jskains wrote:Buffalo wrote:You must belong to one of those exceptional wards apologists are always talking about, where all 33 wives of Joseph Smith are memorized by primary children.
So you're saying you discussed in GD & priesthood that Joseph Smith married 14 year olds and other men's wives?
No, we don't promote your interpretation of the evidences.
JMS
Josh, perhaps you could elaborate on what aspects of polygamy were discussed in your Gospel Doctrine class? I'm guessing that they are not the same aspects that others are finding shocking, which would explain the apparent disconnect you describe in the OP.
As others have explained, people are not leaving the church because they were shocked to discover that there was any practice of polygamy at all in Mormon history. As you say, that is well known. I grew up in the church and I have known from a very early age that I am descended from the 10th wife of a prominent polygamist. Many Utah Mormons recall their polygamist ancestry with pride.
Yet I was shocked to learn the details of Joseph Smith's personal involvement in polygamous relationships. That was a significant factor in my parting ways with the church.
I am guessing from your comment above that you and your ward members do not yet acknowledge the details we are referring to, preferring instead to interpret the evidence differently, as you say. In that sense you have not yet learned what we have learned. That is why you are not shocked. When I believed what you believe, I was not shocked, either.
Once you learn what we have learned, you might also find yourself "shocked by polygamy."
