Would You Practice Polygamy

[Yme]

God "supposedly" commanded polygamy (and, as we know, very few Christians would agree that it was commanded by God), to Smith somewhere between 1831 and 1843 by the Lds Church claims. This was met, for the next 40+- years, with the most significant secular and non-secualr public outcry from our predominantly christian society that the Lds church ever faced.

From a purely practical, reasonable, logical, spiritual, intellectual and perhpaps emotional perspective, I truly wonder how many here, who said they would openly declare support and participate in such practice if commanded by God, for a something that has done nothing but hindered the Lds Church's acceptance into the christian community, would say so in public outside the comfort and confines of either this board or their ward.

Maybe not the question asked on the OP, but after all the public distancing the Lds church has done from polygamy, I really wonder if such topic or issue was asked or discussed, say at a busines dinner, charity fundraiser, school gathering, or even a formal convention of "Christian Scholarship", how many members would be willing to publically state their willingness to abide by the prophet on this one?!?!

The reason this becomes such an obvious question is the reflection and distancing that Hinckley and other Lds Church leaders have always employed in public with respect to this topic. When one goes to the official Lds Church website, one needs to go no further than the sight on the History of the Prophets where one will find absolutlely zero on this practice which many early Lds prophets declared as "mandatory".

Perhaps these times they are a changing!

[karl61]

God "supposedly" commanded polygamy (and, as we know, very few Christians would agree that it was commanded by God), to Smith somewhere between 1831 and 1843 by the Lds Church claims. This was met, for the next 40+- years, with the most significant secular and non-secualr public outcry from our predominantly christian society that the Lds church ever faced.

From a purely practical, reasonable, logical, spiritual, intellectual and perhpaps emotional perspective, I truly wonder how many here, who said they would openly declare support and participate in such practice if commanded by God, for a something that has done nothing but hindered the Lds Church's acceptance into the christian community, would say so in public outside the comfort and confines of either this board or their ward.

Maybe not the question asked on the OP, but after all the public distancing the Lds church has done from polygamy, I really wonder if such topic or issue was asked or discussed, say at a busines dinner, charity fundraiser, school gathering, or even a formal convention of "Christian Scholarship", how many members would be willing to publically state their willingness to abide by the prophet on this one?!?!

The reason this becomes such an obvious question is the reflection and distancing that Hinckley and other Lds Church leaders have always employed in public with respect to this topic. When one goes to the official Lds Church website, one needs to go no further than the sight on the History of the Prophets where one will find absolutlely zero on this practice which many early Lds prophets declared as "mandatory".

Perhaps these times they are a changing!

It totally blows my mind why the church would distance themselves from this: there is no right and wrong in todays world. This may not get you social mileage to say in a public settting that you support polygamy but most people, that in public, that say polygamy is wrong would likely never condem someone who had an affair which is likely themselves. If you compare polygamy to the evils that happened in the protestant church since they split from catholics there is no comparison as to which had the greater "evil".

[Garden Girl]

Gee, all these single guys... too bad I'm not 40 years younger

I wouldn't want to live polygamy in this life, but no problem beyond the veil...

The Garden Girl

[Yme]

It totally blows my mind why the church would distance themselves from this: there is no right and wrong in todays world. This may not get you social mileage to say in a public settting that you support polygamy but most people, that in public, that say polygamy is wrong would likely never condem someone who had an affair which is likely themselves. If you compare polygamy to the evils that happened in the protestant church since they split from catholics there is no comparison as to which had the greater "evil".

I am not sure I would agree with you on the "right or wrong" aspect of early Lds church polygamy. I think the reactions and public statements (the little that there are) demonstrate that today's Lds Church is simply not comfortable, at least publicaly, with its own history in this area.

And while I probably would agree with you that most people dont talk about "affairs" today, while being just as bad as polygamy was then and is now, seems to be easier for our society to deal with. But right or wrong, I think "affairs" of the sin are understood (though not accepted) and easier to be forgiven far more that "polygamy of God" will ever be.

[karl61]

I am not sure I would agree with you on the "right or wrong" aspect of early Lds church polygamy. I think the reactions and public statements (the little that there are) demonstrate that today's Lds Church is simply not comfortable, at least publicaly, with its own history in this area.

And while I probably would agree with you that most people dont talk about "affairs" today, while being just as bad as polygamy was then and is now, seems to be easier for our society to deal with. But right or wrong, I think "affairs" of the sin are understood (though not accepted) and easier to be forgiven far more that "polygamy of God" will ever be.

Which is more likely to break a family apart: polygamy in the past or a current affair - which person is playing a mind game with the spouse. I think the issue has to do with honesty and if you pratice polygamy in the past you could be honest and build your family because you were not wearing a mask.

[cjcampbell]

I could see distinct economic and social benefits if plural marriage was accepted. You could have several incomes supporting a family, day care specialists, someone just running the kids around to soccer, dance lessons, and Scouts, a great cook, a great housekeeper, etc. But then, some of us already have all that in one person.

[Joseph Antley]

Are you kidding? I can't even get a date. The last dance I went to I got lucky and got two numbers. if I had better luck she would have given me the other five.

You know, most people don't appreciate good humor.

[California]

If called to, sure.

I would definitely do it if I was called to accept it. I would definitely fight it at first, but in the end as in everything, I would let HF convince me.

Then again, it "isn't doctrinal" and so I doubt we'll ever be praticing that again. It's already been brought back.

[Tsuzuki]

A good LDS Dr. friend of mine made sure my swimmers never leave the pool.

What did you do to upset him?

[solomarineris]

I think I could on conditions. I could not ever take more than one wife if asked to have children with them all. I love my wife, and could never do that to her. I would feel so guilty that I have been an adulterer, and don't believe I could face my wife the same again. I could do it if asked to take on my wife's sister to support her and her family should my brother-in-law die. That I would be happy to help, and wife agrees. I could be a husband, but never a father to more than one woman.

riker,

youre a very nice guy, but remember these religious issues were imposed upon you ever since you steadfestly believe in LDS creed (nothing wrong or right about it, it is just the way it is). Therefore you will be prepared to do whatever your spiritual circumstances dictate as D&C 132 states.

[freakin a man]

The funny think is if a man has 3 wives and lives in the US, he is looked down upon by society in general. If a man has 3 girlfriends like Hugh Hefner living with him, he is a STUD.

[mbh26]

Are you kidding? I can't even get a date. The last dance I went to I got lucky and got two numbers. if I had better luck she would have given me the other five.

That's sort of how it is when you're a man. It's either feast or famine. No girl will give a second look when you're young and poor. Then you get older and hit your financial prime and women are approaching you left and right. We're really not as far from the animals in our basic desires as we might think.

[Son]

What did you do to upset him?

I wouldn't join his church.

Hindsight is 20/20

[Changeling]

I would, but ONLY if they brought it back with the shoe on the other foot - that is, the women get to have multiple husbands. Let the men see how they like that.

Oh what, joe averageman, you're insecure at the thought of sharing your wife with some superstud? Got a sick feeling in your stomach as your wife ogles the new guys in search of the one the Lord wants her to marry next?

Me too my friend. Me too.

[kamenraider]

I would. We would have to find another "right person" though.

BTW, I really liked Her Amun's comment that:"The more people I have to love, and the more people I have to love me the better."

[sunstoned]

I would be interested in responses from male and females, members and non members (I guess non members don't need the okay)

No. I consider the practice of polygamy disgusting.

[SMG]

Feh. I'd fight tooth and nail to make sure I didn't wind up in a polygamous union. I don't really care what the nice couple/triple/quadruple/etc. next door does, so long as no one is hurt.

Then again, I probably won't ever wind up married, polygamously or otherwise, LOL.

[Oracle]

I could see distinct economic and social benefits if plural marriage was accepted. You could have several incomes supporting a family, day care specialists, someone just running the kids around to soccer, dance lessons, and Scouts, a great cook, a great housekeeper, etc. But then, some of us already have all that in one person.

I agree. I would not have any problem having multiple husbands. One an accountant, one a handyman, one an attorney or doctor. From a purely economic viewpoint, CJ, a female with multiple male spouses would be better as a sole female would ensure a controlled child population, thereby reducing overall household expenditures. You'd probably have to make up for it by purchasing season tickets for all the husbands to the professional sports team of their choosing, however.

From a sexual standpoint, it continues to be advantageous to have a female with multiple husbands as opposed to the male/multiple female wives scenario. A female is multi-orgasmic and could provide a more satisfying sexual life to multiple males vs the physical limitations of a male.

It would seem the only remaining issue would be the terroritorial one that most males possess. That's the point where the female would tell the handyman "get over it already, the doctor husband brings in 200K and pays for your jet skis in the garage."

[cjcampbell]

I agree. I would not have any problem having multiple husbands. One an accountant, one a handyman, one an attorney or doctor. From a purely economic viewpoint, CJ, a female with multiple male spouses would be better as a sole female would ensure a controlled child population, thereby reducing overall household expenditures. You'd probably have to make up for it by purchasing season tickets for all the husbands to the professional sports team of their choosing, however.

From a sexual standpoint, it continues to be advantageous to have a female with multiple husbands as opposed to the male/multiple female wives scenario. A female is multi-orgasmic and could provide a more satisfying sexual life to multiple males vs the physical limitations of a male.

It would seem the only remaining issue would be the terroritorial one that most males possess. That's the point where the female would tell the handyman "get over it already, the doctor husband brings in 200K and pays for your jet skis in the garage."

You see? It could work. The only fly in the ointment that I can see is how long it would take for your multiple spouses (whether women or men) to figure out you are a non-producing drone and dump you.

[Yme]

Which is more likely to break a family apart: polygamy in the past or a current affair - which person is playing a mind game with the spouse. I think the issue has to do with honesty and if you pratice polygamy in the past you could be honest and build your family because you were not wearing a mask.

I think this is the real issue I have with the origin of polygamy from the mouth of Joseph Smith. I think the plethora of historical documents and evidence indicate, rather convincingly, that he was niether honest with this practice, especially with Emma, and publically, with the members of his church. Many would reasonably conclude that it led to his death. I also cant conclude it did much to "build" his family as they seemed to have left the church after his death.

And it seems that polygamy did break up a lot of families when government actions were taken against the church and certain members practicing polygamy. Seems like its broken up a lot families today who claim, as many here do in defense of the church, it is still a command of God!

[selek]

And it seems that polygamy did break up a lot of families when government actions were taken against the church and certain members practicing polygamy. Seems like its broken up a lot families today who claim, as many here do in defense of the church, it is still a command of God!

So in your eyes, the true test of a correct and Godly principle is the ratio of acceptance to persecution it generates in the surrounding community? Would you agree then that the persecution the early Christian Church suffered at the hands of both Jewish and Roman civil authorities is proof that they were a cult cut off from the commandments of God?

Keep in mind, Yme, that those families are eternal- they are still bound together and whole. Whatever hardship and persecution they suffered were temporary and were inflicted by the government.

Absent that persecution, polygamist families have tended to thrive.

And you might wish to be a little more precise in your language. It is the position fo the LDS Church that polygamy WAS a commandment of God- it is no longer practiced in the Church.

[Doctor Steuss]

Polygamy = No

Polyandry = Maybe

[Oracle]

You see? It could work. The only fly in the ointment that I can see is how long it would take for your multiple spouses (whether women or men) to figure out you are a non-producing drone and dump you.

You could probably extend it to several years as long as you were very visible in helping out with the dishes and laundry.

[katherine the great]

I would be interested in responses from male and females, members and non members (I guess non members don't need the okay)

Only if my husband approved of my choice of brother-husbands.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I would be interested in responses from male and females, members and non members (I guess non members don't need the okay)

Not on your life (or mine either)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could you imagne more than one southern woman in the same kitchen?

Pa Pa