In her book Eve and the Choice Made in the Garden of Eden, Beverly Campbell asserts that the source for men being considered superior to women comes from the negative characterizations of the first woman, Eve.  Contrary to the world’s view of Eve, our unique understanding of her noble choice in the garden teaches we are not inferior to men. 

Unfortunately though, our teachings on plural marriage obliterate the progress that Eve’s daughters make with their collective self-esteem and, instead, men’s superiority and women’s inferiority is multiplied. Polygamy is a statement of inequality. The message from men to women is:

I am to be the unique object of your affection, but you are to be one of many objects of my affection; you are selfish if you are not willing to share me with other women. You are to be intimate and loyal to me only, whereas my desire to have multiple partners is righteous and will be my reward in the eternities.

Good men would never use this belief to feel superior or to rule over women; nevertheless, the principle invites this very thought. Our beliefs link to our attitudes and actions and with these teachings, confused men have justified their affairs and pornography habits while evil men have debased and harmed women and young girls. To rub salt in the wound, it is usually men—the gender saddled with negative male stereotypes that snowball by sanctioning polygamy—who provide the explanation for and defense of this principle. 

While it is implied that men and women in the highest kingdom will have different roles throughout eternity, we are taught that those who dwell in God’s presence will be made equal in power, might, and dominion (D&C 76:95). In other words, we may not be the same, but we will rule as equals. Valerie Hudson Cassler in Women in Eternity, Women in Zion said:

“ . . . in other scriptures talking about ‘ruling over many,’ the Lord is referring to the exalted man and woman, side by side as equals, ruling together over many things: worlds and kingdoms and numberless posterity . . . All of the righteous, both men and women, are of the Church of the First born (D&C 93:22) and thus inherit the fullness of the father (D&C 76:94), and stand as joint heirs and equals with Christ (D&C 76:95; 88:107) “

In contrast, D&C 132, the current temple sealing policies, and the actual plural marriage practiced by the early Saints reveal women are considered peripheral beings helping a man (who is central) to build up His kingdoms. With eternal, plural marriage requiring more females to equal a male, women are not equal in power, might, and dominion—the numbers don’t add up.

This is part of an essay that first appeared on SquareTwo