Your Feelings About Mormon Polygamy.. During a conversation regarding Mormon history, I mentioned in passing that Joseph Smith had plural wives. . Foster, Like Two Crazy Aunts in the Attic.. Even more disturbing for these members is the possibility that they have been lied to by modern Church leaders. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 20. Given the experiences that the participants had, they made recommendations to ward leaders, Stake leaders, fellow members, and ministering brothers and sisters on how to handle future divorcing members. 14. . Children. . : Latter-day Saint Ambivalence over Its Polygamous Past, in The Persistence of Polygamy, 88, and Lesson 31: Sealed . 33. Elder Baxter later served two years as a missionary in theScotland Edinburgh Mission and served as abishop, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, and as an Area Seventy. For that matter, it may not even be as important to Saints residing in the eastern parts of Canada and the United States as it is to those residing in the western United States. The shows first season was set in Utah Valley until the Utah County police began to investigate the family. Feelings About Plural Marriage. There was one who chose Native American as an identifier while there were no African-Americans represented. From the time of its introduction, plural marriage has been wrapped in controversy. He did, however, not require any other members to practice the doctrine until the Nauvoo period. Those who experience a divorce need a lot of support from others to help manage those high levels of stress. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.26, LDS Apostle M. Russell Ballard stated in a Semiannual General Conference session, Let me state clearly that no polygamist group, including those calling themselves Fundamentalist Mormons or other derivatives of our name, have any affiliation whatsoever with The Church of Jesus Christ [Page 56]of Latter-day Saints.27 LDS Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland was even more outspoken in referencing the fundamentalists, We havent practiced polygamy for over a centuryand its a little frustrating to have these fundamentalist groups resurface.28, Discomfort about the Churchs polygamous past is particularly noticeable in Church-produced literature and at Church-owned historical sites. Copy in authors possession. pete22, I felt like I was contagious, and I think that they thought I was!, Church is a family-orientated organization, and when your family splits, it is difficult to find your place., A simple smile or hello . [Page 72]If missionaries, as well as other members of the Church, are given more information to gain a better understanding and firmer foundation regarding the history and doctrine of plural marriage, they might not be so uncomfortable discussing it with non-Mormons. Before Elder Dallin H. Oaks was 8 years old, his father passed away from tuberculosis, leaving his mother, Stella H. Oaks, to care for three children on her own. WebFor Latter-day Saint children of divorce, questions like this can add to the sadness and uncertainty that divorce brings. Copy in authors possession. Not all members of the Church have been members since their childhood, and too many new converts have stumbled upon the Churchs history of plural marriage and have been shocked and even angered they were not told of it before their baptism. Its in the handbook. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In like manner, we hide or diminish those things that embarrass us. One of those things is Joseph Smiths practice of polygamy because it seems that his polygamy is only in the picture when were called upon to defend him.23 Such an approach is not confined solely to individuals. 30 In closed-door meetings with local leaders, the First Presidency condemned men who left their wives by using the For more information on the Van Dusens, see Craig L. Foster, From Temple Mormon to Anti-Mormon: The Ambivalent Odyssey of Increase Van Dusen Dialogue 27/3 (1994): 27586. Here are some suggestions that might help members avoid the potential negative impact of the Churchs plural marriage heritage.63 Members need to be taught the full history of the Church, including plural marriage from Joseph Smith into the 20th century. 26. 54. 34. Divorce can be an ugly, painful experience that leaves all involved angry, confused, and embarrassed. For some of our youth, the shock is too traumatic for their tender testimonies. They were similar to statements that I have heard and read in other settings and reflect a combination of discomfort, embarrassment, and ignorance regarding plural marriage. FinancialSpecial5787 1 yr. ago. Raised on Essentials in Church History and similar volumes and never hearing of Joseph Smiths own plural relationships in general conferences or in other official publications, the new public memory began to take root.22. For example, television talk show host Bill Maher explained that Mormonism is a religion founded on the idea of polygamy. Outside of the Church, there is a disturbing trend in the devaluation of the family. Men are less inclined to share their feelings, so they can be less likely to learn from their experience. 19. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintss uncomfortable relationship with its polygamous history is somewhat like an awkward marriage separation. Give me messages about strength and faith; help build my testimony., Have activities where all can be involved, regardless of marital status., Comments in classes should always also cover how the topic is relevant to those who are not in the ideal family situation.. For examples of Mormon polygamy defining western polygamy, see Jessica Ravitz, Sister Wives explained: A fundamentalist Mormon polygamy primer, CNN Belief Blog, October 25, 2010, (accessed February 22, 2014); http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/25/sister-wives-explained-a-fundamentalist-mormon-polygamy-primer/; Michael E. Price, Are People Naturally Polygamous? Psychology Today, August 18, 2011, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/darwin-eternity/201108/are-people-naturally-polygamous-0 (accessed February 22, 2014); and W.W., Polygamy Now! The Economist, June 28, 2013, (accessed February 22, 2014), http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2013/06/slippery-slopes. Another source providing good answers and positive information regarding Joseph Smiths polyandrous marriages is Joseph Smith and Polyandry, FairMormon Answers, accessed February 22, 2014, http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Polygamy/Polyandry. Jana Riess, My Polygamous Heaven . Unfortunately, she was not alone in being shocked to learn Joseph Smith had plural wives. But, on the other hand, the Church and its members will never be able to divorce themselves from historical plural marriage. The historical record, however, clearly demonstrates that Church leaders intended at least a few plural marriages to continue without the Churchs public sanction and encouragement.2 This contributed to the difficulties of the next few decades. For Latter-day Saint children of divorce, questions like this can add to the sadness and uncertainty that divorce brings. (That doesn't mean the policy doesn't exist, but that I've never seen it). I commuted between Provo and Salt Lake City and enjoyed visiting with other regular commuters, [Page 62]all of whom were active members of the Church. No we didn't see President Hinckley remarry. There is gospel wisdom in Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way they should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. This gospel principle certainly includes learning about Church history and doctrine. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available here. Whether or not the particular suggestions in this essay are adopted, the goal of leaders and defenders of the Church should be to aim for a more knowledgeable membership who thereby exhibit less discomfort and embarrassment about the Churchs past relationship to plural marriage. While others shared what kept them going: I wonder if I would have continued going to church if I [didnt] have children. Divorced LDS women long have been required to obtain a clearance from the First Presidency before being sealed to a second husband. Bill Frost, Idaho Bans Ogdens Five Wives Vodka, City Weekly, May 29, 2013, accessed January 20, 2014, http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/blog-21-7669-idaho-bans-ogdens-five-wives-vodka.html. Plural marriage continued to be practiced in the open until the anti-polygamy persecution of the 1880s and the issuance of the Manifesto in 1890. !45 Another womans exit letter from the Church had a series of accusatory questions including, Why did Smith marry and have sex with 11 women who were married to other men at the same time, some of whom he sent away on missions before marrying their wives? He explained that he was not troubled by the knowledge as the Church was a restoration of all things. As one woman noted, speaking of her Latter-day Saint friends, [I had] great support from my friends, who were divorced as well.. Divine Attributes of Jesus Christ: Meek and Humble, Catching the Vision: All Missions Bring Souls to Christ, Lighting Our Childrens Path with Gospel Standards, Teaching Gospel Standards: One Familys Experience, The Proclamation on the Family: Transcending the Cultural Confusion, Josephine Booth: Sister Missionary to Scotland, Oral Family History Fades in Just Three Generations, He Taught Me the Heavenly Order of Eternity, Latter-day Saint Men and Divorce, Ensign, August 2015, 5861. Divorce was more prevalent in the early Church. Brigham Young had a well publicized divorce. What is your personal anchor belief? This essay looks at examples of members expression of discomfort over a polygamous heritage and concludes with suggestions of possible pathways to a more comfortable reconciliation. Dianne Chryst Ormond, It Started with Science, MormonThink.com, 2006, accessed October 15, 2011, http://mormonthink.com/itstartedwithscience.htm. 7. We should clarify to say CURRENTLY divorced or unmarried priesthood holders cannot be Bishop or a General Authority. Married or widowed are okay. ( If Church members dont seem to reach out to you, dont be resentful. According to the newspaper article, the Lawrence Research poll found that 15% said Mormons definitely practice polygamy while another 31% said Mormons probably practice polygamy: a total of 46%. V. H. [Valerie Hudson] Cassler, Polygamy, <
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