Why did you practice polygamy in the 1800s? What’s the reason? If God knows everything that will happen, why did he permit polygamy, that had negative consequences? Thanks!
One Response to “Why did you practice polygamy in the 1800s? What’s the reaso…”
Manuel Miranda
2009-10-25 01:29:11
The simple answer to your question is that we don't know why God asked the Mormons of the 19th century to practice polygamy. He must have had His reasons, but unfortunately He's not obligated to explain Himself to us. We are very happy that He no longer requires us to practice polygamy in modern times. Allow me to express my personal opinion regarding God's motivations, as if I could "read God's mind," which, obviously, I can't. :)
We can see in the Bible that God commanded His prophets to practice polygamy whenever He wanted to establish a righteous people. For example, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob practiced polygamy, and from them came the House of Israel. David practiced polygamy, and from the House of David came the Savior, Jesus Christ. Polygamy allows God to send many children to exceptional families, thereby maximizing the influence those families can have on the course of human history. Polygamy also has its obvious drawbacks, though, which is why the Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy should be the exception, and monogamy should be the rule (Jacob 2:24-30). Polygamy is only acceptable in those rare times when God authorizes it, like in the times of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, and, yes, in the 19th century when God through a modern-day prophet authorized its limited practice among the Mormons.
Say what you will about polygamy-it's hardly an ideal lifestyle, in my opinion-but there's no denying that it accomplished its purpose. The Church grew strong in Utah because of polygamy. Millions of Mormons today have polygamous ancestors, myself included. If God's goal was to establish a people, He accomplished that goal. And that people is now spreading across the globe, trying to share Christ's true gospel with all who will listen. When people say God works through mysterious ways, they ain't kidding. :)
We can see in the Bible that God commanded His prophets to practice polygamy whenever He wanted to establish a righteous people. For example, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob practiced polygamy, and from them came the House of Israel. David practiced polygamy, and from the House of David came the Savior, Jesus Christ. Polygamy allows God to send many children to exceptional families, thereby maximizing the influence those families can have on the course of human history. Polygamy also has its obvious drawbacks, though, which is why the Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy should be the exception, and monogamy should be the rule (Jacob 2:24-30). Polygamy is only acceptable in those rare times when God authorizes it, like in the times of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, and, yes, in the 19th century when God through a modern-day prophet authorized its limited practice among the Mormons.
Say what you will about polygamy-it's hardly an ideal lifestyle, in my opinion-but there's no denying that it accomplished its purpose. The Church grew strong in Utah because of polygamy. Millions of Mormons today have polygamous ancestors, myself included. If God's goal was to establish a people, He accomplished that goal. And that people is now spreading across the globe, trying to share Christ's true gospel with all who will listen. When people say God works through mysterious ways, they ain't kidding. :)