I am an active LDS member, but I have always been very confused and curious about polygamy–why it was practiced and and why it was done away with? I am also curious if there are different sects of the FLDS religion and if they all follow the same leader. Recently I’ve noticed quite a difference between some of the groups and wondered if some of them still follow our prophet with the exception of practicing polygamy?
One Response to “I am an active LDS member, but I have always been very confu…”
Carlos Bravo
2010-10-25 04:20:23
Hi friend. Thanks for your recent question. Many wonder why God commanded that some members of the church practice polygamy in the church's early years. There's no question that polygamy was a great burden for our people, and our history of polygamy continues to be a thorn in our side today, as many outside the church don't realize that we discontinued the practice over 100 years ago, despite our constant attempts to educate. God has never explained why He commanded polygamy. That question is certainly one of the ones I intend to ask God after I die!
Since God never explained His motives, we can only speculate. One recent idea has been appealing to me. I think God commanded polygamy because He wanted a people, not just a church. He wanted to develop a culture, not just to restore an ancient theology.
Many aspects of the Law of Moses seem nonsensical. Why no shellfish, for example? Why so many divinely mandated cultural practices that differed so remarkably from the practices of the surrounding cultures? In retrospect, I think it's pretty obvious that God was trying to set the Israelites apart as a people, not just as another religion. That's why God made the ancient Israelites different and distinctive.
I suspect, though it's just personal speculation, that God had similar motives when He commanded polygamy. The practice seems distasteful to us today, but there's no denying that that distinctive practice set us apart as a people, not just as another church. Would we have survived the persecutions of Missouri or the migration to Utah if we had been just another church? Maybe not. Would we be so vigorous in our missionary zeal today if we were just another church, and not a people? We can't know for sure, but perhaps not. Polygamy was a major force in setting us apart as a distinctive people. That may have been the goal God had in mind when He commanded the practice.
We do have a better idea as to why polygamy was discontinued. The detriments came to outweigh the benefits. President Wilford Woodruff saw in vision that the United States government would occupy our temples if we didn't discontinue the practice. He received a revelation from God that polygamy should be discontinued.
Frances Monson, wife of President Thomas S. Monson, waves to congregation at the end of a general conference session.
I'm not an expert on the FLDS Church, but I do know a little bit about it. There are in fact many small polygamist break-away sects. I believe the FLDS Church is the largest one, but it is not the only one. There are significant differences between the various polygamist groups. Some are actually quite moderate in their beliefs and practices, polygamy aside. I believe there are some that do consider Thomas S. Monson to be a prophet of God, despite the fact that they practice polygamy in violation of the revelations given to LDS prophets. I don't understand what kind of theological acrobatics they must do in their heads to justify their behavior. As you know, members of the church who are found to practice polygamy are excommunicated.
I have heard that the reason the church added the question "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" to the temple recommend interview was to make it clear to those who practice polygamy while pretending to be faithful members of the church that they are not temple worthy. I hope this answer helps!
Since God never explained His motives, we can only speculate. One recent idea has been appealing to me. I think God commanded polygamy because He wanted a people, not just a church. He wanted to develop a culture, not just to restore an ancient theology.
Many aspects of the Law of Moses seem nonsensical. Why no shellfish, for example? Why so many divinely mandated cultural practices that differed so remarkably from the practices of the surrounding cultures? In retrospect, I think it's pretty obvious that God was trying to set the Israelites apart as a people, not just as another religion. That's why God made the ancient Israelites different and distinctive.
I suspect, though it's just personal speculation, that God had similar motives when He commanded polygamy. The practice seems distasteful to us today, but there's no denying that that distinctive practice set us apart as a people, not just as another church. Would we have survived the persecutions of Missouri or the migration to Utah if we had been just another church? Maybe not. Would we be so vigorous in our missionary zeal today if we were just another church, and not a people? We can't know for sure, but perhaps not. Polygamy was a major force in setting us apart as a distinctive people. That may have been the goal God had in mind when He commanded the practice.
We do have a better idea as to why polygamy was discontinued. The detriments came to outweigh the benefits. President Wilford Woodruff saw in vision that the United States government would occupy our temples if we didn't discontinue the practice. He received a revelation from God that polygamy should be discontinued.
I have heard that the reason the church added the question "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" to the temple recommend interview was to make it clear to those who practice polygamy while pretending to be faithful members of the church that they are not temple worthy. I hope this answer helps!