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QUESTION 8b: Did Joseph Smith practice polygamy?

Short answer

Yes, despite his own feelings of “repugnance” at the practice Joseph Smith was certain that God had commanded the practice of polygamy. He obeyed.

Longer answer

Yes, despite his own feelings of “repugnance” at the practice Joseph Smith was certain that God had commanded the practice of polygamy. He obeyed.

In April 1839, Joseph Smith emerged from six months' imprisonment in Liberty Jail with a sense of urgency about completing his mission (see History of the Church: c 1831-1844, Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo Periods). Since receiving the sealing key from Elijah in the Kirtland Temple (D&C 110:13-16) in April 1836, the Prophet had labored to prepare the Saints for additional teachings and ordinances, including plural marriage.

“Joseph Smith realized that the introduction of plural marriage would inevitably invite severe criticism. After his first experience with plural marriage in Kirtland in the mid-1830s, he knew the tension it would create in his own family; even though Emma, with faith in his prophetic calling, accepted the revelation as being from God and not of his own doing, she could not reconcile herself to the practice. Beyond that, it had the potential to divide the Church and increase hostilities from outside. Still, he felt obligated to move ahead. "The object with me is to obey & teach others to obey God in just what he tells us to do," he taught several months before his death. "It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular. I will always maintain a true principle even if I Stand alone in it" (TPJS, p. 332).

“Although certain that God would require it of him and of the Church, Joseph Smith would not have introduced it when he did except for the conviction that God required it then. Several close confidants later said that he proceeded with plural marriage in Nauvoo only after both internal struggle and divine warning. Lorenzo Snow later remembered vividly a conversation in 1843 in which the Prophet described the battle he waged "in overcoming the repugnance of his feelings" regarding plural marriage. He knew the voice of God-he knew the commandment of the Almighty to him was to go forward-to set the example, and establish Celestial plural marriage. He knew that he had not only his own prejudices and pre-possessions to combat and to overcome, but those of the whole Christian world…; but God…had given the commandment [The Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, pp. 69-70 (Salt Lake City, 1884)].

“Even so, Snow and other confidants agreed that Joseph Smith proceeded in Nauvoo only after an angel declared that he must or his calling would be given to another (Bachman, pp. 74-75). After this, Joseph Smith told Brigham Young that he was determined to press ahead though it would cost him his life, for "it is the work of God, and He has revealed this principle, and it is not my business to control or dictate it" (Brigham Young Discourse, Oct. 8, 1866, Church Archives). “Nor did others enter into plural marriage blindly or simply because Joseph Smith had spoken, despite biblical precedents. Personal accounts document that most who entered plural marriage in Nauvoo faced a crisis of faith that was resolved only by personal spiritual witness. Those who participated generally did so only after they had obtained reassurance and saw it as religious duty.

“Even those closest to Joseph Smith were challenged by the revelation. After first learning of plural marriage, Brigham Young said he felt to envy the corpse in a funeral cortege and "could hardly get over it for a long time" (JD 3:266). The Prophet's brother Hyrum Smith stubbornly resisted the very possibility until circumstances forced him to go to the Lord for understanding. Both later taught the principle to others. Emma Smith vacillated, one day railing in opposition against it and the next giving her consent for Joseph to be sealed to another wife (see comments by Orson Pratt, JD 13:194).” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1091-1093)

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QUESTION 8c: Was Joseph Smith a "gold digger"?

Short answer

Prior to his call as a prophet, Joseph Smith sometimes sought for buried wealth—this was a relatively common practice in the early 1800s. LDS do not claim that prophets must be perfect; therefore this insignificant activity in his youth has no bearing on the LDS belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

Longer answer

Prior to his call as a prophet, Joseph Smith sometimes sought for buried wealth—this was a relatively common practice in the early 1800s. LDS do not claim that prophets must be perfect, therefore this insignificant activity in his youth has no bearing on the LDS belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God

Some have insisted that Joseph could not be a prophet because of this, or something else they believe was an error or foolish action.

Joseph never claimed to be perfect, or without flaws. The Bible likewise describes prophets who made serious mistakes: Moses killed an Egyptian, Peter denied Jesus, Jonah disobeyed a direct command from God. Only Jesus Christ was perfect.

As with all prophets, the issue is not whether Joseph Smith’s life was perfect, but whether his message comes from God. We bear testimony that God, the only perfect being, will confirm the truth of Joseph’s message, whatever the faults of the messenger.

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QUESTION 9a: Temples: are they secret?

Short answer

Latter-day Saints prefer using the word “sacred” in reference to temples rather than “secret.” Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Because making covenants with God is such a solemn responsibility, individuals cannot enter the temple to receive their endowments or be sealed in marriage for eternity until they have fully prepared themselves.

Longer answer

Latter-day Saints prefer using the word “sacred” in reference to temples rather than “secret Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Because making covenants with God is such a solemn responsibility, individuals cannot enter the temple to receive their endowments or be sealed in marriage for eternity until they have fully prepared themselves.

“Temples are places of learning. Their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him. Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything in the Church—the meetings and activities, the missionary efforts, the lessons taught and the hymns—all lead to the work done in holy temples.

“One ordinance received in the temple is called the endowment. The word endowment means "gift," and the temple endowment truly is a gift from God. The ordinance consists of a series of instructions and includes covenants to live righteously and follow the requirements of the gospel. The endowment focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father's plan, and the personal commitment of each member to follow Him.

“Another temple ordinance is celestial marriage. In this ordinance husband and wife are sealed to one another for eternity. A sealing performed in the temple continues forever if the husband and wife are faithful to the covenants they make.

“Children born to parents who have been sealed in the temple are born in the covenant. These children automatically become part of an eternal family. Children who are not born in the covenant can also become part of an eternal family once their natural or adoptive parents have been sealed to one another. The ordinance of sealing children to parents is performed in the temple.

“People who have died without these essential gospel ordinances may receive those ordinances through the work done in temples. Acting in behalf of ancestors and others who have died, Church members are baptized and confirmed, receive the endowment, and participate in the sealings of husband to wife and children to parents.

“Those who enter the temple must be worthy, which means that they keep the commandments and are prepared to make and keep sacred temple covenants. In two interviews—one with a member of a bishopric or a branch president and another with a member of a stake presidency or a mission president—Church members certify their worthiness to enter the temple. In these interviews, the priesthood leader asks about the individual's personal conduct and worthiness. Those who are worthy receive a temple recommend, which allows them to enter the temple.” (http://www.lds.org – gospel topics – temples)

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QUESTION 9b: Temples: Garment (What is the purpose of wearing the "Mormon underwear"?

Short answer

White undergarments or simply “garments” are worn by church members who have received the ordinances of the temple. Garments are a symbol and a constant reminder of the covenants made with God in the temple. Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior.

Longer answer

Medium Answer:

White undergarments or simply “garments” are worn by church members who have received the ordinances of the temple. Garments are a symbol and a constant reminder of the covenants made with God in the temple. Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior. “The white garment symbolizes purity and helps assure modesty, respect for the attributes of God, and, to the degree it is honored, a token of what Paul regarded as taking upon one the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13; cf. D&C 27:15).

“The clergy and many of the committed in almost all major faiths wear special clothing. For Latter-day Saints, among whom there is no professional ministry, men and women from all walks of life share in the callings, responsibilities, and blessings of the priesthood. Their sacred clothing, representing covenants with God, is worn under rather than outside their street clothes.

Additional resources

QUESTION 10a: Miscellaneous: Evolution (what is the Church's stance on evolution?)

Short answer

Latter-day Saints believe that God and Jesus Christ were responsible for the creation of the world and everything in it. How that was accomplished has not been revealed. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are free to form their own opinion regarding evolution and other scientific questions.

Longer answer

Latter-day Saints believe that God and Jesus Christ were responsible for the creation of the world and everything in it. How that was accomplished has not been revealed. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are free to form their own opinion regarding evolution and other scientific questions.

The Church has no position on the majority of issues involved with organic evolution. Members and leaders of the Church can be found across the spectrum of belief: some are ardent “young earth creationists,” while others see much of value and truth in Darwin’s theory. The Church’s Brigham Young University teaches standard scientific theories.

Members of the Church reject many of the philosophical ideas which some draw from evolution. They do not accept that life is meaningless, or only the product of chance, or that humans are only advanced animals.

Additional resources

QUESTION 10b: Miscellaneous: Political neutrality (Is the church involved in politics?)

Short answer

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

Longer answer

The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.

Church resources, buildings, and membership lists are not to be used for political purposes. Where permitted by law, Church members are encouraged to be involved politically, and to use their best judgment to select and support candidates who will promote good government and righteous principles.

(Additional note for the United States: It is worth noting that the majority leader of the U.S. Senate is Democrat Harry Reid, a member of the Church. Another member, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, sought the Republican nomination for President in 2008. This demonstrates that active members of the Church can be found across the political spectrum.)

Additional resources

QUESTION 10c: Miscellaneous: Prop 8 (What is it and what was the church’s involvement in Prop 8?)

Short answer

Proposition 8 involved important moral principles to marriage and basic family values that the Church felt required to participate in the discussion. Ultimately, proposition 8 passed because many diverse groups support the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

Longer answer

In California, the Church’s support for “Proposition 8” attracted widespread attention. Church members joined with like-minded citizens who objected to efforts to redefine “marriage” and to efforts by the unelected judiciary to overturn law enacted by the majority of Californians.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposes same-sex marriage, however it does not condone any kind of hostility toward those with same-sex attractions. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches. The Church regards marriage as something sacred beyond human legal conventions. In LDS doctrine, a married couple is the foundation of heaven and the most important organization on earth.

Additional resources

Greg Smith [Greg S says: I'd be inclined not to go down the path below. Whether homosexuality is inborn or not is irrelevant to the question of its moral expression. By arguing otherwise, we concede the ground of the debate to the opposition. Whether it is inborn may have implications for treatment, or whatever, but not the moral issue.]

Agreed. The Church does not have an official stance on the causes of same-sex attractions. We shouldn't make sound otherwise. JoshuaJohanson

“Marriage is a privilege...not a right! What the LDS Church did with prop 8 was justified and in accordance with our beliefs regarding the importance of the family. The church exercised it's right in the political process. Marriage is an institution created by God for the purpose of rearing children in a righteous environment. Gay couples cannot do that as God desires. The Church is fine with giving gay couples legal rights but not with calling it marriage. The excuse that they're born that way is scientifically unproven but it's none-the-less the rallying cry for gays today. See:

QUESTION 10d: Miscellaneous: Statement on immigration to the United States (What is the church’s stance on illegal immigration)

Short answer

The Church teaches its members to honor, obey, and sustain the law (A of F, 1:12). The Church encourages all those who desire to immigrate to observe all legal requirements. The Church does not, however, police its members or interrogate them about the observance of this or any other legal misdemeanor.

Longer answer

The Church teaches its members to honor, obey, and sustain the law (A of F, 1:12). The Church encourages all those who desire to immigrate to observe all legal requirements. The Church does not, however, police its members or interrogate them about the observance of this or any other legal misdemeanor. Illegal immigrants are often in difficult and complex situations: they may risk poverty, family separation, or even death if they were to return home. The Church advises members to refrain from judging others, and to allow civil authorities to investigate and punish those who break civil laws.

Additional resources

QUESTION 10e: Miscellaneous: Abortion (What is the church’s stance on abortion?)

Short answer

Members of the Church regard families as the foundation of heaven. Bearing children is thus a source of joy and great responsibility. Prophets of God have taught that abortion is a grave sin, save where the health of the mother is endangered, or where the pregnancy is the product of rape or incest. Even in these exceptional cases, members should seek an abortion only after counseling with the Lord.

Longer answer

Members of the Church regard families as the foundation of heaven. Bearing children is thus a source of joy and great responsibility. Prophets of God have taught that abortion is a grave sin, save where the health of the mother is endangered, or where the pregnancy is the product of rape or incest. Even in these exceptional cases, members should seek an abortion only after counseling with the Lord.

In LDS teaching, however, abortion is not regarded as equivalent to the sin of murder. With faith in Jesus Christ and sincere repentance, one may be forgiven. Latter-day Saints also believe in chastity before marriage, and fidelity within marriage. Observance of these principles would eliminate most abortions. Children deserve to be raised by parents who love them and can provide from them—if a single woman becomes pregnant, the Church strongly encourages her to put the child’s needs first, and to choose an adoptive family. In most cases, this provides best for both the child and the mother’s needs.

Additional resources

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