Surprised this apologetic view of polygamy hasn't come up here yet

[LA Ute]

I don't want to freak anybody out here, but why can't polygammy (and yes, polyandry) be eternal principles? I think we could be looking at these things through mortal, 21st century eyes without considering the bigger picture.

I've been married for nearly twenty years (okay, 17, but it feels like 20.) If one of us died, the other would remarry, and spend the next 50 years with the other spouse. Speaking for myself, I love my wife dearly, and wouldn't want to be unsealed from her if I remarried. On the other hand, I would probably have the same feelings for wife #2 after 50 years. Why should I have to choose in that situation? Well, because they'd probabaly kill each other in the afterlife if they had to share me. But jealousy, which is what would drive the celestial catfight will (supposedly) not exist in the hereafter, sharing should not be a big deal.

Likewise, if I don't have to choose which wife I love more, my wife shouldn't have to choose which husband she wants to keep if I'm run over by a tractor tomorrow. I hate the thought of sharing her, but maybe it will be possible if I'm not prone to jealousy like I am in my mortal existence. I imagine I will be okay with it if I'm resurrected as a perfect, understanding, and loving person - especially if husband #2 is resurrected without testicles.

I nominate this post for a Cuffie.

[cowboy]

I don't want to freak anybody out here, but why can't polygammy (and yes, polyandry) be eternal principles? I think we could be looking at these things through mortal, 21st century eyes without considering the bigger picture.

I've been married for nearly twenty years (okay, 17, but it feels like 20.) If one of us died, the other would remarry, and spend the next 50 years with the other spouse. Speaking for myself, I love my wife dearly, and wouldn't want to be unsealed from her if I remarried. On the other hand, I would probably have the same feelings for wife #2 after 50 years. Why should I have to choose in that situation? Well, because they'd probabaly kill each other in the afterlife if they had to share me. But jealousy, which is what would drive the celestial catfight will (supposedly) not exist in the hereafter, sharing should not be a big deal.

Likewise, if I don't have to choose which wife I love more, my wife shouldn't have to choose which husband she wants to keep if I'm run over by a tractor tomorrow. I hate the thought of sharing her, but maybe it will be possible if I'm not prone to jealousy like I am in my mortal existence. I imagine I will be okay with it if I'm resurrected as a perfect, understanding, and loving person - especially if husband #2 is resurrected without testicles.

[LA Ute]

No, we are the splinter denomination. Not in terms of organizational legacy, perhaps, but in practice. Consider that Martin Luther looked at the church and pointed out all the things he thought were wrong, nailed them to his door, and changed practice and theology. On our side, the mainstream LDS church changed it's practice and theology and the FLDS didn't follow suit. Both of those examples are grossly simplified, but when you view this as an exercise in doctrine and theology and not one of organization the analogy is backwards.

I see your argument, although I disagree with it. My point is that the LDS church is not responsible for the beliefs or actions of the FLDS church and it is unfair to the LDS church to mix up the two organizations.

By the way, I know that some polygamist sects popped up long after the manifestoes and their founders were never members of the LDS church. Is the FLDS one of those, or does it date back to dissenting members of the LDS church? I don't know.

[LA Ute]

I think the revulsion and hatred that many LDS feel for FLDS is explained by 3D's post. Many LDS don't want to confront that their own revered prophets and apostles did the same things that FLDS do and LDS find so odious. The precedent that both sets of leaders use of course is the Old Testament, which in many ways is a chronicle of a people that were in many ways uncivilized and barbaric.

Polygamy, especially when it preys on underage women and girls, is indeed horrible, absolutely uncivilized. There's a reason that enlightened countries, indeed even Christianity througout its history, have rejected and condemned polygamy of any kind. But many LDS are in denial about their revered past leaders' participation in such malfeasance, and these strenuous efforts at creating distance from the FLDS are all about that.

If you're saying that Warren Jeffs = Brigham Young, then your argument makes logical sense. That's far from an open and shut case, though, no matter how you try to make it. And I'm being charitable in making that statement.

[Pheidippides]

How so? The FLDS and the Lutherans are the splinter denominations.

No, we are the splinter denomination. Not in terms of organizational legacy, perhaps, but in practice. Consider that Martin Luther looked at the church and pointed out all the things he thought were wrong, nailed them to his door, and changed practice and theology. On our side, the mainstream LDS church changed it's practice and theology and the FLDS didn't follow suit. Both of those examples are grossly simplified, but when you view this as an exercise in doctrine and theology and not one of organization the analogy is backwards.

[SeattleUte]

I think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about as connected to, and responsible for, the FLDS church's beliefs and actions as the Catholic Church is for the actions and beliefs of the Lutheran Church.

I think the revulsion and hatred that many LDS feel for FLDS is explained by 3D's post. Many LDS don't want to confront that their own revered prophets and apostles did the same things that FLDS do and LDS find so odious. The precedent that both sets of leaders use of course is the Old Testament, which in many ways is a chronicle of a people that were in many ways uncivilized and barbaric.

Polygamy, especially when it preys on underage women and girls, is indeed horrible, absolutely uncivilized. There's a reason that enlightened countries, indeed even Christianity througout its history, have rejected and condemned polygamy of any kind. But many LDS are in denial about their revered past leaders' participation in such malfeasance, and these strenuous efforts at creating distance from the FLDS are all about that.

[LA Ute]

Reverse LDS and FLDS and then I think you have the analogy right.

How so? The FLDS and the Lutherans are the splinter denominations.

[SeattleUte]

You of all people ought to be able to distinguish the difference between Pravda and The Deseret News.

He was addressing their reliability. They are equally unreliable when reporting about the institutions that own them.

[Pheidippides]

I think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about as connected to, and responsible for, the FLDS church's beliefs and actions as the Catholic Church is for the actions and beliefs of the Lutheran Church.

Reverse LDS and FLDS and then I think you have the analogy right.

[Katy Lied]

The analogy is precise.

You of all people ought to be able to distinguish the difference between Pravda and The Deseret News.

[LA Ute]

GREAT POST.

I think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about as connected to, and responsible for, the FLDS church's beliefs and actions as the Catholic Church is for the actions and beliefs of the Lutheran Church.

[SeattleUte]

Oh brother.

The analogy is precise.

[SeattleUte]

Along those lines, I have noticed a trend to completely disassociate ourselves from these FLDS folks, as well as other polygamous sects. Statements such as "there is no relationship whatsoever to the LDS Church" seem equally disingenuous.

It isn't just this woman. Even our beloved GBH, a man very adept at public speaking, spoke to a similar degree when he was being interviewed by Larry King (or was it 60 mins?).

I'm not sure how someone can say that there is absolutely no relationship whatsoever between the sects and the LDS Church. In fact, there is a very direct relationship between the two, although they are distinct entities and do not work in conjunction with each other.

However, the offshoot practices cut too close to the bone to acknowledge that we have more in common than differences.

I'm not surprised LA Ute wishes this article were true. I think we all wish it were true.

GREAT POST.

[Katy Lied]

KSL and the Deseret News are to Mormonism what Komsomolskaya Pravda was to Communism. It's very difficult to take them seriously when it comes to anything even remotely related to Mormonism.

Oh brother.

[LA Ute]

Did you notice that she taking an endowed chair at texas a&m? (snicker)

Is that a step up or down?