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Follow the prophet?
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:31 pm
by _Runtu
A good friend of mine is an attorney, and one of his LDS clients mentioned in passing that her husband (also active LDS) had taken a plural wife and that she was OK with it.
My friend asked if she knew that doing so jeopradized their church membership, she said that she understood that, but her husband felt that he needed to follow Joseph Smith's example by practicing polygamy.
He then asked her if she planned on making their arrangement public. She said no, they weren't because, to truly follow the prophet, her husband needed to practice polygamy in secret.
My friend swears to me that this really happened. I've heard of some pretzel-logic rationalizations, but this one is the best I've heard.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 12:24 am
by _Ray A
Runtu wrote:She said no, they weren't because, to truly follow the prophet, her husband needed to practice polygamy in secret.
I guess reading
Mormon Enigma was no trial of faith for her.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 12:39 am
by _JohnStuartMill
Damn. That guy is a mack daddy.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:12 am
by _Gazelam

If its not sanctioned by the prophet, it is not bound and will work against them instead of for them. They are commiting adultery.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:15 am
by _John Larsen
Gazelam wrote:If its not sanctioned by the prophet, it is not bound and will work against them instead of for them. They are commiting adultery.
How do you know it is not sanctioned by the prophet? Maybe the got a special calling. That is clearly part of the restored gospel--secret callings and secret rights. Just ask my wife's hair.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:36 am
by _Danna
Crickey. I wonder how many PH holders are out there JSjr-justified in keeping their plural marriages secret from the number one wife as well.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 2:53 pm
by _Black Moclips
Well there are tons of old quotes by early leaders like Brigham Young that state that Celesital Marriage was required for the Celestial Kingdom, and by their definitions, Celetial Marriage=Polygamy. Those definitions changed over time with the discontinuance of the practice, but to those early leaders, it was essential for exaltation. So I can see how someone who is a die hard, ultra orthodox believer in Joseph Smith, can read a lot of that early history and come to the conclusion that yes, polygamy is required and the main church is out of the way. Couple that with the John Taylor revelation that polygamy would never be discontinued and wella!, you have people believing that they need to step up and sacrifice to do what is right.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:04 pm
by _Yoda
That's basically the premise of the "Big Love" show. The "modern" polygamous family is creating it's own Church. Should make for an interesting new season.
Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:46 pm
by _harmony
Runtu wrote:A good friend of mine is an attorney, and one of his LDS clients mentioned in passing that her husband (also active LDS) had taken a plural wife and that she was OK with it.
She doesn't love her husband then. No way any woman is "ok" with polygamy who loves her husband. She may participate, but she doesn't love her husband.
My friend asked if she knew that doing so jeopradized their church membership, she said that she understood that, but her husband felt that he needed to follow Joseph Smith's example by practicing polygamy.
He then asked her if she planned on making their arrangement public. She said no, they weren't because, to truly follow the prophet, her husband needed to practice polygamy in secret.
If that wasn't so pathetic, it would be hilariously funny.

Re: Follow the prophet?
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:50 pm
by _Dr. Shades
Runtu wrote:He then asked her if she planned on making their arrangement public. She said no, they weren't because, to truly follow the prophet, her husband needed to practice polygamy in secret.
Oh man, that is probably the single greatest thing I've heard all month. EPIC WIN.