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.
Difference between revisions of "Plural marriage in the Book of Mormon"
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==Criticism== | ==Criticism== | ||
| − | Critics use | + | Critics use the Book of Jacob to show that the Book of Mormon condemns the practice of polygamy: |
| − | :Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. | + | :24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. 25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. 26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; 28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. 29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes. ([http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/2/24#29 Jacob 2:24-29]). |
| + | |||
Critics go on to claim that Joseph Smith ignored this restriction by introducing the doctrine of plural marriage. | Critics go on to claim that Joseph Smith ignored this restriction by introducing the doctrine of plural marriage. | ||
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==Response== | ==Response== | ||
| + | Critics generally refrain from citing the ''very next verse'': | ||
| + | |||
| + | :30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. ([http://scriptures.lds.org/jacob/2/30#30 Jacob 2:30]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Book of Mormon makes it clear that the Lord may, under some circumstances, command the practice of plural marriage. | ||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Book of Mormon endorses monogamy as the proper lifestyle, unless God commands his people otherwise. | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
===FAIR wiki articles=== | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | ||
| − | + | ====Polygamy wiki articles==== | |
| + | *[[Brigham Young and polygamy|Brigham Young]] <!--discuss 1997 manual with "BY the monogamist"--> | ||
| + | *[[Emma Smith and polygamy|Emma Smith]] | ||
| + | *Joseph Smith | ||
| + | **[[Joseph Smith and polyandry|Polyandry]] | ||
| + | **[[Joseph Smith and polygamy|Polygamy]] | ||
| + | **[[Joseph Smith's marriages to young women|Polygamous marriages to young women]] | ||
| + | *[[Polygamy and the modern Church|The modern Church and polygamous groups]] | ||
| + | *[[Polygamy after the Manifesto|Post-Manifesto plural marriages]] | ||
| + | *[[Polygamy a requirement for exaltation|Required for exaltation]] | ||
===FAIR web site=== | ===FAIR web site=== | ||
| + | FAIR Topical Guide: [http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai049.html Polygamy] | ||
| + | * Michael W. Fordham, [http://www.fairlds.org/apol/misc/misc13.html 'Ask the Apologist'—Plural Marriage in the Book of Mormon and D&C]." | ||
===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
| − | + | * Stephen R. Gibson, "[http://www.lightplanet.com/response/answers/forbid.htm Does the Book of Mormon Forbid Polygamy]," ''lightplanet.com''. | |
| + | |||
===Printed material=== | ===Printed material=== | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 11 October 2005
Contents
Criticism
Critics use the Book of Jacob to show that the Book of Mormon condemns the practice of polygamy:
- 24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. 25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. 26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; 28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. 29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes. (Jacob 2:24-29).
Critics go on to claim that Joseph Smith ignored this restriction by introducing the doctrine of plural marriage.
Source(s) of the criticism
Response
Critics generally refrain from citing the very next verse:
- 30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. (Jacob 2:30).
The Book of Mormon makes it clear that the Lord may, under some circumstances, command the practice of plural marriage.
Conclusion
The Book of Mormon endorses monogamy as the proper lifestyle, unless God commands his people otherwise.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
Polygamy wiki articles
- Brigham Young
- Emma Smith
- Joseph Smith
- The modern Church and polygamous groups
- Post-Manifesto plural marriages
- Required for exaltation
FAIR web site
FAIR Topical Guide: Polygamy
- Michael W. Fordham, 'Ask the Apologist'—Plural Marriage in the Book of Mormon and D&C."
External links
- Stephen R. Gibson, "Does the Book of Mormon Forbid Polygamy," lightplanet.com.