Book of Mormon,
Mosiah Chapter 11:2
“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 eh did cause his people to commit sin, and to that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness. “
Today Mormons try to justify their early practice of polygamy by pointing to examples in the Bible. Tell you the truth I’m a bit sympathetic to that argument. I normally refrain from debating with Mormons about polygamy, it just is not condemned in the Bible. Whether it is the ideal that God wants for man is another thing to be debated completely. But arguing over whether the Bible permits it or not is not going to be fruitful. More time might be spent on presenting Christ as he is revealed in the Bible. Christ makes Christians, not monogamy.
However, I do want to ask. Why if in the book of Mormon Polygamy is condemned, is it so tenaciously defended in the History of Mormonism.? Why was it not o.k. for King Noah, and called an abomination, but when Joseph Smith calls for it, it is accepted as godly? It goes to show that the Mormons have never believed in the Book of Mormon. It has never been for them a guide for morals and doctrine. So why then do they want everyone to read it and have warm fuzzies?
3 comments:
I just read a little of it (BOM) and felt a swarm of 'scuzzies'.
You asked, “Why if in the book of Mormon Polygamy is condemned, is it so tenaciously defended in the History of Mormonism?”
The answer is that the Book of Mormon teaches that polygamy can be commanded by God. If you’ll go to the book of Jacob earlier in the Book of Mormon, you’ll find that the standing law among those people was monogamy: “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.” (Jacob 2:27) But in that context, he includes this caveat: “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.” (Jacob 2:30)
It is on that basis that Mormons tenaciously defend Mormon plural marriage—from the premise that God commanded his people to raise up seed unto Him. Mormons will point to the Bible to defend their historical practice of polygamy; but they’re just as secure in pointing to Jacob 2:30 for its authorization in a Book of Mormon context.
Alma,
Sorry, I was having trouble commenting yesterday and a bad cold.
So, I'm reading what you write here, and am left with, what? Now, I am not only left with the inconsistency of your religion, but with the inconsistency of your god.
Moral standards are there for reasons. And when it comes to polygamy and monogamy in the Bible, you get the impression that God thinks monogamy better, but will tolerate polygamy (all be it, he lays down a few rules to govern the whole situation.) All things considered he would rather us be in monogamous relationships because this is where we will find the true joy he meant marriage to be for us.
But in the Book of Mormon you have it condemned outright, that is polygamy. It is likened to whoredom. (Something completely different according to the Biblical record.) but you would have me believe that that is just because god was having a bad mood day and decided that these men should not be having such fun. But later he will change his mind, because he wants us to procreate a bit more.
What next? What else might your god just change his mind about given enough governmental/societal pressure? How do you know your god has changed his mind? Warm fuzzies perhaps?
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