More Mormon Blasphemy

Now, brethren, this is a consolation to us all. Believe in God, believe in Jesus, and believe in Joseph his Prophet, and in Brigham his successor. And I add, “If you will believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Christ, and Joseph was a Prophet, and that Brigham was his successor, you shall be saved in the kingdom of God,” which I pray, in the name of Jesus, may be the case. Amen.

Journal of Discourses 6:229, Joseph Young, Salt Lake City, July 26, 1857

Romans 10:9 has the truth: This is the message of faith we proclaim: if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Notice Paul, in Romans, mentions nothing about Joseph Smith, but Joseph Young didn’t care; he wants you to accept Joseph Smith and Brigham Young as additional saviors!! Both these men were profligate fornicators/adulterers who didn’t have a single prophecy come true, and yet the LDS idolizes them as prophets!  This, of course, is pure blasphemy from the very devil himself.

H/T: Life After Ministry. 

More Book of Mormon Lies

Alma 16:13 tells how the Nephite evangelists “went forth preaching repentance to the people … in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.”  The Book of Mormon mentions synagogues twenty-five times. But synagogues were not developed by the Jews until four hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem. How could the writer have know how the Jews built their synagogues?

Ross Anderson, Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Quick Christian Guide to the Mormon Holy Book, pg.70

Blasphemy by the Mormon Church

The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think they were “Mormons.”  

Jedidiah M. Grant, August  7, 1853, Salt Lake City, Journal of Discourses,1: 346.

H/T: Life After Ministry

First, I'd like to see the writings of the so-called "philosophers who rose in that age." Nowhere in any history have I come across this claim by anyone, and I've read a lot of the early ante-Nicene "fathers" -- the early church leaders.  

Since God created marriage for one man and one woman, Jesus (as God in the flesh) would not sin by violating the sanctity of marriage with more than one wife. You might also take a look at LDS teachings which say more than one wife is a sin.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was persecuted because he taught against the Sadducees and Pharisees and declared himself to be God. This teaching that Jesus was a polygamist was invented to justify the fornication and adultery among the leadership of the LDS, a teaching instituted by Joseph Smith in order to justify and facilitate his profligate lifestyle in which he ended up with over 40 wives. In other words, this teaching is just another satanic lie of the LDS.

Oh, and just in case any Mormon wants to claim that Mormons don't teach this any more, I refer you to my previous article responding to that claim (which article includes the above quote).

Journal of Discourses and Mormon Doctrine

I have often been told by Mormons, in their defense of contradictory or denied teachings, that citing from the Journal of Discourses is just citing opinions, that the cited teachers are just expressing their own opinions without any backing from God.

Well, let’s just see what the Publisher’s Prefaces say about the JoD:

Volume 1: “purity of doctrine…theological truth”

Volume 2: “fountain of eternal truth”

Volume 3: “containing the principles of the Gospel of salvation…by the power of the Holy Ghost”

Volume 4: “their words are as the words of God”

Volume 8: “reflector of ‘the light that shines from Zion’s hill’…important instructions”

The Deseret News said the JoD contained “the clear and vigorous exposition of Latter-day Saint doctrine” and “unmistakable authority of divine inspiration.”

D&C 68:4 says, “And whatsoever they [LDS elders] shall speak when moved by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.”

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism says, “The inspired utterances of the President of the Church become binding upon members of the Church whether formally accepted as part of the written canon or not. The living prophet’s inspired words supersede and become more important to Latter-day Saints than the written canon or previous prophetic statements.”

Of course Mormons can always revert to saying that not all the utterances are by being “moved by the Holy Ghost” or “inspired utterances,” but then that begs the question as to how they can determine whether they are or not!

Oh, and then there is the claim that some things taught are not “formal doctrine,” and for that I refer back to what the Encyclopedia of Mormonism says.

The Lies of Mormonism Never Cease

Mormonism Research Ministry posted this article in their “Mormonism in the News” column. It tell tells how the current “prophet/president,” Russell M. Nelson, has made up lies and continues to tell them to somehow enhance his reputation. Well, since Mormonism was built on the lies of Joseph Smith I think that Nelson’s lies are to be expected.  How can you trust your religious beliefs to leaders who lie they way Smith and Nelson, et al, have lied?

Does Temple Participation Offer “Assurance”?

The following article by Bill McKeever was published in the Mormonism Research Ministry’s “Mormonism Researched” bi-monthly “letter” (September-October 2021).

Since I don’t have the ability on this blog to format the way the article is, where the article cites Mormon sources I will use blue ink.  So then, here is the article by Mr. McKeever.

========

Speaking at general conference on April 3, 2021, Henry B. Eyring, second counselor to 17th President Russell M. Nelson, gave a talk titled “I Love to See the Temple.” In that message he said, If you or I  should go to the temple insufficiently pure, we would not be able to see, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the spiritual teaching about the Savior that we can receive in the temple. When we are worthy to receive such teaching, there can grow through our temple experience hope, joy, and optimism throughout out lives. That hope, joy, and optimism are available only through accepting the ordinances performed in holy temples. It is in the temple that we can receive the assurance of loving family connections that will continue after death and last for eternity (Liahona, May2021, 30).

Having an eternal family connection is the desire of the great majority of Latter-day Saints. Ask an LDS member what it is they hope to achieve in the next life and the answer is usually something like, “To be with my family.” This should not surprise us. Sixth President Joseph F. Smith saw this as a “right and privilege” that awaits faithful members: I have the glorious promise of the association of my love ones throughout all eternity. In obedience to this work, in the gospel of Jesus Christ, I shall gather around me my family, my children, my children’s children, until they become as numerous as the seed of Abraham, or as countless s the sands upon the seashore.  For this is my right and privilege, and the right and privilege of every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who holds the Priesthood and will magnify it in the sight of God (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 1998, 386).

According to LDS teaching, Mormon males who qualify for exaltation and “godhood,” are rewarded with the ability to form their own worlds and rule over them just as “Elohim,” the Mormon “Heavenly Father,” rules and reigns over this world. Fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow stated that those who are faithful to the Mormon Gospel …will progress and develop in knowledge, intelligence and power, in future eternities, until they shall be able to go out into space where there is unorganized matter and call together the necessary elements, and through their knowledge of and control over the laws and powers of nature, to organize matter into worlds on which their posterity may dwell, and over which they shall rule as gods (Lorenzo Snow, Presidents of the Church Student Manual: Religion 345, 2013, 90-91).

Latter-day Saints often speak of an eternity with Heavenly Father, but one can only wonder how this will be if the faithful are scattered all over the proverbial universe populating and ruling over their own worlds. 

Eyring’s promise of a assurance is something temple participation can never guarantee. In Mormonism, celestial exaltation, and the reward of being united with family members, are only granted if all involved keep Celestial Law. Third LDS President John Taylor stated that this requirement is “absolute submission and obedience of the law of God” (Journal of Discourses 26:350). One need only ask Latter-day Saints if they have successfully achieved this in their lifetimes. If not, then going to the temple offers them no such security.

Baptism on behalf of the dead gives the deceased an opportunity to hear the “restored gospel” of Mormonism in the spirit world. Members often spend numerous hours researching their family history so they can be baptized vicariously for their deceased relatives. They are told, “Your effort approaches the spirt of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice—you perform a saving work for others that they cannot do for themselves” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, 2004, 63).

But how can such an effort provide those who are living any assurance of “loving family connections that will continue after death and last for eternity” if the dad can refuse the vicarious work being done on their behalf?

Spencer J. Condie, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, asked what happens if a deceased person didn’t want to repent or desire baptism. He noted that “baptism for the dead offers an opportunity, but it does not override a person’s agency.” That being the case, he concluded, “We simply do not know who among the dead will turn their hearts to the Lord and repent” (The Savior’s Visit to the Spirit World,” Ensign, July 2003, 36).

Eyring’s promise of assurance falls short because no human (with the exception of Jesus) is capable of reaching the high bar of personal worthiness that includes complete obedience to the Lord’s commands. Because of the doctrine of “free agency,” no Latter-day Saint can be sure if the deceased they hope to “save” want to embrace the message of Joseph Smith’s “restored gospel.” 

Did They Really Say That?!?

Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God anyhow—three in one, and one in three! It is a curious organization. ... All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God—he would be a giant or a monster.

Joseph Smith, Sermon given June 16, 1844.

I guess Smith forgot about all his teachings about the Trinity in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants.  Just another of the many contradictions of the Mormon Church.

Heavenly Mother?

The excellent site Life After Ministry has given me permission to share their posts on my blog. They have some really, really good article exposing the false nature of the Latter-Day Saints so I have many times linked to their articles. 

Today I decided to post one of their articles addressing the teachings about a “Heavenly Mother.” It is well worth learning about this bizarre teachings.

The Heavenly Mother of Mormonism

 By Melissa Grimes

One of the core beliefs in Mormonism is that not only do they have a Father in Heaven, but a Mother in Heaven as well.  This doctrine came from what they call “latter day revelation”, yet it isn’t something you’ll find in any of their extra scriptures.

Mormonism teaches Heavenly Mother is the wife of the Mormon god, and was most likely his wife in the life she lived before earning her place by his side as his goddess wife of the planet earth.

I know this may sound like a very strange concept to the Christian, however, Mormons believe it makes perfect sense for God the Father to not only have a body of flesh and bone, but to have a female counterpart, a queen who is the mother of his spirit children.  As we see with this quote by Joseph Fielding Smith in his book Answers to Gospel Questions:

 “The fact that there is no reference to a mother in heaven either in the Bible, Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants, is not sufficient proof that no such thing as a mother did  exist there…. does not common sense tell us that we must have had a mother there also?” (Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 3, p.142).

Here’s another quote, this one is from Gordon B. Hinckley –

 “Logic and reason would certainly suggest that if we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. That doctrine rests well with me. However, in light of the instruction we have received from the Lord Himself, I regard it as inappropriate for anyone in the Church to pray to our Mother in Heaven…The fact that we do not pray to our Mother in Heaven in no way belittles or denigrates her…none of us can add to or diminish the glory of whom we have no revealed knowledge” (Ensign, November 1991)

The main reason Mormons believe there has to be a Heavenly Mother is because the god of Mormonism can’t create something out of nothing.  They reject the Creation account found in the book of Genesis and instead lean towards Joseph Smith’s own account of how the universe was “organized”.  This leaves the Mormons with only speculation, and with no other choice but to rely on the words of Smith vs. the words of God.

Joseph Smith revealed to the Mormons in early 1839 “the concept of an eternal mother.” (Mother in Heaven, Encyclopedia (4vols.) page 961) From this teaching, Eliza R. Snow, who was one of Joseph’s plural wives composed a poem that was later set to music and became ‘O My Father’, a popular hymn sung in the Mormon Church.

“In the heav´ns are parents single?

No, the thought makes reason stare!

Truth is reason; truth eternal

Tells me I´ve a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,

When I lay this mortal by,

Father, Mother, may I meet you

In your royal courts on high?”(LDS Hymnal p. 292)

Mormonism has consistently taught that every human being who has ever lived is the literal spiritual offspring of heavenly parents.  Their doctrine teaches that all of us lived as the spirit children of our heavenly parents in what is called the “pre-existence”.  Mormon doctrine teaches the spirit children of their god and heavenly mother included Jesus and Satan, whom the Mormons routinely refer to as Lucifer.

The Mormon prophet Brigham Young was very forthcoming as to how all of the “spirit children” were created. He said:

“God has made His children like Himself to stand erect, and has endowed them with intelligence and power and dominion over all His works, and given them the same attributes which He himself possesses. He created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or that ever will be.” (Journal of Discourses 11:122-123).

Mormons would become highly irritated and insulted if you were to suggest to them their religion teaches that a sexual union between “heavenly mother and father” was needed to create all the spirit children, including Jesus Christ.

Yet it goes without saying, this is the only plausible explanation when you believe in a god who is an exalted human man with a body of flesh and bone and in his goddess wife, who is also an exalted human female with a body of flesh and bone.

The whole notion of a pre-existence, spirit children, mother goddess and a father god from another planet sounds more like a really bad Star Trek episode instead of something from a religion claiming to be Christian.  The closet Biblical reference to a “Queen in Heaven” is found in the book of Jeremiah.

 In Chapter 7:18 of the MacArthur Study Bible John MacArthur explains who the “Queen of Heaven” is;

“The Jews were worshiping Ishtar, an Assyrian and Babylonian goddess also called Ashtoreth and Astarte, the wife of Baal or Molech. Because these deities symbolized generative power, their worship involved prostitution.”

As I write this article I think back to the time I was sitting on a stool in the Washington DC temple. I had just been “washed” and was being anointed to be a “queen and priestess” to my husband in the eternities.  I remember thinking how odd this doctrine felt, and uncomfortable it made me to think I could hold such a high and exalted position.

The more I study other religions the more I see how Mormonism is nothing more than a patchwork of bits and pieces of other religions stitched together.  Like Mormonism, the followers of Wicca and Hinduism believe in goddesses and fashion for themselves a god and goddess to suit their needs.

Joseph Smith created a god for his new religion that fit into what he believed a god should be.  Of course, his god had to have a female companion to complete him, who would assist him in creation because he is incomplete and unable to create something on his own.

 Bruce R. McConkie stated:

“Implicit in the Christian verity that all men are the spirit children of an Eternal Father is the usually unspoken truth that they are also the offspring of an Eternal Mother. An exalted and glorified Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57) could not be a Father unless a Woman of like glory, perfection, and holiness was associated with him as a Mother. The begetting of children makes a man a father and a woman a mother whether we are dealing with man in his mortal or immortal state. This doctrine that there is a Mother in Heaven was affirmed in plainness by the First Presidency of the Church (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund … they said that “man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents …” (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p.516).

Unlike the God of the Bible, the Mormon god was unable to create those individuals who would become his children all on his own. It gives me great joy and comfort to worship and know the one, true God.

To know that I wasn’t just born one of his children, but he led me to him, and chose me to be his daughter gives me great encouragement.  Mormons may think it’s their birth right to receive exaltation and eternal life because they were born spiritual from “heavenly parents”.  I know I will have eternal life, not because of anything I did, but because of a God who is what he says he is.

Mormons Lie About Passover

 It was during the week of this feast, some 1500 years after the exodus, that our Lord was crucified. Just before his betrayal he had partaken of the feast with his disciples…Keeping of the passover, with its sacrifices and unleavened bread, ended (except among apostate peoples) with the sacrifice of “Christ our passover.” The saints were to keep the feast only in a spiritual sense, as Paul said: “Let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:6-8.)”

 Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pg. 502

H/T: Life After Ministry

So then, Jews were apostates to their own religion for keeping the Passover as God commanded in Exodus 12:24? WRONG! God told the Jews to observer it FOREVER!!!

Oh the lies of Mormonism! The whole religion began with lies and has subsisted on continual lies ever since.

Did They Really Say That?!?

Brigham Young did not originate the doctrine that Negroes could not hold the Priesthood in this life but some day some of them may be granted that privilege, but he was taught it by the Prophet Joseph.  The minutes of a meeting of the general authorities of the Church which was held on August 22, 1895 read as follows: “President George Q. Cannon remarked that the Prophet taught this doctrine: That the seed of Cain could not receive the Priesthood nor act in  any of the offices of he Priesthood until the seed of Abel should come forward and take precedence over Cain’s offspring.”

“Seventy” Milton R. Hunter,1948, Pearl of Great Price Commentary, pg.142

How Many Wives Does God Say is Proper?

Holy Bible:

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the LORD God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said, "This one, at last, is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called woman, for she was taken from man." This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. 

Genesis 2:21-24

He [the king] must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won't go astray. 

Deuteronomy 17:17.

But because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

1 Corinthians 7:2

 

An overseer, therefore must be above reproach, the husband of one wife...

1 Timothy 3:2 

Deacons must be husbands of one wife...

1 Timothy 3:12

...appoint elders in every town, someone who is blameless, the husband of one wife...

Titus 1:5b-6

See also God’s View of Polygamy. Note: in the LDS system it is more appropriately called “polygyny.”

Book of Mormon

And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.

Jacob 2:24, 27-28

Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.... Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; 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 1:15

Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our fathers – that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.

Jacob 3:5

And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines...

Ether 10:5

Insomuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy: we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife; and one woman but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again…

D&C Sec. 101, 1835 edition, since removed.

What happened; did God change his mind?

The following are excepts from D&C 132: The introduction for this so-called revelation is dated July 12, 1843. By that time Joseph Smith had 40+ wives. The Church now admits Smith was practicing polygamy as early as 1831!  (H/T Life After Ministry) So apparently Smith just happened to get this “revelation” to cover for his serial adultery. 

4. For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.  5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world. 6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

So this revelation is to be an “everlasting” covenant, which means forever. And those who don’t abide this law shall be damned!

37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law…

So now, contradicting the above Bible and BOM passages above, God gave Abraham multiple wives (or concubines) and declared it righteous that he accepted them!

38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife;

Totally contradicting the Bible and BOM, God says he GAVE the extra wives to David, Solomon and Moses, as well as others.  How can this be if the BOM specifically states that what they did by acquiring wives was abominable and sinful?

51 Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.

52 And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God.

54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.

Here God tells Joseph’s wife Emma that she will be destroyed if she doesn’t accept Smith’s multiple wives!  When she first saw this revelation she threw it into the fire and she never accepted the other women and didn’t even want them in her house. After Smith died she denied the “revelation” as being untrue.

61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.

And yet Emma did NOT give her consent, and many of Smith’s wives were already married to other men, so Smith therefore violated the commandment to begin with!

62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

Again, most of Smith’s wives already belonged to other men.

63 But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that he may be glorified.

Since most of Smith’s (and Brigham Young’s) wives were married to other men, according to this part of “God’s law” the women should have been destroyed! But were they? Of course not because God had nothing to do with this “revelation.”

64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.

Here again we have “God” threatening destruction to women who refuse to accept the polygamy teachings.

The grand reason of the burst of public sentiment in anathemas upon Christ and his disciples, causing his crucifixion, was evidently based upon polygamy, according to the testimony of the philosophers who rose in that age. A belief in the doctrine of a plurality of wives caused the persecution of Jesus and his followers. We might almost think that they [Jesus and his followers] were “Mormons.” 

Jedidiah M. Grant, Journal of Discourses, Vol.1, pp.345-46.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was persecuted because he taught against the Sadducees and Pharisees and declared himself to be God; the Apostles were persecuted because they taught that Jesus was God and resurrected from the dead to pay for the sins of the world; i.e, both Jesus and the Apostles taught the true Gospel.

… the one-wife system not only degenerates the human family, both physically and intellectually, but it is entirely incompatible with philosophical notions of immortality; it is a lure to temptation, and has always proved a curse to people.

 Samuel Whitney Richards, Millennial Star, No. 15, Vol. 15, April 9, 1853, p. 227

What truly “denigrates the human family, both physically and intellectually,” as well as spiritually and emotionally, is the teaching of polygamy!  Polygamous relationships are abusive to the women and the more wives and children the man has the less he pays attention to them and can’t even remember their names!  Paul said “because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.”

This revelation, which God gave to Joseph, was for the express purpose of providing a channel for the organization of tabernacles, for those spirits to occupy who have been reserved to come forth in the kingdom of God, and that they might not be obliged to take tabernacles out of the kingdom of God. … Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned… …but the Saints who live their religion will be exalted…

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 3:265-266 ,Provo, Utah, July 14, 1855.

Again the threat of damnation for those who deny polygamy.

I bear my testimony that [polygamy] is a necessity, and that the Church of Christ in its fullness never existed without it. Where you have the eternity of marriage you are bound to have plural marriage; bound to; and it is one of the marks of the Church of Jesus Christ in its sealing ordinances. “Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven.” We know how sensitive the Prophet Joseph was to introduce this principle. He knew the feeling that was against it. It had been taught from the days of heathen Rome down to the present time that a man should have but one wife, which has resulted in the prostitution of many of the fair daughters of Eve as mistresses. Here we have too much love for women to see them trampled in the dust. Here we have too much respect for unborn spirits to have them come into the world branded as bastards, illegitimate, in shame, without knowing their fathers. The children we have are legitimate. They are our own. We honor them and our wives. Our children are given unto us of God, for our wives are given to us of God. We never should have thought of practicing this principle [plural marriage] if God had not revealed it from the heavens and commanded it, and we must stand by it and by every principle that He has revealed.

Apostle George Teasdale (b.1831, d.1907), Journal of Discourses, v. 25, pp. 19-22

Smith was not “sensitive” to the “principle,” rather he invented it to cover up his serial adultery, and then it was added in to the theology of pre-existence. The fact that man has ONE wife, according to the God of the Bible, does not result in prostitution. If they really loved their women they wouldn’t have more than one wife because one wife is ALL that is given to them by God. Their women are indeed “trampled” and abused when forced into polygamous relationships.

Oh, but wait! Suddenly God decided that the Mormons had to stop practicing “the principle” because they couldn’t get Utah statehood with it.  What happened to the “everlasting covenant”? Did God really care if Utah couldn’t become a state? “God” lied when he said the covenant would be forever!

I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land.

Wilford Woodruff, LDS President, Official Declaration 1 (known as the Manifesto), Doctrine & Covenants.

Polygamy was ALWAYS “forbidden by the law of the land” but the Mormons declared their land a separate nation from the USA. Notice how it is worded; if the law of the land allows polygamy in the future (which is being fought for by many groups) suddenly Mormons can begin multiplying wives again.

The Lord showed me by vision and revelation exactly what would take place if we did not stop this practice.

Wilford Woodruff, LDS President, Address regarding the Manifesto.

The Lord did not show Woodruff a thing; Woodruff made up the whole Manifesto so as to allow Utah to get statehood.

The “Fundamental” Latter Day Saints split-off groups continue the practice of polygamy because they claim the LDS Church is apostate by refusing to obey the “everlasting covenant.”

There have been many books written by women who escaped FLDS, and other polygamous cults, which tell of the abuse they suffered under such systems.  Even children have suffered under such systems. Think about it; why should any woman want to be married to a man who has sex with a different wife every night! There is no way a man can become ONE FLESH with more than one wife.

I highly recommend the video, Lifting the Veil of Polygamy, a copy of which I have had since 2008 when I acquired it at an apologetics conference.  You can also watch the full video here.