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Plural Marriage: In That Day Seven Women Shall... - Page 24

Farseer, that is a good example of what I was trying to say. I believe very few know about this doctrine simply because they do not make the effort to find out. There are books and instruction manuals out about it, but they do not read. Plural marriage is not the only one. Look at Blacks and the Priesthood, how many members could give any kind of history or doctrinal answers or quotes for it? They can't. The funny thing about all of this... a man will quicker cheat on his wife rather than accept Plural marriage.

Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

I don't agree with this, the Institute Manuals are very general about Plural Marriage and they emphasized the widows and orphans as a reason for Plural Marriage (that's where some members got the idea from).
I don't fully agree either that some members just do not want to know more about it because even though we may have books and stuff to study more about, as I said before I think the Church has a responsibility to teach the members about this important principle, they may accept it or rejected (then we will prove who is a real Saint and who is not) but at least we need to discuss it more openly in our Church meetings and not treat the subject as 'forbidden' or 'it is in the past'. I am not trying to sound apostate but I do strongly feel that one of the reasons we don't teach it is not only because the members may not be ready but because of fear of losing millions members around the world if we openly teach it again (in my humble opinion). Just like Farseer was saying was the reaction of the members in her ward, this is the reaction most members have, like Plural Marriage 'was a mistake from the early members' and I think that the Church should do more to clarity this point. You all may not see the need for it, I personally think it is necessary. We are going to live this principle after Christ's return, what in the world are we waiting for to start learning about it!?. To say that the members may not be ready, doesn't make sense because they will never be ready! who could be? 'Share your husband with 7 more women, are you ready now?' Nobody can be totally ready! therefore the time is now to learn about it.

I don't know what do you mean exactly by that but I hope men in the Church understand the holy purpose of Plural Marriage and they don't use it to satisfy their lusts and believe they're having 'legal sex' just because they are not 'cheating' on his wife/wives.

Plural Marriage: In That Day Seven Women Shall... Studies Doctrine Mormon

Notice, I did not say the institute manuals per sey as much as institute itself. I have been to classes and other 'closed' sessions where these things are discussed. Also, I would like to mention that the GA's do talk about these things, but only in certain atmospheres. Normally before they answer any 'deep' question they are interested in who is asking it.

Page 24 Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

I don't know what do you mean exactly by that but I hope men in the Church understand the holy purpose of Plural Marriage and they don't use it to satisfy their lusts and believe they're having 'legal sex' just because they are not 'cheating' on his wife/wives.

I understand this statement completely. When the US Congress was debating this issue during the Reed Smoot hearings, the point was frequently brought up that many (most) of these same men condemning the Mormons for polygamy had mistresses or frequented the prostitutes.

One senator, after listening to Reed Smoot bear his testimony of the principle of plural marriage said something to the effect of: "I would rather have a polygamist who doesn't polyg, than a monogamist who doesn't monog."

The fact is, even in the Church, multiple sex partners is not all that uncommon. Sometimes it is legal (as in plural polygamy - marriage, divorce, remarriage), sometimes it is not. But most men quake at the thought of actually trying to live their lives in such a way as to provide for more than one wife.

This is the saddest thing I have seen written about the subject. If you and I don't study it and prepare to live it right now, then we won't participate in it in the "next life." So, I agree with Tenaheff that we are done a disservice with the dissembling about the reasons, the lack of discussion about the vital nature of it, etc. I don't blame the Brethren in this, but the members. Just as Farseer told about the member who became very upset about the subject, you will find people who object most strenuously in every ward and branch. They will denounce anyone who tries to discuss the principles and doctrines surrounding it, and will frequently try to get them excommunicated, just for discussing it.

NightHawk

Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

Nighthawk, how can that ever be the sadest thing you ever heard on the subject? You must not have heard much then?

Now this is become interesting. What to you is 'prepare to live it right now'?

After your answers I will say more.

Plural Marriage: In That Day Seven Women Shall...

I don't know yet. That is one of the things I am trying to learn.

First, I guess that we need to understand the principles involved. We certainly can't learn them from Sunday School. We have to study them for ourselves.

Second, I think we need to pray for guidance on this and other Celestial Laws. I am not even sure what the Celestial Laws are, other than plural marriage and consecration. All the other laws that I can think of that we speak about in church appear to be Terrestial laws.

Third, we absolutely must receive the Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost. Then, we must endure, seeking further light and knowledge until we have such constant revelation that we really are ready for whatever the Lord asks of us.

I know, for myself, that I am not ready. But at least I now know some of what I must do to become ready.

I think it probably comes down to becoming willing to embrace the principle. How many of us are at that point?

Oh, I have heard plenty. But when thinking about all of it, I see that most of us (including myself up until recently) are just willing to wait. Let the "next life" take care of itself. And that is not what Joseph Smith taught. Now is the time to prepare for Eternity.

I understand now that if we are ready and if we have embraced the principle then if we are inhibited from practicing it through no fault of our own, we will be justified.

NightHawk

Plural Marriage That Day Women Shall... - Page 24

For me this does not make sense. One can prepare to live anything that God wants for us to live only through obedience. At present we are obedient to the fact that we are not to physically participate in plural marriage until we are given permission to do so. Thus why fret yourselves over one thing when there is so much service that is neglected. Plural marriage I am sure is but one of the many things that we will have to begin to live. Right now we are not expected to live it. Keep in mind that plural marriage was not something that was 'common' in any dispensation, but granted to certain worthy men. I do have the feeling that this is blending in twith the other thread you like so well... 'The Prophet said so...' since you are in a way challenging the Church and therefore, it's leadership in the way they handle the doctrine.

"... I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwise." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Page 324)

Plural Marriage That Day Women Shall... Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 24

Well, now here is what I see as a problem with not even trying to accept the principal today...I know women who tell their husbands that they are not to remarry if they (the wife) die prematurely because they won't accept plural marriage. I think we can be obedient to a principal without being allowed to practice it. How? Well for me it is by being willing to live it.

I am willing to live it, but not ready to live it. What I am trying to say is that I can't imagine living in a plural marriage, I don't believe I am confident enough in myself as a person and a woman, but I know if I become convinced that the Lord wants me to live it, I will do my best to comply with his wishes. Now, I happen to believe if the Lord wants me to live it in this life, that edict will come in some fashion through my Church leaders, although I will need to gain confirmation of this on my own, just like with any other calling.

However, I really believe if we live our entire lives on this Earth insisting we will never even consider this principal as being one we will ever be willing to live, then when called upon to do so, even on the other side of the veil, we won't be prepared or willing. I see this as being no different than people who reject the gospel here also rejecting it on the other side.

Edited: tenaheff on 18th Jan, 2004 - 11:15am