The hidden world of mormon polygamy kindle edition by. Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastitymen may seek riches to help their fellowmenthe lord commands that no man among. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god. The book of mormon account is basing its statements on an interpretation of mosaic law to defend a new to them negative position on polygamy. Lastly, this scripture tells us that hagars marriage to abraham was, fulfilling, among other things, the promises. Nov 21, 2018 this is the third part of a series on problems with the book of mormon, the book that joseph smith said was the most correct book on earth, said it contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel and claimed that a person would get closer to god by abiding by its precepts than by those of any other book, including the bible. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. Rodney turner, morality and marriage in the book of mormon, in the book of mormon.
From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Recently, a good friend who has chosen to leave the church asked me. Jacob demonstrates that some of david and solomons actions were contrary to torah, and contrary to gods established order. Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by president dieter f. Mar 10, 2020 the second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. In 1890, the church repealed the practice of polygamy while under pressure by the united states government. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a law.
The utah lds say it supports polygamy and the rlds say it doesnt. One of these tenets was polygamy, which his contemporaries said came as a result of smith having been commanded by an angel to marry. In this chapter, the prophet jacob calls his people to repentance because they have been abusing the practice, with the influential men of the commun. Why does doctrine and covenants 2 speak favorably about some old testament practitioners of plural marriage, while jacob 2 is negative. Feb 29, 2016 polygamy in the book of mormon the book of mormon is more specific about polygamy than the bible and i want to touch on these teachings. Knowhys knowhys on jacob 1 knowhys on jacob 2 knowhys on jacob 3. How might readers make sense of this connection between polygamy and material wealth. Chapter 2 of the book of jacob in the book of mormon addresses polygamy. Mar 19, 2009 enos is the third author in the book of mormon after nephi 1 and jacob.
Why was polygamy prohibited in the book of mormon but. After that jacob preached against the practice of polygamy. Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. The peace maker is a pamphlet written by the latter day saint author udney hay jacob in 1842. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1990, 27194. Read together, the bible and the book of mormon teach powerful principles. According to several of his associates, smith taught that polygamy was a divine commandment and practiced it personally, by some accounts marrying more than 30 women, some of whom had existing marriages to other men. Polygamy was definitively ended in the lds church with the second manifesto in 1905. The mormon response is usually to roll the eyes and recite for the thousandth time that the latterday saints havent practiced polygamy for over a century and that anyone who practices it today is excommunicated, yada yada yada. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives. Outsiders sometimes ask mormons often in jest, occasionally in concern whether they practice polygamy. In 1830, he completed an english translation of these plates called the book of mormon and formed the church. Jacob specified that plural marriage may be practiced when god commanded it, but insisted that monogamy was otherwise the norm.
While latterday saints today do not know all the reasons for gods command, they do understand some reasons why god would command the practice of polygamy. Joseph smith died with up to 34 plural marriages and denied all but his first to emma smith. Fourth, we learn that from hagar sprang many people and that one of the purposes of polygamy is, as jacob taught in the book or mormon is, to raise up seed unto god. The context of this chapter in the book of mormon is what an abomination polygamy is. Here are questions readers might have in their studies of the book of mormon this week, accompanied by halls insights that add new meaning.
Mar 24, 2017 the only place where a doctrinal stance on polygamy is taken in the book of mormon is in jacob 2. Jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. For this weeks come, follow me lesson, byu professors tyler griffin and taylor halverson offer some amazing insights into kingship, polygamy, marriage, and women. Polygamy called plural marriage by mormons in the 19th century or the principle by modern fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by between 20 and 30 percent of latterday saint families. According to the text, it was written by the ancient prophet jacob. I wish to state categorically that this church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy.
The book of mormon was published on march 26, 1830. Come follow me lesson, jacob 14 mar 9mar 15 youtube. The book of mormon, along with his revelations, then became fundamental tenets of the mormon church. How jacobs teachings about pride and polygamy still. I think we can understand better why jacob is condemning polygamy if we look a little closer at what is going on in jacobs time and place and what polygamy is being used for.
Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the lord. Jacob strongly condemns it as an abomination before god jacob 2. The previous weeks reading in the come, follow me curriculum includes jacob 2, the epicenter for discussing polygamy in the book of mormon. Here are questions readers might have in their studies of the book of mormon this week, accompanied by halls insights that add new meaning to the beloved verses. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. How jacobs teachings about pride and polygamy still apply. Modern polygamy, however, it much harder to reconcile with the text of the book of mormon. The passage from the book of mormon condemns david and solomons practice and the practice of plural marriage in general, and the doctrine and covenants. The criticisms usually have less to do with that they practiced it than because they lied about it. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a. Why does the book of mormon warn against seeking after.
The book of mormon unequivocally condemns the practice of polygamy. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. This is the third part of a series on problems with the book of mormon, the book that joseph smith said was the most correct book on earth, said it contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel and claimed that a person would get closer to god by abiding by its precepts than by those of any other book, including the bible. And because the early lamanites kept the commandment against plural marriage, concubinage, and whoredoms, jacob told the nephites that the lord god will. Similarly, the book of mormon lends little support for polygamy. Mar 28, 2016 for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. God does not approve of polygamy, and it should only be instituted when it is specifically commanded by god. It was all about joseph practicing polygamy without doing it to raise righteous seed. Was there an aaronic or melchizedek priesthood during book of mormon times during those same times were men stealing other mens wives and marrying underaged girls does jacobs teaching about king davids wives contradict what joseph smith taught in the doctrine and covenants is spiritual polygamy practiced in the lds church, today these interesting questions will be answered in. Nov 21, 2008 chapter 2 of the book of jacob in the book of mormon addresses polygamy. He is best known for his lengthy prayer while hunting in the wilderness, wherein he first asks for personal forgiveness, then for gods blessings upon the nephites, then his blessings upon the lamanites, then that a record of the nephites will be preserved and brought into the lamantes at some future day should. There was a book printed at my office, a short time since, written by udney h.
The purpose of the book, in his own words, is to persuade all men to come unto christ jacob 1. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which. Popular polygamy books showing 150 of 472 escape hardcover by. He sent missionaries out to preach that he wasnt d. The enos problem in the book of mormon adventures in. The brother of nephi, usually referred to as the book of jacob, is the third of fifteen books in the book of mormon. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed to me, i will command my people, otherwise they. Polygamy, or plural marriage, in the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is generally believed to have originated with the founder of mormonism, joseph smith. One, 1 nephi through alma 29 points out, features an. Jun 11, 2018 the criticisms usually have less to do with that they practiced it than because they lied about it.
Jacob through words of mormon, to learn with joy, eds. With the exception of converts, initial reaction was hostile. The original twochapter peace maker pamphlet was published in nauvoo, illinois with joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, listed as the printer. Mar 12, 2020 how jacob s teachings about pride and polygamy still apply today.
Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. Yes, i do understand that it is actually called polygyny when a man has multiple wives, and polygamy can be either male or female but for purposes of using a familiar term to everyone i am simplifying this by calling it polygamy to the modern proponents of polygamy as opposed to biblical polygamy, which. What were the historical and social circumstances among the nephites that motived this condemnation and how do jacob s words in the book of mormon harmonize with the teachings of jesus in the new testament.
For i, the lord god, delight in the chastity of women. Mar 07, 2020 for this weeks come, follow me lesson, byu professors tyler griffin and taylor halverson offer some amazing insights into kingship, polygamy, marriage, and women. And i will not suffer, saith the lord of hosts, that the cries of the fa. May 30, 2019 the prophet jacob in the book of mormon harshly condemned those who seek riches before seeking the kingdom of god. For if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed to me, i will command my people, otherwise they shall hearken unto these things jacob 2. How jacobs teachings about pride and polygamy still apply today. Consider using this segment from the book of mormon videos as you teach this part see the book of mormon videos. In 2016, however, reaction to the book of mormon among non mormon readers is much more positive, with some now classifying the book as a classic. Why do people criticize the mormons for practicing polygamy. Jacob 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. The standard doctrine of the church is monogamy, as it always has been, as indicated in the book of mormon jacob, chapter 2. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious. The only place where a doctrinal stance on polygamy is taken in the book of mormon is in jacob 2.
The people jacob was teaching were under condemnation for their adulterous lifestyle. The prophet jacob in the book of mormon harshly condemned those who seek riches before seeking the kingdom of god. The book of jacob unequivocally condemns polygamy and also solomon and david for practicing it. The repeal was directed by revelation to church president wilford woodruff and published as the 1890 manifesto. The book of mormon is more specific about polygamy than the bible and i want to touch on these teachings.
Did early church leaders state that the book of mormon condemns polygamy. I will share the way i interpret them, but i invite the reader to prayerfully read these verses and come to their own conclusions. Do you think the church will eventually disavow the polygamous teachings in the book of mormon. These verses make it sound like the book of mormon condemns the practice of polygamy, but verse 30 denotes otherwise. That jacob speaks ill of these biblical polygamists but not righteous men such as abraham and jacob, who also married multiple wives genesis 16. So lds claim that the only condition that god would. Why do people criticize the mormons for practicing.
Mar 27, 2016 that jacob speaks ill of these biblical polygamists but not righteous men such as abraham and jacob, who also married multiple wives genesis 16. Welch book of mormon central archive how saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize polygamy, book of mormon central come follow me lesson, jacob 14 mar 9mar 15, taylor halverson and tyler griffin. For behold, i, the lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. Learn about the book of mormon with verse by verse commentaries from renowned book of mormon scholars like john w. To this the article states, the only scriptural explanation given from the lord for approved plural marriage is found in jacob 2. Saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize polygamy. Instead, what i would like to talk about is the historical context of jacobs condemnation of polygamy. If god will not justify even the kings of israel in such behavior jacob seems to argue why do you think he will justify you in taking plural wives which i, jacob, have not approved as gods representative among you. Polygamy and the law of sarah mormon women project.
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