Do Mormons Practice Polygamy?

[Greg West]

Recent news events about the FLDS polygamist group have brought up questions for members of the Church about the historical, scriptural, and spiritual questions surrounding the topic of plural marriage. The following is a chapter from my book, A Mormon Answers the Hard Questions Posed by Anti-Mormons.

The most commonly cited, factual objection to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the historical practice of plural marriage, or polygamy. This is a touchy subject for everyone, both Mormons and non-Mormons. It is obviously a practice that offends the sensibilities of many people.

Likewise, it is difficult for LDS apologists to defend the historical practice of plural marriage lest they be perceived as defending apostate groups that continue to practice polygamy in defiance of the Church's ban of it over a century ago. I'm going to try to address the subject as delicately as I can and I pray that I will not offer offense to anyone in the process, either the tender hearts of Latter-day Saints or those sincere seekers who are beginning to feel the seeds of faith take root in their hearts.

HISTORICAL POLYGAMY
First, I'd like to take a look at the scriptures that discuss the ancient practice of polygamy by men of God whom he counted as righteous. Abraham was a righteous man whom the New Testament calls the "friend of God." (see James 2:23) Abraham and his wife Sarah were given these names by God. Their original names were Abram and Sarai. God promised Abram and his wife that they would be blessed with posterity despite their advanced age.

As time passed, leaving this promise unfulfilled, Sarah gave unto Abraham her handmaiden, Hagar as a wife in the hope that she might bear him a child. Much later, Sarah bore a son unto Abraham as well. These sons, Isaac and Ishmael became the fathers of the peoples who inhabit the Middle East. Abraham also had children by a wife named Keturah, although this may have been after the death of Sarah.

The writers of the Old and New Testaments praise this Abraham, a polygamist, as an exemplary model of obedience and righteousness. Even Jesus refers to heaven itself as "Abraham's bosom," in the parable of poor Lazarus. (See Luke 16:22)

Jacob, who was also called Israel, had multiple wives (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah) who bore him children. (see Genesis chapters 29 and 30) That Jacob was accounted as a righteous man is substantiated by the fact that he was blessed with revelatory dreams and even saw God face to face. (see Genesis 32:30) Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Lord's chosen people. It is apparent that, in God's plan for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the covenant people, polygamy was not condemned.

Moses had four wives. God appeared to Moses, gave him the Ten Commandments and the Law that bears his name. Similarly, King David, had at least 18 wives. Solomon, David's son, also had multiple wives. These men had visions, heard the voice of God and at least two of them were privileged to see God.

Polygamy was not widely practiced in ancient Israel, although the Bible mentions about 40 ancient patriarchs who did. It is important to note that Jesus Christ not only did not condemn this ancient practice, but also spoke positively of these forebears who were a part of his mortal ancestry. This doesn't constitute a sanction of their marital status, but it certainly does not condemn the practice as inherently evil.

It would appear, that God tolerates the practice of plural marriage in instances where he desires to raise up a large posterity to a righteous patriarch. It is interesting to note that the Law of Moses included specific and explicit commandments that a man, whose brother died without bearing any sons, was to take his brother's wife to be his wife so that he might father children to be his brother's posterity.

In our day, we are far removed culturally and spiritually from the times of these ancient patriarchs. We cringe at the notion that one righteous man might bear children by multiple wives within the bounds of a godly, marital union. Ironically, in our modern, enlightened age, we accept the all too common practice of a single man fathering children with multiple women and then abandoning them to be supported by social welfare agencies. We consider and countenance even the possibility of gay marriage. This immorality we accept with a smirk, yet we would declare the practice of plural marriage by godly patriarchs as evil and unconscionable.

In the New Testament period, Greek and Roman societies were not polygamous, but certain classes of Jewish society continued the practice. The non-LDS web site, Christian Thinktank, includes the following source material at the following web page: (http://www.christian-thinktank.com/polygame.html)

There is evidence of the practice of polygamy in Palestinian Judaism in NT times (cf. J. Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus: An Investigation into Economic and Social Conditions during the New Testament Period, 1969, 90, 93, 369f.). Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.) had ten wives (Josephus, Ant. 17, 19f.; WarWar 1,511). Polygamy and concubinage among the aristocracy is attested by Josephus, Ant. 12, 186ff.; 13, 380; War 1, 97. The continued practice of levirate marriage (Yeb. 15b) evidently led to polygamy, which was countenanced by the school of Shammai but not by that of Hillel. [NIDNTT:s.v. "Marriage, adultery, bride, bridegroom"]

This example of the practice of polygamy is not one sanctioned by God as it was in the cases of the ancient patriarchs of the Old Testament. I list this primarily as an example of a general cultural acceptance of plural marriage by Jewish society at the time of primitive Christianity's expansion. Likewise, Paul's instruction that bishops be the husband of "one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2) might lead us to speculate that some Jewish polygamists might have converted to Christianity and were thus, due to their marital status, discouraged from consideration for Church offices such as bishop, deacon, etc.

PLURAL MARRIAGE AND THE RESTORATION
Shortly after the organization of the Church, Joseph Smith received revelations that commanded him and other leaders of the Church to begin to practice plural marriage. Again, as it appears to be the case in ancient times, Joseph Smith was beginning a new dispensation from the ruins of the previous one that had fallen into apostasy.

It may be the case that God wished to begin building up a righteous posterity to men who were anointed servants as he had in olden days. It may be that the commandment was a trial of obedience and faith, like Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. The test was, do you face the anger and condemnation of the world or do what God asks, no matter how controversial it might seem.

THE BOOK OF MORMON ON PLURAL MARRIAGE
In the Book of Mormon, we find the plainest explanation of both God's opinion on plural marriage and the conditions under which he permits it.

For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes. 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. (Jacob 2:28-30, italics added)

This passage from a sermon by Jacob, a Jewish priest, chastens a group of Jews who had taken it upon them to practice plural marriage without God's authorization. Jacob affirms the strict teachings of chastity and marital fidelity. His reference, which I highlighted in italics, to God's instruction indicates that in certain situations, God will take a righteous man and virtuous women and build up a chosen people in a short time, permitting the man to have multiple wives.

Under no condition does he permit women to have multiple husbands as it does not serve his purpose, which is to rapidly multiply the numbers of a covenant people. Note that in the passage cited, the Lord says that if this is his intent, he will command his people; otherwise they are bound by the normal requirements of the law of chastity and monogamous marriage.

Here, Mormonism's past practice of polygamy is philosophically consistent. At the time of the Restoration, new converts were a first generation in a system of restored, revealed religion. After centuries of apostasy, without revelation, God once again spoke to a prophet, living apostles were ordained, and the heavens were opened.

Beginning with six members, the amount dictated by the law of the state of New York, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. The Lord's intent was and is that this nascent kingdom should fill the whole earth. It is not at all surprising and it is consistent with history, that this new covenant people should be authorized to practice plural marriage to establish a large body of righteous believers.

These pioneers overcame persecution and tribulation of almost unimaginable proportions. It is upon their shoulders that the kingdom went forward and grew. Many of today's modern Church leaders are descendants of this first generation of converts.

PLURAL MARRIAGE DISCONTINUED IN 1890
Today, the Church is numbered in the millions and is global in its scope. The prophet Wilford Woodruff, one of the successors of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, received revelation that withdrew God's authority to solemnize polygamist marriages in 1890. Since that time, those who follow and sustain God's living prophets are obedient to this commandment. There are certain offshoot sects who continue the practice without God's authority. These people reject the living, legal representatives of God's kingdom and have become a law unto themselves.

It is interesting to note that, in countries which have no laws restricting plural marriage, that the Church does not seek to continue the practice. Although the Church is not actively proselyting in the Muslim world, where polygamy is still legal, missionaries are counseled to avoid proselyting among Muslim polygamists in other countries where they might live, such as in France or England.

Most notably, the current president and prophet of the Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, encouraged members to support President George W. Bush in his efforts to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The media reports occasionally that there are some 30,000 to 40,000 polygamists living in Utah and the Rocky Mountain region. They sometimes refer to these people as “fundamentalist” Mormons. This is a misnomer. There is no such thing. A Mormon is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These people are not members of the Church. If members of the Church engage in the practice, they are excommunicated from the faith.

The numbers reported are probably erroneous also. Estimating their numbers is like trying to estimate the total number of gay people in the world, the numbers of the homeless, or the number of illegal aliens in the United States. Polygamists seek to keep a low profile and not draw attention to themselves. This increases the possibility of error in any attempt to number them.

There are approximately 2.5 million citizens in Utah. According to 2005 figures, the LDS contingent in Utah amounts to about 62 percent of the total population. That makes about 1.5 million Mormons in Utah. I find it hard to imagine numbers as high as 30,000 in that population, unless one counts children in these families, who are guilty of nothing and are unaccountable for the illegal actions of their parents..

CONCLUSION
Let's briefly summarize: First, the Bible supports the notion that the practice of polygamy does not bar a person from entry into heaven. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others are presented as models of faith and righteousness despite their having multiple wives.

Second, it appears that God authorized the practice of plural marriage in specific, limited situations to raise up a righteous generation to accomplish his will. Outside of those limited situations, it is unlawful for a person to practice plural marriage.

Third, it appears that the circumstances that accompanied the restoration of the Gospel in the 1800's met this criteria and that God did indeed command Joseph Smith and certain select members to contract plural marriages on a very limited basis.

Last of all, the living prophet holds the keys of authority to bind plural marriages and that the permission to exercise that authority has been withdrawn. I submit for your consideration that the time has passed, that the early Mormon pioneers successfully achieved the objectives which they were tasked to fulfill, and that the Lord no longer authorizes anyone, anywhere to contract a polygamist union with his blessing.

Finally, the last question one might pose concerning this subject: do Mormons believe that there will be polygamy in heaven? My answer, and that of the revelations, is that there already is. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have already entered into eternal glory and have entered into exaltation.

Mormon polygamists who were faithful to the testimony of Jesus will likewise be blessed in eternity. They are not saved because their marital status. They are saved because of their faith in Jesus Christ, their obedience to his commandments, and because of His grace.

There are instances today, in which a man's wife passes away, to whom he is lawfully wedded and sealed in the temple for time and eternity. It is permissible for him to marry again in this life and be sealed to that wife in addition to his sealing to the first one. These instances, as you would expect, are relatively rare, but they do occur. In that case, in eternity, the man will be sealed to both women and they will be his wives.

Marriage is an earthly ordinance. We contract marriage during our mortal probation. In the heavens, there is no giving in marriage. Those relationships that are bound on earth are likewise bound in heaven. When the righteous pass into eternity, among their blessings is to continue the family relationships they had on earth.

A few Mormon writers, most particularly the pioneer apostle Orson Pratt, wrote militant treatises in support of plural marriage, touting its superiority over monogamous unions. I would speculate that, it was because of the persecution against those early saints, that these writers so vehemently defended the practice. We need to consider that when reading those texts.

I have heard some misguided Latter-day Saints insist that during the Millennial reign of Jesus, after the Second Coming, that plural marriage will be re-authorized and or even be required. According to the passage from Jacob I cited above, I find this opinion to be erroneous and unscriptural.

Those who insist on such a position do so against the accepted body of revelation and base their beliefs on the opinions of men. It wounds tender hearts. It unnecessarily shakes the faith of new converts. With all the anti-Mormon books, movies, and literature that are out there, it is senseless for anyone to pridefully cling to a non-scriptural opinion that drives new converts away or weakens their faith.

The Millennium will be a period in which righteous people will be resurrected, great waves of conversion will sweep the earth, and children will grow up without sin unto salvation. The Millennium does not follow a Great Apostasy as did this and previous dispensations. I believe that Jacob 2 tells us that monogamy is more commonly the norm, both in earth and in heaven.

In conclusion, let me state that these are my opinions and my understanding to the best of my knowledge. Nevertheless, I have sought to base my opinions in the recognized, official revelations of the Church. I don't care what Orson Pratt or any other General Authority may have written or said. Unless it was accepted into the body of revealed revelation accepted by common consent of the Church, it is only an opinion.

Scripturally, historically, and ethically, plural marriage was justified before God. Nevertheless, we honor the prophet and the revelations. We don't seek to reestablish the practice. It is water under the bridge, a hundred years past. Any anti-Mormon who harps on it is wasting time and energy. We've already moved on. It's time for them to do the same.

[Greg West]

Diana, please re-read the actual passage from Jacob. You've misunderstood what I said. I'll parse it for you to explain my reasoning:

For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

Jacob's purpose is to condemn immorality and specifically the unauthorized practice of plural marriage that was beginning among the Nephites.

Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.

The Lord reiterates the necessity of keeping his commandments, which in the case of the Nephites, is chastity and monogamy.

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.

This is the "caveat." The purpose for which plural marriage is authorized from time to time is for the Lord to "raise up seed unto me." Otherwise (if the Lord doesn't authorize it) it is forbidden.

Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and others were authorized to practice it. Yet it was not a widespread practice. The Lord authorized certain chosen people to practice plural marriage to rapidly build up a righteous posterity. It was not broadly authorized among the general body of the saints. These men were like Abraham, Moses and others. Their circumstances were the same. It was necessary after a time of apostasy to build up a righteous generation and plural marriage enabled that to occur more rapidly.

Nowhere did I say that Joseph and the others in this dispensation were not authorized. They were authorized. That authorization is given by the Lord's prophet in every case when it was observed. After the Manifesto, the Church gave up the practice. Until such time that the living prophet authorizes the practice again, any plural marriage is contrary to the order of heaven.

Neither did I say that the Lord will not permit it at some time in the future. However, I do believe that it will be very limited. Since the Lord's purpose is to build up a righteous posterity rapidly, he may choose to authorize it during the Millennium. In past dispensations however, authorization of the practice FOLLOWED an apostasy, which will not be the case during the Millennium.

Unless the Lord commands it, it's a moot question. My opinion is that it will always be a limited practice because, when there will be no more universal periods of apostasy, the need to regenerate a chosen people from scratch doesn't exist. I believe plural marriage is a rare thing, even in the Celestial Kingdom.

[diana summerford]

Greg, you said, " have heard some misguided Latter-day Saints insist that during the Millennial reign of Jesus, after the Second Coming, that plural marriage will be re-authorized and or even be required. According to the passage from Jacob I cited above, I find this opinion to be erroneous and unscriptural"

I believe on that statement you make a common error in judgement. And one arrived at in error. The Lord was talking to THOSE people. THEN. It is clear from all the other examples you cited that the Lord is not against the living of polygamy, historically. He actually gave added honor to Patriarchs in the line of Jesus Christ, who lived it. His statement to the men who tarnished the practice and exploited the women in the Book of Jacob in no way says that it never will be practiced anywhere else or at some other time. If one were to believe that thsn one would have to believe that Joseph Smith Jr and Brigham and other Prophets of the Restoration were false Prophets ,,,,,,,because THEY practiced Polygamy. They certainly were NOT false Prophets. Bottom line is that the chastisement given to the people in the Book of Jacob was for them alone and does not exclude the possibility that the Lord will reinstate the practice at some future date as He so wills..