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Plural Marriage: In That Day Seven Women Shall... - Page 35

While I was in Utah a couple of weeks ago, I had a long discussion with my brother-in-law, while driving into Wyoming and back. During that discussion, he made a comment that really struck me.

He noted that with the Church expanding into Africa and Asia, we are beginning to enter lands where plural marriage is common, even the norm in many parts of Africa. It is likely that the Church will soon say that plural marriage is "acceptable" in the eyes of the Church, but will not promote the idea. Perhaps this will start with it only being acceptable in cases where the people have already entered into plural marriage, in countries where it is legal, but rejected in North America and Europe. If so, I can imagine that there would be some serious questioning by some members (and former members) of such a policy.

Also, while in Utah, I met up with a former polygamist, as well as several family members who are current, active polygamists. It was a little bit of an eye-opener.

Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

If you don't mind, I would personally love to hear your experience about this.

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

Well, I can tell you that right now, in South Africa if a person wants to be baptised and they have more than one wife, they can continue to live with the first wife, must continue to support the other families, but cannot continue to have a marital relationship with them. Only one wife allowed, even though it is legal in that country to have more than one.

Page 35 Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

So, in essence, the man must divorce any other wives, but still provide full support, leaving those wives unfulfilled.

This is why I think that the Church is going to have to reverse this policy, especially in cases of previous plural marriages.

To start with, my aunt, who was a practicing polygamist for many years (but has now left the group), explained that she and her husband were excommunicated BEFORE they even considered joining one of the polygamist groups. They attended a single meeting, someone took down their license plate number, and a couple of weeks later, they were called before their stake president.

Next, my cousin, who is about three years younger than me, is the second wife in a marriage. She now has (I think) 7 children. She and her sister wife are extremely close. Their husband has very severe cancer, but her faith is extremely strong, and she is very upbeat about life.

Her older sister is part of a more strict group (an offshoot of the original) with some slightly stranger ideas. She lives with her 6 or 7 children in a trailer out in the desert.

Her younger sister recently got married, again into the group.

At least three of the brothers are now married into the group. I don't think any of them have plural marriages at the moment. (I never thought to ask about the other brother). They all seem very happy with their lives, happier than my own sister who is facing a divorce soon. This will make all three of my sisters with at least one divorce.

Finally, I spent some time with a very interesting author. He writes a lot of books (and booklets) concerning the church. He was excommunicated many years ago for polygamy, but does not now practice polygamy.

Several years after his situation changed, his bishop approached him to see how he felt about returning to the Church. They both fasted and prayed about it, as did their stake president. After getting permission from church HQ, he was baptized. When his record made its way to the (then) area president (who was responsible for the massive purges in the early 1990s), his record was voided. He is still in the same situation. He has a remarkable testimony, has never stopped attending church, is very obedient in all things. But can't rejoin the church because he believes that the principle of plural marriage is true, necessary for exaltation, and will be restored.

Shall Women Day That Marriage Plural

Last night there was a show on about Polygamy in the US (mostly Utah). I think it was the Discovery Channel, but not positive. Anyway, I think others may have already seen it and discussed it previously in the thread, but I was horrified by what I saw. Sorry, but the way this law is currently being lived, I am pretty much opposed. Too much abuse. I know arguments have been made that the abuse is over stated, but after watching the show, I can not in any way think of polygamy as a positive thing.

Now, if the Church were to sanction it, and control how it was lived, I believe that probably would remove a good deal of the abuse. However, I cannot support the splinter groups that do it now because there really is no good way, in my opinion, to do so in a fair and righteous manner. That isn't to say that everyone who practices polygamy is an abuser, but the fact that their isn't really a central leadership, truly led by God, to oversee this principal is, in my view a big enough problem to prevent it from receiving my support. Too much opportunity for abuse and no accountability at all.

I was surprised by the number of wives Brigham Young and Joseph Smith each had. It seems to me to be a bit excessive. I don't believe they had these wives for variety in bed partners either because there were just too many of them. However, I do question how they were able to adequately support their families. By support, I don't mean just money and food. How about being present in their children's lives on a regular basis. Provide emotional support for their wives on a regular basis, etc. I think a lot of this has been discussed before, but watching this show on TV last night brought it all back up fresh in my mind.

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

There is absolutely no doubt that among the splinter groups there is horrendous abuse. The author with whom I spoke on this subject told me that the group that my cousins are associated with is the most gentle, reasonable among the groups, and that it has some serious problems.

There is a VERY small group just outside of Colorado City, an offshoot from it, that is reported to be completely the opposite. Very loving, supportive of all, etc.

I will have to see if I can find the article about them later.

Plural Marriage That Day Women Shall... - Page 35

Tena said...

This sounds as if someone asked you to support them? As far as I know, even to agree with what the splinter groups are doing will jeapordize your membership hence one specific question that centers around this kind of thing in the Temple Recommend interview.

Well this has been brought up before and was left as one of the unanswered ones, but I can imagine that our concept of the father's role maybe a bit different from how it was then or during the Old Testament times. Maybe the role of the father was similar to how a Bishop deals with a congregation, just on a smaller level. Ideally, work in those times did not take father very far from home either.

Plural Marriage That Day Women Shall... Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 35

I didn't mean that I thought I was being asked to support them. I guess I mean I can't really sympathize with them or the suppression of their rights to polygamy.

I do believe the men are sincere in their belief to have more than one wife. I don't think it is a sexual thing like many people might, but I also believe it allows, or maybe even encourages, I don't know, women to be mistreated.

I would definately enjoy reading that article Nighthawk, if you are able to find it.

Edited: tenaheff on 20th Jul, 2004 - 12:15am