What is "Celestial Polygamy"? [Mainstream Mormons say polygamy still occurring near Kolobian colony]

Mormonism Research Ministry ^ | Bill McKeever

[Colofornian]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seems to be engaged in an uphill battle in its effort to convince the public that they no longer practice polygamy. An LDS Newsroom release posted on September 7, 2007, stated:

“For the record, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discontinued its practice in 1890, and for 117 years Mormons have followed a monogamous lifestyle. Yet careless headline writing or sloppy reporting still causes millions of Mormons to have to answer questions from their neighbors, coworkers, friends and neighbors: ‘Are you a polygamist?’ ‘Is that your church I read about in the newspaper?’ or ‘How many wives do you have?’ We ask journalists to clearly make the distinction between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and polygamous groups. We also hope Church members and other readers will politely remind news organizations that continue to report inaccurately to make the effort to avoid these mistakes.”

The above press release makes reference to a document released in 1890 by fourth President Wilford Woodruff. Known as the Manifesto, this document makes the following promise:

“Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.”

The above excerpt has often been referenced whenever the public erroneously connects modern polygamists groups with the LDS Church. It is true that the LDS Church no longer tolerates a member living in a marriage relationship with more than one woman, and in that sense it has nothing to do with modern polygamist groups. If this is what 15th President Gordon B. Hinckley meant when he stated, “I wish to state categorically that this church has nothing whatsoever to do with those practicing polygamy,” he was not lying. However, what is not entirely true is the assumption that the Mormon Church has completely renounced the practice of plural marriage. How is the public to understand this seeming contradiction?

The solution to this confusing dilemma is found in a concept dubbed “celestial polygamy.” Having more than one wife in the “here and now” is grounds for excommunication from the LDS Church; however, the possibility of having more than one wife in the “hereafter” is still very much a part of the Mormon culture. According to an article in the April 20, 2008 edition of the Salt Lake Tribune:

“Though the LDS Church had disavowed polygamy, it is still enshrined in Mormon scripture (Doctrine & Covenants 132) and some believe it will one day be re-established, if not on Earth, at least in heaven. In his quasi-official 1966 book Mormon Doctrine, which remains in print, the late LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie wrote that ‘the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming and the ushering in of the millennium.’ And by policy, men can be ‘sealed’ for eternity in LDS temple rites to more than one wife, though women are permitted only a single sealing. Three of the church's current apostles, for example, were widowed and remarried. Each will have two wives in the eternities” (“Modern-day Mormons disavow polygamy”).

Note carefully the last sentence, “Three of the church’s current apostles, for example, were widowed and remarried. Each will have two wives in the eternities.”

The three Mormon Apostles referred to in this article are Dallin Oaks, L. Tom Perry, and Russell M. Nelson. All three men are widowers, and all three men have been “sealed” to a second wife.

What is the point of being “sealed” for eternity? Speaking in General Conference in 1994, Seventy Charles Didier stated:

“This [marriage] union is solemnized by the authority of the everlasting priesthood into a holy and sacred ordinance, the temple sealing. It is also called the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, and its purpose is to bind couples together on earth and bring them to a fulness of exaltation in the kingdom of God in the hereafter.” (“Remember Your Covenants,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 1994, p.42).

In a January 28, 1999 City Weekly article titled “Only for Eternity,” author Andrea Moore Emmett quoted LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills who said, “We have to see sealing ordinances as a promise pending faithfulness and yes, some will live polygamy.”

Mormon women who find the teaching of celestial polygamy unsettling will probably not find comfort in a May 31, 2006 LDS Newsroom statement that reads:

“Question: Is polygamy gone forever from the Church?

We only know what the Lord has revealed through His prophets, that plural marriage has been stopped in the Church. Anything else is speculative and unwarranted.”

If it is really speculative and unwarranted, what is the point of Mormon widowers being sealed in Mormon temples? If temple sealings of this nature have significance in the hereafter, how can the LDS Church honestly say “plural marriage has been stopped”?

Further Reading

A Look at Fundamentalist Mormonism, by Bill McKeever

Lifting the Veil of Polygamy (Video)

Interview with a Mormon Fundamentalist (Video)

Mormonism 201: Chapter 16 - Polygamy (Rejoinder)

Mormon Polygamy: Comedy or Tragedy? (Blog post)

[Elsie]

They are there for the money, just like the religious leaders in the time of Jesus.

Welcome to the basics of MORMONism!!

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Corporation of the President

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

STATE OF UTAH

COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

I, the undersigned, having been duly chosen and appointed President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in conformity with the rites, regulations and discipline of said Church, being desirous of forming a corporation for the purpose of acquiring, holding and disposing of Church or religious society property, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship, under and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3, Title 19, of the Compiled Laws of Utah, 1917, on "Churches and Religious Societies," and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, for that purpose do hereby make and subscribe, in duplicate, the following

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

First: The name of this corporation shall be the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

Second: The object of this corporation shall be to acquire, hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be conveyed to or acquired by said corporation for the benefit of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious society, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship. Such real and personal property may be situated, either within the State of Utah, or elsewhere, and this corporation shall have power, without any authority or authorization from the members of said Church or religious society, to grant, sell, convey, rent, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any part or all of such property.

Third: The estimated value of the property of which I hold the legal title for the purpose aforesaid, at the time of making these Articles of Incorporation, is One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.

Fourth: The title of the person making these Articles of Incorporation is "PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS."

Fifth: The corporation seal shall contain the words, "Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and an impression thereof is hereto affixed.

[Seal] [Signed] Heber J. Grant
President of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.

STATE OF UTAH
SS:
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

On this 26th day of November, 1923, before me, Arthur Winter, a Notary Public in and for said County, personally appeared HEBER J. GRANT, who is known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and duly acknowledged to me that he executed the same as such President.

[Seal] [Signed] Arthur Winter
Notary Public
Residing at Salt Lake City, Utah.
My commission expires Dec. 1, 1923.

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AMENDMENT TO

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

 

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF UTAH ss.
COUNTY OF SALT LAKE

HEBER J. GRANT, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:

That he is now and for more than twenty years last past has been the duly chosen and appointed President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as such President has been since on or about the 26th day of November, 1923, and now is, the legally constituted Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter=day Saints, a corporation sole; that under and pursuant to Section 18-7-5 R.S.U. 1933 he hereby amends Article "Fourth" of said Articles of Incorporation as now of record in the proper offices of this and other states, said article as amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE FOURTH

Fourth: The title of the person making these articles of incorporation is "President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He and his successor in office shall be deemed and are hereby created a body politic and corporation sole with perpetual succession, having all the powers and rights and authority in these articles specified or provided for by law. But in the event of death or resignation from office of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or in the event of a vacancy in that office from any cause, the President or Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of said Church, or one of the members of said Quorum thereunto designated by that Quorum, shall, pending the installation of a successor President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be the corporation sole under these articles, and the laws pursuant to which they are made, and shall be and is authorized in his official capacity to execute in the name of the corporation all documents or other writings necessary to the carrying on of its purposes, business and objects, and to do all things in the name of the corporation which the original signer of the articles of incorporation might do; it being the purpose of these articles that there shall be no failure in succession in the office of such corporation sole.

[Signed] Heber J. Grant
President of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints,
corporation sole.
[Seal]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18 day of June, 1940.
[the name of Notary Public not shown on copy of amendment]

(Original in State of Utah Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah)

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ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO THE

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

A UTAH CORPORATION SOLE

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 16-7-5 of the Utah Code Annotated 1953 (as amended) relating to amendments of articles of incorporation of corporations sole, the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole, does hereby amend its Articles of Incorporation by adding an additional Paragraph V thereto as follows:

Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed this 19th day of November, 1973.

CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole

By: [signed] Harold B. Lee
Harold B. Lee, Corporation Sole

STATE OF UTAH ) ss:
County of Salt Lake )

HAROLD B. LEE, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is now and ever since July 7, 1972, has been the duly chosen and appointed President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and, as such president, is now and ever since said date has been the legally constituted CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, a Utah Corporation Sole; that the original Articles of Incorporation of said Corporation Sole were executed by Heber J. Grant, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; that he, Harold B. Lee, is the successor in office to the said Heber J. Grant; that he, Harold B. Lee, executed the foregoing Articles of Amendment as said Corporation Sole.

[signed] Harold B. Lee

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 19th day of November, 1973.

[signed] Wilford W Kirton, Jr
NOTARY PUBLIC
Residing at Salt Lake City, Utah
My commission expires:
2-3-77

---

Articles of Incorporation as amended:

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

First: The name of this corporation shall be the CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

Second: The object of this corporation shall be to acquire, hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be conveyed to or acquired by said corporation for the benefit of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious society, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship. Such real and personal property may be situated, either within the State of Utah, or elsewhere, and this corporation shall have power, without any authority or authorization from the members of said Church or religious society, to grant, sell, convey, rent, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any part or all of such property.

Third: The estimated value of the property of which I hold the legal title for the purpose aforesaid, at the time of making these Articles of Incorporation, is One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.

Fourth: The title of the person making these articles of incorporation is "President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." He and his successor in office shall be deemed and are hereby created a body politic and corporation sole with perpetual succession, having all the powers and rights and authority in these articles specified or provided for by law. But in the event of death or resignation from office of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or in the event of a vacancy in that office from any cause, the President or Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of said Church, or one of the members of said Quorum thereunto designated by that Quorum, shall, pending the installation of a successor President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be the corporation sole under these articles, and the laws pursuant to which they are made, and shall be and is authorized in his official capacity to execute in the name of the corporation all documents or other writings necessary to the carrying on of its purposes, business and objects, and to do all things in the name of the corporation which the original signer of the articles of incorporation might do; it being the purpose of these articles that there shall be no failure in succession in the office of such corporation sole.

Fifth: Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious and/or scientific purposes and which has established its tex-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sixth: The corporate seal shall contain the words, "Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," and an impression thereof is hereto affixed.

[ravenwolf]

Well, as far as i am concerned to each his own, i will not bash you or any one else for being a Mormon, but do you think it is necessary to keep sending me all of this Church history? as i just could not care less.

[Elsie]

...but do you think it is necessary to keep sending me all of this Church history?

I'm sorry; but I thought that you WANTED to learn more about MORMONism; especially in a thread titled What is "Celestial Polygamy"? [Mainstream Mormons say polygamy still occurring near Kolobian colony]

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Please feel free to ignore any other postings that I choose to send to FR.

[Elsie]

Oh...

When 'remembering' a dream you had years ago - it would be wise to RESEARCH it first...

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A young farmer, standing in his field, observes a peculiar cloud formation. The clouds form the letters G, P, and C, and he thinks them a call from God: Go Preach Christ!

The farmer rushes to the leadership of his church and insists he has been called to preach. Respectfully, they invite him to fill the pulpit.

The following Sunday, the sermon is long, tedious, and virtually non-understandable. When it finally ends, the leaders sit in stunned silence.

Finally a wise deacon mutters to the would-be preacher, “Seems to me the clouds must have been saying, ‘Go Plant Corn.’”

[ravenwolf]

I’m sorry; but I thought that you WANTED to learn more about MORMONism; especially in a thread titled What is “Celestial Polygamy”? [Mainstream Mormons say polygamy still occurring near Kolobian colony]

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Like i said i have been around Mormons all of my life and they do not hold to polygamy, in fact they bash the known polygamists almost as much as the scarlet colored church does.

There are some that has branched off from the main stream and if that is the one you belong to maybe it is different, i am only familiar with the church in Utah and Arizona.

[Elsie]

Like i said i have been around Mormons all of my life and they do not hold to polygamy, in fact they bash the known polygamists almost as much as the scarlet colored church does.

THAT is what makes them APOSTATE - for NOT following their own SCRIPTURES:

Replies #7 and #8

[Elsie]

Like i said i have been around Mormons all of my life and they do not hold to polygamy, in fact they bash the known polygamists almost as much as the scarlet colored church does.

THAT is what makes them HYPOCRITs - excommunicating people FOR following their own SCRIPTURES!

[Vermont Lt]

I am a Christian. If my wife dies and I remarry, will I not have two wives with me in heaven?

Who cares?

That argument seems a little silly.

[muawiyah]

If it exists, it's none of your business.

Get on with reality.

Note, Mohammad said "Kill the hypocrites'. Leftwingtards imagine that public policy should be made with an eye to avoiding hypocrisy ~ unless, of course, they're the ones making the policy.

[AnTiw1]

‘I am a Christian. If my wife dies and I remarry, will I not have two wives with me in heaven?”

According to Jesus Christ, no, you won’t.

You’d think a “Christian” would know that.

[Vermont Lt]

So, I won’t be with my loved ones? I just get to hang with Jesus?

[AnTiw1]

“Like i said i have been around Mormons all of my life and they do not hold to polygamy, in fact they bash the known polygamists almost as much as the scarlet colored church does.”

If you had been born into the Mormon cult and raised in it you would know that while outwardly the LDS decry the FLDS and their polygamy, within the cult they support the FLDS financially and through church welfare...some Mormons regard the FLDS sects as “kooky but family” and others regard them as the one practicing the authentic Mormon faith, even if they don’t wish their austere snd even more authotitarian lifestyle for themselves.

It doesn’t matter if Mormons have been your bosom budfies for fifty years...they only tell you what they think you’re ready to know, and nothing that in the least compromises the Mormon cult. Support? Look up the Mormon doctrine they themselves refer to as “Lying for the Lord”. New members likewise are joining a religion that insists they be kept from what the true tenets of thst religion are...the “milk before meat” principle. Only a person who has been fully indoctrinated and has displayed obedience to church heirarchy, who has fully accepted that his only hope of salvation and godhood lies in the Masonic rituals and passwords given in temple ceremonies, is let into the full knowledge of what the Mormon religion entails...sealings, baptisms of the dead, marriages of the dead, who will become Gods, who will become servants/slaves of Gods (if you’re not white, guess what?), the Mormon men who will become Gods, and tbe mormon women and female spirits coerced into Mormonism beyond the grave, who form celestial harems for the Mormon Gods in the new worlds they will create and will assume the role of heavenly babymaking machines to populate new worlds with souls who will also presumably embrace Mormonism and become Gods themselves, into infinity.

And once the brainwashed subject believes all this claptrap, and the frog is truly simmering in the pot, he is informed none of this is for free. His salvation, his family being together in Heaven, and his Godhood depend on a piece of paper called the TR, the all-important Temple Recommend. Given at the discretion of his Bishop and his Stake President only if he has been a full tither (yes, for the TR they will ask for W-2’s), has paid his fast offerings (more $), has been obedient to his “callings” (free labor to the Church whenever asked for any reason...I once couldn’t find my mother for three days because her Bishop said “the Spirit of the Lord” had told him the retirees of the church had a “calling” to pick apples for a Mormon owner of an orchard), has had all the proper sealings and ceremonies and is raising his family in the Mormon path, does he get this piece of paper that essentially states no matter what you believe, your afterlife depends on the opinions of a couple of men, who decide God likes you after you’ve been sufficiently impoverished, and you’ve kissed enough Melchizedek Mormon a$$.

Now, THAT’s the Mormon Church you claim to be so knowledgeable about, I think your unquestioning approval would make you a perfect slave for them...they gave you what you wanted to hear, why don’t you give them your kids.

Half the non-Mormons out there have already been pre-programmed...when have you ever heard of a Muslim leaving his faith, who exposed the ugly tenets of his faith, who was then chastised as a liar, a hater, a bigot? Only by other Muslims...so thank you, all you protectors of this scamming, mindf*cking pseudoreligion that started with a 3rd rate fortuneteller looking for an easier way to get rich and get laid...wherever Joseph Smith lies roasting in hell, you’re his support system, so be proud.

I’m not even trying to convince people anymore. When I hear these lies and stupidity, I share the same venom they tried to put in my soul, and if you think it’s foul, consider I’m working against the source of that foulness, and you’re working for him.

One tiny little problem I propose to you: why is it, when the Catholic Church is as huge as it is, and with all the problems it has had, that googling “ex-catholic support” leads you to about fifty sites of support groups, yet with the LDS a fraction of the RCC’s size googling “exmormon support”, leads you to thousands? It’s either a conundrum, or a conspiracy, isn’t it? If it’s a conundrum to you, I invite you to seek out independent sources of information to solve it. If you automatically pronounce it a conspiracy, congratulations...you are officially Mormons. By the power vested in me by their BS priesthood, as a defunct but not defrocked Mormon I pronounce all you Mormon apologists to be Mormon members in good standing. You can send me a check for 20% of your annual gross income forthwith, stand by and I will begin to assign you duties that will prove your obedience to me, and in twenty years or so I will gladly don a chefs hat and a figleaf apron and dance the hokey-pokey that gets you into the promised land.

That’s it. Liar, bigot, give me what you want, I don’t give a damn.

[Elsie]

If it exists, it's none of your business.

Why isn't it?

[muawiyah]

Tend to the log in your own eye first.

[Elsie]

I am a Christian. If my wife dies and I remarry, will I not have two wives with me in heaven?

Haven't you READ the Book?

Romans 7

And...

 

 

 

"The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also.

 

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her." 

Jesus answered and said unto them, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

 

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

 

 

 

(Matthew 22:23-32 KJV)

[Elsie]

'Love' them all you want; but you will NOT be married to any of them; no matter WHAT MORMON 'theology' of Forever Families® tells you!

[AnTiw1]

“So, I won’t be with my loved ones? I just get to hang with Jesus?”

LOL!...You’re a “Christian” (so you said) and you’re asking me? You’re a supposed follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ without having a clue what those teachings are?

Not that I’m surprised.

The information is in the big, black book. The new section. Repeated in the first three books of that new section. Reading it is fun-damental.

That is, if you give a damn.

[AnTiw1]

JEEZ LOUISE ELSIE how are we going to sell any Bibles if you just TELL them everything? Make the lazy bastards look it up!!

LOL! What are we, the Religious Information Bureau? They all just line their mental birdcages with it anyway...

Phooey!!! ;^)

[AnTiw1]

“Tend to the log in your own eye first.”

Elsie!! Do you have a log in your eye?!

Oh, never mind...the universal translator app on my Android™ says that’s pseudoreligionese for “STFU”...

I’m glad it wasn’t a real log!

[Colofornian]

I am a Christian. If my wife dies and I remarry, will I not have two wives with me in heaven?...That argument seems a little silly.

The contention that you will be married in heaven -- with no evidence to back that up -- is even sillier.

Jesus indicated that no, no human to human marriage in heaven.

And when you factor in the idea of a Mormon type of "marriage" worldview in heaven ... where marriages produce "spirit babies" leading to an eventual entire-planet population...why how silly can you get?

And for you to come on this thread and pretend you somehow don't know the difference 'tween the Christian idea of heaven and the Mormon idea of heaven either = that you are 100% ignorant of Mormon theology & Mormon worldviews...or that you're not even a Christian....[one or the other]