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Question

 

Gramps,

I read your answer – but when I read D&C 132:64, it sure seems like it is saying we (women) have to accept plural wives if our husband wants it. Is that what it is saying? I don’t want to practice polygamy here or in the next life – it is just wrong to me. God says all through the scriptures, to be faithful (chaste) – then Joseph Smith lusts for other women and suddenly the Lord tells him it is okay! Emma didn’t want him to practice it. I don’t want to teach my children, grandchildren, etc that they HAVE to practice polygamy in the next life. Please help me to understand, I really don’t want to leave the church over this.

Barbara

 

Answer

 

Barbara,

Polygamy is an issue that many people struggle with, both in the Church and out. Let’s look at D&C 132:61-64:

61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

 

62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

 

63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.

 

64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

Notice that in verse 61 it states that the first wife must give her consent before the husband can marry another woman. Also key to this is the secont part of verse 63, “for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.”

Now, let’s talk a little about Joseph Smith regarding this matter. In the heading for D&C 132 we read the following:

Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

Now, in your question you stated; God says all through the scriptures, to be faithful (chaste) – then Joseph Smith lusts for other women and suddenly the Lord tells him it is okay!

Let me ask you what possible reasons Joseph would have had in receiving these principles, yet essentially sitting on them for 12 years before revealing them? Could it be because Joseph knew very well what the implications were? Could it also be because of his devotion to his wife Emma whom he knew, better than anyone else, was quite opposed to polygamy?

There is no evidence that Joseph ever had intimate relations with any of his additional wives. There is no evidence he ever attempted to father children with them. The only children he did have were with Emma. Whatever Joseph did in regards to his polygamous marriages, I have a strong testimony that he obeyed the will and the word of God precisely.

Abraham, Jacob, and Moses all had more than one wife, and these are some of the most significant men of the bible, if not in the history of mankind prior to Jesus’ birth. Polygamy is a biblical practice, and as indicated in D&C 132, a principle with a promise of blessings attached to it.

I understand how this is an important issue to you, and I don’t want to detract from that at all. However instead of asking me to ‘make it alright’, as it were, I would ask you to make this a matter of sincere prayer and fasting. Go to Heavenly Father and ask him to help you find answers for your concerns and peace in your heart. I assure you he will answer you.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

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