God asks you to practice polygamy ????? what would you do?

[_GR33N]

If I was Joseph, I would hope I would have had the courage to stand up to his angel with a sword and say, slay me if you must but I will not commit such despicable crimes.

This. I would assume that it was an angel of darkness or a test. If it was a test I would go with the Light of Christ which tells me that lying to my spouse in wrong and that using manipulations and coersion to get people in bed is also wrong.

Is it possible that your understanding of the purpose of polygamy (get people in bed) is lacking? No one said you had to lie about it or use manipulations and coercion to accomplish polygamy.

[_Themis]

Is it possible that your understanding of the purpose of polygamy (get people in bed) is lacking? No one said you had to lie about it or use manipulations and coercion to accomplish polygamy.

but Joseph did, and he needed to as well. Any time a religious leader wants sexual access to followers, they need to convince them that it is of God. This is an old story. Polygamy was just a way to justify it, and involve more people, which means more access for Joseph. I also think he convince himself, which is also common for people to do.

[_Willy Law]

I’m on part 2 of DCP’s interview on mormonstories. He candidly states that polygamy does make Joseph Smith look bad because of the lying and sneaking around and such. He then offers a negation by asking a very thoughtful question: What if an angel asked you to commit polygamy, what would you do?

I think a more appropriate question, one that Dan Witherspoon should have asked, is if Dan actually believes that an angel with a flaming sword commanded Joseph Smith to practice polygamy.
Deep down Dan has to know that it's BS...right?

[_Yoda]

However, in either case, I don't think that the comparison between Jeffs and Smith is a fair one.

I think it is fair. DrW did say their were some variations. I think we need to consider that Joseph grew up in a monogamous society, and knew better to seek sexual relationship with other women. He lied and broke his own rules he claims God laid down about it. Is it any wonder that we would see someone like WJ who grew up in a polygamous society that Joseph started.

Based on my previous post, due to the horrifying nature of Jeff's actions, I think that the variations are different enough that the comparison is unfair. Please re-read my entire post, paying close attention to the horrifying acts Jeff committed.

If, after imagining that it could be your daughter in those circumstances, you can honestly compare that to what we have record of that Joseph actually did, I suppose we will have to simply agree to disagree. And, keep in mind that I am VERY opposed to polygamy.

[_DrW]

If, after imagining that it could be your daughter in those circumstances, you can honestly compare that to what we have record of that Joseph actually did, I suppose we will have to simply agree to disagree. And, keep in mind that I am VERY opposed to polygamy.

I see your point of view on this and have no problem with what you have said on the subject. I still believe that the two of them had many of the same problems with ethics, morality and self-control. And I would not want to find either of them within a country mile of any of my daughters.

[_DrW]

I’m on part 2 of DCP’s interview on mormonstories. He candidly states that polygamy does make Joseph Smith look bad because of the lying and sneaking around and such. He then offers a negation by asking a very thoughtful question: What if an angel asked you to commit polygamy, what would you do?

I think a more appropriate question, one that Dan Witherspoon should have asked, is if Dan actually believes that an angel with a flaming sword commanded Joseph Smith to practice polygamy.
Deep down Dan has to know that it's BS...right?

Why not ask Dr. Peterson that very question right now?

[_Themis]

Based on my previous post, due to the horrifying nature of Jeff's actions, I think that the variations are different enough that the comparison is unfair. Please re-read my entire post, paying close attention to the horrifying acts Jeff committed.

If, after imagining that it could be your daughter in those circumstances, you can honestly compare that to what we have record of that Joseph actually did, I suppose we will have to simply agree to disagree. And, keep in mind that I am VERY opposed to polygamy.

I have read your post, and even though Jeffs did some things that are worse then Joseph is known to do, their are still many fair comparisons to be made. I also recognize that Joseph created this environment which Jeffs grew up in and was brought up to eventually lead. I think DrW last response to you sums it up fairly well. I wouldn't want any of my daughters close to either one of them.

[_Yoda]

I wouldn't want any of my daughters close to either one of them.

Neither would I.

However, I think that the extremity in differences of their acts is worth noting.

Based on those extremities, i still find it impossible to view a straight-across comparison. Again, I suppose we will have to agree to disagree.

[_Themis]

Based on those extremities, i still find it impossible to view a straight-across comparison. Again, I suppose we will have to agree to disagree.

I think we have already agreed that there are variations, but that does not mean we can't make many good comparisons between the two.

[_just me]

Is it possible that your understanding of the purpose of polygamy (get people in bed) is lacking?

Just saw this. No. Even if the purpose is to chain all of humanity together in an eternal bind what happened is not okay.

No one said you had to lie about it or use manipulations and coercion to accomplish polygamy.

But that is what happened. Also, D&C 132 is abusive. If that was some random dude saying those things we would call it an abusive relationship and try to get the woman free of him.

Joseph lied about it. That is a fact that cannot be ignored.