This is the second post in a series. See the first here.
Many of us are very concerned that the church is teaching this to children. And in such an innocent, cute way, with nice little pictures. The overall message is that God wanted Joseph, Brigham, and others to practice polygamy — but it was against their will! So they had to obey grudgingly.
(Darn it! I hate having all the sex partners I want! Why would God make me do this against my will!?🙄)
Don’t forget that.
The whole crux of the story is that they did it against their will. For God.
That’s important because whenever polygamy comes up with faithful Mormons, they say, “It’s an exception, we all don’t have to do it. God won’t make you do it if you don’t want to.”
Wrong on two accounts! First, clearly, people were made to do it when they didn’t want to. The “revelation” itself has very strong language, forcing Emma Smith to allow it:
“If she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law” (v.54)
Don’t worry guys. He’s not going to force anyone to do it if they don’t want to.🙄
Secondly, the exception claim is wrong because it’s not the exception! It’s the ideal! D&C 132 says:
“No one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory” (v.4)
“It was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God” (v.6)
So, it’s not an exception. You do it or you’re damned.
These faithful LDS members excuse what they don’t want to think about, when it’s clear they just haven’t ever actually read the revelation.
So, in conclusion, why is this message being given to kids?
It is focused on obeying God against your will; it teaches that God will ask you to do disgusting things you don’t feel good about.
Stay Tuned For My Analysis of D&C 132….
All I Possess 