34. When I suggested to a volunteer at Church Hosting that we take the guests to the Beehive House, she immediately said, Oh you dont want to do that., I asked why not and she gave a nervous laugh and said, Well, you know., She gave another nervous laugh and repeated, You know. She continued, They might ask questions.. There were also several who identified themselves as fundamentalist Mormons of former LDS membership. Divorce can be very stressful for years., Few things in life are as difficult as divorce, Dr. Swinton shares. Because of plural marriages inherent sexual implications, it is natural there would be some discomfort and embarrassment. However, it is obvious more needs to be done to answer the questions and concerns of members of all ages. Married or widowed are okay. I remember a fifth or sixth grade classmate who came to my central California elementary school and said, Youre a Mormon, right? I answered in the affirmative, and he then announced, My father says Mormons can have more than one wife. Unfortunately, he believed me, and it took a little bit of explaining for him to finally believe I had been joking and that members of the LDS Church no longer practice plural marriage.18, Other members of the Church have recounted anecdotal evidence of the widespread perception of polygamy among mainstream Mormons. Throughout his life, Elder Oaks admired his mother's fortitude and ability to raise her children in the gospel. Copy in authors possession. By the time he was 22 years old, Elder Scott had not really considered serving a mission, until he metJeanene Watkins. In fact, Elder Bednar said in his April 2012 general conference talk that some members in his ward did not know his father was not a member because he regularly attending Church meetings with his family and helped with various Church activities. For example, they wanted to focus on home life or to take care of children. First of all, those who oppose any divorced man serving as an elder almost universally do so on the basis of the apostle Pauls language in 1 Timothy 3:2. Lets dive into the New Testament and see what we can learn about the efforts of the original apostles to maintain a full quorum. From the time of its introduction, plural marriage has been wrapped in controversy. Anyway, to answer the OP: I don't believe any of the quorum of the 12 have gone through a divorce, but the only way i can think that you could confirm it would be to go to the official website of the church, lds.org, and do a search for their biographies, one by one. The commencement and particularly the end of plural marriage [Page 69]were fitful and certainly painful for those involved. Plural marriage has proven to be a prime weapon because a little of the truth can be devastating. Copy in authors possession. If my parents were sealed in the temple and then got divorced, which one am I sealed to? The children in that marriage joined the lawsuit and allege their stepfather abused them. So if you were born to your parents after they were sealed in the temple (born in the covenant) or were sealed to them in the temple yourself, you are still sealed to themboth of themeven after a divorce. While some periods of separation are longer and uglier than others, a finality is almost always achieved. MYTH: God forbids all divorce, and divorce is the unpardonable sin. These and other negative claims against early Mormon polygamy have caused understandable mental and spiritual turmoil for members. 24. Is there somewhere i can look this up? Because i personally know a man who divorced after a temple marriage, remarried (eventually in the temple), and later became a bishop. Divorce disqualifies a Priesthood holder from even being a Bishop, let alone a General Authority. How do I forgive them? 13. FHE Object Lesson: Treasure Transformation, Remembering President Boyd K. Packer (19242015). Luckily, President Uchtdorf's mother was able to locate the train and her children in the large train station. As interesting as the survey statistics were, the most fascinating parts of the survey data were the respondent comments. Relationships are really difficult. For some, it has been too much. Hopefully these suggestions will help those who are troubled or discomforted about the Churchs legacy of plural marriage. To his knowledgge this policy came from the Area Seventy. Growing up, Elder Richard G. Scott's mother was a less-active member and his father did not belong to the Church. Mormon fundamentalism seems to be ever-present, even invading television on shows such as the now-ended HBO series Big Love, which one television critic described as understanding local culture, our idiosyncrasies, and, in fact, the whole Mormon thing.11 While some people would contest this description, the television show did, nevertheless, have an impact and likely encouraged the reality show Sister Wives as well as other copycat reality fare gracing the cable channels. Web(Photo: KUTV) (KUTV) At least six people are suing the daughter and son-in-law of Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If this is the only thing that is causing all this polygamy angst why not just accept that it is NOT a requirement to have multiple wives in heaven and let it go at that? A man may remarry after the death of his wife and not be disqualified from these callings. That would be incorrect, divorced men can be bishops. His mother remarried, but Elder Baxter's stepfather was "not a good man" and times were difficult(Elder David S. Baxter, "Finding Hope in a Troubled Family," August 2015 "New Era"). I know they're on there, cause i've done it before. Examples of some who have furthered and even built upon some of this sensational and inaccurate stereotyping are Fawn M. Brodie, No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1945); George D. Smith, Nauvoo Polygamy: . In fact, most of the literature discussing these marriages suggests Joseph had sexual relations with these women, usually without the cuckold husbands knowledge.9. Video Collections. 40. 33. For example, a number of years ago I showed some important guests around the Family History Library and then the neighboring Museum of Church History and Art, both in Salt Lake City. Church Policies and Guidelines The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Third Hour Forum Rules - Please be familiar with these rules before posting. Later, Elder Cook would be called to serve as a counselor to his brother Joe, who was serving as the stake president at the time. Foster, Like Two Crazy Aunts in the Attic.. 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. WebThis is a list of well-known Mormon dissidents or other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who have either been excommunicated or The following article originally ran on LDS Living in May 2016. 65. For a discussion of Nauvoo Polygamy, see Craig L. Foster, Review of Nauvoo polygamy: but we call it celestial marriage, Mormon Historical Studies 11/1 (Spring 2010), 15558. Some men have said that nothing shook their testimonies like divorce. For that matter, it may not even be as important to Saints residing in the eastern parts of Canada and the United States as it is to those residing in the western United States. 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/. No one is entirely immune to difficult family situations like these, including the general authorities of the Church. . For some of our youth, the shock is too traumatic for their tender testimonies. Together, they made the harrowing journey past Russian guards patrolling the border to West Germany until they were safely reunited with the rest of President Uchtdorf's family. We should clarify to say CURRENTLY divorced or unmarried priesthood holders cannot be Bishop or a General Authority. It should be noted that while most of the sanctioned post-Manifesto plural marriages were performed outside of the United States, some were performed within U.S. borders. The Church and its defenders have begun to take steps to inoculate members against the insidious attacks of critics and enemies. Your previous content has been restored. WebMy Home Donations Temple Appointments Leader and Clerk Resources Missionary Portal Ward Directory and Map Calendar Meetinghouse Locator Notes Patriarchal Blessing All Tools. Even if the situation is uncomfortable or you dont know how to react, love them. I tried to understand that they just didn't know how to deal with a situation like this., Divorce may be more taboo for many, explains Dr. Swinton. There were 400 respondents, with a little over half being male. Even while serving his mission, Elder Bednar would end his letters with "Dad, I love you. After that, the practice again went underground and was once more surrounded by a veil of secrecy which made it even more difficult to completely stop.5, Unfortunately, the obfuscation which attended the beginning and end of the official practice of plural marriagenecessary though it wasprovided ammunition for anti-Mormons and anxiety for modern Church members. I became a pariah. 41. When Elder Oaks was about 11 years old, he took a small job sweeping the floor of a radio repair shop, eventually working his way to radio engineer and announcer in his late teens. One faithful Latter-day Saint wrote of his in-laws learning of Joseph Smiths polyandry, My [Page 63]mother-in-laws eyes bulged out.44 One woman who found out about Smiths polyandrous marriages, combined with other issues regarding Joseph Smith and Mormonism, declared she was done, done and DONE!! They did everything they could to raise us the right way" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Elder Quentin L. Cook: A Willing Heart and Mind", April 2008Ensign). ), 63% continued going to church in the same ward, 16% continued going but went to a new ward, Many ward members avoided me like the plague because they simply didn't know what to say to me. Clement is the only Father who reports that Paul was married; many of them expressly deny it; e.g. I am not sure that those that faithfully practiced it many years ago would be with that conclusiondo you? When my daughter heard about her friends shock at learning that Joseph Smith had plural wives, she said, You didnt know that? :). At the time, Elder Cook's father was a less-active member and thought Elder Cook's older brother, Joe, should pursue a career in the medical field instead of serving a mission. By so doing, they will be able to help present and future members trump critics attempts at malicious manipulation. 27. This essay looks at examples of members expression of discomfort over a polygamous heritage and concludes with suggestions of possible pathways to a more comfortable reconciliation. The author would like to thank Suzanne L. Foster, Brian C. Hales, Laura Hales, and Gregory L. Smith for their help with this paper. That understanding will come through appropriate Church courses and Church literature. It is also important to differentiate a man who was divorced and remarried before he became a Christian from a man who was divorced and remarried after becoming a Christian. Here are some suggestions that might help members avoid the potential negative impact of the Churchs plural marriage heritage.63 Members need to be taught the full history of the Church, including plural marriage from Joseph Smith into the 20th century. Joseph Smith married other mens wives while they were still married to their husbands, Mormon Think, accessed October 12, 2011, http://mormonthink.com/joseph-smith-polygamy.htm#other. For a more detailed discussion of anti-Mormon accusations and stereotyping, see Craig L. Foster, Victorian Pornographic Imagery in Anti-Mormon Literature, Journal of Mormon History 19/1 (Spring 1993): 11532; Old Themes and Stereotypes Never Die: The Unchanging Ways of Anti-Mormons, FAIR, 2003, accessed October 14, 2011, http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2003_Unchanging_Ways_of_Anti-Mormons.html, and Craig L. Foster, Penny Tracts and Polemics: A Critical Analysis of Anti-Mormon Pamphleteering in Great Britain, 18371860 (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2003). Pauline Christians can continue to have faith in a celibate savior who is divorced from his family, his people and his times. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can get divorced. (You didn't see President Hinckley rushing off to get married after the death of his wife Marjorie, right?). Even one soul lost over the now-unpracticed principle of plural marriage is too many. And making an effort to help, even if its awkward, can pay major dividends, as one respondent shared: I was brought to tears many times at the amazing support I received from so many members.. Elder Scott's parents would later serve in the Washington DC Temple for many years, and Elder Scott served as an apostle until he passed away Septemeber 22, 2015. 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. The midwestern United States also had a good representation, as did Canada (especially western Canada). "This letter is an internal document. In all my life I've never known of a Bishop who had been divorced. Another active Latter-day Saint responded: Are you suggesting that what is making you pleased is the denial of relationships in the Celestial Kingdom? In other words, you cannot be a bishop without the approval of the First Presidency. What can Latter-day Saints do to be more supportive of divorced members? Nate Oman on Jeffs, August 25, 2011. E-mail correspondence between [anonymous] and Craig L. Foster, August 14, 2011. But I've had the experience of providing all those ordinances for my dad," Elder Bednar said, years after his family was sealed for eternity in the temple. When marriages suffer from serious problems, separation almost always leads to either reconciliation with the hopes of the marriage surviving or to divorce. During their journey, President Uchtdorf also described the kindness of others who donated food and hot drinks to President Uchtdorf's family until they made it safely to Germany. WebBecause of the beliefs that (1) celestial marriage is required for exaltation, and (2) that Jesus is exalted, some leaders of the LDS Church have hypothesized that Jesus must have been married, possibly to Mary Magdalene, Mary, sister If only married This brings up another matter that needs to be addressed: missionaries at Church historical sites must be taught how to discuss the topic of Mormon polygamy because it is inevitable it will be brought up by curious visitors. Church spokesman Don LeFevre had little comment on the letter. There was not, however, any mention of Brigham Youngs plural marriages. 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). How to Explain Polyandry to the Church Membership, e-mail correspondence, July 14, 2011. Our teenage youth need to know about plural marriage, including the fact that Joseph Smith, by commandment of God, introduced the doctrine and practice of the plurality of wives. For Latter-day Saints, families are not only the fundamental unit of society but also of the Church. By Upload or insert images from URL. 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. These details (in part) caused me to lose my testimony.40. Well, I replied, perhaps a little too sarcastically, we wouldnt want them to do that., [Page 58]No, she answered. A whole lesson about Doctrine and Covenants 132 and not one mention of plural marriage? The new apostles could come from general authorities of the church, or from the church membership at large. Find a support network. 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. 56. But heres a fact you need to know: children can be Such shock at the prospect that Joseph Smith would have practiced plural marriage reminds me of an experience I had almost thirty years ago. This website noted Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner married Joseph Smith in 1842 when she was seven months pregnant and queried whether the child was Adam Lightners or Joseph Smiths. An acquaintance of mine, married in the temple 25 years ago, four children and an active member in the LDS church was recently divorced for having an 42. Claire, e-mail correspondence, October 4, 2011. When children spend most of their time with their mother, it is easy for the father to feel like he has become a visitor to his own children. Divorced LDS women long have been required to obtain a clearance from the First Presidency before being sealed to a second husband. The important thing to remember is that Heavenly Father loves all of you and wants the best for you, both now and in eternity. Thirty-five percent of the sample (includes all religious affiliations) who had originally married civilly were either currently divorced or remarried. The Polygamy Porter T-shirts are our best seller, the owner explained. . Let's try this: the First Presidency must approve of all people who are called as Bishop. The survey was not random, as people were contacted by e-mail and on Facebook and asked to participate and to spread the word among their LDS family and friends. 60. Then I will get a temple sealing. The confusion and conflict began with the secrecy and prevarication of Joseph Smith when he revealed plural marriage to a trusted circle of the Nauvoo elite.4 Plural marriage was not openly practiced until after the Saints left Illinois and were safely ensconced in the Great Basin of the western United States. (That doesn't mean the policy doesn't exist, but that I've never seen it). Copy in authors possession. Clear editor. He was baptized on 10 March 1998 in Reyjavik, the capital city of Iceland, while serving on active duty in Keflavik Iceland with the United States Navy. That would be incorrect, divorced men can be bishops. All who have been through divorce know the pain and need the healing power and hope that come from the Atonement. 36. His first plural wife was Fanny Alger in 18351836 as explained by Bradley, Fanny Alger, in The Persistence of Polygamy, 1458. As she tried to cope with the loss of her sister, Christy Denney found the connection to family she was craving in an unusual placea cherry cheese pie. And not just one isolated no. but we called it celestial marriage (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2008); and Richard S. Van Wagoner, Mormon Polygamy: A History (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1986). 57. Indeed, in the minds of [Page 75]many people, 19th-century Mormon polygamy defines western polygamy.69 Accepting that the twain are inseparable does not mean the Church must acquiesce to the negative stereotyping used by its critics. As the two started dating, Jeanene told Elder Scott, When I marry, it will be in the temple to a returned missionary.. Just do your best. . The top reason for a change in calling was relocation. The Relationship of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger, in The Persistence of Polygamy: Joseph Smith and the Origins of Mormon Polygamy, eds. 8. By the 1950s Mormons had become thoroughly Americanized and tended to display a split opinion about polygamy. People need all the love and support they can get as they weather a divorce., In a message to divorced members, Dr. Swinton continues, If you have experienced divorce, don't beat yourself up or feel you are lesser in any way. Church leaders were instructed to read the letter in LDS sacrament meetings. I asked my husband. These negative feelings increased when confronted with criticism of the Church on the subject of plural marriage. This has led to unansweredperhaps even unspokenquestions, as well as hurt feelings, insecurity, and resentment. For example, several years ago the priesthood/Relief Society manual on the teachings of Brigham Young included a timeline of significant dates in his life, including his first marriage and his second monogamist marriage after the death of his first wife. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintss uncomfortable relationship with its polygamous history is somewhat like an awkward marriage separation. But one or two of the current apostles have remarried after becoming widowed.. wow I really like that.. i had no idea that you couldnt be bishop if you were divorced or unmarried. Gains have been made since the days I observed palpable discomfort in missionaries and volunteers. The Apostles that were Married You can seek peace in these matters by praying and, if you feel you need extra support, by counseling with your bishop.
Ferris Mountain Plane Crash,
John Fletcher Whodini Funeral,
Zack Courts Wife,
Famous Soccer Players With Dyslexia,
Difference Between 54 And 61 Key Keyboards,
Articles H
