DiscussMormonism.com

This is from Wikipedia.

As early as the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, LDS doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable so long as it was commanded by God. The Book of Jacob condemned polygamy as adultery, but left open the proviso that "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise, they shall hearken unto these things."[41] Thus, the LDS Church today teaches that plural marriage can only be practiced when specifically authorized by God. According to this view, the 1890 Manifesto and/or 1904 Manifesto rescinded God's prior authorization given to Joseph Smith.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism_and_polygamy

My question is why God would have commanded polygamy in the short period of 1844 to 1890 (especially if there were more men than women among the pioneer Saints)?

How would this "raise up seed" to Him?

God was highly concerned that Joseph's needs be met in every way, whether they be sexual, monetary, political or other. God was really looking out for Joseph.

inquiringmind wrote:This is from Wikipedia.

As early as the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, LDS doctrine maintained that polygamy was allowable so long as it was commanded by God. The Book of Jacob condemned polygamy as adultery, but left open the proviso that "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise, they shall hearken unto these things."[41] Thus, the LDS Church today teaches that plural marriage can only be practiced when specifically authorized by God. According to this view, the 1890 Manifesto and/or 1904 Manifesto rescinded God's prior authorization given to Joseph Smith.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism_and_polygamy

My question is why God would have commanded polygamy in the short period of 1844 to 1890 (especially if there were more men than women among the pioneer Saints)?

How would this "raise up seed" to Him?

If the saints would have practiced monogamy, in all likelihood there would have been more children—there wasn’t a shortage of men, and women have more children if their husband is monogamous.

So it’s been argued that “raising up seed unto God” has to do with the quality of Saints, not the quantity.

For example, Brigham Young’s 42nd wife was the 16-year old Lucy Bigelow, who had three children with Brigham. She probably would have had more children if she were married to somebody who was monogamous, but since she married Brigham she only had three. The key thing to note is that those three children were all descendents of Brigham Young. This means that in terms of “raising up seed unto God,” Lucy having three kids who were descendents of Brigham was superior to having more kids who had a less prestigeous father.

Thus, the church is now better off with so many Mormons who are not only descendent of “pioneer stock,” but descendent of the upper-crust pioneers who were so elect that God gave them multiple wives.

inquiringmind wrote:My question is why God would have commanded polygamy in the short period of 1844 to 1890 (especially if there were more men than women among the pioneer Saints)?

How would this "raise up seed" to Him?

God has a wicked sense of humor. You only need to look at elephants, giraffes and Michele Bachmann to realize this. Not to mention choosing a confessed conman as a prophet.

This is also pretty good proof that God is a male. No woman would have commanded polygamy.

It's a size thing. The bigger your harem on earth the bigger it is for eternity.

Thank you, but I'm really interested in any thoughts believing Mormons might have.

Aren't there any here?

inquiringmind wrote:Thank you, but I'm really interested in any thoughts believing Mormons might have.

Aren't there any here?

Sorry (sometimes I can't help myself). I'd be interested to hear any good reasons, too.

How would this "raise up seed" to Him?

Numbers of seed isn't the only thing that seems to meet the definition of "raise up seed". Numbers children raised in strong active believing families also seems plausible.

1890 - 1844 = 46

46 YEAR.

According to Abraham 3:4 ( And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its atimes and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a bday unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand cyears according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest. This is the reckoning of the Lord’s dtime, according to the reckoning of Kolob.) that 46 year is 1 hour 6 minute 14,4 sec, after the manner of the Lord.

The Lord (whoever he/she/it is) seems to change his mind very frequently.

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by the way
1. The revolution of any celestial/heavenly object has nothing to do with going the time. The people who will reach the Uranus, will not live 84 times more. (For apologists: yes, the Book of Abraham is not a scientific text)
2. The online scriptures work stupid way. The copy-paste operation should not convey the index letters as normal characters. (atimes, bday, cyears, dtime...)
3. Shades could write a two-volume book about the stupid sentences of Book of Abraham (and all other Scriptures).

bcspace wrote:

How would this "raise up seed" to Him?

Numbers of seed isn't the only thing that seems to meet the definition of "raise up seed". Numbers children raised in strong active believing families also seems plausible.

I think I get your point, but could you help me better understand how the polygamy the Church practiced in the 1840's, 50's, 60's, etc. would have led to more children being raised in strong, active, believing families?