The rejection of this doctrine by the Western world is based strictly on culture rather than scripture Saint Augustine a noted early Christian philosopher and Catholic Bishop stated "plurality of wives was no crime when it was the custom; and it is a crime now, because it is no longer the custom." There is no scriptural support for polygamy being a sin. The Old Testament explicitly sanctions polygamy and the New Testament does not forbid it.
| Read: | [Gen 16:1-3] |
| Explain: |
The Lord promised Abram a posterity that would equal the number of the stars in heaven. His wife Sariah didn't believe she could have children so she gave Abram her maid to wife. Abram married Hagar. Abram has two wives; this is plural marriage. Abraham had the true Gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:8-he received the same gospel which was to 'Justify the heathen" i.e. faith, repentance, baptisrn, gift of the H.G. etc) |
| Find Out: | Why would God allow Abram, who was a prophet, to have 2 wives at once? |
| Read: | [Genesis 29:20-28] |
| Explain: | Two generations after Abraham, this law of plural marriage was still being practiced in righteousness by Jacob. He served a man by the name of Laban for a total of 14 years and was given two daughters of Labans' to marry. |
| Find Out: | Do you believe Jacob was sinning by having 2 wives?.Why? |
| Read: | [Genesis 30:1-4,9-10] |
| Explain: |
Jacob's wives, Rachel & Leah gave their maids to him to wife and to bear children (See also Gen32:22, two wives & two womenservants). Jacob had 2 wives then married 2 servants. |
| Find Out: | Can adulterers go to heoven? |
| Read: | [Matthew 8:11, see also Luke 13:28] |
| Explain: | Jesus clearly testified that Abraham, Isaac & Jacob will sit in the Kingdom of Heaven |
| Read: | [Jacob 2:27-30] |
| Explain: |
Jacob the son of Lehi rebukes the people for practicing plural marriage and taking concubines. Joseph Smith was also confused by this seeming contradiction. The key is in verse 30 ["For if I will.... raise up seed unto myself I will command my people otherwise..."]. The Lord didn't authorize this people to practice plural rnarriage. Yet he did indicate that He would at times when He needed to raise up seed. |
| Explain: | This doctrine was further clarified by the Lord's instruction to Joseph Smith. |
| Read: | [D&C 132:34-36] |
| Explain: |
Modern day revelation supports the same facts found in the Old Testament on the laws of plural marriage. It is a law given directly by God to certain people at certain times for His purposes. If practiced without God's command, it is a most grievous sin. David's taking of Bathsheba is a perfect example; David had been commanded to take certain "other wives", yet, overstepped the commandment to satisfy lust. In our day, the Lord commanded a small portion of the Saints to live the law of polygamy, to "raise up righteous seed". For many, it was the hardest commandment to follow. |