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Our site is now hosting an interesting paper written by Curtis Henderson titled “Interpreting and Interrupting Polygamy.” Here are some convenient links in this post, but it is also listed now in the “Additional Support Resources” section of our website. The full paper with all the ideas explored:http://www.staylds.com/docs/InterpretingAndInterruptingPolygamy-FULL.pdf The compact and shorter version:http://www.staylds.com/docs/ShouldWeDefendOurPastPolygamy-SHORT.pdf There are a couple of things I find interesting and useful about the articles:
1. They use strong internal LDS authority sources to explain polygamy in our history in a way that presents it as an error, but also leaves open the door to a broader view of an ongoing Restoration of the Gospel. It think this is really important and different compared to other analysis pieces I have read. It allows for a possible preservation of faith in the overall process of Restoration, while pointing out that on a practical level it has always been a messy business.
2. This article thoroughly debunks the “cult of personality” in our LDS culture that dysfunctionally developed around leaders over time (in my opinion). I was already familiar with many of the primary source quotes such as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young preaching against blind faith and obedience; however, I think this article pulls that all together in a useful and potentially faith-preserving way.
3. The author makes a strong case for Monogamy as the eternal norm. I think that helps resolve a LOT of the messy problems we talk about here when digging into the details of Sealing.
4. The article does all this in a positive and uplifting way, IMO. That is often hard to pull off.
I would love to hear what others think of it. I’m excited to have this as a resource for people in our community. Questions about sealing, temple marriage, family relationships and MOST especially the fallibility of prophets are often discussed here.
I think #3 is important (that monogamy is the eternal norm) – and I think it’s taught that way in the Book of Mormon (that something else can be a temporary option, but that monogamy is the norm). Realizing only that would blunt the tendency to give special weight to the most forceful statements that were required to justify the end product of Brigham’s polygamy – and I think it’s instructive that the practice required such forceful statements and couldn’t be implemented with simple counsel, especially when you consider how “faithful” the people generally were at that time. Also, the fact that such forceful statements did NOT succeed with many (most) faithful members also is highly instructive, imo. I have read the short version and want to go back to the long version now and pick it apart a chunk at a time. I find this a good resource with some good ideas. Things that struck me first:
1) The idea that the world doesn’t leave polygamy issue with mormons alone perhaps because we don’t leave it alone.
2) The predisposing tendencies…”Polygamy was not a novel idea in the early Church culture.” – This has always been interesting to me since I picked up on the idea from Bushman’s RSR book, that Joseph, like almost everything he did, invented few original ideas, but was a master at pulling ideas from his era and putting them together with a new paradigm that made sense to some people and then implemented them. B.Young institutionalized it in a way that Mormons will now forever be associated with it, but polygamy was one of many things Joseph got ideas from scripture study, and many other groups also saw these things in the scriptures and also had their ideas and tried it periodically.
3) The article adds an idea that can be applied to so many things (my mind is racing with ideas), the idea of the mysterious “relationship between Babylon (the world) and Israel (the covenant people).”
Quote:Perhaps we are yoked to discover how to avoid uncontrolled governmentanduncontrolled religion. Babylon chastens Israel while Israel serves and calls Babylon to repentance. Unfortunately, both tend to doubt God’s hand in the other’s role. This last point is similar to D&C 121:39 … “the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” If this applies to ALL (wo)men, why would that exclude Joseph and Brigham?
We see the role of Babylon keeping in check Israel all through the scriptures. Lamanites to Nephites, US Government to Salt Lake Mormons (in multiple cases and continues today). The point is, while we have a prophet…we NEED the world to keep us in check. One more reason I must evaluate prophets’ words and teachings with my own spirit and rationale and experience.
To me, this helps really explain the fallacy of church leaders and that God allows mistakes but provides means to course correct. All of God’s children are part of His plan. The polygamy past we have can provide many important lessons to us, and remind us of God’s work with His children just as other scriptural accounts provide such learnings.
:problem: I have more thoughts, but appreciated this article in stirring them up.
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