Plural Relationships

2001-12-12 01:26:00

Jerdana asks about the desirability of multiple amorous relationships, which undoubtedly would include polygamy.

I have written some on this in the past in an article entitled, "Flawed Disciples". If this does not give you the answer you are seeking please as further questions.

Sometimes I will miss answering some of your questions. If I do and it is important to you ask again. Anyone else with insight into questions asked is always welcome to jump in and respond.

John writes:

"Plural Marriage. Joseph is said to have received revelation on this matter as early as 1830, and it is well documented that he began the practice shortly thereafter, accumulating many plural wives before he died. However -- he also kept the matter very "hush-hush" (it wasn't revealed to the body of the church until 1852). Why? Was it fear of persecution ... or something more? Joseph has been quoted as saying that he was deceived (about this revelation), and that he could see that it should be stopped at once -- that unless it was, the church would be forced to leave the country (which was pretty much the case by the 1880's). What is your read on this whole thing?"

JJ:

It is interesting that many who were called prophets made the claim that God told them to practice plural marriage -- from Abraham to David, Solomon and later Mohammed and finally Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

It is interesting that Djwahl Khul stated that the Master Jesus overshadowed Mohammed and Joseph also claimed to receive revelation from him.

There is a time and place for everything and it is possible that some teachers in history have been told to take plural wives to prepare bodies for an enlightened seed, yet in each case average people joined in the practice and overall the progeny of polygamists are no more children of light than the so-called nonbelievers. I sought an answer on this principle and I'll relate it to you to run by your soul.

Both the beginning and the end of plural marriage in the Mormon Church were not correct. Joseph picked up through revelation the basic principles of the Molecular Relationship. Unfortunately they did not even know what molecules and atoms were in those days and he organized it according to the thoughtform of the time and called it "the New and Everlasting Order of Marriage." Through the encouragement of Brigham Young and others he incorporated plural relationships into the order, which thing he began to regret near the end of his life, especially the physical side.

Brigham Young, after the death of Joseph, went ahead full steam with the principle, having 27 wives for himself and encouraging it among the brethren.

As you know the United States Government became morally outraged by the practice and made laws against it and began to jail and persecute the leadership of the church. In 1890 the [Mormon] leadership under Wilford Woodruff gave into the pressure and not only discontinued it but outlawed it among the members.

After this the persecution ceased and the church has had a fairly easy coast in growth since that time.

What was wrong with discontinuing it if it was a mistake to begin with?

Because they did it for the wrong reason. The government attempted to take away their constitutional right to practice their religion and they yielded to it. They had an opportunity to stand it for freedom of thought and religion and that would have helped to establish a greater foothold for freedom than we have today.

It should have been discontinued because of a higher clarifying revelation rather than government pressure.

Yielding a principle they believed in to government pressure caused a loss of light among the leadership and from that point on the church began to lose the little light they had on many principles.

Unfortunately most spiritual organizations go through something like this.