Plural Marriage

[AlaskanLDS]

Plural Marriage is still part of the Everlasting Gospel.  A complete reading of D&C 132 removes all doubt.  When the revelation was given to the Prophet Wilford Woodruff to cease the practice of Plural Marriage, the Lord was telling His Prophet that the Latter-day Saints needed to obey the Law of the Land as interpreted by the Supreme Court. 

This subject came up yesterday among some friends, the statement above is true for the United States but what about areas that allow plural marraige, such as some Hmong, Polynesian islands and I don't know exactly where but I think there are a number of other cultures that are okay with it.  If these cultures allow the missionaries in and are taught the gospel--how is polygamy handled in that case?

[Happy_LDS]

If these cultures allow the missionaries in and are taught the gospel--how is polygamy handled in that case?

In South Africa (as an example) where Plural Marriage is legal, missionaries are not allowed to teach the Gospel to men who live in Polygamous marriages.

[AlaskanLDS]

Thanks-that is good to know.  I know with the Hmong (MONG) people that were baptized here--some of them had wives in Laos (sp) and another here.  I don't know how that works though because it seems they only have them in name?  I don't believe they actually have two families they go back and forth to.  I appreciate your response.

[Happy_LDS]

You know, many people may criticize the Church for it but at the same time the job of the Church is to keep families together, if you want to baptize a guy who has plural wives how are you going to ask him to leave his wives and kids in order to do that? We would be destroying families.

[Zelph]

I remember this topic came up in one of my institute classes a few years ago.  The doctrine of the church is that we do not practice polygamy (par-say) When it comes to a man marrying a woman after his wife dies it's ok, when both (or more) parties are dead then it's ok.  It is when both parties are still living that we can't live the law of Plural Marriages.  Even in countries that allow it, it is against church doctrine (for the living).  If the man who already has multiple wifes truly loves the Lord and joins his church he will do what is right.  Even if it means divorcing his other wives.

[Sariah_Gift]

If the man who already has multiple wifes truly loves the Lord and joins his church he will do what is right.  Even if it means divorcing his other wives.

I dont think has nothing to do with truly loving the Lord neither I think (with all respect) you are seeing the bigger picture. What Happy_LDS mentioned is about families, so isnt a matter of just divorcing his wives but what about the kids fruits of those marriages? The Church's job is not to destroy families but unite them.

[Zelph]

It has everything to do with the Lord, if a person truly loves the Lord he will keep the commandments, even if it is contrary to how he is currently living (multiple wives or not).

[Robert9876]

It really bothered me a lot when it was stated : "It is not doctrinal"  It is plainly stated in D&C 132.   Also we are instructed that conference talks are to be regarded as scripture.   What about the journal of discourses that has many conference talks in it that explain the necessity to live polygamy in order to receive your exaltation.   One may say well that measure stick was for them and not for us today and that might be the case.   My problem is that when in the eternities many of the noble and great ones are in polygamous relationships.   What does that mean to us.   Where does that leave us?  If polygamy is truly how we will live in the eternities (and I believe we will) how can it not be doctrinal?  Personally, I believe it is just a huge marketing or PR strategy.   In order for the church to grow, we need to move into the main stream of christianity and our church leadership has done that and will continue to work on that.   If polygamy was not doctrinal then Joseph Smith, was wrong and a number of prophets with him.   The early church, I believe, had never any intentions to give up polygamy.   I mean really, they send groups to Mexico and Canada to continue with polygamy outside the USA.   Also they continued sealings to multiple wives after the first manifesto in 1890.   After several manifestoes in 1904 the church leadership were labeled by the Feds as a bunch of liars and oath breakers.   It was at that point that polygamy stopped.   It seems to me more a matter of being forced then a matter of wanting to stop.  However several apostles refused to leave their wives and families and ended up excommunicated.   I have no problem with the fact that the prophet declares: Not today! But find it very troublesome when our leaders state that it is not doctrinal.