Rational justification for Polygamy?

[_William Schryver]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it.

How can God command consensual sex? The problem with polygamy is it is non-consensual. The only reason the women agreed to it was because God, through his chosen prophet, commanded them to do it. That is NOT consensual sex, and that is the very root of the problem with polygamy.

Another internet scholar whose entire knowledge of Mormon polygamy consists of whatever he/she has read in cyberspace, primarily on message boards like this one.

Tell us what you know about how 24-year-old Amelia Folsom was forced to marry 62-year-old Brigham Young. Then tell us about how miserable her life was thereafter.

[_Brackite]

I've never seen the Jacob 2:30 reason given as indicative of "too many women". Rather I see it exactly as it says. To "raise up seed unto me". In other words, more children raised LDS.

I certainly don't believe it's the only reason and I certainly don't believe all the reasons have been or must be given. Therefore "too many women" might in some cases be a legitimate reason. Related to that is the taking care of widows and singles.

As to multiple sealings as opposed to plural marriages, I don't know what the reason(s) might be.

It is very important to note that the phrase 'raise us seed unto the Lord' in the Book of Mormon,l does Not really mean that the Lord God wants to raise up a more numerous seed. The Phrase, 'raise up seed unto the Lord' in the Book of Mormon really means that the Lord God wants to raise up a righteous seed unto Himself; The Lord God wants to raise up righteous children, righteous sons and daughters unto Himself. Let us go to another Scriptural Passage within the Book of Mormon, to effectively demonstrate my Point here. In Mosiah Chapter 15, Verses 10-13, the Lord God through the Book of Mormon Prophet Abinadi defines who is the seed of the Lord God.

Here is Mosiah Chapter 15, Verses 10-13:

Mosiah 15:10-13:

[10] And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?

[11] Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord -- I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are heirs of the kingdom of God.

[12] For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?

[13] Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed.

(Bold Emphasis Mine.)

[_harmony]

Tell us what you know about how 24-year-old Amelia Folsom was forced to marry 62-year-old Brigham Young. Then tell us about how miserable her life was thereafter.

Let's talk about Ana Eliza Young instead.

[_The Nehor]

If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it.

How can God command consensual sex? The problem with polygamy is it is non-consensual. The only reason the women agreed to it was because God, through his chosen prophet, commanded them to do it. That is NOT consensual sex, and that is the very root of the problem with polygamy.

Polygamy was ALWAYS consensual unless you can show me evidence that it involved rape and abduction. It seems that you have this deranged idea that something becomes non-consensual because someone tells you to do it?

Let's experiment. I COMMAND you to have sex.

There, now you can never have consensual sex again. Sucks to be you.

[_Joey]

For anyone that believes there is a "rational" argument for polygamy in the LDS church, please answer this:

"What did polygamy provide or accomplish for the LDS Church that could not have been achieved through a practice of monogamy only"?

NMA (No Millets Allowed) in response!

[_marg]

For anyone that believes there is a "rational" argument for polygamy in the LDS church, please answer this:

"What did polygamy provide or accomplish for the LDS Church that could not have been achieved through a practice of monogamy only"?

I did explain it. More women are religious, are easily converted into a religion sect than men. The extra converted women could be kept within Mormonism by getting them married to Mormon men and keeping them pregnant. The resultant children would also increase future LDS members.

[_harmony]

"What did polygamy provide or accomplish for the LDS Church that could not have been achieved through a practice of monogamy only"?

1. the Mormon class system, with those who were born to polygamous women given elevated (and completely unearned) status that continues to this day.

2. the Mormon sense of victimhood, leftover from the days of being driven from their homes for following a man who put words in God's mouth.

3. the secretive Mormon culture, a product of the original temple ceremonies where already married men secretly married already married women, and the occasional teenage girl.

4. the Mormon undergarment, a way of easily identifying those who were part of the inner circle who practiced early polygamy with Joseph.

5. the Mormon male's inherent disrespect for women, a product of almost 200 years of leaders who think of women as things to be collected like trading cards.

How many more do you want?

[_Joey]

For anyone that believes there is a "rational" argument for polygamy in the LDS church, please answer this:

"What did polygamy provide or accomplish for the LDS Church that could not have been achieved through a practice of monogamy only"?

I did explain it. More women are religious,..... .

Is this a fact or feeling? (CFR) Facts are rational while feelings are irrational!

[_Daniel Peterson]

1. the Mormon class system, with those who were born to polygamous women given elevated (and completely unearned) status that continues to this day.

I've not encountered this.

2. the Mormon sense of victimhood, leftover from the days of being driven from their homes for following a man who put words in God's mouth.

Spoken like an apostate.

3. the secretive Mormon culture, a product of the original temple ceremonies where already married men secretly married already married women, and the occasional teenage girl.

Dubious.

4. the Mormon undergarment, a way of easily identifying those who were part of the inner circle who practiced early polygamy with Joseph.

Undergarments aren't a very effective mode of mutual identification, and I suspect that they were even less so under the clothing styles typical of the nineteenth century.

5. the Mormon male's inherent disrespect for women, a product of almost 200 years of leaders who think of women as things to be collected like trading cards.

Absolute garbage on every level.

How many more do you want?

One true item would be nice.

[_marg]

I did explain it. More women are religious,..... .

Is this a fact or feeling? (CFR) Facts are rational while feelings are irrational![/quote]

A fact, research has be done on this. This is a message board, I'm spending enough time in other areas doing research. If you don't trust me, try researching it yourself.