People News
Mitt Romney against 'Big Love'
By Stone Martindale May 11, 2007, 14:53 GMT
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Why is Romney on trial here for strange social practices in his religion over a century ago, or strange statments made by Brigham Young? This is completely unfair and bigoted. Who is coming through the history of other candidates' religions to find strange practices or statements in the past? Look at the prejudice against blacks in the South up until the 1960s, for example, 90% of Baptist churches in the south allowed NO blacks to be members, it was segregation, until the 1960s. Where is all the talk about this and related issues in all of the southern presidential candidates over the years. Nada. The press is just looking for attention-grabbing sound bites, this is a non-issue. Get back to the issues, our country is going bankrupt, the economy is in a tailspin and the international security issues are huge, we are running out of energy, destroying the planet, and not even providing health care to America's poor. Wake up and smell the coffee folks, or for Mitt, I guess wake up and smell the hot chocolate... :)
interesting...the Mormon against the Moron (with a whitemans hair cut)
I find it of concern that Mr. Romney 'can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy.' Certainly, this practice has been harmful to people in the past (and, in some cases, in the present), but there are many arguably 'more awful' things happening the world . . . the Darfur genocide, the Iraq civil war, or, if you don't want to look that far afield, the decay of our own country's educational infrastructure to the point where the middle class can barely afford a college education, let alone the low-income and poor families and individuals out there. I would hope that our nation's next leader could look beyond the specifics of a particular religious faith and get on with the business of leading a whole nation.
Romney's religion is important, because peoples religious veiws have a huge effect on their attitudes, beliefs, actions, and sensibilities. If George Bush was not the 'holier than thow' born again christian on a mission from god that he is, seperation of church and state would still exist, the rest of the world might not hate america, and women's health care issues would still lie firmly in the control of accredited physicians. In this day and age a politicians religous views are a big issue.
The problem with discussing the merits of the Mormons (LDS) history and LDS beliefs is it opens discussion on the merits and beliefs of Christianity and Judism. You can select text from any of these religions see they are all filled with whacko ideas. Each is a spin off from the previous religion. The book of Mormon is just so current, that it can be easily shown as complete fraud. Christians eat the body of Christ, and blood of Christ every Sunday.
In the old testiment, God asked Abraham to kill his son on an alter. Kind of a sick God? Tall tales in each religion. Great for movies, not for reality.
jenibeth,
I think when he said, 'I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy', I think he was talking on a male/female relationship basis. I do not think he is putting that in the same category as world hunger and genocide.
Mitt Romney should not be judged against obscure comments made by past leaders of his faith. I'm sure if you did some digging, you would find racist comments from past leaders of Catholicism, Protestant churches, Islam, Buddhism, etc. MEDIA: Please do not single out a 21st century candidate because of comments stated by a religious leader from the 19th century! Give him a break!
Mormons aside, polyamory is alive and growing in the US, and around the world.
Ask my wife, or my lover, or my wife's lover.
What the FLDS folks practice is a male-dominated thing that is very unlike the common practice of polyamory outside mormon circles. Put 'polyamory' into google to learn more.
I don't begrudge the man his religion, but I do think it's amusing that he's seen as somewhat of an idiot for believing one set of 'holy stories' by people who have a different set of 'holy stories' that are every bit as incoherent.
Do we really need a scary guy in the sky to force us to be kind to each other?
I don't think so.
Only liberal racists are allowed to live their lives without being questioned. If you are a conservative like David Duke, forget it. If you're just as bad of a racist but your liberal then you're given a pass. Examples: Maxine Waters, (D) CA, Robert 'KKK' Byrd, (D)Sen WVl, Mary Senger, racist founder of Planned Abortionhood.
I'm sure plenty a woman would rather be a rich man's second (or third, fourth, etc.) wife, than a poor man's first wife.
The mormon faith says they no longer believe in polygamy, but in their 'Doctrine and Covenants' (considered to be sacred scripture) in section 132, It expains that polygamy is an eternal law and will be practiced in the afterlife, as well as here on earth. Maybey they should delete this section.
I cannot see why LDS history is made an issue for Romney. Does anyone recall Kennedy (Catholic) being asked about the Spanish Inquisition? Also, his family's polygomy was four or five generations ago, while Barak Obama's father ... ONE GENERATION ... was a bigomist. So why isn't this an issue with Obama? It all comes down to a one-sided media trying working the double standard!
This story isn't well-written. Why the quote by Brigham Young about blacks? It has no place in the story. The story is about Romney and his comments on polygamy and tying in a quote from Young on blacks in an effort to prove racism is cheap, at best. Thanks for reporting Romney's comments, as the headline indicated--halfway down the page.
the story holds up why the flap about polygamy is more important that the racism inherent in Mormonism-and it is dead on.
You are reading the article 'poorly.'
As far as the comment made stating 'obscure statements', you must understand these statements were made by what mormons consider prohets and apostles, and there fore taken as Doctrine.
For is it limited to Brigham Young or Joseph Smith. 20th Century leader have made simialr comments: Spencer Kimball, Bruce McConkie, Joesph F Smith, Ezra T Benson. The rhetoric died out in 1978 when blacks were allowed to hold the priesthood.
Sorry - Mormonism's heritage bespeaks copious amounts of racist doctrine - Even the Book of Mormon's morality tales speak (often) of god turning skin 'white and delightsome', or 'dark and loathsome' according whethor or they followed god's commandments. This is what they 'believe', and Mitt is a believer in the words of the prophets and apostles, otherwise his temple recommend is invalid.
The discussion of the origins of Native Americans is another issue that is similarly flawed.
Seperation of Church and State. Maybe our Forefathers had a reason for that?
Why does the media dig up this dirt up? Why do we allow the presidential race to become this 'Hollywood Drama Fest'? Its time for us to stop. The President is here to run the country not be portrayed as a hollywood tabliod.
Look at the presidential campaign in france. 85% of the population voted and sadly neither of those candidates would have even made it to the presidential race in our country because of their private lifes. France the country we make fun of in the USA shows more maturity and diginity than we do in our presidential race.
It is time for us Americans to open up our eyes and ask and expect things do be done in regards to Education, prison system, health care, and staying the strongest economy in the world. Wake Up People All our Major Companies are leaving here and going to third world countries and selling us products that everyone else is paying 3 times less for in the world. I feel like Im being scammed. Thats The candidate I want someone who is going to solve the problems.
I dont care about race, religion, sex and any private part of their lives.
Xotie has it right and some of the other folks are missing the point. These are not just statements by some Mormon. The founders of the church, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young are factually racist polygamists. That is akin to a quote from Jesus spewing hate against fellow humans. Mormonism also believes that any member can speak directly to God and must follow Gods wishes. Very dangerous belief that has led to horrible crimes that God has 'sanctioned'. Not exactly what we need in the white house.
How come Al Sharpton can make bigoted comments and then say I'm sorry I didn't mean it and every thing goes away. Imus said I'm sorry I didn't mean it and he was crucified in the news for weeks and then lost his job. Al Sharpton makes racist remarks but that's ok. Now somehow Rommney is getting dragged through the mud for his religious beliefs because of something somebody else said. Racism is racism and its not ok, I don't care who you are.
I wish my pastor would let ME practice polygamy! But do I really have to be married to more women? I only wanted to have a littel fun with Monica, not marry her.
Why is he being scrutinized for something his ancestors did over a century ago? 90% of the people in congress and senate had grandparents who were slave owners.
ATTENTION ALL CHRISTIANS - if you believe in the Bible, then you certainly have discovered that in the Old Testament polygamy was practiced by men of god, and aren't all nuns married to the same person??????????
I think the article and comments I've read go to prove the double standard shown by the media and our society. If someone says something about blacks, Jews, Muslims, or someone of untraditional sexual preference, then they are attacked unrelentlessly. But when someone says something about Christians, Mormons, etc., where is the public outcry?
I'm not a Mitt-lover or an Obama-lover, but I believe that a political candidate's personal life is valid in a campaign, despite what France may think. We're choosing someone who's personal opinions have a huge impact on our economy, security, society, etc. How is it that we could expect anyone to not be biased by their own vision of morality? There are alot of people smart enough to make the decisions needed to lead America. There aren't near as many moral enough.
As far as Mitt and Obama go, it's up to each person to judge those characteristics for themselves.
Im sorry but this article was poorly written. The writters research was selective and shallow. One only needs to delve deeper into LDS History to find several instances of how fairly Blacks were treated by Latter-Day Saints at a time when it was unpopular. Mormons were abolitionists, and they recieved a lot of persecution for it. There is one notable instance when Joseph Smith sold his own horse in order to help a former slave earn the money to free his son. The fact is also neglected that Mormons were one of the first churches to have black members stand in front of a podium to address entire congregations, people of all races. The writter is simply stating shallow facts that can easily be sensationalized to invoke an emotional reaction from readers. Good journalism would have made the article more credible.
They throw people out for being crippled or gay(not even going to touch this subject)
They believe that blacks can receive salvation, but that they will be servants to them! Ha!
Polygamy is still going strong.....
I guess it's not that he is of a different religion, but how can we let someone who has these beliefs come into power? The United States is a very diverse place, and separation of church and state or not, the Presidents beliefs shine through. Do we really want this guy being the poster child for America?
According to Romney, he 'can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy.'
This raises some interesting questions. You see, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) has never renounced polygamy. Indeed, twice yearly the church and its faithful members (which, presumably, includes Romney) sustain the 'Doctrine and Covenants' as scripture.
The problem is that the Doctrine and Covenants (called the 'D&C') has a section that says plural marriage is ordained of god. These verses are still part of the D&C and still sustained as revelation from god. Here is a short excerpt of what it says:
'And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.' [D&C 132:61]
You may want to read the entire section on the official Internet site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [Click on 'Gospel Library' then 'Scriptures' and then 'Doctrine and Covenants.' Then click on section 132.]
That's right ... Mr. Romney has and continues to sustain 'scripture' that says a man can have multiple 'virgins' as wives, and that they 'belong' to him.
That's a strange thing to sustain, if Mr. Romney really believes polygamy to be 'awful.'
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never repudiated polygamy, but they did act on the 'advice' of President Wilford Woodruff to stop practicing plural marriage. This is known as 'Official Declaration 1' and you can read it at the church's official Internet site. [Click on 'Gospel Library' then 'Scriptures' and then 'Doctrine and Covenants.' Then click on 'Official Declaration 1.]
The problem with Romney's comment about plural marriage being 'awful' is pretty obvious. On the one hand he wants to be perceived as an active Mormon -- so he (along with all the other members of the church) sustains as scripture Smith's justification for plural marriage in D&C 132.
On the other hand, Romney wants to be a viable candidate for US President. So he needs to distance himself from the church's 'awful' doctrines like plural marriage.
But what do *we* as Americans want? Do we really want a wishy-washy man who will say whatever it takes to get elected, never knowing where he really stands on issues, and how he'll really act?
Duwayne Anderson
Author of 'Farewell to Eden: Coming to terms with Mormonism and science'
Hannah you are so misinformed it is both sad and entertaining. Your writing is as awful as the writer of this article, wouldn't even qualify you for the back cover of Enquirer or Star magazine. To the writer of this article, I will never pay another of your articles even a minute of my lunch break, because your bias overpowers your writing and reveals your ignorance and lack of newswriting talent.
Where is the reference for that quote?
Duwayne Anderson, unless you can come up with as much research about the other candidates and their religion's ugly pasts, then just reveal your motivation against Mormonism for what it is. Mormons do not practice polygamy, they used to practice polygyny you idiot, similar to that in the bible, or are you going to renounce the bible next? Got any letters behind your name to give you any credibility? reread your rantings about mormons and polygamy and your loose justification for claiming they still believe it. I am not a Mormon and even I know your argument is flawed and outdated. You don't have to vote for MR because you think his Mormon background is awful, but tell me who you are going to vote for so I can give you the real religious dirt on them too. Play fair and recognize the good he has done already for this country, or everyone will know you are biased without a solid argument. At least identify the pros and cons and let people be smart enough to choose for themselves. Silly.
In high school I was in the process of converting, until these issues came up in discussions with elders, so I think hearing it from the horses mouth is pretty accurate. And I'm sorry but I didn't know that commenting on an article meant that I had to be an amazing writer.
Mormons and Scientologists are the best organized at having 24/7 platoons of web watchers scouring for every net article written and posting comments that use the same brainwashing techniques to make the writer of the article seem bigoted.
Duwayne Anderson- Your profile on Amazon.com reveals your attempts to explain religion with science (physics), or least with whatever physics they taught 3 decades ago anyway. Sadly, your life has been consumed with trying to make right in your own mind the 'wrongs' given you by being raised as a Mormon and then later being unable to prove it with science. Change your profile Duwayne, or everyone is going to know how insecure you are in life and they might actually think your life has been consumed by these awful family values you were taught growing up. Were you a polygamist too when you were Mormon? It took you 30 years to figure out what you preached the first 30 years of your life was not explainable by science? Slow learner? Religion is explained purely on faith, they all are (well I don't know about Scientology) and when science helps out that is a lot of fun, but don't ever expect to find more scientific proof of God than what we already know.
That Romney is concerned about polygamy above all is telling. That practice was officially banned in 1890, long before he was born.
But the racist doctrine of the church persisted well into the 20th century. The 1958 book of Mormon Doctrine said:
'The negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned, particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow therefrom, but this inequality is not of man's origin. It is the lord's doing... '
That changed, probably under threat of law, but certainly by adverse public opinion. In 1978, Apostle Spencer W. Kimball had a revelation reversing doctrine, and blacks were given full membership in the church.
So, Romney's family, and he himself, worshipped in an officially white supremacist church. It would be nice if that troubled him.
in response to Duwayne Anderson
Romney is quoted in saying polygamy is 'awful' and what you apparently are not informed of, is that most of the members agree with him. Many people in the LDS church today do not fully understand why polygamy happened and certainly do not support it now. The church itself is very much against it.
The Church follows it's prophets, this is true, but the withholding of the priesthood from blacks and the practice of plural marriage are against the will of God. Instead of the past prophets, here's a quote from the current Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley:
'I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. They know they are in violation of the law. They are subject to its penalties. The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter.
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.'
That's what Romney supports.
Polygamy is very much a taboo subject in our church's history, but it is just that, history. History that Romney had no part in. All these arguments are against things the church's past, things that the church no longer supports nor tolerates. This is what I would call grasping at straws.
1) The LDS conveniently dropped polygamy when they realized that they would never obtain statehood for Utah with polygamy.
2) Polygamy is many marriage partners technically speaking, LDS practice(d) Polygyny...many wives, a type of polygamy.
3) Religion is important in selecting a leader of the free world. If you have a president who belongs to a faith that teaches the second coming (always to occur in our life time) is going to happen, then why bother with the environment, energy policy, et cetera. If you have a religion that teaches you that the second coming is heralded by the completion of a Jewish state of Israel along with a big battle there...it will affect your foreign policy.
4) Mormons are a remarkably white religion but there are others as well.
5) Religiosity is on the increase in the USA.
6) Religiosity increases in times of societal stress (e.g. income desparity, war, environmental catastrophes (global climate change))...
7) Anyone who has ever spent time in Utah or Idaho can tell you that the LDS is obsessed with gaining political power.
8) Jack Mormons (ex-Mormons) are excomunicated from the church and are not allowed within their churches whatsoever.
9) Mormons believe Jesus walked among the Native Americans to teach them his gospel after he 'died' on the cross.
10) No one is picking on Mormons for believing what they do...but what you believe shapes your behavior. For example, if you elect somebody who believes in UFOs and little grey men, well...it will impact NASA funding and will probably affect the aluminium industry (all those aluminium foil hats we will have to wear to keep them from our brane waves)...
Arguing online is like racing in the Special Olympics... if you win, you're still retarded.
The article points out the disparate argument that the shameful past of polygamy in Mormon history is even more disturbing than their latter day prophets INSANE ramblings about white racial superiority. The author posted this story in people news, and Romney is an interesting person to dissect-especially his policy flip flops over the years. Every religion has shameful silly stories they hold up as truths.
I can't much worse than having to deal with more than one wife....
This is a witless point of discussion, as is Obama's relative blackness or Hillary's femininity. We have thousands of troops stationed in hostile territory. Our standing as a nation in the world is at a very low ebb. Our schools graduate ignoramuses or a regular basis and the Southern boarder with Mexico leaks like a sieve. Who cares whether, if or what someone believes with respect to God or marriage partners?
I want to know the actual reason we invaded Iraq. I want someone with judgement and foresight enough to know that how ever important the issues of this day seem, tomorrow is more important. I don't particularly care what a candidate's position is on any issue. Can they think? Can they discriminate between a compromise that works and self-serving political expediency? If there is someone out there like that please respond.
The issue of polygamy aside, do the American people really want a president who believes in a religion founded by a man (Joseph Smith) who claims to have been visited by both god and Jesus Christ, in Palmyra, N.Y., when he was 14 years old? A religion, based in part, on the text of golden plates, supposedly unearthed by Joseph Smith at age 17, in upstate New York, written in 'reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics' - a language that does not exist. Do they really want a president whose church requires that members wear special underwear to religious services? A church that doesn't allow non-members to even enter the building. Do they really want a president whose religion still believes that the only proper place for women is in the home, making babies? I'd vote for a gun-toting, fire-breathing sunni muslim before I voted for Mitt Romney!
I am a married mother. I am currently inactive in the Church but still consider myself to be Mormon. My ancestors were sent personally by Brigham Young to scout the Idaho Territory. My Great-Great Grandparents were polygamists. I am not necessarily proud of it, but they were doing the best they could to take care of all the women and children left after ALMOST ALL THE MEN WERE KILLED before they were forced to flee West. Polygamy was abandoned by the Church when it was determined no longer necessary. I don't feel that makes me a bad person or morally inferior to anyone else. In fact, I was taught very strict moral values through the church. I am surprised the Reverend Al Sharpton made such a bigoted statement, though, considering what his people have been through I expect more from him. We do believe in God, Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit. I don't believe anyone has the right to make statements about a religion unless they have thoroughly researched it first. I was taught my responsibilities are to help support my husband in keeping the house & raising our child. That, to me, is the foundation of a true marriage & what is most lacking in the moral fabric of today's society. Unfortunately this is the first time I've seen a Mormon presidential candidate...I guess now I know why. It's become obvious prejudice against Mormons is still very prevalent in this country. I am very disappointed.
Just curious. How does having 10+ wives help them populate the territory faster when one considers the fact there was not a shortage of males.
The polygamy favored the elite, and was all about selfishness, as it usually is.
You should have done more research. Romney was on Jay Leno last week and did talk about the church's past with African-Americans. Nice try.
Probably no Mormon scripture has been changed more times than the prophecy Concerning the Lamanites (Indians) in II Nephi 30:6. Mormonism has consistently taught a dark skin is a sign of God's displeasure. (see II Nephi 5:21, Alma 3:6, I Nephi 12:23)
However, with the change of the Negroes receiving the Priesthood in 1978, Mormon leaders are attempting to cover up this embarrassing teaching concerning skin color.
'... many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a WHITE and a delightsome people.' (1830 Edition, p. 117)
'... PURE and delightsome people.' (1840 Edition)
'...WHITE and delightsome people.' (All later editions until 1981)
'... PURE and delightsome people.' (1981 Edition, II Nephi 30:6)
Although the Mormon Church does not have the dictated, handwritten manuscript of the Book of Mormon at this point, the R.L.D.S. Church has the handwritten printers copy, which was given to the printer to set the type for the first printing. It too agrees with the 1830 Edition and says, 'WHITE.'
From my perspective, he has little chance in becoming a president. Given the racist Mormon doctrine and bizarre concepts of Gods and planets, I believe rational people will support an individual who can be trusted to make the right decision for the right reasons. Not from a faith that is based on surreal concepts.
Kurt--Mormons are Heretics...that's what all the hubbub is about
'John P.May 11th, 2007 - 18:34:51
Arguing online is like racing in the Special Olympics... if you win, you're still retarded.'
He's absolutely right!
Sincerely,
Retarded (formally known as Rational)
What is the big whoop about Polygamy? We have libnazi's prattling on about gay civil unions. Why is it anyone's business who you associate with?
Why are you trying to put the past in the present? What about the history of the Catholic church before Martin Luther and other protestors? What about what John McCain's great great grandfather did? Or what about any of the other candidates religion's history? Didn't a lot of people in this nation feel about blacks (in the 1800s) just like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young?
The libnazi driveby slime machine really can't let a Mormon get a free ticket up the ladder, no matter what. A Marxist? Absolutely, but not a Mormon.
Here is a guy who exemplifies bipartisanship, a conservative governor in THE liberal state! If you can't embrace that, how can anyone talk about bipartisanship?
No one is without a history that seems repulsive to us now. It comes from our misunderstanding of the historical context. What about Jesus Christ calling a woman a Dog because she was a different race (Matthew 15:26). READ IT. It doesn't make me Think less of Christ.
don't let black sharpton hear that
' Didn't a lot of people in this nation feel about blacks '
What ' nation ' ? After 25 years of education i see no nation that is not ' racist ' not even in Africa .
That is just the way human being are . If you are talking about the Uninted States of America nation , at leat they admit it and expose it and make movies and television shows about it criticizing themselves .
Many feel that Mormonism is simply a cult founded by the convicted criminal, Joseph Smith. The church holds records of his criminal conviction in NY for money digging and fraud, AND being a disorderly person. He killed two men in a shootout, after destroying a printing press that printed an opposing viewpoint to his dictatorial rule. He had 35 wives. He was involved in financial frauds and scandals. The church under B.Young committed the Mountain Meadows massacre in which men, women and children were gunned down en masse. They follow Masonic rituals (Joe was a Mason) which are closely modeled on witchcraft. (the special underwear is to ward off evil spirits)
The doctrine is heavily whitewashed and they attempt to appear mainstream.
The original doctrines and temple rituals are largely unknown to most members, the church practices 'Milk before Meat' (cult love bombing before revealing the strange doctrine many years later)
They fit almost every point for destructive cults. (secretive, paranoid, outside the mainstream, follow charasmatic leader, require large amounts of money and time from adherents)
Check out exmormon.org for the chilling tales and escapes of members from this cult.
This is a quick response to your blurb about Mormons sustaining D&C scripture twice a year about plural marriage. The scripture you quoted is correct, but you must also understand that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints must follow and obey the laws of the land.
Article of Faith # 12 says, 'We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.'
This is a quick response to your blurb about Mormons sustaining D&C scripture twice a year about plural marriage. The scripture you quoted is correct, but you must also understand that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints must follow and obey the laws of the land.
Article of Faith # 12 says, 'We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.'
Americans practice polygamy too, the only difference is they call it a friend, a one-night stand, etc.. not a dedicated life partner.. I dont like polygamy, but I think the entire country are hypocrites. With a 60% divorce rate, I think we can certainly consider ourselves polygamists.. We marry one person, get bored, get rid of them, then go to the next.. So, who wants to condemn a person who marries multiple women and cares for all of them.. Sure the marriage has less meaning , but I don't see how the average marriage in America is more meaningful. And again, how many people are virgins at marriage in USA, like 1%??
The article on the front page of this website is grossly inaccurate. Joseph Smith was not shot during a presidential campaign. His was illegally arrested and imprisoned for his religious beleifs and shot and killed by an angry mob that stormed Carthage Jail Illinois where he was imprisoned.
'Mormons' as they are nick named, in the early days of the church were sorely persecuted, driven by angry mobs from town to town as their homes, cities, and temple burned to the ground.
They even had an extermination order issued against them by the governor of Missouri, making it legal to kill a Mormon in that state up until 1970! What other people in US history have been so discrimianted against?
The truth is, active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) believe that Jesus is the Christ, and they try to live His teachings found in the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon (another testiment of Jesus Christ). They make covenants at baptism to lead a Christ-life as best they can by serving others, and striving to live moral and honest lives.
Mormons donate 10% of their income to help grow the church and provide welfare for those in distress. They have comprehensive and organized welfare warehouses in cities all over the US that provide food, clothing, and medicine to people in times of emergency and natural disaster. They had truck loads of supplies on the way to New Orleans before hurricane Katrina even made land fall. Numerous people, including military personel, were amazed at the organized relief provided by Mormons after Katrina and all over the world.
Every religious group has individuals who do not represent their church in a positive light but the Mormons as a collective whole really do strive to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ because doing so brings them happiness.
The article on the front of this website is grossly inaccurate. Joseph Smith was not shot to death during a presidential campaign as Reuters purports. He was illegally arrested and killed by a mob in Carthage Jail Illinois, as he sat in his cell.
Mormons (as they are so nick named) in the early years of the church were sorely persecuted. They were forcefully driven from place to place by government officials, while the towns they built up, including their homes and religious temples, were burned to the ground.
They even had an extermination order against them, issued by Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs in 1838, making it legal to kill a Mormon in that state up until 1976! What other people in US history have faced such discrimination?
The truth is, faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) believe that Jesus is the Christ and they strive to live His teachings found in the Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ).
They donate 10% of their income to help grow the church and fast one day a month, donating the money they would have spent on food to the church welfare system to help those in need or distress. The Mormon church has one of the most, if not the most, comprehensive welfare systems in the world. They have organized welfare storage warehouses in cities all over the US with food, medicine, and clothing supplies to offer relief to anyone and everyone during times of emergency and natural disaster.
They had truck loads of relief supplies on the way to New Orleans even before hurricane Katrina made landfall. People in the Katrina disaster and similar disasters all over the world have marveled at the speed, organization, and relief the Mormon church has provided them.
Mormons make covenants at baptism to live Christ-like lives and they donate a great deal of time, money, and energy to help others, because doing so brings them happiness.
I wish the media, including websites such as these, would do their homework before reporting information about any group or individual and give people a chance to make up their own minds, rather than miss-informing or one-sidedly reporting the information.
If you are interested in the truth about polygamy or plural marriage and how it relates to the Mormon church please read on:
First and foremost, only a minority of church members ever practiced plural marriage and the practice was officailly ended in 1890. Anyone who claims to be 'Mormon' and practices plural marraige today (since 1890) is NOT an active member of the church and has most likely been ex-communicated.
Secondly, anyone who belives that the Bible is the word of God must also beleive that at one point in time God has sanctioned polygamy, or else Abraham, Issac, Jacob and other prophets who had multiple wives would have been fallen prophets.
Abraham was married to Sarai when he took Hagar to wife. Genesis: 16.
Jacob, the Father of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel, had 4 wives: Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Genesis 29-30
These men are esteemed by main stream Christians as holy prophets of God yet they practiced polygamy.
According to a revelation given to Joseph Smith, but not written down until July 12, 1843, Joseph Smith approached the Lord and asked Him why he permitted ancient prophets like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to have multiple wives. The revelation states that only God can command men to practice polygamy and that he appoints a prophet to be in charge of it when he does.
Joseph Smith was hesitant to teach this new principle and did not even share it with his closest associates for many years. According to later statements by Lorenzo Snow, and Brigham Young Joseph was himself repelled by the idea and not until an angel of Lord appeared to him and ordered him to practice it and teach it did he begin. This apparently took place sometime after 1839 when the Mormons had been driven to Nauvoo, Illinois.
Joseph Smith taught publicly that everyone should only have one wife unless God commanded otherwise, however they were wary of misunderstandings and persecution from the surrounding communities and so the practice continued in secret for a time.
The practice was officially discontinued in 1890 by a revelation given to Wilford Woodruff (the President of the church at the time)and recorded as the Manifesto.
For more and detailed historical inormation about this topic please visit mormonwiki (.com) under polygamy.
We're not all of GOD's kids. It is true GOD created all things. But there are many gods but many calm to worship GOD. There is not solid consensus among the religions, hence many version of religion. For if we were all worshiping one god wouldn't, he make one unified way of worship. One things a person should seek is to find a GOD which explains all things, not necessarily based on your way of thinking. His thoughts are not your thoughts. His ways are not your ways. He should require something the world does not accept because he is setting you apart from false worshipers.
GOD did not agree with Abraham taking Hagar as his 'wife.' Gensis 16.
Or else Ishmael would have been the Child of the promise. But He was not the Seed. GOD held only Abraham and Sarah as husband and wife because Isaac was the first born son. Two by two they entered the ark, not many. The prophets were not sent to watch over these matters. They were sent to restore justice and point to the Heir that was coming to redeem them. They preached repentance and urged the people to return to GOD or else their children passed through the fire. GOD never approved polygamy. GOD told Solomon his wives would turn his heart to other gods. GOD could not approve of this because of the first commandment.
I have a burning in my anu s could I be a mormon?
His faith is on trial because, while Mormon leaders told their followers in the 1880s not to practice what they call 'earthly polygamy', in order for Utah to achieve statehood, they DO still require it in Heaven. It is still a part of their doctrine, it has not been rescinded.
They only have to refrain from practicing it where man's law says it cannot be practiced openly.
He's prevaricating when he says it's an old practice the LDS/Mormons do not any longer condone.
Ask him publicly if he plans to ascend to the CK when he dies. Ask him how he plans to get there if he isn't also planning to practice polygamy, and watch him try and squirm his way out of that one, without excommunicating himself from his own church.
Ask him if he believes in, or in the past has participated in, 'dead dunking' or 'baptism of the dead by proxy', ie: making Mormons out of dead people who belonged to other faiths while alive. If he has a temple recommend (as all good devout Mormons must), to be able to worship in any Mormon temple, he has done it more than once, and has also encouraged his sons to do this too---so watch his face when he lies to you about that one.
Ask him if the reason he had a large family, as his leaders preach, was to support the Mormon practice of helping preborn spirit babies in heaven come to earth to posess human baby bodies--to hopefully live as Mormons here on earth.
Ask him pubicly if he's aware that the polygamous Mexican colony that his grandfather and great grandfather lived in/were born into, is still alive and well and producing more polygamists. Ask him how his second and third cousins are doing down there, or up in Canada, where they swap 14 year old girls, to avoid inbreeding.
Romney's not the only legislator, past or present, to have polygamy in the family. Arlen Spector is related to the Mormon Spectors, who are still polygamous in Canada today.
Reed Smoot was another one, a famous one only because of the controversy upon his election to office.
And if you think any of JS or BY or Romney's or Smoots or Spector's descendants think they don't have to do this up in heaven, you're wrong. If they are faithful Mormons, they certainly do believe this.
Mormons MUST be polygamous in Heaven to rise to the Celestial Kingdom or CK (the so-called Mormon Heaven, reserved for Mormons only) and to be able to have their famous 'forever families' up there and to live for eternity in God's good graces.
They will practice this heavenly polygamy while swirling around on each father's/head of household's newly created planet, where they and their many wives will spin off Mormon families into eternity and live forever; each successive wife will take her spirit babies born in heaven to a new plant she reigns upon, while 'dad' stays on his first one and keeps remarrying and procreating forvever.
Then, those spirit babies will go to earth to be reborn in a human baby's body and live out its life (hopefully, if they're lucky) as a Mormon.
where the cycle begins anew.
It's why Mormon families are so large--they are told to have as many human babies as possible, to allow the preborn spirit babies to have a physical, earthly body to descend into.
Sound nutty?
This is Mormon doctrine, from Mormon sources, I am stating here. Despite what you may have been told or what has been witheld from you in the study of LDS/Mormon doctrine and history, this is fact.
And THAT is why he and his faith are on trial.
People don't want him making jokes about this type of thing out of one side of his mouth ie: his famous quote about 'marriage being between a man and a woman...and a woman...and a woman....' and possibly condoning it, protecting it or overlooking it at the same time.
Is he a Mormon, or a man who can think separately from that faith, who can act without consequence to his eternal soul, if he does or says something, or promotes or advocates something, that the rest of have voted for him, and trusted him, to do?
I don't trust that he can do that, given the blatant prevarication on this essential point of his faith's doctrine. He's already proven to me that he will have his Mormon cap on in the White House, not his thinking cap.
And, with his finger on the button, that should scare you, too.
Mitt Romney Bain entity benefited from $300 million fraud issues that was accomplished by admitted acts of false affidavits in Delaware Federal Courts. This Perjury is not being prosecuted because the law firm that admitted the false affidavits, Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnel (MNAT) had a partner who is now the US Attorney for Delaware, Colm F Connolly. Who is now being promoted to a Federal Judge position. It seems it is a good career move to refuse to prosecute your partners, associates and clients of your firm. Wonder how much more will happen once Romney gets elected President?
www.wjfa.net/bk/etoys.html or www.laserhaas.wordpress.com
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