![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(→Marriage to already married women? (Polyandry): format) |
(→{{Response label}}: format) |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
Plural marriage is a complex topic; the reader is encouraged to consult the sources under ''Further Reading'' for more thorough treatments of these and other issues. | Plural marriage is a complex topic; the reader is encouraged to consult the sources under ''Further Reading'' for more thorough treatments of these and other issues. | ||
− | + | {{SummaryItem|link=Polygamy book/Initiation of the practice|subject=Initiation of the practice}} | |
− | {{ | ||
===Is the practice of polygamy unchristian?=== | ===Is the practice of polygamy unchristian?=== | ||
− | The criticism that polygamy is irreligious appeals to western sensibilities which favor monogamy, and argues that polygamy is inconsistent with biblical Christianity or (ironically) the Book of Mormon itself. | + | {{SummaryItem|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Not Biblical|subject=Polygamy not Biblical|summary=The criticism that polygamy is irreligious appeals to western sensibilities which favor monogamy, and argues that polygamy is inconsistent with biblical Christianity or (ironically) the Book of Mormon itself.}} |
− | + | {{SummaryItem|link=Early Christians on plural marriage|subject=Early Christians on plural marriage|summary=There is extensive, unequivocal evidence that polygamous relationships were condoned under various circumstances by biblical prophets, despite how uncomfortable this might make a modern Christian. Elder Orson Pratt was widely viewed as the victor in a three-day debate on this very point with Reverend John P. Newman, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, in 1870.{{ref|newmanpratt1}}}} | |
− | There is extensive, unequivocal evidence that polygamous relationships were condoned under various circumstances by biblical prophets, despite how uncomfortable this might make a modern Christian. Elder Orson Pratt was widely viewed as the victor in a three-day debate on this very point with Reverend John P. Newman, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, in 1870.{{ref|newmanpratt1}} | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===Hiding the Truth?=== | ===Hiding the Truth?=== | ||
− | |||
− | {{ | + | {{SummaryItem|link=/Hiding the truth|subject=Hiding the truth about polygamy|summary=It is true that Joseph did not always tell others about plural marriage. He did, however, make some attempt to teach the doctrine to the Saints. It is thus important to realize that the public preaching of polygamy—or announcing it to the general Church membership, thereby informing the public by proxy—was simply not a feasible plan. Critics of Joseph's choice want their audience to ignore the danger to him and the Saints.}} |
===Illegal?=== | ===Illegal?=== | ||
− | 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. | + | {{SummaryItem|link=/Illegal|subject=Illegal to practice polygamy?|summary=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.}} |
− | |||
− | |||
===Carnal Desires and lustful motives?=== | ===Carnal Desires and lustful motives?=== | ||
− | |||
− | {{ | + | {{SummaryItem|link=Joseph Smith/Polygamy/Lustful motives|subject=Did Joseph have "lustful motives" for practicing polygamy?|summary=Neutral observers have long understood that this attack is probably the weakest of them all. One might reasonably hold the opinion that Joseph was wrong, but in the face of the documentary evidence it is laughable to argue that he and his associates were insincere or that they were practicing their religion only for power and to satisfy carnal desires. Those who insist that “sex is the answer” reveal more about their own limited perspective than they do of the minds of the early Saints. }} |
===Marriages to young women=== | ===Marriages to young women=== | ||
− | {{ | + | {{SummaryItem|link=/Marriages to young women|subject=Why was Joseph sealed to young women?}} |
+ | {{SummaryItem|link=/Fanny Alger and William McLellin|subject=Fanny Alger and William McLellin}} | ||
===Coercion=== | ===Coercion=== |
Answers portal |
Plural marriage |
![]() |
![]() |
---|
Joseph Smith era:
Post-Joseph Smith:
Post-Manifesto–present |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
== Critics attack Joseph Smith for his introduction and practice of polygamy. These attacks usually focus on arguing that:
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
====
Plural marriage is a complex topic; the reader is encouraged to consult the sources under Further Reading for more thorough treatments of these and other issues.
==
Plural marriage was perhaps the greatest challenge to the early members of the Church. Critics are anxious to avoid putting the choices of early members in context, in an effort to make the early members look like reprobates or dupes. In doing so, they hope to discourage those who hear their version of events from even considering whether these men were true prophets of God.
== Notes ==
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now