Mormons split over polygamy practice, expert says at trial

The Vancouver Sun ^ | 5 Jan 2011 | Daphne Bramham

[Alex Murphy]

Even though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially renounced polygamy in 1890, a religious studies expert says that mainstream Mormons are nearly evenly split over whether it should continue to be practised. W. John Walsh said Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court that the LDS church's official position remains that polygamy is banned, but that it's possible that somewhere between 50 and 60 per cent of the church's members "would like a return of polygamy, which they see as a holy practice."

The other half would not like to see a return of polygamy and deem it to be "an archaic practise," said Walsh, who was testifying as an expert on behalf of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a constitutional reference case that will determine the validity of Canada's law prohibiting polygamy. (The FLDS split from the mainstream church over the practise of polygamy and the FLDS is the largest group of so-called "fundamentalist Mormons" in North America. Walsh estimated that there are 50,000 fundamentalist Mormons in North America, 10,000 of whom belong to the FLDS.)

If Walsh is right, that suggests that if Canada's law is struck down, it could cause a major schism in the LDS church and would likely mean a large contingent of disaffected Mormons wanting to immigrate to Canada.

[SNIP]

“There is no doubt in my mind that your attitude toward plural marriage will determine your place in eternity.” Those who choose 'plural' or 'celestial' marriage have a chance at the highest realm of heaven – the celestial kingdom – while those who don't may find themselves alone for all eternity.

[SNIP]

“If men were eternally limited to only one wife each, some women would never have the opportunity for exaltation."

[Alex Murphy]

Even though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially renounced polygamy in 1890, a religious studies expert says that mainstream Mormons are nearly evenly split over whether it should continue to be practised. W. John Walsh said Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court that the LDS church's official position remains that polygamy is banned, but that it's possible that somewhere between 50 and 60 per cent of the church's members "would like a return of polygamy, which they see as a holy practice"....that suggests that if Canada's law is struck down, it could cause a major schism in the LDS church and would likely mean a large contingent of disaffected Mormons wanting to immigrate to Canada.

It should be noted that W. John Walsh was testifying as an expert on behalf of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[hennie pennie]

*ping*

[greyfoxx39]

Polygamy ping.

Thanks for the ping, hennie pennie

[Alex Murphy]

IB4PD1

[rickomatic]

The fact remains that the sexually perverted founder of the Morman church,one Joseph Smith,did practice polygamy along with other sins. It is his legacy,and without that there would be no discussion on the matter. Nor would there be cases like that of Elizabeth Smart.Her dilemma,and others like it can all be directly traced back to the perversions of “the prophet”.

[La Lydia]

I bet they’re evenly split! The men are all for it and the women — not so much.

[cruise_missile]

I asked brother-in-law (who is a main stream ex-Bishop missionary Mormon in Salt Lake valley) why he doesn't have another wife. He told me it's because the government doesn't allow it.

I was raised in and around Salt Lake. You run into a lot of them. In fact some of my ancestors were polygamous.

Some Mormons know that this is a basic tenant from the Doctrine and Covenants. The practice of polygamy is a commandment. While the words of Wisdom are just suggestions.

[brytlea]

I just can’t see how it’s reconciled with the Bible.

[TSgt]

Returns January 16th for its final season!

[cruise_missile]

They will say its biblical. So why not for them?

Their own religion contradicts itself. So it doesn’t matter if it contradicts the Bible.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I tend to disbelieve this “experts” statement on the number of Mormons desiring a return to polygamy. Polygamy works in a farm economy it does not work in a dying “service” economy. Most people are pretty practical and in the long run would control their lust.

[Godzilla]

well, get some popcorn hennie LOL.

[RnMomof7]

Polygamy remains a doctrine of Mormonism..it is only suspended

I believe the day gay marriage is approved, the next move will be polygamy

[NeverForgetBataan]

Bill Paxton is a great actor. And he’s from Texas.

“Dam*! it’s hot down here”.... “YA, but its a DRY heat!”

[240B]

You do realize that polygamy is all throughout the Bible.

Furthermore, in the OT the men slept with their wives, their servants, and women captured at war, and even prostitutes.

To say that JS is a pervert is like saying that all the patriarches were perverts.

[Alex Murphy]

I tend to disbelieve this “experts” statement on the number of Mormons desiring a return to polygamy.

It's not a question of desire, it's (according to Mormons) a commandment. The Big Guy Himself has multiple wives - that's where your and my souls came from. Jesus may have been married, too - if not already, then someday in the future.

[TSgt]

I believe the day gay marriage is approved, the next move will be polygamy

And then to animals, plants, youngsters, inanimate objects, etc.

Folks laugh when I say that however the embracing of open homosexuality was also unthinkable not too many years ago.

One snip at a time, cutting away at the moral fabric of America.

[colorcountry]

Teppe,

Let me introduce you to Delphi User. ;)

[Little Bill]

As my several thousand LDS relatives have stated at various times, one is more than enough.