder Uchtdorf gave a general conference entitled, “Stop It!” That’s what needs to happen with LDS polygamy beliefs. I don’t believe the Church wants to enable abuse, yet that is what they are doing.
It’s time to apologize. 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.