A False Polygamous Scriptural Foundation
Proving that the LDS Church
Has Grossly Misinterpreted Jacob 2:30 in order to Justify Past and Present Whoredoms
“For if I will, saith the Lord of
Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken
unto these things.”
In short, the LDS Church wrongfully interprets Jacob 2:30 as
follows:
Interpretation 1: “For if I will, saith the Lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, I
will command my people [to practice polygamy]; otherwise [if the Lord does not
give the commandment to practice polygamy], they shall hearken unto these
things [i.e., Jacob’s instruction to not practice polygamy].”
In contrast, the following is the logical and harmonious
interpretation of Jacob 2:30:
Interpretation 2: “For
if I will, saith the Lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my
people [the Lord will command his people]; otherwise [if the Lord is not their
commander; or His people do not obey the Lord’s commandments], they shall
hearken unto these [wicked] things [they shall practice the sins of
polygamy].”
This thesis is written to prove that Interpretation 2 (as originally pointed out by Richard and Pamela Price) above is
true. Interpretation 1, as believed by
the LDS Church, is a gross distortion of the word of God.
****************************
As will be proven below, the LDS Church has grossly misinterpreted Jacob 2:30 to justify the grievous “grosser
crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms” (Jacob 2:23), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15),
and “abomination[s]” (Jacob 2:28) of Brigham Young and his followers, which not
only violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28), but also perpetually
relegated women as lower class citizens in the Kingdom of God as practiced and
described by the LDS faith.
Why does it matter?
First, many LDS men and women today believe that polygamy will
once again be practiced, in this life or the next. My own sister-in-law said that it was the
“higher law” or the “new and an everlasting covenant” quoting the infamous and 100% fabricated D&C Section 132. For example, see http://www.confessionsofanelder.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-william-clayton-deception.html.
My sister-in-law, who is doctrinally correct as understood by the LDS Church, has mentally prepared herself to accept sharing her husband with other women in the next life. What does that mentally do to a familial relationship when the wife relegates herself as a lower class citizen in the Kingdom of God?
My sister-in-law, who is doctrinally correct as understood by the LDS Church, has mentally prepared herself to accept sharing her husband with other women in the next life. What does that mentally do to a familial relationship when the wife relegates herself as a lower class citizen in the Kingdom of God?
Second, by definition, the Section 132 polygamous law
debases women and treats women secondarily to men. This lower ranking status of women has
permeated all aspects of the LDS Church, which more resembles the Brighamite
faith, not the church created by Joseph Smith. Many male authorities in the LDS Church may
deny that women are treated with lesser regard, but I know that many women
fully recognize, as is the doctrine of Section 132, that they are indeed lower-ranking members of the
LDS Church.
Don't believe me? D&C 132:61-62 proves how disgusting the polygamous doctrine is and how polygamy is an affront to the status and sanctity of women:
"And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood - if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then he is justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law; he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore he is justified."
And what if a woman refuses (D&C 132:64): "[I]f any man have a wife, who hold the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law."
What fraudulent wickedness of the highest magnitude!!!
Third, if the Lord is correct (which the LDS Church refuses embrace), then polygamy is a major sin and violates the “chastity of women.” Brigham Young (an unrepentant immoral man) and his co-conspirators institutionalized a VERY immoral practice that caused the split between the LDS Church and their fellow church members in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ).
Although the LDS Church is now correct (although hypocritically) in excommunicating those persons who practice polygamy with living spouses, the Church cannot escape its own FALSE “new and an everlasting covenant” doctrine that is foully detailed in Section 132 ("and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory"); further, polygamy is still performed in LDS Church sealing ceremonies, i.e., a man can be sealed to more than one woman once his first wife has passed away.
Don't believe me? D&C 132:61-62 proves how disgusting the polygamous doctrine is and how polygamy is an affront to the status and sanctity of women:
"And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood - if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then he is justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law; he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore he is justified."
And what if a woman refuses (D&C 132:64): "[I]f any man have a wife, who hold the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law."
What fraudulent wickedness of the highest magnitude!!!
Third, if the Lord is correct (which the LDS Church refuses embrace), then polygamy is a major sin and violates the “chastity of women.” Brigham Young (an unrepentant immoral man) and his co-conspirators institutionalized a VERY immoral practice that caused the split between the LDS Church and their fellow church members in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ).
Although the LDS Church is now correct (although hypocritically) in excommunicating those persons who practice polygamy with living spouses, the Church cannot escape its own FALSE “new and an everlasting covenant” doctrine that is foully detailed in Section 132 ("and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory"); further, polygamy is still performed in LDS Church sealing ceremonies, i.e., a man can be sealed to more than one woman once his first wife has passed away.
Fourth, 3 Nephi 16:10 provided the following warning:
“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At
that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the
fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above
all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall
be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs,
and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and
whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those
things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I
will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.” (Emphasis added).
If you read my 10-part series on the true origins of LDS polygamy (http://confessionsofanelder.blogspot.com/2012/06/case-for-joseph-smith-case-against.html), you would be familiar with "all manner of lyings, and of deceits," "secret abominations," and adultery surrounding the polygamy issue, which originated with the Cochranites, William Bennett, and Brigham Young. Consequently, I believe the Lord has removed the fullness of the gospel from
the LDS Church due to the Church’s (not Joseph Smith's) sordid past and “secret abominations” (compare Jacob 2:28) and “whoredoms” (compare Jacob 2:23 and 3:5). The only way that the fullness of the Lord's gospel will be restored, is if the church as a whole repents of its vile lying past and wicked doctrines.
The LDS Church must repent. In order to repent, the Church must (a) correct and release its true history, (b) openly remove Section 132 and reveal it as a fabrication of Brigham Young, (c) issue public apologies to Emma Smith and Joseph Smith’s children for defaming Joseph and Emma Smith for so many years, (d) issue apologies to the women of the Church, (e) correct the current doctrine of the Church and stop all polygamous sealings, (f) remove all doctrines instituted by Brigham Young (temple, ceremonial, or otherwise), (g) apologize to the world for perpetuating a VERY false doctrine, and (h) change the name of Brigham Young University to Emma Smith University. Hiding the Church’s polygamous abominable past and present (the current LDS position) is certainly not enough.
The LDS Church must repent. In order to repent, the Church must (a) correct and release its true history, (b) openly remove Section 132 and reveal it as a fabrication of Brigham Young, (c) issue public apologies to Emma Smith and Joseph Smith’s children for defaming Joseph and Emma Smith for so many years, (d) issue apologies to the women of the Church, (e) correct the current doctrine of the Church and stop all polygamous sealings, (f) remove all doctrines instituted by Brigham Young (temple, ceremonial, or otherwise), (g) apologize to the world for perpetuating a VERY false doctrine, and (h) change the name of Brigham Young University to Emma Smith University. Hiding the Church’s polygamous abominable past and present (the current LDS position) is certainly not enough.
I could go on, but I fear that I have drifted from my primary
thesis.
The Book of Mormon and Polygamy
To fully understand Jacob 2:30, it is vital that we read all of
the other relevant scriptures in the Book of Mormon related to polygamy (if I
have missed any, please let me know).
Mosiah 11:1-2:
“1. And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the
kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead;
and he did not walk in the ways of his father.
2. For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but
he did walk after the desires of his own heart.
And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner
of wickedness.” (Emphasis added).
[Note: For those of you, who don’t know or remember,
king Noah was a very wicked king who, along with his priests, burned to death
the brave prophet named Abinadi.]
Jacob 1:15:
“And now it came to pass that the
people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in
their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like
unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.”
(Emphasis added).
[Note: Importantly, Jacob referred to polygamy as “wicked
practices” and included King David (of the Old Testament) and Solomon in his condemnation
of polygamy. Notice that Jacob does not
equivocate in his condemnation of King David and Solomon.
Compare Jacob 1:15 (and the other BOM
scriptures below) with fraudulent D&C Section 132:1 that reads: “Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my
servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and
understand wherein I, the Lord, justified
my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my
servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and
concubines . . . .” (Emphasis
added).
After reading Jacob 1:15, do you think Jacob “justified” David’s and Solomon's "wicked practices" in any manner? Why did Section 132:1 justify their wickedness?]
After reading Jacob 1:15, do you think Jacob “justified” David’s and Solomon's "wicked practices" in any manner? Why did Section 132:1 justify their wickedness?]
Jacob 2:23-30:
“23. But the word of God burdens me
because of your grosser crimes. For
behold, thus saith the Lord: This people
begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for
they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and
Solomon his son.
[Note: As will become apparent, Jacob was referring
to polygamy as one of the “grosser crimes” of the Nephites. Jacob recognized that the Nephites
had also “excuse[d] themselves in committing whoredoms” because King David and
Solomon had practiced polygamy. Again,
did the Lord justify “David and Solomon, my servants . . . having many
wives and concubines” as fraudulently written in D&C Section 132? Why the patent contradiction?
Furthermore, the parallel between Jacob’s statement in verse 23 ("for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.") and the LDS Church’s self-serving excuses surrounding the wicked practice of polygamy, as justified in Section 132 ("I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines . . ."), is both shocking and prophetic.]
Furthermore, the parallel between Jacob’s statement in verse 23 ("for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.") and the LDS Church’s self-serving excuses surrounding the wicked practice of polygamy, as justified in Section 132 ("I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines . . ."), is both shocking and prophetic.]
24. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and
concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
[Note: Jacob referred to the polygamy of David and
Solomon as “abominable.” Compare with
fabricated D&C 132:1.]
25. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out
of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that
I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins
of Joseph.
[Note: verse 25 is important in understanding verse
30. The Lord delivered the Nephites from
Jerusalem so that the Lord could “raise” up a “righteous branch from the
fruit of the loins of Joseph” or “raise up seed unto me” as stated in verse 30.]
26. Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this
people shall do like unto them of old.
27. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the
word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
[Note: the Lord said that no man should have more
than “one wife.” Do you think the Lord
meant to exclude his so-called prophets?]
28. For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.
[Note: “Grosser crimes,” “whoredoms,” “wicked
practices” – did Jacob equivocate in condemning polygamy in any manner? In addition, Jacob referred to polygamy as a
violation of the “chastity of women.” So
the “chastity of women” may be violated sometimes for other righteous purposes?]
29. Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments,
saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
30. For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken
unto these things.”
[Note:
Verse 30 is addressed below.]
Jacob 3:5:
“Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of
their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more
righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our
father—that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.”
[Note: Did Jacob include any equivocation language
in the next chapter? Not in the least –
Jacob again refers to polygamy as “whoredoms.” Compare 3 Nephi 16:10. Why
would Jacob leave out the exclusionary provision for the supposed purpose of
raising up a righteous seed if that was indeed his purpose of verse 30 above? Clearly, there was no exclusionary provision
to the commandement.]
Understanding
Jacob 2:30
The
LDS Church says that notwithstanding all of Jacob’s SEVERE and REPEATED condemnations
of polygamy, Jacob really meant to say that polygamy is okay sometimes when the
Lord commands His people to raise up a “righteous seed.” In other words, the falsely claimed exclusionary
provision of “raise up seed unto me” (Jacob 2:30) transformed polygamy from among
the “grosser crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms”
(Jacob 2:23, 3:5), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]” (Jacob
2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28), into the “new and an everlasting covenant” of D&C Section
132 and is necessary for exaltation (“if ye abide not that covenant, then are
ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into
my glory.”)
Nonsense!
Nonsense!
Proof
1: Jacob 2:30 – Examining the Language
Admittedly,
Jacob 2:30 is hard to understand, but let’s apply some simple logic and grammatical
principles. Here is the actual scripture again:
“30. For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people;
otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.”
First,
the Lord says that He will “raise up seed unto [Him]” and “will command [His]
people.” Would the Lord ever not
want to “raise up seed” unto the Lord?
Would the Lord ever not want to “command [His] people”? If polygamous relationships were the key to a
righteous people and following God’s commandments, why would it not be
proclaimed as necessary throughout humanity or at least in the scriptures?
Second,
the word “otherwise” immediately follows the first half or independent clause of
verse 30. The word “otherwise,” when used
as a conjunction as it is used here, means “or else” or “if not” (e.g., Button
up your coat, otherwise you’ll catch a cold.)
Let’s try it out.
“For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; [or
else] they shall hearken unto these things.”
It
becomes clearer that when the Lord said that “they shall hearken unto these
things,” he referred to the wicked practices of the Nephites. This becomes even clearer when examining verse
25 (as discussed in the following section – Proof 2).
Third,
and more importantly, Jacob condemned polygamy among the “grosser
crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms”
(Jacob 2:23, 3:5), “wicked practices”
(Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]”
(Jacob 2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28). Does it make any logical sense whatsoever
that God would trump all of those vehement denunciations with the
following: “For if I will, saith the
Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto
me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things"? Does it make any logical sense that Jacob
3:5, where polygamy was again identified as “whoredoms,” would also be trumped
by Jacob 2:30? Not in the least. The LDS Church’s interpretation of verse 30
is certainly not in harmony with the remainder of the relevant scriptures in
the Book of Mormon.
Proof 2: Verse 25 – What does the Lord Mean in
“rais[ing] up seed” unto the Lord?
Verse
25 identifies what the Lord was referring to when He said “raise up seed unto
me” in verse 30, and it did not include polygamous offspring. Verse 25 reads:
“25. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people
forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might
raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins
of Joseph.”
The
Lord referred to leading the Nephites out of Jerusalem so that He “might raise
up unto [the Lord] a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of
Joseph.” So, when the Lord said that He
will “raise up seed unto me,” He was referring to His “righteous branch from the
fruit of the loins of Joseph,” or something similar. There is nothing in verse 25 that would lead
a reasonable person to conclude that that raising up a “righteous branch”
necessitates engaging in abominable polygamous practices which were just
previously condemned in the strongest terms by the Lord. That
same meaning is clear in verse 30. There
is nothing, in verse 30 (“For if
I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto
me, I will command my people.”) that means the Lord commands his people to engage in polygamy
to “raise up seed” unto the Lord. It is
a gross misinterpretation that contradicts the Lord's previous commandment as stated in Jacob 2.
Proof
3: Verse 30 Parallels Verse 29
It
seems that by separating Verse 30 from verse 29, most people have missed the
parallelism often found in the chiasmi and poetry of the Book of Mormon (e.g.,
Alma 36).
“29. [a] Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments,
saith the Lord of Hosts, or [b] cursed be the
land for their sakes.
30. [a] For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; [b]
otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.”
[a]
Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts
[a]
For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto
me, I will command my people
[b]
otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.
Although not conclusive, I believe
that the “otherwise they shall hearken unto these things” refers to the land
being cursed for their wickedness, or the word “these” could thus be replaced by the
word “wicked.”
Proof 4: Polygamy Does Not Equal a Righteous Seed
There is no evidence that polygamy produces more children or creates a righteous
seed. There is no reason why polygamy
would create more children unless there were many women without spouses. Furthermore, there is no evidence that at the
time of Brigham Young that there were not enough righteous men as there were
women. In fact, there were consistently
more males than females in Utah during the time of Brigham Young.
Here
are the population statistics for Utah from 1850 to 1950:
Year
|
Male
|
Female
|
1850
|
6,020
|
5,310
|
1860
|
20,178
|
19,947
|
1870
|
43,451
|
42,503
|
1880
|
73,477
|
68,946
|
1890
|
108,943
|
96,982
|
1900
|
138,923
|
133,542
|
1910
|
192,118
|
174,465
|
1920
|
227,232
|
214,669
|
1930
|
255,284
|
244,683
|
1940
|
274,587
|
268,333
|
1950
|
341,007
|
335,902
|
Proof 5: Creating a Righteous Seed by Violating the Chastity of Women?
Verse 30 states that the Lord will "raise up seed unto [the Lord]" and that the Lord "will command His people."
However, in the same (and subsequent) chapter, the Lord previously referred to polygamy as among the “grosser crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms” (Jacob 2:23, also Jacob 3:5), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]” (Jacob 2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28).
How can the Lord "raise up seed" unto Him when his people are also engaged in systematic "abominations," "whoredoms," and violating the "chastity of women"? I would like to hear an LDS Church official publicly state that is sometimes okay to violate the "chastity of women." Why won't you ever hear that? Again, it makes no sense unless Interpretation 2 above is correct and verse 30 was without an exclusionary clause.
Some in the LDS Church would counter that Nephi was commanded to slay a drunk Laban, and so the Lord does command abominable acts. However, in 1 Nephi 4:11-13, the Lord justified the slaying of Laban because (1) Laban had sought to murder Nephi, (2) Laban would "not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord," (3) Laban had tried to steal Lehi's property, and (4) the Lord slays the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes, i.e., "It is better that one man should perish than a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."
The Lord articulated very specific and justifiable reasons for the death of Laban. Furthermore, the Lord never commanded the systematic murder of the Laminates.
In short, the Lord cannot "raise up seed unto [the Lord]" and "will command His people" while commanding his people to engage in systematic “grosser crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms” (Jacob 2:23, also Jacob 3:5), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]” (Jacob 2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28).
Proof 6: What about the polygamy of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, et al.?
A key objection I often read is that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Old Testament) all had more than one wife and so polygamy was instituted as part of the "restitution of all things" and the Abrahamic Covenant.
Before we take a closer look at the Patriarchs nd others of the Old Testament, it is important to note that, in the Old Testament, no one, including King Solomon, King David, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Old Testament), was ever commanded by God to take more than one wife. In the Old Testament, polygamy is mentioned by way of fact, not by way of commandment.
In contrast, fabricated D&C Section 132 states that Solomon (vs. 1, 38), David (vs. 1, 38-39), Abraham (vs. 1, 34-35, 37, 65), Isaac (vs. 1, 37), Jacob (Old Testament) (vs. 1, 37), Moses (vs. 1, 38), and "many others of my servants" (vs. 38) were all commanded to engage in polygamy. This is a total fabrication!
Indeed, it seems that those who engaged in polygamy committed abominable acts in the sight of the Lord.
Abraham
First, Abraham had at most only three wives (more likely one wife and two concubines): Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah. Sarah was Abraham's wife. Importantly, Hagar was Sarah's Egyptian handmaid given to Abraham by Sarah as a concubine or wife in order for Abraham to have a child (10 years without a child living in Canaan). Hagar was literally Sarah's property.
Abraham married Keturah (probably a concubine) only after Sarah died and Hagar had been forced away and was no longer with Abraham. Although immoral in other ways, the Keturah matter does not rise to any moral offense of the law of marriage as contained in the original D&C. Of course, modern morality would certainly denounce Sarah's gift of Hagar to Abraham in order for Abraham to have a child and the driving away of Hagar, but a concubine was unfortunately considered a lesser wife comparable to property. The fact that Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham evinces that Abraham could not just take any woman as his polygamous wife. The issue surrounding Hagar is more a matter of the morality of slavery and property than it is of polygamy.
Second, the Book of Mormon is entirely silent with respect to Abraham and his purported wives (and with respect to Jacob of the Old Testament as described below). Only Sarah is mentioned while Jacob (Book of Mormon - the same Prophet who just denounced polygamy and concubines) is quoting Isaiah. See 2 Nephi 8:2. In other words, the issue of Abraham and polygamy was never mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Why wasn't Hagar or Keturah mentioned by Jacob (Book of Mormon) after Jacob just denounced the polygamous relationships of King Solomon and King David? That's an interesting question which I don't have the answer for. I suspect that Jacob in the Book of Mormon simply had no record of Hagar or Keturah or of Abraham's alleged polygamy.
Jacob (Old Testament)
Jacob (Old Testament) had two wives, Rachel and Leah, and two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah. Again, the Book of Mormon never mentions Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah or Jacob's. We all remember the story of Rachel and Leah. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, reached an agreement with her father, to work seven years for her. Jacob fulfilled his obligation but then Laban swapped Leah for Rachel on the night of the wedding. Having been fooled, Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel. Bilhah and Zilpah were the property of Rachel and Leah respectively and immorally given to Jacob. The story of Rachel and Leah is very peculiar story that does not justify polygamy but may somewhat mitigate Jacob's offense. The slavery issue is another matter.
Isaac and Moses
The fact that Section 132 identifies Isaac and Moses as polygamists is completely wrong. Despite the false statements of Brigham Young, Isaac and Moses each had only one wife. It appears as though Brigham Young arbitrarily decided to transform several Old Testament Prophets into polygamists that had no association with the wicked practice, including "many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time" (vs. 38), when Brigham Young decided to fabricate Section 132 and claim that Joseph received the revelation.
Further, the story of Isaac seems to indicate that polygamy was a sin. According to one writer (http://www.washingtonubf.org/BibleMaterials/Genesis/MSG12a.html):
"Isaac's family had a problem similar to that of Abraham and Sarah. Rebekah was barren. But Isaac did not even consider taking a concubine. He simply prayed and waited on God. He had learned a great spiritual lesson first hand: The Lord will Provide. Abraham had waited only 10 years before taking Hagar and giving birth to Ishmael. Isaac waited and prayed for his wife from 20 years. How many families could be spared the tragedy of divorce of the sorrow of becoming a battlefield of frustrated expectations if men could pray for their wives instead of trying to use some human method to solve their family problems. Isaac's patient faith was rewarded. Rebekah conceived twin sons."
The Final Word - the Book of Mormon
Finally, and more importantly, the Book of Mormon is not silent with respect to denouncing the practice of polygamy as it occurred in the Old Testament.
Jacob 2:26-28 reads:
"Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts."
How clearer can you get? The Lord denounced polygamy as a sin even though the practice was somewhat widespread in the Old Testament (but not nearly as widespread as claimed by Brigham Young). The Lord was simply not going to let the sin continue "like unto them of old." Jacob 2:26. The Lord considered any polygamous relationship in the Old Testament an abomination in His sight and made the condemnation and commandment known in the Book of Mormon.
God unequivocally condemned the polygamy of Solomon and David (Jacob 2:24: "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord."). Notwithstanding, the Lord's severe condemnation in the Book of Mormon, Section 132 falsely stated that Solomon (vs. 1, 38) and David (vs. 1, 38-39) not only did not sin but were commanded to engage in the "abominable" practice.
What rubbish!
Any person who believes in the Book of Mormon must vehemently condemn polygamy at all times and in any manner. Any person who believes in the Book of Mormon must severely denounce D&C Section 132 as a patent and most sinful fabrication of Brigham Young. It is time for the LDS Church to eradicate its evil polygamous doctrines without equivocation.
However, in the same (and subsequent) chapter, the Lord previously referred to polygamy as among the “grosser crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms” (Jacob 2:23, also Jacob 3:5), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]” (Jacob 2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28).
How can the Lord "raise up seed" unto Him when his people are also engaged in systematic "abominations," "whoredoms," and violating the "chastity of women"? I would like to hear an LDS Church official publicly state that is sometimes okay to violate the "chastity of women." Why won't you ever hear that? Again, it makes no sense unless Interpretation 2 above is correct and verse 30 was without an exclusionary clause.
Some in the LDS Church would counter that Nephi was commanded to slay a drunk Laban, and so the Lord does command abominable acts. However, in 1 Nephi 4:11-13, the Lord justified the slaying of Laban because (1) Laban had sought to murder Nephi, (2) Laban would "not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord," (3) Laban had tried to steal Lehi's property, and (4) the Lord slays the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes, i.e., "It is better that one man should perish than a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."
The Lord articulated very specific and justifiable reasons for the death of Laban. Furthermore, the Lord never commanded the systematic murder of the Laminates.
In short, the Lord cannot "raise up seed unto [the Lord]" and "will command His people" while commanding his people to engage in systematic “grosser crimes” (Jacob 2:23), “whoredoms” (Jacob 2:23, also Jacob 3:5), “wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15), and “abomination[s]” (Jacob 2:28), which violated the “chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28).
Proof 6: What about the polygamy of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, et al.?
A key objection I often read is that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Old Testament) all had more than one wife and so polygamy was instituted as part of the "restitution of all things" and the Abrahamic Covenant.
Before we take a closer look at the Patriarchs nd others of the Old Testament, it is important to note that, in the Old Testament, no one, including King Solomon, King David, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Old Testament), was ever commanded by God to take more than one wife. In the Old Testament, polygamy is mentioned by way of fact, not by way of commandment.
In contrast, fabricated D&C Section 132 states that Solomon (vs. 1, 38), David (vs. 1, 38-39), Abraham (vs. 1, 34-35, 37, 65), Isaac (vs. 1, 37), Jacob (Old Testament) (vs. 1, 37), Moses (vs. 1, 38), and "many others of my servants" (vs. 38) were all commanded to engage in polygamy. This is a total fabrication!
Indeed, it seems that those who engaged in polygamy committed abominable acts in the sight of the Lord.
Abraham
First, Abraham had at most only three wives (more likely one wife and two concubines): Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah. Sarah was Abraham's wife. Importantly, Hagar was Sarah's Egyptian handmaid given to Abraham by Sarah as a concubine or wife in order for Abraham to have a child (10 years without a child living in Canaan). Hagar was literally Sarah's property.
Abraham married Keturah (probably a concubine) only after Sarah died and Hagar had been forced away and was no longer with Abraham. Although immoral in other ways, the Keturah matter does not rise to any moral offense of the law of marriage as contained in the original D&C. Of course, modern morality would certainly denounce Sarah's gift of Hagar to Abraham in order for Abraham to have a child and the driving away of Hagar, but a concubine was unfortunately considered a lesser wife comparable to property. The fact that Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham evinces that Abraham could not just take any woman as his polygamous wife. The issue surrounding Hagar is more a matter of the morality of slavery and property than it is of polygamy.
Second, the Book of Mormon is entirely silent with respect to Abraham and his purported wives (and with respect to Jacob of the Old Testament as described below). Only Sarah is mentioned while Jacob (Book of Mormon - the same Prophet who just denounced polygamy and concubines) is quoting Isaiah. See 2 Nephi 8:2. In other words, the issue of Abraham and polygamy was never mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Why wasn't Hagar or Keturah mentioned by Jacob (Book of Mormon) after Jacob just denounced the polygamous relationships of King Solomon and King David? That's an interesting question which I don't have the answer for. I suspect that Jacob in the Book of Mormon simply had no record of Hagar or Keturah or of Abraham's alleged polygamy.
Jacob (Old Testament)
Jacob (Old Testament) had two wives, Rachel and Leah, and two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah. Again, the Book of Mormon never mentions Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah or Jacob's. We all remember the story of Rachel and Leah. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, reached an agreement with her father, to work seven years for her. Jacob fulfilled his obligation but then Laban swapped Leah for Rachel on the night of the wedding. Having been fooled, Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel. Bilhah and Zilpah were the property of Rachel and Leah respectively and immorally given to Jacob. The story of Rachel and Leah is very peculiar story that does not justify polygamy but may somewhat mitigate Jacob's offense. The slavery issue is another matter.
Isaac and Moses
The fact that Section 132 identifies Isaac and Moses as polygamists is completely wrong. Despite the false statements of Brigham Young, Isaac and Moses each had only one wife. It appears as though Brigham Young arbitrarily decided to transform several Old Testament Prophets into polygamists that had no association with the wicked practice, including "many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time" (vs. 38), when Brigham Young decided to fabricate Section 132 and claim that Joseph received the revelation.
Further, the story of Isaac seems to indicate that polygamy was a sin. According to one writer (http://www.washingtonubf.org/BibleMaterials/Genesis/MSG12a.html):
"Isaac's family had a problem similar to that of Abraham and Sarah. Rebekah was barren. But Isaac did not even consider taking a concubine. He simply prayed and waited on God. He had learned a great spiritual lesson first hand: The Lord will Provide. Abraham had waited only 10 years before taking Hagar and giving birth to Ishmael. Isaac waited and prayed for his wife from 20 years. How many families could be spared the tragedy of divorce of the sorrow of becoming a battlefield of frustrated expectations if men could pray for their wives instead of trying to use some human method to solve their family problems. Isaac's patient faith was rewarded. Rebekah conceived twin sons."
The Final Word - the Book of Mormon
Finally, and more importantly, the Book of Mormon is not silent with respect to denouncing the practice of polygamy as it occurred in the Old Testament.
Jacob 2:26-28 reads:
"Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts."
How clearer can you get? The Lord denounced polygamy as a sin even though the practice was somewhat widespread in the Old Testament (but not nearly as widespread as claimed by Brigham Young). The Lord was simply not going to let the sin continue "like unto them of old." Jacob 2:26. The Lord considered any polygamous relationship in the Old Testament an abomination in His sight and made the condemnation and commandment known in the Book of Mormon.
God unequivocally condemned the polygamy of Solomon and David (Jacob 2:24: "Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord."). Notwithstanding, the Lord's severe condemnation in the Book of Mormon, Section 132 falsely stated that Solomon (vs. 1, 38) and David (vs. 1, 38-39) not only did not sin but were commanded to engage in the "abominable" practice.
What rubbish!
Any person who believes in the Book of Mormon must vehemently condemn polygamy at all times and in any manner. Any person who believes in the Book of Mormon must severely denounce D&C Section 132 as a patent and most sinful fabrication of Brigham Young. It is time for the LDS Church to eradicate its evil polygamous doctrines without equivocation.
For
further investigation, please see Richard and Pamela Price’s book:
The chiasma argument was great. I had never heard that.
ReplyDeleteThe other comment I wanted to make is that polygamy is the ultimate doctrine for destroying brotherhood. The men of the priesthood no longer try and see their brothers as equals all trying to progress. The I am just a little more righteous than you and I am going to deny you the opportunity to progress (have a family) because of my status. It is a disgusting mentality.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon. Hope you are doing well!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I recently started a blog and made two posts also condemning polygamy and section 132. http://gregstocks.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteSomebody commented on my site with a link to yours. After reading yours I agree with most of what you have presented here and I am impressed both of us have independently pointed out similar problems with these so-called revelations. Yet, we have each also come up with other flaws in the logic associated with these false doctrines the other missed. You came up with some good points I didn't think of and I applaud your careful study and reasoning.
I do believe Joseph Smith did practice polygamy though which you seem to disbelieve. Nobody is perfect and my faith is in Christ not men so I don't let his poor judgement regarding polygamy undermine all the good he did and truth he restored. Whether he or BY or other people colluding together came up with this abomination I really don't know. Regardless, I reject it and trust what the scriptures teach.
It really doesn't matter what the Bible or BoM or anyone else says about polygamy, though I believe Joseph was innocent in the practice and never preached or practiced it and that BY & Clayton wrote D&C 132 to justify their whoredoms. For in the New Testament, Christ clearly condemned all polygamy and he trumps everyone, from Adam to today. Why do we assume that Biblical prophets were beyond falling from grace? Why do we assume the Bible stories are even accurate or true? God did not right them, they were written by most likely unrighteous men, how always think themselves justified & led by God to do the things they do.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to totally miss that Christ in Matt 19:9 & other places clearly teaches that married men can't marry another woman or it's adultery, even if he divorces the 1st one 1st. For the divorce is invalid with God and they are still married thus it's impossible to remarry righteously or marry a 2nd or 3rd or 50th wife. This is not rocket science. Even Christ's Golden Rule again condemns polygamy, for men would never want done to them what they make women suffer in polygamy, nor would men put up with it if the tables were turned. Also, Christ's teachings of love also condemn polygamy, for polygamy is the complete opposite of love & one of the most vile selfish abuses toward women and children and anyone with any honesty or feelings left knows that.
No matter what any other man on earth did or said, Christ condemned all past, present & future polygamy and anyone who teaches or practices differently, past or present, is anti-Christ no matter how great a prophet they are thought to be, for even most true prophets have eventually fallen for whoredoms and falsehoods and lost their salvation.
Very few men have ever been strong & valiant enough to keep their sacred vows & stay faithful & completely true to their one wife for their whole life and never look at or desire another woman.
Hello Benjamin,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your spirited defense of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I see you have a 4,000 character limit so I will break this reply up; I hope that is OK.
Way…way…back in 1976, I was standing in a row of books at the post library in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. As I was reading through a couple of books that made harsh statements regarding the Restoration and especially the Prophet Joseph Smith, I had my mind opened by The Spirit of The Lord, and I was taught there and then that the teachings of the Church towards keeping The Ten Commandments, paying a Tithing, Fasting, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy (by not shopping, sports, etc), that true Repentance meant giving up the sin, and going to Church on Sunday …..were all still valid in the sight of God. Many who attack the RLDS and LDS (and other sincere branches of the vine of Christ) feel these Commandments are not in effect anymore; I was clearly and precisely taught that they are still Sacred Words of God. As I read over the attacks against the Prophet Joseph Smith about his alleged several wives, I just did not feel those statements were true.
Granted, Joseph had his good days and not so good days like each of us; granted, I am sure, just like each of us, he wishes he could have done some things differently. But that day, Spiritually, I did not feel he had more than one wife.
In 1977, I had been transferred to Germany, and I began taking the “Discussions.” I joined the LDS Church after I received a strong and clear Spiritual Witness as I lay there in my bunk while reading and prayerfully pondering Moroni’s promise. I asked to be baptized.
I see where some members leave the Church or go inactive over this issue. Some former members make Polygamy a line in the sand issue. To me Faith in Jesus is the issue, and living the Commandments and seeking after such gifts of The Spirit to help others come unto Christ. On Judgment Day, I will be Judged not on Joseph Smith’s actions but mine own. Regardless if he did or did not have more than one wife, it does not change my initial Witness, and several subsequent Spiritual Witnesses, that The Lord used Joseph to Restore the Priesthood of God to the earth in this our Dispensation.
Even though there are over a hundred written accounts of Joseph having more than one wife, they appear in large part to be written after he was dead. Those who made such statements had a social, cultural and financial pressure to make them.
It is beyond bizarre, to think that over the many years he was having children with Emma, that none of the other "supposed" 30-60 wives bore him children; talk about a extreme statistical anomaly. Some of the “supposed” children of Joseph with “supposed” other wives turned out to be fathered by other men as so proved by DNA testing.
Part 2:
ReplyDelete2014 was the 11th year in a row I have read The Book of Mormon; 5th year in a row for The Holy Bible. What I learned is that Prophets of God are human, and satan tries hard to knock them down, and those around them (just like satan is trying to knock each of us down). When I think of Joseph Smith, I think of the great love he had for God, and us; when I read The Book of Mormon, I sure feel of God's love, just like when I read from The Holy Bible (King James Version or Inspired King James Version).
Personally, I belong to the LDS Church; that is where The Holy Ghost has led me. I do respect the other fine Churches like the RLDS, 7th Day Adventist, Baptists, Lutherans, etc.; I sincerely wish them well in their personal journey to Jesus. I respect and acknowledge that some of them feel The Holy Ghost has led them to their respective Churches; I wish them the love of Jesus and the very best as they follow Jesus.
I support B Young as a Prophet, though he, as most LDS books do not mention, suffered from major health issues; including having to self-catheterize himself daily; he was probably on opiates much of the time to deal with the pain would be my reasonable guess from my background. I gave a kidney to my brother and it did not work out at first, so I had to be catheterized a number of times; so I speak from experience. B Young used a thin glass hollow tube is my understanding, and it got to the point where he did it himself, though sometimes aided by others. If indeed B Young had major health issues like catheterization and self-catheterization, and was on opiates for pain, then from a "humanness" perspective it is easy to understand how he was a bit off and supported Polygamy, Adam-god theory, and perhaps Mountain Meadows (before the event or after; the event is still a subject for much debate). To me he is still a Prophet; I go back to the point that Prophets are human and have their inspired moments and not so inspired moments. Members, former members, and non-members of the Utah peg, are to seek a witness from The Holy Ghost; it is their right from God.
God has a perfect plan that He asks mere imperfect mortals to execute; mortals are thus trying hard while at the same time being bombarded by satan and his host of fallen spirits. So regardless if Polygamy is from JS or BY, that issue will sort itself out in the eternities. Member Gospel Hobbyists should not allow their “study” of the polygamy issue to take weight over their own Spiritual Testimony of The Book of Mormon or going to The House of The Lord, doing their Visiting/Home Teaching, and sending gift subscriptions of the Ensign magazine to friends.
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DeleteChrist was very clear and taught that true prophets keep all his commandments (that's how we know they are really 'true' prophets) they don't abuse women, commit adultery, lie, steal, etc (Those things are what ‘false’ prophets do Christ said) I don't believe Brigham Young kept even 1 of the 10 commandments, let alone Christ's Golden Rule and his other commandments. His health problems probably started long after his whoredoms & evil began, and even so, they didn't give him a pass to sin. I would encourage you to study more about what BY was really like & what he did & said, and study especially the words of Christ, for it's impossible that BY or even Joseph Smith (even if he was innocent of polygamy) could have ever been true prophets.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeletePart 3:
ReplyDeleteWith the new LDS Church “document” stating that Joseph did have more than one wife, this appears to be based on the over one hundred “post Joseph Smith death” statements made by others. It is about time the LDS Church starts to use the internet to defend herself; we have the greatest message in the world; even the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. So these several “documents” on doctrine and history the Church is posting is a good start to defending. I pray some day we put up the entire temple Endowment ceremony on the web with our own commentary, as it is foolish to allow others to define that which we hold most Sacred. The LDS Utah Church, is being hammered by the intellectual interpretation of the over one hundred statements that Joseph had more than one wife, so perhaps they figured that it was best to say he did, and just move on. All I can say is I have not spiritually felt that he had more than one wife.
The President of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Utah), Boyd K. Packer, has warned the Saints not to focus too much on early Church History as those who wrote it may have errored with some facts and taken words out of context. Like many Prophets, he is concerned that members read on paper what they should be Fasting and Praying over. Allowing the arm of flesh to determine our path rather than The Spirit of The Lord and Gift of The Holy Ghost, is a path that will lead down the trail in the wrong direction.
I like Joseph Smith; I like Brigham Young, and I like Thomas Monson; I see the good in each. I am so grateful to God that throughout my life I have been Blessed to look for the good in others.
May all those who read about this subject be Blessed with His Spirit to enlighten them; that He will teach them what He wants them to understand; so is how it is supposed to work when we study and read and pray and Fast (and pay a generous Fast Offering).
You would enjoy my Indie movie trailer; "Sisters Go Ye Trailer 2" on youtube. I think it would make a great Indie movie about if Joseph did not have more than one wife; please pray I can be Blessed with the funds.
Peace and Grace and Faith in Jesus The Lamb and Only true Savior of our earth. Oh, one last hint; try reading one verse each time before you start your car every time you start your car.
Praise The Lord,
Numbers 6:22-27,
Brother Kyle
I agree. The section on Polygamy must go. I will sign your petition.
ReplyDeleteI have had so many of the thoughts, that you so eloquently express, about polygamy and how it was NOT commanded in the Old Testament. In fact, the only word of the Lord to Abraham, concerning his wife, was to listen to her. That was not an express command to practice polygamy. I used to be a huge apologist of polygamy until I started studying it and Church History. I wrote a research paper about Joseph Smith. Long story short, it seemed to me that one could make the case the polygamy literally killed him. Emma always maintained that it was of the Devil. I don't doubt that he actually did practice it as it drove a wedge between him and Emma. And yes she was torn about it. She hated it. David Whitmer has lots to say about it as well. I do find it interesting that soon after the "revelation" that told Emma to accept it or be destroyed, Joseph was killed and Emma lived long into old age. Enough said. It was wrong and any woman who never really had a choice to have her own husband will. Imagine all the millions of young men who died in battle without the benefit of ever being married. Of course there will be enough for all in the Celestial kingdom. To think otherwise is to think that God is not a fair God. Imagine being told; you've been so righteous that you get to SHARE your husband with untold numbers of other women. That kind of numerical difference devalues women here in this life AND in the next. Thank you for your thoughtful research into this topic.
ReplyDeleteThe reason the official church has been so successful in defending polygamy and its interpretation of verse 30 is the very reason that the author gives in defending Nephi's murder of Laban. The assumption is made that it was the spirit of Jesus Christ that delivered all of the justifications to Nephi. Yet the Lord has said that murder is the greatest of sins and adultery fornication our second. The root of the problem is the LDS love of exceptions and contradictions. It is okay for Nephi to make an exception to the grossest of crimes but not okay for Brigham Young to commit a gross crime. I I personally believe that the Nephi Laban exception is what fueled polygamy. Unless we believe that Jesus never never never never makes exceptions then we are opening the door to polygamy polygamy and the official interpretation of verse 30.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the voice to text mistakes.
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