Conflicts Within the Plural Marriage Doctrine

[_Jason Bourne]

I find it interesting that President McConkie's statement here DIRECTLY contradicts not only Brigham Young's comments, but the comments of all of the prior prophets in the early Church era.

I'm curious as to how apologists resolve this

The correct thing to do first is ignore all statements not published by the Church as the Church itself does not consider such to be doctrine. I'm not, for the moment, going to assess BRM's statement. I'll wait for you to find it or something similar in LDS doctrine. The same goes for any and all "comments" that you may have had in mind.

So when you come up with something doctrinal, let us know.

The Deseret News was published by the Church. It published BYs AG comments numerous times. Thus by BCs definition AG was doctrine of the Church.

[_Jason Bourne]

Incorrect. This is where D&C 132 comes in...

38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.

And this passage directly contradicts the passage above:

Jacob 2:23-25
23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.

Note this passage makes no provision for any extra wives of concubines given of the Lord. It says their wives and concubines were whoredoms-period. And this is one of the reason the Lord led the Nephites out of Jerusalem.

So did the Lord change his mind?

[_Yoda]

Thank you, Jason! ;)

And let us not forget that the quote from Jacob comes from The Book of Mormon, which is the ONLY canon recognized as "the most correct book on earth".

[_The Nehor]

Incorrect. This is where D&C 132 comes in...

38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

39 David’s wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against me save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord.

And this passage directly contradicts the passage above:

Jacob 2:23-25
23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.

Note this passage makes no provision for any extra wives of concubines given of the Lord. It says their wives and concubines were whoredoms-period. And this is one of the reason the Lord led the Nephites out of Jerusalem.

So did the Lord change his mind?

Interesting that the quote said 'was abominable'. The action was an abomination to God but the was specifies that he is speaking of a specific incident. If it were a general rule then the most correct book should have said "which thing is abominable before me". There is also the proviso about raising up seed which I have never seen an effective argument against. The general rule seems to be no multiple marriages unless I (meaning God) say so.

[_Scottie]

There is also the proviso about raising up seed which I have never seen an effective argument against.

Except the pesky little detail of Joseph Smith not having any seed from his polygamous marriages.

And the fact that he married wives of men who were good, upstanding church members who could have raised seed all by themselves without the prophet impregnating their wives.

[_Yoda]

Again, Nehor, I would encourage you to read Jacob 2:30 within the context of the entire passage, instead of using it as a "get out of jail free card" for polygamy practice.

Yes, the Lord says, basically, if I want you to raise up seed this way, I'll command it. BUT.. He is quick to explain, much as ANY parent is quick to explain consequnces and reasons, that this is NOT what He is doing and why.

He has heard the cry of His tender daughters and those cries will not be ignored.

[_The Nehor]

Again, Nehor, I would encourage you to read Jacob 2:30 within the context of the entire passage, instead of using it as a "get out of jail free card" for polygamy practice.

Yes, the Lord says, basically, if I want you to raise up seed this way, I'll command it. BUT.. He is quick to explain, much as ANY parent is quick to explain consequnces and reasons, that this is NOT what He is doing and why.

He has heard the cry of His tender daughters and those cries will not be ignored.

Okay, I just read it again. He gave his rationale for not doing it then. I don't see how that applies to the 1800's.

[_The Nehor]

There is also the proviso about raising up seed which I have never seen an effective argument against.

Except the pesky little detail of Joseph Smith not having any seed from his polygamous marriages.

And the fact that he married wives of men who were good, upstanding church members who could have raised seed all by themselves without the prophet impregnating their wives.

Neither of those have been shown to be definitively true. I have no idea if I will have children. God does.

[_Scottie]

Except the pesky little detail of Joseph Smith not having any seed from his polygamous marriages.

And the fact that he married wives of men who were good, upstanding church members who could have raised seed all by themselves without the prophet impregnating their wives.

Neither of those have been shown to be definitively true. I have no idea if I will have children. God does.

Okay, so lets logically examine the supposed purpose of polygamy. To raise seed. Please explain this to me???

In the first place, Joseph Smith was not the only polygamist in Nauvoo. So, it doesn't make sense that the seed needed to be of a prophet.
There were ample converts coming into the church that were producing seed just fine without Joseph Smith or anyone elses help.
Even in the BY era. Why did we need BY to impregnate all these wives? The church was plenty strong even without his seed. Why did he need to have 50+ kids?

[_bcspace]

Perhaps not, but the Journal of Discourses, which IS a collection of conference talks, is important enough to the Church that the first edition is housed at the BYU Harold B. Lee Library, which, if I am not mistaken IS owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

[Taps the sign] Is it published by the Church?

Basically, BC, everything you have pointed out has proven my point. Thanks for that, by the way. ;)

There are mass conflicts and confusion surrounding this doctrine. Everyone has a different interpretation of what is correct.

The only conflict comes from antiMormons who can't accept the Church's own statements on doctrine because it conflict with their pet theories.

Jacob 2:30 contradicts D&C 132-directly. Both published by the Church, both canon.

D&C 132 commands plural marriage and is still in canon and it contradicts current LDS policy and practice of monogamy.

Where is the conflict? Jacob 2:30 allows for plural marriage to be practiced under God's authorization.