Q. Do Mormon men have more than one wife?
- This is a question that many people are always asking. The truth is “Yes, they did at one timeâ€. Plural marriage was practiced by Mormons for about 50 years in the 1800’s. However, they do not practice plural marriage today. The practice of plural marriage was ceased in 1890. Since that time, there have been no plural marriage by Mormons. Any member adopting plural marriage is subject to losing his or her membership in the church. That means that the man and the women will be excommunicated from the church.
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Q. Why did Mormon’s have more than one wife in the past?
- A close reading of the bible will tell the reader that plural marriage has been practiced during the Old testament times. Abraham, Jacob and others in the bible practiced plural marriage. (See Genesis 16: 1-3, 29:23-30, 30:4, 9, Judges 8:30, 1 Samuel 1:1-2,)
- All through history, the people have been counseled to pray to God. Mormon’s are to pray about everything in their lives. Heavenly Father is a loving father and he cares about everything in our lives.
- The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. At certain times and for His specific purposes, God, through His prophets, has directed the practice of plural marriage (sometimes called polygamy), which means one man having more than one living wife at the same time. In obedience to direction from God, Latter-day Saints followed this practice for about 50 years during the 1800s but officially ceased the practice of such marriages after the Manifesto was issued by President Woodruff in 1890. Since that time, plural marriage has not been approved by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any member adopting this practice is subject to losing his or her membership in the Church.
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Q. I heard on the TV just today that one Mormon had 18 wives. I thought you said they did not have more than one wife?
- Since the beginning of time, All over the world, people tell lies. That is nothing new.It is just a fact of life. Â Just like any other group or religion, there are those who do not tell the truth. The men who claim to be Mormon and have more than one wife is deceiving the rest of the world. The fact is that it is against the law to have more than one wife. It is also against rules in The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) to have more than one wife. A man who has more than one wife is not following the law nor is he a member of the Mormon church. He may say he is but the church records will prove that he is not. Lets face it, anyone can say anything but that does not mean it is true. If a man who is a member of the Mormon church has more than one wife, he will be excommunicated. That means his status as a member will be taken away from him.
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"If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church. An article of our faith is binding upon us. It states, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law†(A of F 1:12)**. One cannot obey the law and disobey the law at the same time.
There is no such thing as a “Mormon Fundamentalist.†It is a contradiction to use the two words together.
More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows polygamy, the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage."
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?FACT:
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Groups who teach polygamy today are not part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates that it has no affiliation whatsoever with any polygamous groups, including the polygamous sect in Eldorado, Texas. The Church discontinued polygamy officially in 1890, but more than a century later some news and Internet reports fail to draw clear distinctions between the Church and practicing polygamous sects.
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You can read the facts about The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints at their web site, LDS.org
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** A of F 1:12Â Articles of Faith are a brief statement by which Mormons live their lives.
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If you want to know more about the Mormon faith, ask a Mormon or go to the official web site.  Please do not expect a  non-Mormon to give accurate and trustworthy information.
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Comments: 76
I will answer any of your questions about what I believe if you just ask. If I don't know the answer I will get it for you.
I am just now finding your question. That question goes deeper than you realize. LOL
Mormons are "counseled" not required to have a year storage of food, water, and such where allowed and available.
Let me explain how that counsel has helped me personally. We know the times will be tough. The bible predicts so many problems that will occur as the end of time approaches. I think we can all agree on that.
When I first joined the church, I had no money. I could not purchase items for storage. However I soon found that I could throw a can of food in a box each time I went shopping. This soon added up and I was able to have a nice size storage because as it added up, I began to add more than one can to it.
When we bought our home that we live in now. We sit down and figured out what we would have to give up or cut down on to make the mortgage payments. It was at that time our food storage helped a lot.
Food storage is used in times of need such as when one loses a job, house fires, weather related problems that limit the amount of food being able to be raised.
Now let me expand on the house fire. I have a friend who is a Mormon and lives on a farm. A rather large farm. When they built their home, they built their cellar a long way from the house. I thought it was odd that they did that and ask why. They responded that if the house burned down, they would still have food. Then it made perfect sense.
Their son's house did burn down and the food storage in the cellar kept food on the table.
Years ago, in pioneer times, the families always stored food in time of plenty to use in time of need. They preserved food by drying, canning and salting down. Today that is not as common so we have to use other ways of storing food for time of need.
When our local area is going to get hit by a storm, the people tend to stay home until the minute the storm hits then they flock to the stores to buy food, lantern oil, flashlight batteries and such. We do not have to do that because we have our storage and can/do use it.
There is a lot to be said for being prepared. It reduces stress too.
Again I stress "Counseled" not "required".
Feel free to ask me anything. I promise to give honest answers to the best of my ability. Thanks for asking.
What happened to the days when you could believe in the integrity of people!?!
I have a friend who knows what I believe. She is Baptist and we often discuss our thoughts on certain subjects from a Spiritual point of view.
One day she called me and was really upset. She said a talk show had a Mormon guy (who was not really one but said he was) and his wives. My friends husband came home to hear her arguing with someone. LOL It was the TV. She was saying "I know Mormon are not like that. I have a Mormon friend".
I was sure glad that she knew what I belived in so she was armed with truth.
My step-Mom made a rather strange comment a while back, but Walker and I gently set her straight. My husband has a few EX wives, but I'm his only WIFE.
Connie, I too, have yelled at the TV a few times when Mormons have been inaccurately portrayed.
I do not view those kind of shows because I know they are not true. I will not help them get their ratings up.
I am so glad to see you. Where have you been? How are you and Walker? Are you in Canada or Arizona now? I miss chatting with you.
With Mitt Romney running for President, there are even more false statements being chatted about than normal. Thank you so much for your added information.
I miss you!
We're also in the process of getting a major fundraiser up and running, for a non-profit radio station that was recently hit with sone fraud. Our goal is to raise $60,000.
I will post more information when Kosta and I figure out the plan, when I get my computer, and when Walker and I get things up and running. I'll see Kosta on Saturday, so we'll discuss more details then.
Keep me informed of your Kosta plans. If I don't see your post, email me. :)
I do not view TV programs so I don't know what Sister Wives is but I do know that we NOT have more than one wife at a time. If a mans wife dies, he can remarry or if he divorces but NO more than one wife at a time.
It does not seem like something I would be interested in.
President Hinckley's words always just reaced out and grabbed me. He was great! I loved him to death.
I have an extensive library of LDS material. I have several of his books. If you will email me your mailing address, I will mail you some LDS material that we have more than one of. Do you listen to books on cassette too? We are getting rid of all our cassettes and we have a lot of LDS ones.
Many times people too have a misconception about the way things were years ago. It is likely multiple wives were a good thing because if someone died in childbirth there were other women around to raise or even be a wet nurse.. They did not have the medical care we have now. It also is not easy to raise children when you are ill and imagine the other wives would step in. I don't think I would have liked to live like that.
A scripture that came to mind was one in the New Testament when I read your article. It validates that men did had more than one wife. In this verse it says a bishop must be the husband of one wife. If men did not have more than one wife... then this would not have needed to be said.
1Timothy 3:2 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
I didn't want to be rude with my post or to criticize anyone or any other religion. I only wanted to get the facts about my religion out there for others to hear.
It seems there are many people who do not know the truth.
The people who think that members of the official LDS church openly practice church-sanctioned polygamy are generally the same people who really don't get the fact that Islam and Christianity are closely related and that Christianity is descended from Judaism.
I think some people are just set in their beliefs. They are just ignorant. They will never understand nor will they try.
It is sad when any belief or lack thereof is slammed. We each have our rights to believe anyway we want so what gives certain people the right to say others should not believe a certain way.
Catholics do get a bad rap. I never really understood why. I have a friend who is Catholic and she is a wonderful lady as is her husband.
I am not trying to change anyone's mind. That is a waste of time but I just wanted to get the facts out there.
The rumors sometimes spread much quicker than the facts do.
I can only imagine the worry of foreclosing on a home in that area or any area for that matter.
I am so glad you took the time to read this post. Thank you for giving me a chance to share my side of the story. With the election having a Mormon in it this year, the rumors are rapidly spreading and multiplying
I am dying to make a political comment here but I promised I would not do that. :) Don't provoke me any more on that subject. :)
You know me too well. LOL
I will leave the question of "God spoke to them" untouched. I do not know what God has told them or not told them.
However I will share a bit on the Bible and Book of Mormon.
We use the King James version of The Old and New Testament.
We also use the Book of Mormon.
The Old and New Testament was/is about the people in the Middle East.
The Book of Mormon takes place at the same time only in the Americas.
Both the Old Testament/New Testament and the Book of Mormon deal with the same God only with different people.
When Jeremiah said that the Prophets were being killed as quickly as God was sending them. Lehi was a Prophet at that time. Got told him to take his family and another family and leave. They came to America so the word of God could still be taught on the earth.
Yes We do use the same Bible as everyone else. Assuming you are referring to the King James version of the Old and New Testament.
We change our course of study every year. One year we study the Old Testament. The next year we study the New Testament. The third year, we study the Book of Mormon. The fourth year we study the Doctrine and Covenants.
Like I said, I'm one to talk. At the same time, when it comes to the candidates, I do not vote for someone simply because he or she is Catholic. In that case, I'd be rooting for Rick Santurum and Newt. I'm supporting Obama - even with the mess with the insurance mandates and all. Because I believe in his greater picture. I don't even follow my own church's teachings on birth control and women's rights. I follow my conscience. What I do follow is what I am comfortable with following. Maybe that makes me a lukewarm Catholic - only God knows. But I've made my own peace with it.
I know what you are saying. I just went into the living room to make sure I got the name of the book I have correct. . . .
I served on a couple board of directors with a Catholic Father. I ask him for a copy of the scriptures they used. He gave me a copy of "The Catholic Study Bible, New American Bible." I was in hopes that it had more information in it about the lost books that the Catholic use but it was not as much in depth as I had hoped.
It is a blue book, are you familiar with the book I am referring too?
As I have mentioned before I do have Catholic friends and often ask them questions when I have them.
@Pam - only this time? lol.
Yes, I do ask my friends of other religions for facts about their particular religion when I have questions. I have found their views to be valuable in my quest for the truth.
I think that different religions have different words for the same definition. Did I say that right?
For example:
"Have you been saved?" in many religions refers to have you been baptized and taken on Christ's name.
The phrase "Have you been saved?" to an LDS member is confusing because we believe that there is more to being "saved" than being baptized, taking on the name of Christ. We believe one is not truly saved until they die being worthy to enter the kingdom.
To explain it in terms that I understand it, I will use myself as an example.
I was baptized, took on the name of Christ (Christian) and work harder each day to be more worthy than the day before. I am thankful to Jesus Christ for sacrificing his life for my sins. This act by Jesus gives me the opportunity to live with Heavenly Father, Jesus, and my family again - only if I remain worthy until the end of my life here on earth.
I too believe that being "religious" and being "Spiritual" is two different things. I believe that one must have The Spirit to be completely and honestly religious.
One must live the life with the Spirit to guide us to become Spiritual.
I know for Catholics - the ideas of mercy and forgiveness are biggies. My son had trouble understanding how Maria Shriver could date Arnold once again after the troubles the two experienced with his child from another woman - yet I saw right away whatwas going on. Maria is a deeply Catholic woman, and is practicing those concepts bred in my the Church. Even Jesus forgave the other man who was crucified when he was -who was truly sorry for what he had done - and offered him Heaven.
Now, a Catholic is usually baptized at birth- like many babies are - yet the sacrament of confirmation - done as a young teen - is the person's opting to accept Jesus him or herself. We take on a Saint's name as symbolic of taking Christ in to our lives. As you've likely noticed the Catholic Church is full of symbolism!
I would ask how you "know" you are remaining worthy until the end of your life? We are all human and fallible. No one person is perfect - even Mother Theresa had her "sins" (which believe me, in my mind, were nothing, but were big ones to her because they involved doubt and stuff like that) - and to me it is up to God who knows our hearts and souls. There are always those not in total control of actions and such - who might have chosen to take drugs in the first place - but once under the influence behaved in a way totally foreign to their normal behavior - and others in the grip of severe mental illness who commit disturbing acts - we can judge their actions but can we judge another's heart and soul? What is our yardstick to measure ourselves by? Even Christ on earth had his moments of temper and doubt and anguish. He questioned His Father. Yet his was His ultimate acceptance of God's will in the end that mattered. But how many of us really know God's will for our lives? You can pray all you want - but where is that filter that separates our subjective will from that of God's? For some religions, that's where a third party comes in - a confessor - priest - or another minister -for guidance - and yet even then we have to be careful another is not leading us in to the wrong path based on his or her inability to discern the voice of God.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my post.
I don't think Mormonism is very different from most of the faiths people in the US practice. Admittedly this is coming from someone who wasn't raised in any flavor of Christianity. I lived in a small town with a sizable LDS contingent for about fifteen years. I didn't see any horns or tails or notice any sulfurous odors. They tended to be better citizens than I am, but I didn't hold it against them.
I don't think polygamy is inherently evil. I'm not sure it's practical, but many cultures have practiced it for long periods of time without any harm.
I thought it was pretty well known too until I came to the Gather community. Then I realized it was not as known as I thought it was. :)
Are you trying to get me in trouble? :)
I wasn't sure my posts were welcome in your group so I had not submitted them. Thank you for letting me know they are welcome.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
I wasn't offended, I just did not want to submit my post where it was not welcome. Thanks for letting me know it is welcome in your group.
Have a wonderful day.