Sin vs. Apostasy

[Rivers]

What is the difference between sin and apostasy?  What makes polygamy and SSM apostasy as opposed to being only sins?

[ALarson]

3 minutes ago, Rivers said:

What is the difference between sin and apostasy?  What makes polygamy and SSM apostasy as opposed to being only sins?

To add to this:

What makes SSM apostasy when being promiscuous with the same sex or living with the same sex (but not marrying them), are only sins?

This makes it less serious for gays to sleep around or shack up vs. entering a committed SSM.

[JLHPROF]

All apostasy is sinful.
But not all sins are apostasy.

Promotion of polygamy and SSM is to promote lifestyles that at present go against the teachings and doctrines of the Church.  That makes them apostasy.
Any promotion of teachings or beliefs directly contrary to the Church position is considered apostasy.

Engaging in polygamous or homosexual relationships are also considered fornication, a sin on its own not related directly to apostasy.

SSM contains both sin and apostasy.  SS relations alone are just sinful.
The same applies to heterosexuals.  Fornication is bad.  Adultery is worse.  Adultery while under the covenant of chastity is even worse because multiple sins have been committed.
There are always degrees and numbers of sins.
 

[smac97]

7 minutes ago, Rivers said:

What is the difference between sin and apostasy?  What makes polygamy and SSM apostasy as opposed to being only sins?

"Sin vs. Apostasy" is rather like "Mammal v. Horse."  That is to say, the latter is a subset of the former.

So perhaps the better question is "What makes SSM and unauthorized polygamy profoundly serious sins?"

The answer, I think, is that both polygamy and SSM are problematic

A) because they necessarily violate The Law of Chastity (which is "abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost"),

B) because they set the participants up to serially violate The Law of Chastity,

C) because they typify the sins in D&C 1:15 ("For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant"),  and

D) because they distort and corrupt both the sacred procreative powers given to us, and also the institution of marriage (which is a vital component of exaltation - see D&C Sec. 76).

There are probably more reasons than this, but these are the ones that immediately came to mind.

Thanks,

-Smac

[halconero]

I would argue that more significantly, apostasy is the undermining of and rebellion against priesthood keys. D&C 132 is very particular about the priesthood keys necessary to authorize polygamous unions being vested in the President of the Church. The President of the Church can, under the direction of the God, both turn the key, close up the door and stash it away in his proverbial pockets. Church members engaging in polygamous unions do so contrary to the established priesthood keys.

[JLHPROF]

6 minutes ago, halconero said:

Church members engaging in polygamous unions do so contrary to the established priesthood keys.

True.
Except most fundamentalist polygamists claim keys by ordination down from a Church prophet.
So, for right or for wrong, in their case it is an issue of who holds the keys, not whether they are necessary or not.
They are no more wrong than a Catholic following the Pope.

[Wanderer7]

I would submit that one crosses the line into apostasy when his or her actions/attitudes/beliefs threaten the church beyond the worth of said person's own church membership.

[Stormin' Mormon]

When you make a commitment, covenant, or contract to act contrary to the teachings of the Church, and the repercussions of breaking that contract will harm a number of innocents such that repentance of that sin becomes a much more complicated, difficult, and heart-breaking process, then you have crossed into the realm of apostasy. 

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, Rivers said:

What is the difference between sin and apostasy?  What makes polygamy and SSM apostasy as opposed to being only sins?

Generally sinning is just sinning.

Sin becomes apostasy when you try to institutionalize it (SSM) or proselyte about it (many of our high-profile apostates).

The former is usually limited in scope. The latter is trying to de-sin sin.

[carbon dioxide]

2 hours ago, Rivers said:

What is the difference between sin and apostasy?  What makes polygamy and SSM apostasy as opposed to being only sins?

Apostasy is simply a subset of sin.  Apostasy to me simply means to rebel or fall away.  So I personally don't view polygamy or SSM as apostasy unless it is done as an act of rebellion or defiance against the Church.  If it is done for other reasons, then it is not apostasy in my view but simply the sin of breaking of boundaries of the law of chastity.  Either way, whether apostasy or a gross violation of the law of chastity really does not make much difference.  Both can qualify for excommunication and telestial kingdom inheritance.    If SSM is apostasy in all cases, then I don't see why a guy and girl living together unmarried and having sex should not be considered apostasy. 

Edited March 9, 2016 by carbon dioxide

[Lightbearer]

In addition to what has already been said, apostasy in itself is a sin. Perhaps the most serious sin if it includes denying the Holy Ghost which the prophet Joseph said did include some apostates.