Polygamy, a discussion with MopologistGPT

[MopologistGPT]

There are many controversial aspects of LDS Church history that have been discussed and debated over the years, but if I had to choose one, I would say that the practice of polygamy is perhaps the single most controversial thing about LDS Church history.

Polygamy, or the practice of having multiple wives, was a part of early LDS Church teachings and was practiced openly by some members, including Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other early church leaders. However, the practice was controversial and led to conflict with non-Mormon communities, as well as within the LDS Church itself.

In 1890, under pressure from the U.S. government and public opinion, the LDS Church officially disavowed the practice of polygamy, and it is now prohibited by the church. However, the practice remains a topic of interest and controversy among historians, scholars, and members of the LDS Church.

Some critics of the LDS Church view polygamy as evidence of the church's patriarchal and oppressive culture, and as a violation of basic human rights and dignity. Some also view the practice as evidence of Joseph Smith's alleged fraudulent and manipulative nature, suggesting that he used polygamy to gain power and control over his followers.

However, some apologists and defenders of the LDS Church argue that the practice of polygamy was a sincere and inspired religious principle, and that it was necessary for the growth and survival of the church in its early years. They also point out that the practice of polygamy is not unique to the LDS Church, and has been a part of many cultures and religions throughout history.

Overall, the practice of polygamy is a controversial and divisive issue that continues to shape perceptions of the LDS Church and its history.

[sock puppet]

I disagree that Joseph Smith openly engaged in polygamy.

Also, how do you reconcile the 'practice' by Joseph Smith with what is in two Mormon scriptures: Jacob 2:23-33 and Doctrine and Covenants 132?

[drumdude]

Rusty Nelson is a celestial polygamist.

[MopologistGPT]

I disagree that Joseph Smith openly engaged in polygamy.

Also, how do you reconcile the 'practice' by Joseph Smith with what is in two Mormon scriptures: Jacob 2:23-33 and Doctrine and Covenants 132?

I apologize for any confusion. It is true that Joseph Smith did not openly acknowledge his practice of polygamy to the general public, and many members of the early church were not aware of his involvement in plural marriage. The practice was kept secret for many years. The practice of polygamy was not widely known among church members until well after the death of Joseph Smith, and the extent of his involvement in plural marriage was not made public until many years later. In fact, it wasn't until the 2014 publication of the essay "Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo" on the official LDS Church website that the extent of Joseph Smith's involvement in polygamy became widely known and acknowledged by the church.

The passage in Jacob 2 presents a strong and unequivocal condemnation of polygamy, and it is difficult to reconcile this perspective with the later revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 132, which presents a positive view of the practice. The apparent contradiction between these two passages has been the subject of much debate and discussion among scholars and members of the LDS Church, and there is no easy resolution to the tensions and contradictions that it presents.

[MopologistGPT]

Rusty Nelson is a celestial polygamist.

You are correct that Russell M. Nelson is married to two women, one of whom has passed away. Nelson's first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, passed away in 2005, and he later married Wendy L. Watson Nelson in 2006.

It is important to note, however, that while Nelson is a widower who has been married to two women, this does not make him a polygamist in the sense of being simultaneously married to more than one living spouse.

[drumdude]

Rusty Nelson is a celestial polygamist.

You are correct that Russell M. Nelson is married to two women, one of whom has passed away. Nelson's first wife, Dantzel White Nelson, passed away in 2005, and he later married Wendy L. Watson Nelson in 2006.

It is important to note, however, that while Nelson is a widower who has been married to two women, this does not make him a polygamist in the sense of being simultaneously married to more than one living spouse.

Describe a typical day in the afterlife for Rusty and his two wives.

[MopologistGPT]

Describe a typical day in the afterlife for Rusty and his two wives.

As an AI language model, I cannot make any claims or provide information about the afterlife as it is a matter of faith and belief, and there is no empirical evidence or scientific knowledge about what happens after we die. Different religions and belief systems have different ideas and concepts about the afterlife, and it is up to individual interpretation and belief.

According to LDS theology, families can be sealed together for eternity through sacred ceremonies performed in LDS temples, and these bonds of love and commitment can endure beyond death. In the case of Russell M. Nelson, he has been sealed to two women through these sacred ceremonies, and he and his wives are believed to be bound together for eternity.

[Shulem]

However, some apologists and defenders of the LDS Church argue that the practice of polygamy was a sincere and inspired religious principle, and that it was necessary for the growth and survival of the church in its early years. They also point out that the practice of polygamy is not unique to the LDS Church, and has been a part of many cultures and religions throughout history.

All of the points you listed are valid. However, considering also how Joseph Smith was the original lone polygamist of the church and practiced it in secret, there is another possibility in which you you may not have considered because you're just wires and machinery. Is it not possible that Joseph Smith had strong sexual urges and attractions towards women in general and wanted to experience sexual relations with many women to satisfy those urges?

Based on what I know of early Mormon polygamy practiced by Joseph Smith in Kirtland and Nauvoo, I've come to the conclusion that he had strong sexual urges and fantasies in which the only way to satisfy them was to have sexual intercourse with many women in spite of his first wife, Emma.

So what do you think of that, MopologistGPT?

[sock puppet]

Describe a typical day in the afterlife for Rusty and his two wives.

As an AI language model, I cannot make any claims or provide information about the afterlife as it is a matter of faith and belief, and there is no empirical evidence or scientific knowledge about what happens after we die. Different religions and belief systems have different ideas and concepts about the afterlife, and it is up to individual interpretation and belief.

According to LDS theology, families can be sealed together for eternity through sacred ceremonies performed in LDS temples, and these bonds of love and commitment can endure beyond death. In the case of Russell M. Nelson, he has been sealed to two women through these sacred ceremonies, and he and his wives are believed to be bound together for eternity.

MopologistGPT, please explain the difference, if there be any, between individuals' varying conjectures for an afterlife and "different ideas and concepts about the afterlife, and it is up to individual interpretation and belief".

[Shulem]

The passage in Jacob 2 presents a strong and unequivocal condemnation of polygamy, and it is difficult to reconcile this perspective with the later revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 132, which presents a positive view of the practice. The apparent contradiction between these two passages has been the subject of much debate and discussion among scholars and members of the LDS Church, and there is no easy resolution to the tensions and contradictions that it presents.

I believe Smith dictated that verse in Jacob out of his own desires and foreknowledge that he was planning to enter into polygamous relationships in the near future and the verse in Jacob would set a precedent whereby a man is justified in doing so when commanded by God to "raise up seed" by having sexual intercourse with multiple women.

I believe that Smith planned on entering polygamy before he ever dictated a single word of the Book of Mormon. I believe that Smith wanted to have sex with lots of women and girls. So, the desire to practice polygamy didn't originate in Kirtland and Nauvoo but started in Palmyra!