So, the god that had Nephi slay Laban for refusing to give over his property (brass plates with a history written thereon) also slew Onan for spilling his seed on the ground rather than impregnating his deceased brother's (Er's) widow, as their father, Judah, had directed Onan.And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him.
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.
11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
In an April 14, 1969 First Presidency Letter to Bishops and Stake Presidents, David O. McKay wrote:
Since the first of this year, the LDS Church has expanded the health coverage for its employees to include contraceptives (other than the Plan B pill).We seriously regret that there should exist a sentiment or feeling among any members of the Church to curtail the birth of their children. We have been commanded to multiply and replenish the earth that we may have joy and rejoicing in our posterity.
Where husband and wife enjoy health and vigor and are free from impurities that would be entailed upon their posterity, it is contrary to the teachings of the Church artificially to curtail or prevent the birth of children. We believe that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by.
Is this just one more instance of where Mormon god had to be led by societal advancements into changing to do the right thing?