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I would have loved to ask this on the other board but I want everyone to be able to be forthright in their answers.

How likely is it that polygamy would be practiced by LDS if it was no longer illegal?

Why are some LDS rallying for polygamy to be legal?

Are most members aware that there is a history of polygamy?

From your personal experience do you believe most members would be okay with practicing polygamy?

I don't understand precisely what the importance of polygamy is to LDS. If anyone can expand on that I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Lets see....

How likely is it that polygamy would be practiced by LDS if it was no longer illegal?

Who knows? I think it would be highly unlikely because it would most likely be a PR disaster and the church would fall apart.

Why are some LDS rallying for polygamy to be legal?

I'm not sure who is doing the rallying but my guess is, it would be those guys who want multiple partners, and are hoping for the day to arrive.

Are most members aware that there is a history of polygamy?

I believe so yes. Until the last decade or two, the church was a bit more open about BY and others having multiple partners... I think few members are aware of the totality of what occurred with Joseph Smith, polyandry, changing partners, women moving up the ladder for more righteous men, Joseph Smith coercing girls into marriage, lying, denials, secret meetings, etc. etc. etc.

From your personal experience do you believe most members would be okay with practicing polygamy?

I think there are two groups who would joyfully embrace polygamy... those guys who want multiple partners who are checking out the girls and young ladies hoping beyond hope the day will arrive ... and those women who do not really care for an intimate relationship with a man.

I don't understand precisely what the importance of polygamy is to LDS. If anyone can expand on that I would appreciate it.

In the early days of the church it was taught, believed, and official doctrine, that one HAD to engage in polygamy in order to obtain Godhood/Goddesshood. Today, it seems that the requirement has been modified slightly to that of, one must be willing to engage in it or support the belief of polygamy. The teaching and doctrine are still that in the CKHL, men will have multiple women but women will be limited to one man.

Hope that helps...

~dancer~

We had a really nice discussion in the Celestial forum on this point of doctrine. It doesent answer all of the questions you posed, but I think you'll find it interesting:

http://mormondiscussions.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?t=1412&start=0

Or how about the day with both polygamy and gay marriage are legal?

Homosexual polygamous Mormons?

truth dancer wrote:Lets see....

How likely is it that polygamy would be practiced by LDS if it was no longer illegal?

Who knows? I think it would be highly unlikely because it would most likely be a PR disaster and the church would fall apart.

Why are some LDS rallying for polygamy to be legal?

I'm not sure who is doing the rallying but my guess is, it would be those guys who want multiple partners, and are hoping for the day to arrive.

Are most members aware that there is a history of polygamy?

I believe so yes. Until the last decade or two, the church was a bit more open about BY and others having multiple partners... I think few members are aware of the totality of what occurred with Joseph Smith, polyandry, changing partners, women moving up the ladder for more righteous men, Joseph Smith coercing girls into marriage, lying, denials, secret meetings, etc. etc. etc.

From your personal experience do you believe most members would be okay with practicing polygamy?

I think there are two groups who would joyfully embrace polygamy... those guys who want multiple partners who are checking out the girls and young ladies hoping beyond hope the day will arrive ... and those women who do not really care for an intimate relationship with a man.

I don't understand precisely what the importance of polygamy is to LDS. If anyone can expand on that I would appreciate it.

In the early days of the church it was taught, believed, and official doctrine, that one HAD to engage in polygamy in order to obtain Godhood/Goddesshood. Today, it seems that the requirement has been modified slightly to that of, one must be willing to engage in it or support the belief of polygamy. The teaching and doctrine are still that in the CKHL, men will have multiple women but women will be limited to one man.

Hope that helps...

~dancer~

Thanks for your answers dancer and gazelam. I did check out the thread gazelam and it was very helpful in explaining some of the history. I have really been meaning to get a book on LDS history. A few were suggested and I'm going to go look on amazon right now. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

And thanks to you too pp.