Posted on 01/19/2008 11:15:20 AM PST by Alex Murphy
For the first time in recent memory, a new manual Mormons will use to study the writings of founder Joseph Smith acknowledges Smith's role in introducing the practice of polygamy.
The acknowledgment may not seem groundbreaking to many Mormons or historians, nor will it likely satisfy most critics, but its inclusion in an official course of study is a departure from past practices and may signal a new openness about Mormon history.
The change is "not a response to critics who think the church has not been straightforward about its involvement with plural marriage in the 19th century," said David Marsh, manager of curriculum development for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "It is included ... to illustrate a few of the doctrines or principles that do not have application to our day and which are therefore not included in the book."
Still, it is noteworthy.
The church launched its church presidential writings course in 1998 with Brigham Young. In Sunday meetings, the all-male priesthood and the all-female Relief Society used the same manual to separately examine Young's thoughts on a particular topic. Critics quickly noted, though, that the book's biographical sketch of Young listed only one wife, not the more than 50 women he had married. The volume made no mention of polygamy, a practice Young followed and defended throughout his life.
Nor was polygamy acknowledged in the manual about President Joseph F. Smith, who had five wives, or the one about President Heber J. Grant, who had three.
Much has happened in the intervening decade since Mormons looked at Young.
In 1998, current church President Gordon B. Hinckley told CNN interviewer Larry King that polygamy was "behind us. I condemn it as a practice. It is not doctrinal. It is not legal."
Yet Americans continue to have trouble distinguishing Mormon beliefs from those of convicted polygamist leader Warren Jeffs and those portrayed in the fictional HBO's series "Big Love." For clarity, the LDS Church posted on its Web site articles explaining early Mormon notions about plural marriage.
It took eight years for a committee of scholars, historians, volunteers and church employees to research, compile and organize Smith's writings into a single volume meant as a two-year study for church members.
Marsh, a member of the committee, does not know why the paragraph about polygamy was included this time.
"It could have been a function of the makeup of those writing committees," he said. "We like to give them autonomy."
All the manuals were, of course, approved by the church's governing authorities.
In addition to the paragraph about plural marriage, the Smith manual is distinctive for the thoroughness of its footnotes. The first chapter about Smith's "First Vision," in which he claimed to see God and Jesus in a grove of trees, includes a footnote about how Smith described the encounter in different ways to different people.
"The endnotes provide the date and the place the prophet spoke, the names of those who recorded the prophet's discourse, corrections to information in the History of the Church that has been discovered since its publication . . . and other helpful information," Marsh said. "The endnotes are unprecedented in [LDS] Church Curriculum manuals, and are one of the book's strengths."
He is pleased with the product.
"This book will be translated into 29 languages," Marsh said. "For the first time in the history of the church, the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith will be accessible to members all across the world."
A new manual LDS Church members will use to study the writings of Joseph Smith notably includes references to polygamy. The preface includes these two paragraphs:"The Prophet taught the doctrine of plural marriage, and a number of such marriages were performed during his lifetime," the book's preface says. "Over the next several decades, under the direction of the church presidents who succeeded Joseph Smith, a significant number of church members entered into plural marriages."
In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto, which discontinued plural marriage in the Church (see Official Declaration 1), it continues. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints no longer practices plural marriage."
Mormons and polygamy?
Next thing you’ll tell me that they deny the trinity.
Technically, Mormons used to practice “polygyny” - one man with multiple wives. Polygamy is a general term for multiple marriages. Polyandry - one woman, multiple men, and then there’s Group Marriage.
TO ALL WHO WANT TO HELP US TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT CHRIST AND HOW HE GUIDES HIS PEOPLE ON EARTH.
If this thread is like most others that have anything to do with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or as we are more often called, the Mormons, it will soon be taken over by those who, for reasons of their own, choose to put down my Church, and those of us who worship with it.
We find no problem with people who really want to talk to us about converting to their religion, we spend a lot of time doing it ourselves.
What we find offensive is when people leave out part of the truth to make a half-true lie , or when some one renames something, that we find important or sacred, so it sounds like gutter talk.
I do not know how to tell the difference all the time. There are some Handles that keep showing up, and they are easy to spot. Sometimes, though, I have given a hard and not so kind response to some who honestly care for us and our salvation.
Please forgive us if we get you mixed up.
Thanks for your time,
fred
Certainly. But not before you do all that you can do.
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I went to the Bible Answer Man link and looked around. I did not see any references to anyone who believes The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints is true.
Did I miss the references, or is it another one sided “debate”.
I don’t know why the mods allow this piece to remain posted. The only reason it’s posted is as a hit piece on Mitt.
Please forgive us if we get you mixed up.
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Certainly. But not before you do all that you can do.
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That sounds more like you want to put us down, rather then lift us up.
Is that what you wanted to say?
I really like David Marsh he works with spirit of the Lord I have witness that when listening to him on the scripture dicussions!
I am sure he will remember those who do nothing but wreak havoc!:)
Listen for yourself. It's free.
All of the Mormon callers said that the Mormon doctrines presented on the program were accurate and forthrightly presented.
Listen for yourself. It’s free.
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Have been, and I haven’t seen it that way.
I guess you could take it up with the host and his guests. They are very accessible via email.
Values
Do they have any black leaders yet, oh I am sorry, they believe the black man to be bad spirit babies. Thats ok when I ascend to my godly rank and take over planet Uranus I will pardon all those and let them live on my planet.
>This book deals with teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that have application to our day. For example, this book does not discuss such topics as the Prophet’s teachings regarding the law of consecration as applied to stewardship of property. The Lord withdrew this law from the Church because the Saints were not prepared to live it (see D&C 119, section heading). This book also does not discuss plural marriage. The doctrines and principles relating to plural marriage were revealed to Joseph Smith as early as 1831. The Prophet taught the doctrine of plural marriage, and a number of such marriages were performed during his lifetime. Over the next several decades, under the direction of the Church Presidents who succeeded Joseph Smith, a significant number of Church members entered into plural marriages. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff issued the Manifesto, which discontinued plural marriage in the Church (see Official Declaration 1). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints no longer practices plural marriage.
Is there a recording of it on the Internet to listen to?
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