Ray A wrote:I have other reasons for not accepting polygamy, but these go into my further studies from Near Death Experiences and the afterlife, and in that context, polygamy makes absolutely no sense.
Inconceivable wrote:Ray A wrote:I have other reasons for not accepting polygamy, but these go into my further studies from Near Death Experiences and the afterlife, and in that context, polygamy makes absolutely no sense.
Ray, I would be very interested in how you view NDE/afterlife playing a part into the reasoning against polygamy.
liz3564 wrote:Since the Chastity Thread has seemed to focus in a new direction, I thought I would start a new topic.
This is the current question being asked/debated:
Did God command polygamy, or was it a cultural norm that was tolerated by God? Good men whom he chose to be prophets participated in this culture, but was it commanded?
Jersey Girl wrote:If Joseph Smith brought about the restoration of the Early CHRISTIAN Church, why would he "restore" an Old Testament practice?
How does that make sense?
Jersey Girl
Ray A wrote:Jersey Girl wrote:If Joseph Smith brought about the restoration of the Early CHRISTIAN Church, why would he "restore" an Old Testament practice?
How does that make sense?
Jersey Girl
Joseph didn't claim he was restoring the "Christian Church". His additions in the JST show that he was claiming to restore "lost truth" (which includes books of the Old Testament), which included the remaining (lost) portions 50th chapter of Genesis.
Jersey Girl wrote:Excuse me...are you saying that Joseph Smith didn't claim the Great Apostacy and the restoration of the Primitive 1st century church?
Ray A wrote:Jersey Girl wrote:Excuse me...are you saying that Joseph Smith didn't claim the Great Apostacy and the restoration of the Primitive 1st century church?
Where did I say that? Was polygamy part of the "Primitive 1st Century Church"?
Jersey Girl wrote:
No, it wasn't which was my point to begin with. Would you like to have another go at reading the posts here?
Ray A wrote:Inconceivable wrote:Ray A wrote:I have other reasons for not accepting polygamy, but these go into my further studies from Near Death Experiences and the afterlife, and in that context, polygamy makes absolutely no sense.
Ray, I would be very interested in how you view NDE/afterlife playing a part into the reasoning against polygamy.
Inconceivable,
All I can say is that I've read hundreds of documents in regard to NDEs, yet I've still not covered as many as I would like. Thanks to an LDS friend I just inherited another six books (I'm a real sponger in regard to books! Take note Barrel). I've never encountered the concept of polygamy in any of these sources, not even LDS ones. Most NDE researchers I've emailed or spoken with say the same. LDS who have an NDE usually broaden their perspectives, and tend to take a more "liberal" view of the afterlife. Having an NDE seems to make people a lot less dogmatic, and they focus more on the ideas of love, and learning. The basic idea is that we were all once in the presence of God, and we were a part of God, and we come here to gain further experiences, to progress more. There are very significant similarities with LDS beliefs, but polygamy doesn't fit into the picture. Though it's a heretical idea to orthodox believers in Christianity, according to NDE reports, no soul will ever be lost, but will progress through the necessary pain, for example of earthly trials, until they learn what's important, and what's not, even if it takes many incarnations.
Inconceivable wrote:Thanks Ray, if I were to hang my hat on something at this moment, these concepts would be at the very core of my beliefs.
And yes, in my limited perspective, polygamy has no place at the end of this long journey. It is more like what goes down the drain after a long overdue bath.