About This Video
Shawn emphasizes that while present-day Mormonism claims to have abandoned polygamy, the historical roots and continued canonization of related doctrines, such as Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, complicate its perception as representative of the Gospel of Jesus. His critique distinguishes between addressing individual Mormons with a focus on Jesus and the Bible, while critically examining the doctrine and practices of the institution of Mormonism, particularly regarding the lasting implications of Joseph Smith's polygamous practices.
Polygamy is still fundamentally upheld within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints due to Doctrine and Covenants 132, despite claims that modern-day Mormonism does not practice it, suggesting a continuation of the doctrine's spiritual and theological significance. This teaching challenges the Church's stance, urging them to officially renounce and remove the doctrine, arguing that it contradicts Christian values and causes enduring pain, while illustrating the dangerous message it sends to members regarding relationships and morality.
The teaching by Shawn criticizes certain practices within the LDS Church as "Twistianity," urging its leaders to take responsibility by renouncing these practices from the past, present, and future. By doing so, the leaders would move toward genuine adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Polygamy and Present-Day Mormonism
Welcome to Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. Live call-in show. 801 973-TV20 & 801 973-8820 Heart@TV20.TV www.bornagainmormon.com
Introduction and Context
This is our tenth show. Since March 7th we’ve fielded more than 200 live calls. We’ve responded to hundreds of emails. And we’ve sent out well over 100 books. But no matter what is said, done or discussed, most of the comments we receive from the LDS side of the fence continue to say something to the effect of: “We are Christian. You just don’t understand.” Last night I was in a shuttle going to my hotel when a very nice . . .
Tonight's show is going to sting a little bit. I want to apologize in advance not for the content but that I am going to address the topic in the first place. I don’t like to “attack using history,” I like to “address using the present.” But as I considered tonight’s topic, it became evident that I had to lay the history out because this history continues to affect the present LDS Church and a MAJOR reason it cannot be embraced as Christian.
Please know that when I am speaking to MORMON’S, my speech is focused on Jesus, rebirth, and the Bible. But when I am speaking to MORMONISM – THE INSTITUTION – my focus is on doctrine and practice. I hope this makes sense.
Origins of Polygamy in Mormonism
So with some trepidation, allow me to introduce to you this week’s reason why present day MORMONISM cannot be considered to represent the Gospel of Jesus: (whisper) polygamy. Hang on! Hang on! Let me explain. Present day Mormonism has worked very hard at distancing itself from accusations of polygamy. Almost every news story on the subject today seems to include the disclaimer that “present day Mormonism abandoned the practice over a hundred years ago. It is now an excommunicable offence.”
Before we discuss the error of this, let’s consider some origins. Remember, I wouldn’t mention this history of the LDS Church if the practice was no longer part of the present-day religion. But it is. In 1830, a fourteen year old girl named Fanny Alger joined the LDS Church and moved into Joseph Smith’s home as a servant sometime thereafter. Around 1833, when Fanny would have been just 16 or 17 years old, she became Joseph Smith’s first polygamist wife – unbeknownst to Emma. This is not anti-Mormon rhetoric. This is an important historical fact.
I read from Richard Bushman’s recent book, Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling, page 437: (and by the way, Bushman is an active member of the LDS Church)
(read highlights on page 437)
According to experts on the subject of LDS polygamy (like Todd Compton) Joseph Smith was secretly involved in plural marriage as early as 1833. He recorded a written revelation of the commandment ten years later in 1843, but the actual public announcement of the revelation on plural marriage came out nine years later in 1852 in what is now known as Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. This Section of the Doctrine and Covenants remains intact and is accepted as canon in the LDS Church today.
Did you hear me?
Joseph Smith's Marriages
Before 1840, Joseph Smith is thought to have married two women in addition to his first wife, Emma. Some say three. In 1841, he married three more women. In 1842, he married another eleven. And in 1843 he married seventeen more. Over the course of his polygamous years Joseph married somewhere between 28 and 33 women. The majority of them he kept secret from his first wife, Emma. Ten of Joseph’s wives were under the age of 20 when he married them. Eight were married to other men when they became his wife.
In the actual marriage ceremonies, Joseph dictated the words of the marriage to the person who was performing the marriage for him. All of this was done in the name of God. Joseph said it was God’s will. And according to Doctrine and Covenants 132, it is His will for every person wanting to live in the highest realms of heaven. Did you hear this? Present-day, the LDS Church maintains this section of revelation as divine in their scriptures.
Promises and Assurances
Joseph Smith told one prospective wife that giving in to plural marriage would “ensure your eternal salvation & exaltation and that of your father’s household & all your kindred.” Joseph told another father who gave him his daughter as a plural wife that the marriage,
The Reality of Polygamy in Present-Day Mormonism
“Shall be crowned upon your heads with honor and immortality and eternal life to all your house both old and young.”
Speaking of plural marriage, the current Doctrine and Covenants section 132 states matter-of-factly: “I reveal unto you a New and Everlasting Covenant and if ye abide not that covenant, then ye are damned.” Polygamy remains a vivid reality in the present-day Church in two distinct ways. First, it is practiced and accepted spiritually among members of the Church. How does this work? “If I were an active Latter-day Saint and my wife passed away . . . (Temple marriage for men.) (Temple marriage for women.) Second, polygamy continues to be emphasized in the Church by virtue of the fact that Doctrine and Covenants 132 remains a living part of present LDS scripture! It’s true. It has never been rescinded! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still supports and upholds polygamy as an eternal law of heaven. The doctrine is still there.
Denial and Acknowledgment
There are LDS leaders both in the Church and in their government who have said as recently as last night that the present-day Church has nothing to do with polygamy. This is an outright, categorical, falsehood, made either in sheer ignorance or out of deception. I challenge the “brethren” to visit this section of their scripture and officially renounce it and remove it, stating that it was always “an uninspired practice of Man and not in line with Christian ideals of love, morality, and Christian marriage.”
God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Eve and Jane. Polygamy produces pain. Plain and simple. It always has, it always will. And it is NOT a practice of God’s or those who live with Him.
The Continuing Legacy of Polygamy
Now, many Mormons will continue to insist on saying: “But, we don’t practice it. It’s just part of our past.” Think about this, my brothers and sisters! Suppose I said to my children, “You know kids, I think doing drugs is an eternal principle. I think God does drugs, I think He’ll want us to do drugs, and I think it is part of his plan. In fact, when I go to the temple, I’m allowed to do drugs “spiritually” in preparation for an eternity of drug use I’ll have once I die. Boy it’ll be glorious. Now, kids, we are told we are not to do drugs in this life, because of laws of the land, but someday, boy, it’s gonna be party on, Garth!”
What kind of message does this send? Does the fact that it’s not practiced have anything to do with the fact that its seeds are still planted via accepted doctrine and that it is practiced spiritually in LDS temples? No.
I remember when I was on a high council years ago. A member of our home ward at the time confided to me in passing that he thought a particular sister in the ward would make a “really fine wife” someday! He was already married and so was she! Examine your hearts, men of the LDS Church! You know it has crossed your mind! And what puts the thought there? Your own desire for power, control, lust, or luxury.
1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Mormon women, ask your husbands if they are looking forward to when they will take on more wives. Ask them if this has been a desire of their hearts. Then look at Section 132 and demand rescission! An active member of the LDS Church today can NEVER say with a clear conscious that MORMONISM is Christian.
You fathers and mothers out there with daughters. Would you want some man taking your sweet girls to be his wife when she was a teenager? Or along with 20 other women? I cannot fathom such a practice in the lives of my daughters now or in the eternities. But let me let you in on a little secret. It’s a secret that reveals the heart of Man – which I have at times. Every now and again, I wouldn’t mind having myself a few extra women around the house. In the kitchen. In the garage. Out in the workforce. Having my babies. What a power trip, huh? What variety, right? They take care of the house, each other, the kids and I just walk around, you know, like God.
Twistianity vs Christianity
Getting the picture. The sick, sick, twisted picture.
This is TWISTIANITY, not CHRISTIANITY. And the LDS Church leaders need to be real men and stand up and renounce it past, present, and future.
A Step Toward the Cross
This would truly be a step toward the cross of Jesus Christ.
