Where Did You Learn About Polygamy (Or Multiple Sealings) From?

[bluebell]

I learned all that stuff in seminary.

[Calm]

Tacenda, you list yourself as one of those who no longer believes in Mormonism. I was under the impression you were more in the doubting category? Has something happened to move you to a complete loss of faith (in the unique aspects of the LDS faith including its authority, I understand you have expressed a testimony all along in Christ without doubt...at least so it seemed to me) or have I misunderstood your comments and what appeared to me as doubt was always disbelief?

[Sleeper Cell]

I am desended from Mormon polygamists...so in a really freaky twist of history...I owe my very existance to Joseph Smith's polygamy.

A most compelling argument against polygamy.

… Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

While I think I've always been aware of polygamy in the church...and while I believe the church has always been good at disclosing Brigham Young's 50+ wives...for some reason they've been more protective of Joseph Smith polygamy, often framing it as a minor issue...in my mind he had only 2-3 wives. So while I learned on my mothers knee that I decended from polygamist and knew of Brigham Youngs situation I didn't become fully to the extent of Joseph's involvement until I was an adult.

Actually, the Church and individual apologists used to emphasize Joseph’s Smith’s polygamy in order to support the legitimacy of the authority claims of Brigham Young and his successors. One of the classic RLDS arguments was that the “Utah Church” can’t prove that Joseph Smith fathered offspring with any of his alleged polygamous wives; therefore, Joseph Smith never practiced polygamy; therefore polygamy was really introduced by Brigham Young; therefore, the “Utah Church” is apostate. The LDS Church and/or its apologists responded with affidavits and other evidence to prove the contrary. IIRC, this continued for several generations after the Manifesto. Probably one reason Joseph Smith’s polygamy it is no longer emphasized is that the once bitter rivalry between the RLDS (now the Community of Christ) and LDS Churches is a thing of the past.

[Calm]

Actually, the Church and individual apologists used to emphasize Joseph’s Smith’s polygamy in order to support the legitimacy of the authority claims of Brigham Young and his successors.

I remember this being used as evidence even when I was a kid.

[Tacenda]

Tacenda, you list yourself as one of those who no longer believes in Mormonism. I was under the impression you were more in the doubting category? Has something happened to move you to a complete loss of faith (in the unique aspects of the LDS faith including its authority, I understand you have expressed a testimony all along in Christ without doubt...at least so it seemed to me) or have I misunderstood your comments and what appeared to me as doubt was always disbelief?

I guess I thought I put it under "it tested my faith and I doubt that part of mormonsm". Oops, either I have multiple personality disorder or I made the mistake I mentioned at first. I'm gonna have to check into some mental therapy perhaps. I know for a fact I'm on the fence still, thanks to you and your comrades unshakeable testimonies, they do affect me!

[KevinG]

I'm noticing a correlation between those who learned about polygamy as an adult and those who lost faith over the matter. Also a lesser correlation between those who learned from a non-LDS source.

Perhaps the lesson here is teach our youngsters our story when they are young and make sure they get it from us - not someone bent on shocking them into losing their testimony.

[cinepro]

I first really learned about polygamy when I read the "Storm Testament" series of books when I was 11-14. The stories in books 2 and 5 deal with it quite a bit, and it didn't bother me much.

A few months ago, my 13 year old daughter read book #2, and had a different reaction. At the end of the book (spoiler alert), a love triangle in Nauvoo is resolved with polygamy. My daughter was not happy with that!

[William Schryver]

I first really learned about polygamy when I read the "Storm Testament" series of books when I was 11-14. The stories in books 2 and 5 deal with it quite a bit, and it didn't bother me much.

A few months ago, my 13 year old daughter read book #2, and had a different reaction. At the end of the book (spoiler alert), a love triangle in Nauvoo is resolved with polygamy. My daughter was not happy with that!

Unfortunately that option wasn't available when I was 21 and had to choose between two girls to marry.

[Libs]

I first really learned about polygamy when I read the "Storm Testament" series of books when I was 11-14. The stories in books 2 and 5 deal with it quite a bit, and it didn't bother me much.

A few months ago, my 13 year old daughter read book #2, and had a different reaction. At the end of the book (spoiler alert), a love triangle in Nauvoo is resolved with polygamy. My daughter was not happy with that!

Yeah, I think most women see the whole polygamy issue a little differently than most men.

[William Schryver]

Yeah, I think most women see the whole polygamy issue a little differently than most men.

I think that's generally true when they're younger. But, for some at least, their perspective changes as they get older. However, by that time, most of the men are less sanguine about it than they were when they were younger. Kind of ironic ...

[Libs]

Selek says:

If you were unaware of the concept from within the Church, you weren't paying attention - or were comfortable in your own complacency.

I don't think it's usually a matter of being unaware of polygamy in the history of the church. As I said, I was aware of that, long before I even joined the church. What I didn't know, were the particulars about Joseph Smith's polygamy, namely the ages of some of his youngest wives and the fact that he was sealed to some, already married, women. Those things were not talked about in Sunday School or at any other time, in my Ward. Never.

[Tacenda]

Unfortunately that option wasn't available when I was 21 and had to choose between two girls to marry.

Now I'm going to really out me when I say I watch The Bachelor and Bachelorette, I always think how easy they would have it, when struggling to pick out of two or three they love at the same time, if they just had polygamy, or polyandry for that!

Edited July 6, 2012 by Tacenda

[William Schryver]

Selek says:

I don't think it's usually a matter of being unaware of polygamy in the history of the church. As I said, I was aware of that, long before I even joined the church. What I didn't know, were the particulars about Joseph Smith's polygamy, namely the ages of some of his youngest wives and the fact that he was sealed to some, already married, women. Those things were not talked about in Sunday School or at any other time, in my Ward. Never.

They're not talked about in Sunday School in my ward, either. So what?

[Libs]

I think that's generally true when they're younger. But, for some at least, their perspective changes as they get older. However, by that time, most of the men are less sanguine about it than they were when they were younger. Kind of ironic ...

Yes, I agree with that. Most of the older women (including myself) were pretty accepting of the idea. I was told that polygamy came to be, primarily, because there were so many widowed women, after the Mormon wars, who along with their children, needed taking care of, and polygamy was one way of addressing that need. I accepted that very easily....but, that wasn't actually the truth of it. And, the truth was a little more difficult to understand and accept.

[Libs]

They're not talked about in Sunday School in my ward, either. So what?

I was addressing Selek's claim that people who didn't know about it were just not paying attention. I had no way of knowing about the things I later learned. I didn't grow up in the Church and most of what I knew about it, I learned in Church or from people in my Ward....until I stumbled on some things on the internet.

[Traela]

I think I learned about JS's polygamy during my first year of Seminary. Didn't bother me. When I learned about the ages of some wives it still didn't bother me, because I had read enough 19th and early 20th century fiction to know it was considered perfectly acceptable at the time. Really, what was considered romantic in the 1800's can be quite disturbing to our modern eyes.

In fact, the more I learn about the time period, the more I am convinced that polygamy was far more a blessing to the women involved, than a necessary evil.

[KevinG]

Now I'm going to really out me when I say I watch The Bachelor and Bachelorette, I always think how easy they would have it, when struggling to pick out of two or three they love at the same time, if they just had polygamy, or polyandry for that!

There is no way a polygamous relationship will work based on romance. Come to think of it a monogamous relationship is just as doomed if it is all about attraction.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

Just for grins where did you first hear about LDS polygamy (or multiple sealings) from?

I heard about it as a youth from LDS friend. He was a descendant of polygamous Mormons and his g-grandfather spent some time in a Utah jail for his troubles.

It didn't affect my faith- I joined the Mormons several years after I learned about polygamy from my friend.

Missionaries, Prieshood and Sunday School...all three before being baptized. Also because my brother made a comment about someone when I was young he met at a party.

[KevinG]

You know the grammar in my title is horrendous. Sorry if I set anyone's teeth on edge.

[Calm]

Just a bit...

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

You know the grammar in my title is horrendous. Sorry if I set anyone's teeth on edge.

My grammar is always such...the IPad thing is not helping. I usually use two fingers to type now it is one. Well that and only a brain stem.

[rodheadlee]

I knew of it before I converted, we discussed it with the missionaries before we were baptised.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I don't remember exactly when or how I learned about it- so I just guessed. I know I was in the teenage range.

It is one of various reasons I eventually left the LDS version of "Mormonism" (it didn't bother me in my younger days)- but it didn't affect my belief in the Book of Mormon, Restoration of the Gospel, or the return of Priesthood authority to the Earth.

Edit: I would add that I no longer believe that Joseph taught or practiced PM- but even if he really did I would still not doubt the Book of Mormon, the Restoration, or restored Priesthood (which I believe can be found among several churches of the Restoration).

Edited July 7, 2012 by BookofMormonLuvr

[BookofMormonLuvr]

oops, I meant to edit.

Edited July 7, 2012 by BookofMormonLuvr

[Lightbearer]

Do not remember exactly when I first heard. But it was at a young age. My parents knew about it and never apologized for it and also it was discussed in church in various classes. Actually I do not know of anyone who ever heard of Mormonism who had not heard of it. In Seminary D&C section 132 is explained very well or it least it was to me.