Sorry for the TL:DR post, but I put this together to explain the revelation I had. My revelation matches what BoM said here on this thread. I appreciate his courage in sharing. Two Witnesses.
Polygamy
The Book of Mormon does not support polygamy
Jacob 2
Jacob finishes talking about pride, and goes on to discuss the men breaking the hearts of the women and children in practicing plural marriage.
23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity;
they understand not the scriptures,
for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
We think that because of David and Solomon and others in the scriptures that we can justify plural marriage? Jacob was a prophet who wrote scripture and said that those who think such do not understand the scriptures. Where does that put you? That also goes for understanding the book of Jacob, especially chapter 2 in the Book of Mormon
Jacob 2:29-30
These are the hallmark verses for justifying polygamy by anyone who thinks it is of the Lord.
29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
30 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.
Misunderstanding these verses can be understood because of our limited use of the English language and understanding of the Family of God and the specifics of the different types of seed. Let’s start with some demonstration of the use of the word seed in the book of Mormon:
1 Nephi 7:1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning
his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might
raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.
We see that Lehi was prophesying concerning his seed, or those that were covenanted to be his by his obedience to the commands of the Lord. Then we see that his sons need daughters to raise up seed unto the Lord. Why does it not say so they can have seed? Does it have anything to do with it being in a land of promise, or a land that was covenanted to them by God?
Later in 1 Nephi 12:14 And the angel said unto me: Behold
thy seed, and also
the seed of thy brethren.
The angel did not mention the Lord’s seed here, he was talking about the seed of Nephi and his brethren that would just so happened would be living in the place to where they would be moving. There is clearly a difference between the two. Both cases came from heavenly sources. Fortunately for us, we can figure it out using the rest of the Book of Mormon.
Mosiah 15:10-14
10 And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see
his seed. And now what say ye? And
who shall be his seed?
11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
12 For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed?
13 Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you that they are his seed.
14 And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
Here we get
a definition of who is the seed of the Lord. We also have to decipher what the rest of Jacob 2:30 is talking about when he says commandments and these things. It all comes together as we dig into the Book of Mormon, we even stay in the book of Mosiah, but go back to chapters 2-5.
The setting for these chapters is this. There is a people who live the Law of Moses (The commandments to all the House of Israel at that time) reigned over by a righteous king (Mosiah 2:3). This King does not even ask for support from his people, but works to support himself, he is just and humble. He pours his heart out to the Lord for his people so that he may be just in his decisions and actions. As a result of his supplications an Angel of the Lord comes to him and gives him things to declare (Mosiah 3:2).
So then the message is declared to the people and it has an amazing result. We read chapter 4 and 5 that describe them. First in chapter 4 they experience pointed introspection, then we see that King Benjamin was expecting this and then continued the sermon for the rest of chapter 4. It is in chapter 5 that we see the ultimate results of the entire sermon. Verse 2-5 has the reaction of the people, it is quite amazing and gives you wonder why not every single person who reads these chapters does not experience the same thing. However because of the changes King Benjamin makes the astounding declaration in verse 7:
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called
the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore,
ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
Here is a people being described as the
seed of the Lord, or the sons and daughters of Christ. This occurred right after receiving a divine message from a righteous leader who received it from an Angel by revelation. We find in Mosiah 2-5 the exact working in Jacob 2:30.
30 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.
If we work through the verse backward, the people were hearkening unto the things the Lord had already commanded them (Mosiah 2:3). “
These things” referred to by Jacob was the act of keeping the commandments in the Law of Moses, including not committing adultery by the people of King Benjamin. They were keeping the commandments so well, and their hearts were in the right place, so God sent and angel with a message to
command his people (Mosiah 3:2). Because the hearts of the people were right, the sermon resulted in a mighty change in the hearts of the people, he
rose seed up unto himself as they entered into a covenant that had been extended in the sermon by King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:7).
Section 132 vs. established scripture
Let’s remember that in 1830 the Book of Mormon was brought forth, in 1835 the Doctrine and Covenants was accepted by the church, and by 1848 the church had accepted the King James version of the Bible with the changes made in the JST as scripture. Section 132 was not brought forth until 1852, after polygamy was already being practiced. The account of its reception was given in an affidavit in 1874 by William Clayton. In that affidavit, it says:
When the revelation was written there was no one present except the Prophet Joseph, his brother Hyrum and myself.
In 1852 the two other witnesses were dead, so the law of witnesses is broken for this section. It was not added to the D&C until 1876.
Section 132 vs. the Bible
So we look at the contents of section 132:
Section 132:34
God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife.
Compare that to the Old Testament in the existing LDS canon and we find this
Genesis 16:2 And
Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And
Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
The contradiction is fierce. God did not command Abraham, Sarai said unto Abram. This is pre-covenant Abram trying to keep his wife happy and remove her shame. Of course it backfired if you keep reading the story.
Section 132 vs. The Book of Mormon
We go back to section 132 and find another verse that seems to justify polygamy:
Section 132:38 David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and
in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.
We compare this verse back to Jacob 2 in the “Most correct book” the Book of Mormon.
23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity;
they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
24 Behold, David and Solomon truly
had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
Jacob 2 is speaking directly to the person who wrote verse 38 in section 132. They did not understand the scriptures and were seeking to excuse themselves in whoredoms. Those whoredoms were abominable before the Lord no matter when they were committed. Fortunately for Abraham, Issac, Jacob and others, it can be forgiven.
Section 132 vs. 1835 D&C
The account of the acceptance by the church of the 1835 D&C as scripture
http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSumma ... t-1835&p=6
The preface the first presidency about the 1835 D&C
To the members of the church of the Latter Day Saints—
Dear Brethren:
We deem it to be unnecessary to entertain you with a lengthy preface to the following volume, but merely to say, that it contains in short, the leading items of the religion which we have professed to believe.
The first part of the book will be found to contain a series of Lectures as delivered before a Theological class in this place, and in consequence of their embracing the important doctrine of salvation, we have arranged them into the following work.
The second part contains items or principles for the regulation of the church, as taken from the revelations which have been given since its organization, as well as from former ones.
There may be an aversion in the minds of some against receiving any thing purporting to be articles of religious faith, in consequence of there being so many now extant; but if men believe a system, and profess that it was given by inspiration, certainly, the more intelligibly they can present it, the better. It does not make a principle untrue to print it, neither does it make it true not to print it.
The church viewing this subject to be of importance, appointed, through their servants and delegates the High Council, your servants to select and compile this work. Several reasons might be adduced in favor of this move of the Council, but we only add a few words. They knew that the church was evil spoken of in many places—its faith and belief misrepresented, and the way of truth thus subverted. By some it was represented as disbelieving the bible, by others as being an enemy to all good order and uprightness, and by others as being injurious to the peace of all governments civil and political.
We have, therefore, endeavored to present, though in few words, our belief, and when we say this, humbly trust, the faith and principles of this society as a body.
We do not present this little volume with any other expectation than that we are to be called to answer to every principle advanced, in that day when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, and the reward of every man’s labor be given him.
With sentiments of esteem and sincere respect, we subscribe ourselves your brethren in the bonds of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Signed
JOSEPH SMITH jr.
OLIVER COWDERY.
SIDNEY RIGDON.
F[rederick] G. WILLIAMS.
Declaration on Marriage in the 1835 D&C
1 According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage is regulated by laws and ceremonies: therefore we believe, that all marriages in this church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast, prepared for that purpose: and that the solemnization should be performed by a presiding high priest, high priest, bishop, elder, or priest, not even prohibiting those persons who are desirous to get married, of being married by other authority. We believe that it is not right to prohibit members of this church from marrying out of the church, if it be their determination so to do, but such persons will be considered weak in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving; and at the solemnization, the persons to be married, standing together, the man on the right, and the woman on the left, shall be addressed, by the person officiating, as he shall be directed by the holy Spirit; and if there be no legal objections, he shall say, calling each by their names: “You both mutually agree to be each other’s companion, husband and wife, ob serving the legal rights belonging to this condition; that is, keeping yourselves wholly for each other, and from all others, during your lives.” And when they have answered “Yes,” he shall pronounce them “husband and wife” in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by virtue of the laws of the country and authority vested in him: “may God add his blessings and keep you to fulfill your covenants from henceforth and forever. Amen.”
3 The clerk of every church should keep a record of all marriages, solemnized in his branch.
4 All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled.
Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again. It is not right to persuade a woman to be baptized contrary to the will of her husband,
neither is it lawful to influence her to leave her husband. All children are bound by law to obey their parents; and to influence them to embrace any religious faith, or be baptized, or leave their pa rents without their consent, is unlawful and unjust. We believe that all persons who exercise control over their fellow beings, and prevent them from embracing the truth, will have to answer for that sin.
The Divine Pattern
In the creation story in Genesis, God Created Adam and Eve. Is there a time in the history of the world when quick multiplication of seed was needed more? Why not polygamy here? Because it was not appointed by God.
In the flood story in Genesis there is another dire need for quick multiplication. God saves eight people as recorded in scripture, Noah, Ham, Shem and Japeth and their wives respectively.
He is giving us a divine pattern. We can dig into the New Testament and find this further explained.
1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of
one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife…
1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of
one wife…
Even Nephi in the Book of Mormon (in a situation where he could use some quick multiplication) says he takes one wife.
1 Nephi 16:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took
one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife.