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GregSmithBot (talk | contribs) m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-Source(s) of the criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -Source(s) of the Criticism +{{Criticism source label English}}, -==Criticism== +=={{Criticism label}}==, -==Response== +=={{Response label}}==, -==Qu) |
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Critics claim that the practice of polygamy was against the law. | Critics claim that the practice of polygamy was against the law. | ||
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{{CriticalSources}} | {{CriticalSources}} | ||
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Polygamy was certainly declared illegal during the Utah-era anti-polygamy crusade, and was arguably illegal under the Illinois anti-bigamy statutes. This is hardly new information, and Church members and their critics knew it. Modern members of the Church generally miss the significance of this fact, however: the practice of polygamy was a clear case of civil disobedience. | Polygamy was certainly declared illegal during the Utah-era anti-polygamy crusade, and was arguably illegal under the Illinois anti-bigamy statutes. This is hardly new information, and Church members and their critics knew it. Modern members of the Church generally miss the significance of this fact, however: the practice of polygamy was a clear case of civil disobedience. | ||
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Not surprisingly, the question comes down to whether Joseph was a Prophet and whether God commanded his actions. | Not surprisingly, the question comes down to whether Joseph was a Prophet and whether God commanded his actions. | ||
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#{{note|allen1}} {{StoryOfLDS1|start=401}} | #{{note|allen1}} {{StoryOfLDS1|start=401}} | ||
#{{note|talmage1}} {{AoF|start=382|end=383}} | #{{note|talmage1}} {{AoF|start=382|end=383}} | ||
[[fr:Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Illegal]] | [[fr:Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Illegal]] |
==
Critics claim that the practice of polygamy was against the law.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]
====
Polygamy was certainly declared illegal during the Utah-era anti-polygamy crusade, and was arguably illegal under the Illinois anti-bigamy statutes. This is hardly new information, and Church members and their critics knew it. Modern members of the Church generally miss the significance of this fact, however: the practice of polygamy was a clear case of civil disobedience.
The Church believes in honoring and sustaining the law, but it does not believe that members must surrender their religious beliefs or conscience to the state. Elder James E. Talmage taught that members should obey the law, unless God commanded an exception:
Not surprisingly, the question comes down to whether Joseph was a Prophet and whether God commanded his actions.
== Notes ==
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