Mormon converts who are already polygamist

[_madeleine]

No. For the third time, no.

I'm not asking again. I just have not seen an answer that is official policy. People are guessing, as far as I can tell.

??? What does celibacy have to do with any of this?

It appears to me that people are saying the "other wives" are required to live a life of celibacy.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Madeline,

If a man has numerous legal wives and wants to become a member of the CoJCoLDS, he is required to have only one wife (I suppose he could pick which one he wants to continue to have sex with). He would be required to divorce the "other women," but of course could remain as friends and provide financially for them as he wishes. They could all live together but he would not be married to them nor would he be allowed to have sex with these other women.

Unless he is required by law to provide for his children, he doesn't have to according to the LDS church. In other words, unless there is a court mandate for child support it would not be a requirement for him to join the church or go to the temple. The question If I recall correctly is, do you pay your child support (or something along these lines), not, do you provide for all your offspring. He is NOT obligated to provide for his former wives, unless, again, there is a court mandate for spousal support.

The other women would be able to marry and would not be required to live a life of celibacy.

~td~

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Hello. This is my first post and it's because I have a question about how the LDS Church handles converts to Mormonism who are already in polygamous marriages. Such as those coming from Islam or tribal cultures in Africa. Do they convert as they are? Are they sealed in a Mormon temple, as polygamist relationships? If not, what happens to these marriages?

Mormonism is a white American church.

Regardless of which country laws or traditions you are accustomed to, if you join Mormonism you will be expected to look, act, and align yourself with the white American members.

[_emilysmith]

A "Second Manifesto" against polygamy was issued in 1904 that clarified that all members of the LDS Church were prohibited from performing or entering into polygamous marriages, no matter what the legal status of such unions was in their respective countries of residence.

It is well documented that members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve apostles continued to secretly sanction at least some plural marriages through 1904, when Joseph F. Smith issued the second manifesto.

[_madeleine]

A "Second Manifesto" against polygamy was issued in 1904 that clarified that all members of the LDS Church were prohibited from performing or entering into polygamous marriages, no matter what the legal status of such unions was in their respective countries of residence.

It is well documented that members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve apostles continued to secretly sanction at least some plural marriages through 1904, when Joseph F. Smith issued the second manifesto.

What was the policy for the existing polygamous marriages at this time (1904)? Were people required to live monogamously?

edit: I googled. :)

http://www.onlineutah.com/polygamyhistoryembry.shtml

So, in the historical context, polygamous Mormons lived as polygamists until their deaths. Does this set a precedent for those who are converts in polygamist relationships?

[_MsJack]

Does this set a precedent for those who are converts in polygamist relationships?

You would think that, but it doesn't. The church has become very sensitive to attacks over the polygamy issue in the time since its pre-manifesto polygamous families died out and has made it a policy to not allow polygamous members at all, not even when the marriages were formed prior to conversion and polygamy is legal and culturally acceptable in the country in question. Potential converts can either get rid of the extra spouses or they aren't permitted to join.

[_truth dancer]

So, in the historical context, polygamous Mormons lived as polygamists until their deaths. Does this set a precedent for those who are converts in polygamist relationships?

Jack answered this but I'll add a little...

If a man in (or from) another country with numerous wives wanted to join the LDS church he must divorce all but one of his wives. To join the LDS church a man is allowed one and only one living legal wife. There are no exceptions.

The divorced wives, are divorced and can remarry as they wish.

Now, I know of no restriction from the LDS church of a man living with numerous women in the household so long as they are not having sex and are not legally married. It would be similar to having a family allow a MIL, Aunt, sister, or SIL, live with them.

I think this sort of situation would be unusual but I suppose it is possible. To be honest I find it hard to believe it would ever come up, but I suppose anything can happen. :-)

~td~

[_madeleine]

I don't know how often it happens. I only ask because of third hand (if not fourth or fifth) comment from someone I know. Who knows missionaries (not LDS) in Africa, who have commented that LDS converts in Africa are remaining practicing polygamists.

So I was just curious at what the official policy is, and how it was arrived at.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Madeline,

Well, given that the LDS church has a history of denying polygamy while secretly practicing it, I suppose it is possible that there are indeed LDS members who still engage in "the practice."

During the early years of the LDS church, few members knew what was going on behind closed doors... even while polygamy was alive and well with the higher ups, Joseph Smith denied it, canonized scriptures denied it, official doctrine denied it and yet, well, it went on and on and on.

;-)

[_madeleine]

OK. :)

I am aware that African converts to Christianity are sometimes syncretic. So it doesn't surprise me to hear that cultural practices in Africa are retained by Mormon converts. Could be those who are practicing it still (if they are) see nothing wrong with it, and no one has bothered to tell them. Or, they have been taught but choose to ignore what they don't want to adhere to.

At any rate, thanks everyone for the information. Though I'd still be interested in reading something official, from LDS.org. But I understand that some of Mormon practice and belief cannot be found there. :)

Peace be with you all.

m