"At various times the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, he gave this commandment to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon" (Mormon.org FAQ).
The standard doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is and always has been monogamy. "Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. …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" (Jacob 2:27,30). Again, the standard of the Lord's people is monogamy, unless the Lord reveals otherwise.
For now, the Lord has not revealed otherwise and thus there is no plural marriage in the church. "I wish to state categorically that [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] has nothing whatever to do with those practicing ploygamy. They are not members of this church" (Gordon B. Hinckey). See here for more information.
2 comments:
After telling David the parable of the ewe lamb, the prophet Nathan affirms that it was the Lord who had given David all that he had, including his wives.
"And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
"And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things" (2 Samuel 12:7-8).
A comment suggested that those who marry, divorce, and marry again are polygamous. And that any marriage undone is in violation of God's law.
Christ taught that divorce is permitted under some conditions because we are unable to live a higher law (Matt. 19: 3-12). We also know that in general the scriptures counsel against divorce and teach husbands and wives to love each other in righteousness (1 Cor. 7: 10-12; DC 42: 22). Modern prophets confirm this teaching. "There is now and again a legitimate cause for divorce. I am not one to say that it is never justified. But I say without hesitation that this plague among us, which seems to be growing everywhere, is not of God, but rather is the work of the adversary of righteousness and peace and truth" (Gordon B. Hinckley).1
Some of my friends have been divorced under conditions where I believe divorce was a good choice. God always fully understands all circumstances, we never do, and should be careful to judge the decisions that others make.
As to definitions, the respective definitions of polygamy and monogamy seem to suggest that those who divorce and marry again are not polygamous but could also be considered non-monogamous if definition 2b is used. Otherwise, they would remain monogamous.
"polygamy: 1. The condition or practice of having more than one spouse at one time."2
"monogamy: 1. The practice or condition of having a single sexual partner during a period of time. 2.a. The practice or condition of being married to only one person at a time. b. The practice of marrying only once in a lifetime."3
Notes
1. "What God Hath Joined Together," Ensign, May 1991, 71.
2. "polygamy." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition (2004).
3. Ibid, "monogamy."
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