| Question |
Having claimed to be a Christian all my life,
but only really 'knowing' for the last 2
and a half years, I can relate to a lot of the
Mormon religious beliefs.
One aspect I struggle to understand in relation to
the bible, is that of taking more than one wife?
How did this arise and how does this relate to my
understanding of the Christian beliefs?
I understand that this is still practised in some
parts of the USA.
|
| Response |
This question seems to keep cropping up even though the church has not practiced polygamy since 1890. Even then, there were a very small percentage of the families that were asked to include more than one wife. There were many women who crossed the plains with the pioneers who were without husbands and life was challenging in the frontier. This was a practical solution (though quite difficult for any husband and father and the wives to manage), but when Utah became a state and it was against the law, the church discontinued the practice (1890).
There are those who still practice polygamy and the impression persists that they are associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, anyone in our church who is known to be practicing polygamy or anything like it, is excommunicated.
There is a scriptural aspect of this question, which I shall mention. Our Book of Mormon emphatically states,
"For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none...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."
(Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:28 - 30)
Anciently, Abraham, Jacob and other great prophets were instructed to "raise up seed" and to have more than one wife and some concubines. These special circumstances are under the direction of God through his prophets and when men attempt to justify their lusts, ego or thirst for control by referring to the ancients, we believe it is wrong.
We do believe, however, that Joseph Smith and his successors were and are prophets and were guided in this entire matter as with hundreds of other matters by the Lord just like the prophets of old.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
See related multimedia presentations
|
