Craig L. Foster, Like Two Crazy Aunts in the Attic: Latter-day Saints and Popular Polygamy Stereotypes, Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, accessed January 20, 2014, http://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2010-Craig-Foster.pdf. Brigham Young might have done that, but Joseph Smith never would. I let the subject drop. For more on this topic, check outFinding Wholeness and Happiness after Divorce. Peggy Fletcher Stack, Poll: Most Still Unsure about Mormons and Polygamy, The Salt Lake Tribune, September 12, 2011, accessed September 13, 2011, http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52568348-78/mormon-mormons-polygamy-percent.html.csp. I asked my husband. There was not, however, any mention of Brigham Youngs plural marriages. We then have a duty to root out these cultural misinterpretations from our midst, lest they cause great spiritual mischief.55, Echoing the thought that belief in plural marriage as an eternal principle should be rooted out among Latter-day Saints were several faithful Latter-day Saints who actively discuss Church doctrine and history. Some members of the LDS Church have expressed shock and puzzlement that early Church leaders such as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young would lie about plural marriages before the public announcement of the doctrine and practice. Copy in possession of author. pete22, would have helped., [It] would be nice if [others] had some idea of how devastating divorce is and could have helped me get through the grieving process. Most of these people, however, are just trying to find a way to react to something that is so contrary to accepted marriage patterns. This is the average score out of 7 for those support systems: Divorce is the second-most stressful life event, with death of a spouse being the most stressful, according to the Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory. There were approximately 400 people who participated in the survey with an almost even mix of men and women.32, In spite of the limited number of respondents, there actually was a good variety of people from different ages and backgrounds in terms of marriage status and activity in the LDS Church. I became a pariah. To [Page 65]be fair, in the RS lesson this declaration evoked criticism and debate of a kind not often seen in RS.51. Don't let discomfort prevent you from providing support that may be needed. Even if the situation is uncomfortable or you dont know how to react, love them. Elder Oaks remarried after the passing of his wife. Elder Ruseel M. Nelson also remarrried after his first wife passed away. 49. These and other negative claims against early Mormon polygamy have caused understandable mental and spiritual turmoil for members. The First Presidency sent a letter last week to stake presidents, bishops and branch presidents advising them of the new policy.The brief letter, dated Feb. 3, was titled "Divorce Clearance Procedure." Even if the allotted time is not all you desire, make the visits positive and never say negative things to the children about their mother. After all, both the LDS Church and Fundamentalist Mormons share common roots and attributes. Heres how a new speaker series can help you find it: Temples are some of the most beautiful places on earth, but the work that takes place inside of them is what makes them sacred. Elder Baxter says his mother was "happy, content, and fulfilled until overtaken by mortality" during her marriage for nearly 25 years until she passed away. The shows first season was set in Utah Valley until the Utah County police began to investigate the family. Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company, What are Prophets and Apostles: Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Quentin L. Cook: A Willing Heart and Mind, A new take on the parable of the lost sheep may change how you see yourself in the church, Why Know Your Religion 2.0 is all about questions, 6 temple dresses + accessories Latter-day Saint women will love. It was truly amazing to see how sincere and willing to respond these participants werewhich only emphasizes how much we still have to learn about divorce among Latter-day Saints. Obviously, those who converted later in life did not have family who could explain the background of the doctrine and practice. After personal reflection and prayer, Elder Scott felt impressed that he should serve a mission and was called to serve inUruguay from 1950 to 1953. There are thousands of fundamentalist Mormons throughout the Intermountain West who are a constant reminder of Mormonisms polygamist past. A couple of years ago, I was talking with one of my daughters 16-year-old friends, a descendant of LDS polygamists, and mentioned Joseph Smiths plural wives. ok now i am confused can you be one of the twelve apostles if you have been divorced does it matter if you remarried, has there been any of the twelve apostles that have been divorced or could you be one of the twelve apostles if you have been divorced i want to make sure i am not misrepresenting the LDS position. My girls did not want to go because of the way the adult sisters treated them.. No we didn't see President Hinckley remarry. In like manner, we hide or diminish those things that embarrass us. One of those things is Joseph Smiths practice of polygamy because it seems that his polygamy is only in the picture when were called upon to defend him.23 Such an approach is not confined solely to individuals. Sam Finley, Duck Football: From One Mission to Another, Eugene Daily News, September 16, 2011, accessed September 16, 2011, http://eugenedailynews.com/2011/09/16/duck-football-from-one-mission-to-another. The Church of Jesus Christ itself has been described as a Church very much against polygamy that will continue to distance itself as far away from polygamy as possible.24 As [Page 55]previously explained, the Church has, since at least the late 1920s, repeatedly tried to distance itself from fundamentalist Mormonism and modern plural marriage. All Rights Reserved, NEW POLICY ANNOUNCED FOR DIVORCED LDS MEN. In fact, most of the literature discussing these marriages suggests Joseph had sexual relations with these women, usually without the cuckold husbands knowledge.9. (That doesn't mean the policy doesn't exist, but that I've never seen it). Divorce disqualifies a Priesthood holder from even being a Bishop, let alone a General Authority. Indeed, some even try to dress like 19th-century Mormons, except in neo-pioneer style pastel dresses topped off with a bizarre hairstyle. For example, television talk show host Bill Maher explained that Mormonism is a religion founded on the idea of polygamy. Clear editor. 16. . 53. (Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Apostle Ronald A. Rasband speaks at General Conference on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. However, Elder Oaks says, through "the blessings of the Lord, she did recover and she was stronger than ever"(Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "LDS Leaders and Mental Illness," Mormon Channel). The children in that marriage joined the lawsuit and allege their stepfather abused them. Again, in 1952, President Uchtdorf's father opposed the communist East Germany, and it was no longer safe for his family to remain at their home in Zwickau. What is your personal anchor belief? We should clarify to say CURRENTLY divorced or unmarried priesthood holders cannot be Bishop or a General Authority. Married or widowed are okay. ( let's clarify; A divorced and remarried man can be bishop. At the age of 11, President Uchtdorf watched as his family split up, each taking separate routes to Frankfurt until only he and his mother remained. It was during WWII, and President Uchtdorf's family was no longer safe in Czechoslovakia. Divorce was more prevalent in the early Church. Brigham Young had a well publicized divorce. My unhappy family history will not be passed on" (Elder David S. Baxter, "Finding Hope in a Troubled Family," August 2015 New Era). For more information on the Van Dusens, see Craig L. Foster, From Temple Mormon to Anti-Mormon: The Ambivalent Odyssey of Increase Van Dusen Dialogue 27/3 (1994): 27586. There were also several who identified themselves as fundamentalist Mormons of former LDS membership. Such an approach was expressed by this man I counseled: I still have a hard time grasping the concept that Im a divorced man, but I am. However, LDS members can only have one living, legal spouse while on earth. When a couple legally divorce, the temple marriage/sealing is effectively nullified, because the couple is no longer together and do not wish to be. 46. In fact, some have left the Church specifically because of this issue. She surely was one of the many noble women who have lived in the latter days (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "What are Prophets and Apostles: Elder Dallin H. Oaks,"lds.org). John C. Bennett, The History of the Saints; or, an Expos of Joe Smith and Mormonism (Boston: Leland & Whiting, 1842). Broadcasts Video Images Music Podcasts and Radio. Excommunication in Mormonism Your link has been automatically embedded. Church Policies and Guidelines However, Elder Baxter's family situation was still difficult. Hamani Stevens of the University of Oregon football team recounted how the usual misconception [Page 53]about Mormonism is that we all believe in polygamy.19 That mistaken perception is compounded and exploited by merchandizers like Wasatch Brewery in Park City that sells Polygamy Porter, a beer whose advertisement invokes a polygamy theme, asking Why have just one? Along with the beer, they sell polygamy-themed merchandise. When there are problems in different places around the world over difficult subjects like plural marriage, such as the recent apostasy problems in Sweden, leadership could then place even more emphasis on the education of its members in those specific places. David Grua, From Embrace to Embarrassment: Remembering Joseph Smiths Polygamy, The Juvenile Instructor (November 2, 2007), accessed August 24, 2011, http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/from-embrace-to-embarrassment-remembering-joseph-smiths-polygamy/.
