I don't mean to offer any defense of polygamy, as I am a modern Mormon who believes it is contrary to God's will, but, technically, the Book of Mormon says polygamy is prohibited except when God explicitly commands it. Thus, the early Mormon practice of polygamy does not violate the Book of Mormon. From a modern Mormon perspective, though, modern practitioners of polygamy are violating God's will, as God no longer authorizes plural marriages.
You mention Mormon scriptures contained in the Doctrine and Covenants that seem to approve of polygamy. Just because polygamy is retained in Mormon scriptures does not mean it is a modern doctrine. Many scriptures are retained only because of their historical significance. Mormons also consider the Old Testament to be scripture, but that doesn't mean we consider the Law of Moses to be modern doctrine. For that matter, polygamy is also mentioned in the Old Testament. Does that mean that modern Christians and Jews are secret polygamists because they have not removed the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from their scriptural cannon? Of course not.
Might I suggest that you limit your reporting to the facts and refrain from commenting on Mormon doctrine, a topic about which you are obviously not well informed?
Posted on July 1 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't mean to offer any defense of polygamy, as I am a modern Mormon who believes it is contrary to God's will, but, technically, the Book of Mormon says polygamy is prohibited except when God explicitly commands it. Thus, the early Mormon practice of polygamy does not violate the Book of Mormon. From a modern Mormon perspective, though, modern practitioners of polygamy are violating God's will, as God no longer authorizes plural marriages.
You mention Mormon scriptures contained in the Doctrine and Covenants that seem to approve of polygamy. Just because polygamy is retained in Mormon scriptures does not mean it is a modern doctrine. Many scriptures are retained only because of their historical significance. Mormons also consider the Old Testament to be scripture, but that doesn't mean we consider the Law of Moses to be modern doctrine. For that matter, polygamy is also mentioned in the Old Testament. Does that mean that modern Christians and Jews are secret polygamists because they have not removed the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from their scriptural cannon? Of course not.
Might I suggest that you limit your reporting to the facts and refrain from commenting on Mormon doctrine, a topic about which you are obviously not well informed?
On Mormon text leaves a maze of confusion