I'm glad I never had a testimony of polygamy

[_Inconceivable]

Runtu,

I was taught by my mother (an uber TBM) that it was a deeply sacred, wholesome and spiritual practice. So when I was younger, I respected that belief.

As I got older, I was told her parents and my uncles were involved in it when she spoke of it to me. My uncles were x'd many years ago and, to this day, remain illegally together with their women.

Now that I know the bald faced truth of Mormon poligamy, I have lost much of my respect for her and that side of the family.

Polygamy is pure evil particularly when practiced in Western culture. There is NO PLACE for it in a civilized society. It is illegal for so many good reasons. It must be practiced in darkness to survive a generation. It was always practiced through deceipt in the Mormon cult. It spawns bastard children that must be taught the amoral art of situational ethics in order for it to pass to the next generation. What a horrid legacy to pass such things to our children.

[_truth dancer]

Hey Inc,

Gosh I LOVE hearing from men who get this.

Seriously, I think men who see the reality of this degrading practice are enlightened and have a deeper sense of care and compassion than many who still remain in the mindset that women are objects placed on the earth for men. (sigh).

This past week I've been reading of the many Americans who first spoke out against slavery... while so many held to the mindset that slavery was fine and dandy, there were those whose consciousness did not allow them to support the practice, and there were those who spoke out to end this horror.

I think of polygamy in a similar way... it was (is), a horrible practice; hurtful, degrading, disgusting, and demeaning. The idea that there are people who still support this practice reminds me of those who hung onto slavery when most of civilized American society realized how cruel and hurtful it really was.

The slave holders rationalized and justified their behavior and belief just like those supporters of polygamy today. It is quite remarkable.

You are great example of an enlightened, decent man!

:-)

~dancer~


Note: If consenting ADULTS want to engage in whatever form of alternative partnering, or unusual mating habits, without manipulation, coercion, and/or religious dictates/commands, I do not care, so long as children are not harmed.

[_Inconceivable]

Hi TD, thanks for the compliment.

The story of my mother's family goes much deeper, however, anonimity is prudent.

Yes, my mother's side had a polygamous heritage. Ancestors are respected and revered for their faithfulness to a true prophet - not for their integrity in honoring, obeying and sustaining the law.

To her, it is an eternal law. It is all or nothing.

[_asbestosman]

Well, at least I never heard of Mormons imposing the death penalty those who questioned the fairness of polygamy:
Journalist 'insulted Islam' when he distributed report questioning polygamy

The article questioned why men can have four wives but women cannot have multiple husbands.

“Kaambakhsh made the Afghan people very upset. It was against the clerics and Islam. He has humiliated Islam,” Khaliq Daad, head of the Islamic council of Paktia, said Thursday.

I never understood why asking questions was humiliating. Is there something to be embarassed about in polygamy? It appears that these particular Muslims think so. Maybe they're really victorian prudes in disguise.

[_Who Knows]

I never understood why asking questions was humiliating. Is there something to be embarassed about in polygamy? It appears that these particular Muslims think so.

Perhaps it's too sacred to talk about, like discussing specifics of the temple for Mormons?

[_BishopRic]

I believe that members in general do not fully understand church history and that polygamy played a pronounced role in the early years of the church.

Yes, and when I came to understand this, it opened up a whole new world with regard to the "persecution" of the early saints. Would you like living next door to people that believe in marrying teenage girls and other men's wives -- in addition to the one he already has?

(Hey, I just made high priest! I love this whole progression thing!!!!...and I can still have my beer!)

[_Always Thinking]

Since the Church has abandoned the practice of polygamy, I see no reason why members need to support the concept of polygamy. As men, we know that many thoughts come to us from our own flaming swords, yet we need not hold them as theology.

Yes, but for some of us who come from "old school" LDS, we always considered the idea that polygamy was not gone forever. It could be reinstated, couldn't it? While my parents never discussed it emphatically with us (or even remotely wanted to live it), we were still raised with the knowledge that polygamy was an eternal principle.

As I got older, I remember the time that it finally hit me what polygamy meant. I was probably a teenager, and I was (of course), enamored with the idea of being in love and being married. I remember the thought came to me that love in a polygamous marriage would have a completely different dynamic than in a monogamous marriage. I couldn't wrap my head around the notion of falling in love with a man and then finding out that: 1. he was already married and I'd be his plural wife, or 2. He'd eventually marry a plural wife. It seemed to take away all that was special about a relationship with a spouse. I thought about it for a while, and then shrugged it off, relieved that I probably wouldn't have to worry about it in my lifetime.

Later, on my mission, my companion and I were teaching a female investigator who asked us about polygamy. We gave the answers that missionaries usually give (shortage of men, only helping women in need, haven't practiced it in 100 years, etc.). It wasn't a huge issue for the investigator. She was just curious.

Near the end of the conversation, I sort of chuckled and said, "Well, I don't know what I'd do if it was reinstated, haha, I'm glad we don't have to practice it for now, though!"

At that point, my companion shot me an icy look! I was baffled. What was the problem?

Afterward, my companion (who was a recent convert herself), explained to me that it was not a good idea to present an investigator with the idea that there was any possibility that polygamy could EVER be reinstated. She said that if such a thing had been said to to her, she would been a little freaked out. OOPS! I sheepishly smiled and told her I would refrain from such comments in the future.

Edited to add: Our investigator did get baptized, and stayed active, too.

[_The Nehor]

No worries for Nehor being forced to practice polygamy.

With the amount of time(especially the evenings) he spends on this and the M&AD House, he will be luck to even have a slight chance at practicing monogamy!

Interesting point, I've only got another 60-70 years left on this planet and for the life of me don't understand why I'm spending any of them in idle chatter with a confused gasbag such as yourself. I think I'll just go live my religion and provide you and your half-wit friends even more irritation. Good-bye.

[_Mercury]

I remember pleading with God to help me understand Joseph's rather messy practice of polygamy, or at least for Him to reassure me that whatever happened was OK, whether or not I understood it. Never happened. I never got past that horrible feeling inside that said it was wrong and that I ought not to defend it. The farthest I got was just simply choosing to ignore it because it did not pertain to my salvation.

I shelved it for a good ten years, but the shelf collapsed. I can't imagine myself saying what other have said: Sure, I would have given my teenaged daughter to Joseph; It must have been right because a prophet wouldn't do something wrong; you are just a neo-Victorian prude.

There's very little as valuable as a clear conscience.

You're a neo-Victorian prude.

[_asbestosman]

Interesting point, I've only got another 60-70 years left on this planet and for the life of me don't understand why I'm spending any of them in idle chatter with a confused gasbag such as yourself. I think I'll just go live my religion and provide you and your half-wit friends even more irritation. Good-bye.

But Nehor, we like you. You're much more entertaining that tentacle porn--not that I'd know or anything. My post count may be lower than yours, but I swear it's not because I like tentacles--not even the one from Maniac Mansion.