Members better become experts at polygamy and fast!

[Fiannan]

No, I am not expecting anything from the pulpit in the next general conference, but rather the fact that Romney will probably be the republican nominee for president. And once that occurs, expect the curiosity level for issues relating to polygamy to skyrocket.

It is my belief that most members have a very poor knowledge of history in regards to polygamy. Most have no idea how many wives Joseph Smith had, and few seem to be able to say what the qualifications for a polygamist were (I am not even aware of the details on this one as some say you had to be called to polygamy and others say that as long as you were a worthy male you could have multiple wives. Heck, few members even know what church leaders have said about birth control -- but that is gonna have to change real fast.

Romney will avoid these issues, but they will rise in the blogs, forums and other internet communication vehicles. So be expecting friends and family, not to mention co-workers, to hit you with questions in these issues. And remember, as these will mostly be non-members and young members, the standard answer of "We did that years ago and now we don't" just won't cut it.

Better start brushing up on history.

[JerL]

No, I am not expecting anything from the pulpit in the next general conference, but rather the fact that Romney will probably be the republican nominee for president. And once that occurs, expect the curiosity level for issues relating to polygamy to skyrocket.

I doubt that Romney will make it. Rick Perry has already been picked for the job.

[Amore Vero]

.

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Jerl: Sorry you simply refused to give an answer. Assume Romney did the GOP nod, then what?

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Fianan: Your challenge to me IMO is vital. We Saints can bury our heads in the sand and be "embarrassed" by the past practice of plural marriage or we can proudly and unapolegtically say it was part of our early heritage.

Actually Romney has already sort of answered that question in an interview given back in 2008. The interviewer mentioned that some of Romney's ancestors practiced plural marriage I believe while living in Mexico. The interviewer asked Romnyy what he thought. Romney said (I'm paraphasing) that the Church had practiced plural marriage and personally he couldn't think of a more AWEFUL practice."

Let us please recognize that plural marriage was a revelation given by God and practiced by every Prophet up to WW in 1890.

Amore: from PMs with you, I know you would disagree that JS actually wrote in the D+C about plural marriage. WE I beleive have agree to disagree?

So Romney was saying in effect that the revelation couldn't have come from God because it was aweful... God would never us to do soemthing sinful/aweful. Add that to Romney's TV denial that God had appeared to Joseph Smith because God hadn't appeared to anyone since Moses..... I know that Romney will find a way to circumvent the issue. He's very good at that and changing 180% his past positions. The Saints who are totally politically motivated will still vote for him, rationalizing away Romeny's clear and public statements.

If I was running for POTUS. I would never say Plural Marriage was aweful nor would I ever say that God hasn't appeared to anyone since Moses. If I had to defend the Restoration and lose being POTUS, I would do it. I know the accolades of men is nothing compared to Jesus saying to me, "Well done my good and faithful service." But that's me and why I will never win an election especially in in NC.

[JerL]

Jerl: Sorry you simply refused to give an answer. Assume Romney did the GOP nod, then what?

I don't see Romney getting the nomination. Now I could be wrong, but I just don't see it happening. Not that I like Mr. Perry either. I just don't see what the big deal is with polygamy. Most non-members I have come in contact with know that we at one time practiced plural marriage. Some still believe that we still do. It has never been a big deal. I always ask how many times they the non-members have been married, most have had more than one wife. I reply that most Mormons I know have only been married once. Plural marriage is not a big secret, or a big deal anymore. Does that suffice Samuel the Lamanite? #:-s

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Jerl: I'm not sure. My experience differs quite a bit from yours in terms of findamentalists/evangelicals and their indifference to plural marriage that we practiced in the past. The fact that we did makes us "evil."

More spcific question; Assuming you were running for POTUS, how would you address questions asked of you about plural marriage? Be 100% assured, they will be asked over and over again by the MSM talking heads.

[creator]

No, I am not expecting anything from the pulpit in the next general conference, but rather the fact that Romney will probably be the republican nominee for president. And once that occurs, expect the curiosity level for issues relating to polygamy to skyrocket.... Better start brushing up on history.

I think I have a sufficient understanding, however, I highly doubt Romney will actually get the Republican nomination for Presidential candidate... He may be doing good now but there is still plenty of time for things to join and others to join in the race.

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Brian: Let's say as a scenario that Romney is doing well in the polls and may get the GOP nomination. How should Romney handle the plural marriage question without selling out "his soul."

[JerL]

Samuel the Lamanite; you are right most I come into contact with are not religious at all. I wouldn't worry about changing the minds of the fundamentalists/evangelicals, or to allay their prejudices. I would continue to answer the same way I did above. Plural marriage is something the church practiced, and now no longer practices. I don't know what else you are looking for.

[creator]

Brian: Let's say as a scenario that Romney is doing well in the polls and may get the GOP nomination. How should Romney handle the plural marriage question without selling out "his soul."

If Romney is asked the question... as with anyone else... he should be completely honest about it, or admit his ignorance if he honestly doesn't understand the facts, or say that he'd rather not address it and talk about something else...

What should never happen is Lying about, just don't lie about it and say it never happened or make up excuses, assumptions, or lies about the details.

[mes5464]

No, I am not expecting anything from the pulpit in the next general conference, but rather the fact that Romney will probably be the republican nominee for president. And once that occurs, expect the curiosity level for issues relating to polygamy to skyrocket.

I doubt that Romney will make it. Rick Perry has already been picked for the job.

+1

Perry is the Builderburg pick.

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Jer: That would be a satisfy answer to me. My guess, however, is that the MSM interviewer may very liekly be an Obama person. IMO, they would not likley let you "off the hook" with such answer but would really drill down hard to try to catch you in a snare.

[Vision]

I am a little surprised that this would be the first time polygamy has come up in a conversation between a member and a non member.

[LukeAir2008]

We are talking about MITT ROMNEY here aren't we? He'll handle this question like he handled others. "If you want to ask questions about my religion - ask my church"

[JerL]

I remember someone on the radio or tv saying something about plural marriage when he ran last time. They commented something to the effect that while most of the other candidates had married multiple times, Romney was still married to his only wife. I just don't see this being a big deal nationally, maybe in some local areas, but nation wide. Remember this isn't the first time he has run, and I don't remember it being a big deal then.

It doesn't matter because Perry is the Pick. He will storm the country just like Obama did. I remember saying to my wife that Obama wouldn't make it, and thought that Hillary was the threat. That is before I woke up of course.

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Jer: I twas a big deal when Romeny ran against Teddy Kennedy for MASS Senator. It wasn't until Romney pulled within a few % points that Teddy made Mormonism and plural marriage a big deal. Once this was done, Romney really slipped in the polls and of course lost to Teddy. QAnd rememebr that Teddy and Hatch were bosom buddies.

[AussieOi]

we send our kids out to baptise dead people

no one gives a toss what in-bred country hillbilly religious nutjobs did in the mountains in the 1800s

everyone is too busy trying to pay their bills

Big Love is popular, and queers and all sorts who love one another can get married

[Samuel the Lamanite]

AssuieL WADR, I dsigree. They priests nad minister will make sure that their memerbs know all the "truths" about Mormonis especaill in the solid south which be won to win POTUS.

[tmac]

Just my two bits worth. I don't think Romney will end up being the Republican nominee either. And if he was, I have my fair share of reservations about him -- both as a political leader, and as a spokesman or emissary for the Church and what it believes and stands for. Based on his performance last round at handling Church-related issues and questions, however, I think he, the Church, and everyone is better off if he does answer just like he did recently -- "If you want to ask questions about my religion - ask my church." And Huntsman has proven that that answer is even that much more appropriate in his case. To me it looks like they're both trying to distance themselves from the Church -- which they may have decided is the best political strategy. From my perspective, the real questions should be: 1) which of all the possible candidate choices are genuinely electable? and; 2) which electable candidate is best-equipped to lead our country, politically, at this critical point in time? For me, the answer to the second question is: which candidate best understands and adheres most to the laws of nature and nature's God? because I think we're on a short collision course with the unavoidable consequences and after-effects of those laws. Is Mitt the best man? I'm not convinced, but I need to know more.

And I have to agree with Aussie -- I'm not sure how much the general public really cares about plural marriage. In fact, I think Romney could say something like: "Look, today a man, including plenty of celebrities and sports stars, can father multiple children with multiple women, and never be married or provide support for, or act as a legitimate male role model for any of them, so they grow up on welfare, and have no positive male role model in their lives, and that all seems perfectly acceptable. So, personally, I don't understand what the problem is if some of the early members of my church, including some of my predecessors, who some, including my good friend Aussie Oi have described as a bunch of "in-bred country hillbilly religious nutjobs," while living in the mountains in the 1800s, chose in some cases to live plural marriage, rather than rely on non-existent government welfare programs, to help insure that widows and their children would have financial support, and all children would have a father and a male role model in their lives -- if you compare the results of that form of lifestyle with the far more predominant lifestyle today of welfare mothers and fatherless children, you would have to agree that the case against it is pretty tough to make compared to what is happening today. Now are we ready to move on already?"

[bobhenstra]

I'm gonna let you guys worry about it

Bob

[Samuel the Lamanite]

Bob: That's certainly a way to handle it but given your devotion to Romney winning, I'm totally surprised. But OK just hope he wins.

[InfoWarrior82]

Perry went to Bilderberg and Romney did not. That says something right there.

[dirtdarte]

Romney won't be nominated. However, if by some fluke he does become the republican pick, it will be like McCain all over again with Obummer winning the election.

The whole Polygamy issue, following the Church leadership, true loyalties and Romney's waffling and back-pedaling will make him look like a complete idiot to everyone.... which he is in my opinion. Just another politician with an ego to satisfy. It would be a real education to LDS members who have the typical ignorant understanding of polygamy, polyandry and celestial mariage... Priesthood meeting would be fun. But, as a whole, it will hurt the Church, much like prop 8 did.

[tsc]

I would suggest that perhaps instead of worrying about our knowledge of polygamy, we need to focus on our testimonies of Christ. And then go out and share those testimonies of our Savior, and the Book of Mormon, with our neighbors, friends, family, or anyone else in our lives who is prepared to hear the truth.

The last time I checked there was no mention of polygamy in 'Preach My Gospel'.