John C Bennett's Highly Unpopular Boston Anti Mormon Lecture

[_Chap]

Please can somebody show me any text in the Old Testament where the deity formerly known as Yahweh is represented as expressing any view on whether a man should, in general, have one wife or many?

It just doesn't seem to have been something he cared about very much one way or another.

But there is this rather discouraging passage:

14 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;

15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Are there any anti-monogamy texts to balance this?

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Wait a minute, I thought you were the one arguing that no cohabitation and no kids meant no sex? Am I wrong?

Nope. That is still the case.

Well, at least you and DarthJ agree on something.

What do you mean by "sexual impropriety"? Isn't having sexual intercourse with a woman not your legal wife generally viewed as "sexual impropriety"?

Now you've changed the parameters of the argument.

Not at all; I'm just trying to understand how you are differentiating between Bennett and Joseph with respect to "sexual impropriety."

[_bcspace]

Please can somebody show me any text in the Old Testament where the deity formerly known as Yahweh is represented as expressing any view on whether a man should, in general, have one wife or many?

In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan is chastising David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband to cover it up. Nathan tells David that it was the Lord who had given him his wives and if he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask instead of going after Bathsheba. But now, he will lose all.

[_Darth J]

The Bible and D&C confirm God's authorization and both clarify that it was what David did without God's authorization that was not "sanctioned".

I know! Let's see what the ancient Nephite record that is the most correct book on Earth and was written for our day says about that!

Jacob 2:24

Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.

Well that's funny. This ancient Nephite prophet of God said that David was categorically sinning with his many wives and concubines, not just with Bathsheba.

bcspace, is the Book of Mormon wrong, or is the D&C wrong?

[_bcspace]

Not at all; I'm just trying to understand how you are differentiating between Bennett and Joseph with respect to "sexual impropriety."

Bennett's own actions. Several of which happen to be his involvement with a brothel and his multiple attempts at repentance before the Church.

[_Chap]

Please can somebody show me any text in the Old Testament where the deity formerly known as Yahweh is represented as expressing any view on whether a man should, in general, have one wife or many?

In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan is chastising David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband to cover it up. Nathan tells David that it was the Lord who had given him his wives and if he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask instead of going after Bathsheba. But now, he will lose all.

That is not an expression of a general view for or against monogamy or polygamy. It is a rebuke directed towards of David in particular for having Bathsheba's husband killed in order to get her for his harem.

[_Darth J]

Not at all; I'm just trying to understand how you are differentiating between Bennett and Joseph with respect to "sexual impropriety."

Bennett's own actions. Several of which happen to be his involvement with a brothel and his multiple attempts at repentance before the Church.

Still no actual evidence that Bennett had sex with a prostitute at this brothel. Just that same yellow journalisticalism.

[_bcspace]

The Bible and D&C confirm God's authorization and both clarify that it was what David did without God's authorization that was not "sanctioned".

I know! Let's see what the ancient Nephite record that is the most correct book on Earth and was written for our day says about that!

Jacob 2:24

Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.

Well that's funny. This ancient Nephite prophet of God said that David was categorically sinning with his many wives and concubines, not just with Bathsheba.

bcspace, is the Book of Mormon wrong, or is the D&C wrong?

A how does the Book of Mormon preclude that which is authorized by God? Why do you always forget about Jacob 2:30?

For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up aseed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

The Bible confirmation is in my previous post. The D&C is here, 132:38:

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.

So no, there is no conflict.

[_bcspace]

In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan is chastising David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband to cover it up. Nathan tells David that it was the Lord who had given him his wives and if he had wanted more, all he had to do was ask instead of going after Bathsheba. But now, he will lose all.

That is not an expression of a general view for or against monogamy or polygamy.

God stating that all David had to do was ask if he had wanted more is not a positive expression for plural marriage?

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Not at all; I'm just trying to understand how you are differentiating between Bennett and Joseph with respect to "sexual impropriety."

Bennett's own actions. Several of which happen to be his involvement with a brothel and his multiple attempts at repentance before the Church.

So, then, your reference to Bennett's "sexual impropriety" has nothing to do with Bennett's sexual intercourse with women to whom he was not legally and lawfully wedded? Your use of "sexual impropriety" in relation to Bennett only has to do with his involvement in a brothel and his repentance efforts? Okay ...