Jacob specified that plural marriage may be practiced when. Instead, what i would like to talk about is the historical context of jacobs condemnation of polygamy. God does not approve of polygamy, and it should only be instituted when it is specifically commanded by god. Jacob 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Mormon polygamy, however, was an important part of the teachings of the church for fifty years. Learn about the book of mormon with verse by verse commentaries from renowned book of mormon scholars like john w. The book of mormon was published on march 26, 1830. Consider using this segment from the book of mormon videos as you teach this.
The book of jacob unequivocally condemns polygamy and also solomon and david for practicing it. Mar 17, 2020 the previous weeks reading in the come, follow me curriculum includes jacob 2, the epicenter for discussing polygamy in the book of mormon. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. The brother of nephi, usually referred to as the book of jacob, is the third of fifteen books in the book of mormon. The doctrine and covenants, by contrast, wishes to explain how and when polygamy can be acceptable to god.
Jacob specified that plural marriage may be practiced when god commanded it, but insisted that monogamy was otherwise the norm. What were the historical and social circumstances among the nephites that motived this condemnation and how do jacob s words in the book of mormon harmonize with the teachings of jesus in the new testament. Bennetts spiritual wife system and warned if any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the bible, the book of mormon, or the book of doctrine and covenants, set him down as an imposter. The mormon response is usually to roll the eyes and recite for the thousandth time that the latterday saints havent practiced polygamy for over a century and that anyone who practices it today is excommunicated, yada yada yada. For behold, i, the lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. Welch, the legal cases in the book of mormon provo, ut. The original twochapter peace maker pamphlet was published in nauvoo, illinois with joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, listed as the printer. I think we can understand better why jacob is condemning polygamy if we look a little closer at what is going on in jacobs time and place and what polygamy is being used for. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. The peace maker is a pamphlet written by the latter day saint author udney hay jacob in 1842. In april 1844, joseph smith referred to polygamy as john c. Recently, a good friend who has chosen to leave the church asked me. Polygamy called plural marriage by mormons in the 19th century or the principle by modern fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy was practiced by leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890 by between 20 and 30 percent of latterday saint families.
The utah lds say it supports polygamy and the rlds say it doesnt. This is, of course, jacob chapter 2 and a little of chapter 3. The book of mormon, translated in 1829, makes mention of polygamy and, while it seems to forbid polygamy, it recognizes that sometimes god commands men to practice polygamy. While latterday saints today do not know all the reasons for gods command, they do understand some reasons why god would command the practice of polygamy. In 1830, he completed an english translation of these plates called the book of mormon and formed the church. Read together, the bible and the book of mormon teach powerful principles.
Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a law. Never may an act of possession be exercised upon a free being. Mar 12, 2020 how jacob s teachings about pride and polygamy still apply today. Why do people criticize the mormons for practicing polygamy. Why does doctrine and covenants 2 speak favorably about some old testament practitioners of plural marriage, while jacob 2 is negative. Outsiders sometimes ask mormons often in jest, occasionally in concern whether they practice polygamy.
Knowhys knowhys on jacob 1 knowhys on jacob 2 knowhys on jacob 3. Mar 10, 2020 the second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. The purpose of the book, in his own words, is to persuade all men to come unto christ jacob 1. How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. With the exception of converts, initial reaction was hostile. According to the text, it was written by the ancient prophet jacob. Joseph smith died with up to 34 plural marriages and denied all but his first to emma smith. May 31, 2014 polygamy and the book of jacob posted on may 31, 2014 december 11, 2018 by david donoghue one of the things i have observed about members of the utah lds church is that they often defend the appropriateness of polygamy by citing a verse in the book of jacob. Jun 11, 2018 the criticisms usually have less to do with that they practiced it than because they lied about it. For example, the book of mormon teaches that men should have only one wife see jacob 2. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the lord.
For i, the lord god, delight in the chastity of women. In this chapter, the prophet jacob calls his people to repentance because they have been abusing the practice, with the influential men of the commun. If god will not justify even the kings of israel in such behavior jacob seems to argue why do you think he will justify you in taking plural wives which i, jacob, have not approved as gods representative among you. Do you think the church will eventually disavow the polygamous teachings in the book of mormon. Jacob demonstrates that some of david and solomons actions were contrary to torah, and contrary to gods established order. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship, 2008, 262. Jacob through words of mormon, to learn with joy, eds. The book of mormon unequivocally condemns the practice of polygamy. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1990, 27194. In 1831 joseph smith made a prayerful inquiry to the lord regarding the ancient old. Did early church leaders state that the book of mormon condemns polygamy. For this weeks come, follow me lesson, byu professors tyler griffin and taylor halverson offer some amazing insights into kingship, polygamy, marriage, and women. Mar 24, 2017 the only place where a doctrinal stance on polygamy is taken in the book of mormon is in jacob 2.
One of these tenets was polygamy, which his contemporaries said came as a result of smith having been commanded by an angel to marry. Modern polygamy, however, it much harder to reconcile with the text of the book of mormon. How might readers make sense of this connection between polygamy and material wealth. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876. The book of mormon account is basing its statements on an interpretation of mosaic law to defend a new to them negative position on polygamy. May 30, 2019 the prophet jacob in the book of mormon harshly condemned those who seek riches before seeking the kingdom of god. One, 1 nephi through alma 29 points out, features an.
How jacobs teachings about pride and polygamy still apply. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. Chapter 2 of the book of jacob in the book of mormon addresses polygamy. Nov 21, 2008 chapter 2 of the book of jacob in the book of mormon addresses polygamy. Saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize polygamy. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and. Jacob condemned this practice for at least two reasons.
Show book of mormon central, ep come follow me lesson, jacob 14 mar 9mar 15 mar 9, 2020. The passage from the book of mormon condemns david and solomons practice and the practice of plural marriage in general, and the doctrine and covenants. Rodney turner, morality and marriage in the book of mormon, in the book of mormon. There was a book printed at my office, a short time since, written by udney h. Jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. Mormons believe that god commanded early latterday saints to practice polygamy for a time. This is what the book of mormon says about polygamy. The book of mormon, along with his revelations, then became fundamental tenets of the mormon church. See book of mormon central, what does the book of mormon say about polygamy. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. Read this weeks knowhy connected with the come follow me curriculum, and watch a video elucidating an insight in this weeks scripture reading. The lord, through the prophet lehi, had commanded this people not to participate in plural marriage see jacob 2. Mar 12, 2007 it struck me the other day that the one place in the book of mormon where polygamy is addressed is unabashedly opposed to polygamy.
Come follow me insights into jacob 14, mar 9mar 15 youtube. Mar 28, 2016 for if i will, saith the lord of hosts, raise up seed unto me, i will command my people. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. Mormonism and polygamybook of mormon mar 28, 2016 jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. In jacobs day, some nephites had begun to participate in plural marriage. In jacobs day, some nephites had begun to participate in plural marriage, saying that they were following the examples of david and solomon. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives.
Mar 07, 2020 for this weeks come, follow me lesson, byu professors tyler griffin and taylor halverson offer some amazing insights into kingship, polygamy, marriage, and women. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious. Is polygamy mentioned in the book of mormon answers. The practice began during the lifetime of founder and prophet joseph smith but became publicly and widely known during the time of 2nd prophet, brigham young. Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastitymen may seek riches to help their fellowmenthe lord commands that no man among. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a.