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| − | {{PolygamyPortal}}
| + | #REDIRECT [[Mormonism and polygamy/Brigham Young said that the only men who become gods are those that practice polygamy]] |
| − | {{question}}
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| − | ==Question==
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| − | Since Brigham Young said "The only men who become Gods, even the sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy" (''Journal of Discourses'' 11:269), does this mean plural marriage is required for exaltation?
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| − | {{PolygamyRequired}}
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| − | *{{QuoteMining|Journal of Discourses|11:269}}
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| − | ===Source(s) of the criticism===
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| − | *{{QuestionsMormonsShouldAsk}}
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Abanes:Becoming Gods|pages=233, 422 n. 48-49}}
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Smith:Nauvoo Polygamy|pages=xiv, 6, 55, , 356}}
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| − | *{{CriticalWork:Tanner:Changing World|pages=29, 258}}
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| − | ==Answer==
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| − | This quotation is often used in anti-Mormon sources. Unsurprisingly, they do not include the surrounding text which explains what Brigham Young had in mind on this occasion (italics show text generally not cited by the critics):
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| − | :''We wish to obtain all that father Abraham obtained. I wish here to say to the Elders of Israel, and to all the members of this Church and kingdom, that it is in the hearts of many of them to wish that the doctrine of polygamy was not taught and practiced by us...It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, '''you will be polygamists at least in your faith''', or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has obtained. This is as true as that God lives. You who wish that there were no such thing in existence, if you have in your hearts to say: "We will pass along in the Church without obeying or submitting to it in our faith or believing this order, because, for aught that we know, this community may be broken up yet, and we may have lucrative offices offered to us; we will not, therefore, be polygamists lest we should fail in obtaining some earthly honor, character and office, etc,"—the man that has that in his heart, and will continue to persist in pursuing that policy, will come short of dwelling in the presence of the Father and the Son, in celestial glory. ''The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.'' Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them.''{{ref|by1}} {{ea}}
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| − | It is clear that Brigham was making several points which the critics ignore:
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| − | * the command to practice plural marriage is from God, and it is wrong to seek to abolish a command from God
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| − | * to obtain the blessings of Abraham, the Saints were required to be "polygamists at least in your faith": i.e., it was not necessary that each enter into plural marriage ''in practice'', but that they accept that God spoke to His prophets
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| − | * it was wrong to avoid plural marriage for worldly, selfish reasons, such as believing the Church would fail, and hoping to have political or monetary rewards afterward
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| − | * if one were commanded to enter into plural marriage ("had blessings offered to them"), and if one refused, God would withhold blessings later because of disobedience now.
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| − | Faithful Saints cannot expect to receive "all that the Father has" if they willfully disobey God if He chooses to command the practice of plural marriage.
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| − | But, in the context of this speech, "enter into polygamy" does not mean that all members at all times are required to be actual polygamists, but that they accept the doctrine ("polygamists at least in your faith") and be ready to practice it if so commanded without regard for worldly pressures.
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| − | ===Similar remarks===
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| − | There are other remarks by Brigham Young that express the same concept:
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| − | :I attended the school of the prophets. Brother John Holeman made a long speech upon the subject of Poligamy. He Contended that no person Could have a Celestial glory unless He had a plurality of wives. Speeches were made By L. E. Harrington O Pratt Erastus Snow, D Evans J. F. Smith Lorenzo Young. '''Presidet Young said there would be men saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God with one wife with Many wives & with No wife at all.'''{{ref|by2}}
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| − | And
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| − | :Then Presidt Young spoke 58 Minuts. He said a Man may Embrace the Law of Celestial Marriage in his heart & not take the Second wife & be justified before the Lord.{{ref|by3}}
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| − | ==Endnotes==
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| − | #{{note|by1}}{{JDfairwiki|vol=11|disc=41|start=268|end=269|date=19 August 1866|title=Remarks by President Brigham Young, in the Bowery, in G.S.L. City|author=Brigham Young}}
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| − | #{{note|by2}}{{WWJ1|vol=6|start=527|date=12 February 1870}}{{ea}}
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| − | #{{note|by3}}{{WWJ1|vol=7|start=31|date=24 September 1871}}{{ea}}
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| − | ==Best articles to read next==
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| − | {{LearnMore}}
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| − | # {{morewives1|start=74}}
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| − | | |
| − | ==Further Reading==
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| − | ===FAIR wiki articles===
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| − | {{PolygamyWiki}}
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| − | ===FAIR web site===
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| − | {{PolygamyFAIR}}
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| − | ===External links===
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| − | {{PolygamyLinks}}
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| − | ===Printed material===
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| − | {{PolygamyPrint}}
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