How Many Lds Believe Polygamy

[Nathair/|\]

There seems to be a lot more squeamishness about women having multiple partners than men doing the same which is a topic of its own.

Probably the question needs to be broken down into polygyny and polyandry because I suspect some responses would differ if the gender was changed.

I confess I would rather be in a polyandrous relationship than a polygynous one. I have a hard enough time with one wife.

[juliann]

I did a poll asking a similar question, had to be years ago. I remember that 80% firmly believed polygamy to be in their future. I remember it because I was surprised by the pervasiveness of the idea as the church is distancing itself.

My impression now is that comments are more cautious and not restricting polygamy to just men is more evident. However, most think polygamy is a given.

Any other interpretations?

[Calm]

How many women would want to do that?

Probably about the same as men are out there who want to do it.

[Deborah]

There is a classic sci-fi story called "Day of the Triffids" (not that ridiculous 1962 movie). In this movie most of humanity is pretty much wiped out and there is discussion by one survivor group of having men take multiple wives so as to increase the population. It certainly seems in some situations this would be a practical consideration.

So whether it would be practiced again by the church I suppose depends on the circumstances though I don't foresee it being restored in modern times, at least not until the Millennium. For myself I don't have a problem with it, having been married to a jerk I'd take part of a good man any day. Besides I'm so independent I wouldn't want him around all the time. I'd probably send him to one of the other wives.

[mbh26]

Probably about the same as men are out there who want to do it.

Do you really believe that? I think women are pickier about who they mate with, but once they have who they want, they don't seem driven to add to their harem. In contrast even men married to very beautiful women are tempted to cheat, even if the next woman is not so beautiful. It's just the nature of this world.

Stranger things could happen, such as living in a world where time did not exist and people were in many places at once. But inasmuch as the next world mirrors our probationary state polygamy is natural, polyandry is unnatural. Most animals, including human beings are wired for polygamy. This is evident not just in the behavior of men, but women as well even if they don't recognize it. It's a part of who we are as a species. It's our earthly heritage.

Edited July 17, 2011 by mbh26

[Xander]

There seems to be a lot more squeamishness about women having multiple partners than men doing the same which is a topic of its own.

Probably the question needs to be broken down into polygyny and polyandry because I suspect some responses would differ if the gender was changed.

Agreed. Society generally shapes our perspective on this. Virtue seems to be attached to the faithful woman more so than the man. Men it seems, are expected to behave like animals at times, whereas the woman it seems, is expected to remain loyal to one mate. I can't help but feel disgusted at the notion that my Mother slept around on my Dad. I would be upset if my Dad slept around, but as a son, there is just something extra disturbing about my Mother engaged in sexual relations with multiple men. It is hard to pin point where these sentiments come from, and I'm sure it involves a double standard and religious upbringing. From an evolutionary perspective, humans probably aren't meant to be monogamous.

[Glenn101]

I am asking this of active believing LDS. It is not for the purpose of arguing any position.

I would be interested in hearing from those who believe that worthy men will have more than one wife in the Celestial Kingdom and what leads you to this conclusion.

Well, I am already a polygamist in the eyes of God. So I have to ensure that I am worthy.

I actually do not have any idea about whether every worthy male will more than one wife. I have found nothing scriptural that would make it a certain deal.

I am not worried about all of the other worthy men. I can only take comfort in the knowledge that families can be together forever, and leave the details up to god and the next estate.

Glenn

[KevinG]

Is it an eternal principle? Yes when God commands it and calls someone to it.

Is it about sex? No.

Would I practice it? Yes if God commanded me to do it.

Does my wife accept it? Yes she has already told me I will be responsible for some of her single friends if a good man doesn't step up in this life.

Having said that society in general and even the LDS population has too much trouble with faithfulness, chastity, serial monogamy (divorce) and selfishness and I don't think we would be ready to handle anything more complex than monogamous marriage at this point even if the Lord was to ask us to practice the principle.

[KevinG]

Virtue seems to be attached to the faithful woman more so than the man. Men it seems, are expected to behave like animals at times, whereas the woman it seems, is expected to remain loyal to one mate.

That may be a social construct that is breaking down because of birth control and the sexual revolution. My sons have had more trouble with girls misbehaving around them and cheating on their relationships than my daughters have.

I have never subcscribed to "boys will be boys" but I fear for what the lack of expectation that anyone will be virtuous will do to our society.

[Mike Richards]

As my wife and I have discussed polygynous and polyandrous relationships (specifically with regard to Joseph Smith, but also the principles themselves in general), I've wondered if a mixture of such relationships are required in populating worlds with sufficient genetic diversity. Could it be that while my wife and I are united as the Father and Mother of our spirit children, that others are involved in the production of those children through polygynous and polyandrous relationships? I know, it's a strange thought, but it doesn't seem too unreasonable.

I am as certain that there will be polygamy in the celestial kingdom, as I am that there will be a celestial kingdom. Whether or not everyone will participate, I don't know. I kind of expect that most will.

[Garden Girl]

Okay... once again... my personal opinion.

It is my opinion that too often we limit our thinking about celestial marriage relationships in the context of our experience on this earthly sphere. I do not believe that we will have the marital physical relationships that we do here... these are for this sphere and serve their purpose here. In my opinion, we will participate in "creating" and "organizing" spirit children... perhaps even in concert with Heavenly Father, to his glory... as new worlds are created or "organized."

In my opinion, the Genesis account of Adam being formed from the earthly elements is a metaphor and probably isn't too far off...

I believe the Celestial Kingdom is far above our limited understanding... so to me, celestial polygamy is not about physical relationships but about families, and working together in glorifying God on a higher plane than we are familiar with in this telestial world.

GG

[Stargazer]

I'd say that the scriptural evidence is clear that the answer is yes.

[Hamba Tuhan]

It's obviously an option, but I'm of the personal opinion that, in the eternities, it'll be rare.

[Kenngo1969]

Bluebell, Garden Girl, and Deborah are all smart women, so heck! I agree with them!

[mbh26]

I've wondered if a mixture of such relationships are required in populating worlds with sufficient genetic diversity.

Could it be possible that the different races and genetic diversity that we see in this world are the result of different Heavenly Mothers from the same Heavanly Father? Maybe that was why Jehovah was so connected to the Jews at first was because he belonged to that race before He was born. Perhaps there truly is no end to race as the hymn states.

I thought part of the reason for learning to "bridle," our natural sexual desires was to prove ourselves worthy of keeping those procreative powers in eternity. From what the prophets have said, especially regarding the conception of Jesus Christ, I can't see how sex not being a part of eternity would be compatible with Mormon thinking. Of course, by the temple recommend standard, it's not a part of the minimal belief requirements.

But it does raise a larger question in that I'm not sure I'm really happy feeling, for lack of a better word, horny all the time and I would imagine that women are not really happy being pregnant or enduring perpetual menstrual cycles.

[thesometimesaint]

If asked by God to practice it in the Celestial Kingdom(assuming I make it) then I'll practice it. I have no desire for it in my mortal lifetime.

[juliann]

We have 20 responses from LDS. Of those, I would only assign 3 as being undecided enough to not merit adding to the yes, polygamy is doctrine, (i.e., a fact of our eternal lives).

Any others?

[Fly Fisherman]

We have 20 responses from LDS. Of those, I would only assign 3 as being undecided enough to not merit adding to the yes, polygamy is doctrine, (i.e., a fact of our eternal lives).

Any others?

To me, active LDS, the answer is No. Yes, it was an eternal principle to those who were commanded to live it. But since I am not commanded to live it, it is not an eternal principle, and I feel no obligation to answer Yes for this reason.

Could it become someday a commandment? How should I know? Any answer involves a lot of speculation mingled with prophets' words and scriptures, but I don't think any answer as to whether the prophet would require it, or whether it will be required in the Celestial Kingdom, or Millenium, or whatever, cannot come without at least some speculation. Xander's question as to whether I would accept it if the prophet announced it, is an unfair question. If that happened, then I would have the luxury of fasting, praying, visiting the temple to get a confirmation of it, etc - and acceptance of mine of such a principle should not be expected without doing these things. Since the prophet has made no announcement, then I do not need to think about it, pray, fast, go to the temple and do the things that would be necessary to accept it - hence I don't need to answer Xander's question. If indeed someday the prophet announces it, then I would hope that I would be willing to do what the Lord commands, but I will not answer yes or no as to whether I would accept it today because I can't answer that without the commandment being already given - I cannot be expected to accept a commandment that hasn't been given.

[mbh26]

If that happened, then I would have the luxury of fasting, praying, visiting the temple to get a confirmation of it, etc - and acceptance of mine of such a principle should not be expected without doing these things.

But it seems to me like we're pushed to make that decision now, not when the time comes. Would you go through the same process if you were asked to give up your farm to the bishop in the law of consecration, or have you already made that commitment?

[BCSpace]

I am asking this of active believing LDS. It is not for the purpose of arguing any position.

The Church is false if plural marriage is not an eternal principle because it's given in the scriptures and official doctrine. If the Lord can authorize it, then it is an eternal principle. Thus, the Church has an official doctrine on plural marriage which is positively in favor of it and the short description of it is that the Lord authorizes plural marriage from time to time.

Jacob 2:23–30. Plural Marriage

• Jacob clearly taught that the Lord did not want the

Nephites to practice any form of plural marriage. He

stated that men were to have only one wife unless the

Lord commanded otherwise (see Jacob 2:27–30).

Book of Mormon Student Manual

I would be interested in hearing from those who believe that worthy men will have more than one wife in the Celestial Kingdom and what leads you to this conclusion.

There is no indication that plural sealings are somehow undone or invalidated. Look also at David whose wives were to be given to another (singlular).

And no, I am not particularly looking forward to or seeking plural marriage opportunities. If I believe the truth claims of the Church, then I must accept it's doctrine as doctrine at least.

[BCSpace]

I remember it because I was surprised by the pervasiveness of the idea as the church is distancing itself.

The Church is distancing itself only from current practice. The Church does not apologize for nor has it invalidated previous practice or ancient legitimate practice.

[MorningStar]

I can't imagine wanting to practice polygamy in this life, but I can see why people would want to be sealed to all of their spouses.

[stYro]

I think that we have no comprehension of what marriage will be like in the CK. I don't think there will be any selfishness or jealousy and that the important thing is that we are all sealed together in that unbroken link under Heavenly Father.

Since I don't fit the requirements laid down in the opening post my beliefs about polygamy would be irrelevant, but I do think Deborah has said something profound here. I don't think any of us have ever seen a social structure that wasn't largely based on selfishness and jealousy (and a few other negatives). Things may be very, very different up there.

I will venture this opinion: Whatever the order of heaven is, it's got to be a better deal for everyone involved. Otherwise, it's not heaven.

Edited July 17, 2011 by stYro

[ldsfaqs]

When I observe human nature, I have no doubt that there will be more righteous women to men, and generations of children who will require a righteous father, and thus by simple default there will be those called to have more than one wife, and generations of their children.

Don't forget the children in this formula. Love is Eternal, and Binding.

[ldsfaqs]

Remember, Plural Marriage is a principle of Love, the deepest of all Loves. If love is Eternal, and Godliness is Eternal, then there must be an Eternal balance made for love also for both woman and children. This makes plural marriage an absolute in the Celestial World.