Mormon converts who are already polygamist

[_madeleine]

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?

[_moksha]

I think they might have to ditch all but their favorite wife.

[_Dr. Shades]

That's my understanding as well. Although I think they're required to stick with the first legal wife and covenant to refrain from sexual relations with any others.

[_truth dancer]

In the United States and most other civilized countries, there is only one legal wife. So, the men who claim to have multiple wives, who want to join the LDS church must follow the law and stop the affairs, just like other married men who are sleeping around.

I know of a situation when a FLDS man decided to join the LDS church; he remained with his first (and only legal), wife and their children and the other women and their children remained in their separate homes with the guy as a visitor. I think nothing much changed except he no longer had sex with the other women.

[_madeleine]

I mean in countries where polygamy is both legal and culturally normal. :) Thanks.

If the policy is that the man must choose a wife as "the wife", is he required to provide support for his other wives?

[_Dr. Shades]

I mean in countries where polygamy is both legal and culturally normal. :) Thanks.

That's what I mean, too. If the guy is going to be baptized, he has to do marriage the Mormon way, regardless of what the laws of his country are.

If the policy is that the man must choose a wife as "the wife", is he required to provide support for his other wives?

I don't know about that one.

[_madeleine]

That's what I mean, too. If the guy is going to be baptized, he has to do marriage the Mormon way, regardless of what the laws of his country are.

This is the same for most Christian religions, where polygamy is considered adultery. I just wondered how it is for Mormons, where the claim is that polygamy was abandoned because of US federal law.

If polygamy is legal, and as I understand it, Mormons believe it is a divine way of things, then do people who were already polygamist just come into Mormonism as they are.

I don't know about that one.

I just wonder how it works. I think it would be required, otherwise it is a father/husband abandoning wives/children.

Curious too for how it is if/when assistance is required for the people in these situations, and asked of from the Mormon church. Do they give it?

[_zeezrom]

I would think the church would require the husband to refrain from intimate relations with the other wives but take care of them and the children.

Even though he can have his other wives in heaven, the church would not let him be with them on the earth for fear of a huge PR nightmare.

[_madeleine]

I would think the church would require the husband to refrain from intimate relations with the other wives but take care of them and the children.

Which I find interesting, considering the comments LDS in general have towards celibacy.

Even though he can have his other wives in heaven, the church would not let him be with them on the earth for fear of a huge PR nightmare.

Interesting POV. Thanks.

[_Dr. Shades]

If polygamy is legal, and as I understand it, Mormons believe it is a divine way of things, then do people who were already polygamist just come into Mormonism as they are[?]

No. For the third time, no.

I would think the church would require the husband to refrain from intimate relations with the other wives but take care of them and the children.

Which I find interesting, considering the comments LDS in general have towards celibacy.

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