I’m about ready to leave the church. I accept all the beliefs except polygamy. I even accept the idea that polygamy was instituted by God in ancient times. But I can’t accept the idea that “God is a polygamist” or that “in the celestial glory we will all practice polygamy.” In our days, in fact, a man can be sealed to multiple women, if his first wife dies, for example. Do I have to believe this? I have to get married to a man knowing that when we are exalted we’ll live in a polygamist marriage?
One Response to “Thinking about leaving the church”
Leonardo Castro
2012-08-27 00:52:21
Hi friend. I'm happy to inform you that you have significantly misunderstood polygamy! Mormons certainly do not teach that God is a polygamist. If any of your friends have suggested as much, they are teaching false doctrine.
Additionally, polygamy is not required for exaltation, as you suggest. The Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy is only acceptable in those rare occasions when God authorizes it. Otherwise, God has commanded monogamy.
You also do not understand the sealing ordinance correctly. It is true that, if a man's first wife dies, he can be sealed to a second woman. However, it is also true that a woman can be sealed to two men vicariously after her death. We often speak of sealings as "eternal marriages." However, a sealings is really much more then just a marriage. The goal of a sealing is to tie not only men and women together, but also parents and children. In fact, ultimately God wants to tie the entire human family together, clear back to Adam, so we can live in the celestial society together. In the end, we will all be sealed to one another, so it's hardly problematic that a man can be sealed to multiple women or that a woman can be sealed to multiple men.
I hope this answer helps you. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm very happy to help further if needed.
Additionally, polygamy is not required for exaltation, as you suggest. The Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy is only acceptable in those rare occasions when God authorizes it. Otherwise, God has commanded monogamy.
You also do not understand the sealing ordinance correctly. It is true that, if a man's first wife dies, he can be sealed to a second woman. However, it is also true that a woman can be sealed to two men vicariously after her death. We often speak of sealings as "eternal marriages." However, a sealings is really much more then just a marriage. The goal of a sealing is to tie not only men and women together, but also parents and children. In fact, ultimately God wants to tie the entire human family together, clear back to Adam, so we can live in the celestial society together. In the end, we will all be sealed to one another, so it's hardly problematic that a man can be sealed to multiple women or that a woman can be sealed to multiple men.
I hope this answer helps you. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm very happy to help further if needed.