Deseret News | LDS Church hopes videos will help distinguish it from FLDS

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LDS Church hopes videos will help distinguish it from FLDS

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To Hum @ 2:01 | 2:40 p.m. June 26, 2008

Actually Joseph Smith first instituted the practice of polygamy in Kirtland, Ohio--well before the Saints were being pushed from their homes.

Early on, Church leaders made statements about the practice of polygamy being ESSENTIAL to their eternal progression and obtaining the Celestial kingdom. (If only a small number of the members were actually practicing it, as you stated above, then what does that say about their faithfulness?)

It really doesn't matter to me one way or the other, but I do think we should be truthful about our "facts".

Johnnylingo | 2:41 p.m. June 26, 2008

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about the LDS filming some uplifting life profiles of its members. Have any of you criticizing the videos watched them yet?
They have nothing to do with polygamy or the FLDS issue. Elder Cook said it best when he said (paraphrasing) "the Church needs to define itself and not be defined by others".
The "living" church is able to breathe and move as directed by inspiration so it can continue to build up the kingdom of God on earth. As President Hinckley spoke in Apr. 2005, we don't have a "cross" on our churches to show our devotion, but "the lives of our people must become the most meaningful expression of our faith..."
That is the challenge, how we live our lives and how we spend our time. We need to be constantly engaged in a good cause.

get it right. | 2:59 p.m. June 26, 2008

As I have been reading these comments, the same thought keeps coming to my mind. "If you don't KNOW what you're talking about, it's best if you try to not look soooooo stupid by keeping your mouth shut. If it's not your religion (LDS or FLDS) and you don't believe in their teachings and somewhere along the line you jumped ship and got out of the religion scene, then I think it's best if you keep your opinion to yourself."

Comments continue below

To; Hum, and Sarah, etal | 3:08 p.m. June 26, 2008

Folks, the problem is not nor has ever been if the church was the first ever to do polygamy in history or this country (the Onieda community was contemporary to the Nauvoo Mormons), or whether we proud, ashamed or indifferent to our early Mormon ancestors practicing polygamy, polyandry or polygny...

It's about how once it was outlawed in America the church issued its Manifesto while the leadership and certain communities continued to practice plural marriage behind their closed doors... while adamantly claiming to abide by the law of the land. (This is all well documented within church records itself.)

Today no 'mainstream' Mormon practices plural marriage (though they may teach it as an eternal principle nevertheless). The polygamy sects do still practice plural marriage. In one sense it's very simple and another its complicated. The simple is based on these groups being offshoots of the SLC organization, and hard as the church may try to say otherwise, this makes then a 'sect' of the greater Mormon church.

It is this 'sect' factor that causes the most consternation and difficulty, that all religions experience, but that being a plural marriage issue in America is for Mormons an especially onerous problem.

Confused | 3:09 p.m. June 26, 2008

I wish the church would come out and say, "we used to do this, we used to practice this, but don't believe it to be true anymore." Instead of trying to make is sound like they have nothing to do with it.

Ned | 3:11 p.m. June 26, 2008

Polygamy is an insult to the intelligence of a woman. Just as it's an insult to a man. People need to learn that both sexes have feelings and that no one was put on this earth to be abused by their spouse or leaders. I think it is good that the LDS church is going to clarify this subject.

Magic videos??? | 3:09 p.m. June 26, 2008

So can these videos erase history too??

There are valid reasons whey people tie these two groups together...the FLDS practice the same religion that Joseph Smith started and the next 5 prophets continued...in fact, a few of them even said if "the church" ever abandoned polygmy, then it would no longer be of God...

So maybe these videos can shed some light on how that is so different..the founders of the LDS church didn't arrange marriages or marry teenagers - oh wait, they did that too.

How many? | 3:19 p.m. June 26, 2008

How many people commenting on this article have even watched the movies they are bashing?

Tammy | 3:23 p.m. June 26, 2008

Hey Guys, If u want to practice indulging polygamy--GET OUT OF THE CHURCH! The women don't need u fellows around. You need to join the FLDS cults. That is to say if they will let you bad boys join into all their perversions, which is quite doubtful meaning that there are so many FLDS lost boys. Guess you boys need to start your own churches.

To get it right | 3:26 p.m. June 26, 2008

Please help me to understand your comment that if "somewhere along the line you jumped ship and got out of the religion scene, then I think it's best if you keep your opinion to yourself."

Are you implying that those of us who are former members have no right to express our opinions? Or just that we are "soooooo stupid"?

Thanks for reminding me of why I left.

Tell Me Why | 3:29 p.m. June 26, 2008

TO ACTIVE BUT TRUTHFUL
You won't ever pratcie polygomy again? Lets see, a man can be sealed to as many woman in the temple as he wants, but a woman can only be sealed to one man. Is it not a LDS belief that rightous men will become Gods, have numerous wives to begat thousands and millions of spirit babies? Polygomy is what it is no matter where it is. And by the way, I will be suprised if this comment gets posted.

Cumuppence | 3:42 p.m. June 26, 2008

Because of the LDS stance on gay rights in California, I will purposefully disseminate the remarkable similarities between the you and the FLDS. Politically, there is no difference.

lovesaltlake | 3:43 p.m. June 26, 2008

It is tough to put a spin on polgamy-- to put it in a positive light. And yet at the same time, you can't just sweep it under the carpet.
the church's solution was to march out well known mormons and have their pep talks and example shine a light to the world that we are the good guys...not to be confused with the bad guys who are breaking the law and creating a p.r. nighmare for the "big" lds church.
the classic problem the church has is that it operates in a vacuum...it addresses problems as if it is addressing problems to its own members. It really doesn't know how to communicate with non-believers. the church needs to hire a new york p.r. firm and let them run with this. time to bring in the big boys. I don't think little videos on your own web site with your own members doing the talking is going to solve the problem..unless the problem you trying to solve is with your own members who are practically the only ones going to your web site.

Anonymous | 3:55 p.m. June 26, 2008

If you want the truth read the history of the chruch

DVD | 3:56 p.m. June 26, 2008

I watched a couple of the videos and don't see what they have to do with polygamy at all. Are they trying to demonstrate that LDS members don't wear the funny clothes and hair styles as the polygamists?

I don't think the church can ever separate itself from Polygamy unless they also try to distance themselves from Joseph Smith, but that is not going to happen. I know a lot of members who are secretly hoping it comes back.

Just tell the truth | 3:57 p.m. June 26, 2008

I'm LDS and I struggle with why it seems so hard for the Church to simply tell the truth. Polygamy IS part of our past. It IS part of our future. Just NOT part of our present.

OC Surfer | 3:59 p.m. June 26, 2008

Has anyone in this forum has yet see the videos?

Nowhere are the people interviewed mention anything about the FLDS. It's just normal LDS folks living in Texas with their Texas accents, explaining the their relationship with the Savior and the that blessings come from being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

common sense | 4:11 p.m. June 26, 2008

since when does a "to whom it may concern" trump a "thus saith the lord" I think the LDS church is living in LA LA land

Why not polygamy? | 4:33 p.m. June 26, 2008

With the recent "legalization" of gay marriage in California, I don't see the problem with legalizing polygamy in this country(as long as it's between consenting adults). What's the big deal? The gay agenda has legalized their minority sexual lifestyle, so why don't polygamy proponents do the same?

Donald | 4:45 p.m. June 26, 2008

To: John Lambert | 2:38 p.m. June 26, 2008
"They reject Brigham Young, Book of Jacob, Wilford Woodruff, Spencer W. Kimball... blah blah blah... They accepted Musser... blah... They reject the duty to preach the gospel to all the world."

What??? Wait! Hold on there! Did I hear that right?

They REJECT the duty to hunt me down and harass me about the book of Mormon??

Now that's REALLY something.

If ALL Mormons would only do that, there would be no reason for us to cross the street whenever we see two young men in slacks and ties walking toward us. You will in one fell swoop eliminate the main reason there is anti-Mormon bias in the US.

And you think this is a BAD idea????

Chris Plummer | 4:44 p.m. June 26, 2008

It seems on this board that the mormon church is not yet united in its opinion on polygamy.

Joey | 4:48 p.m. June 26, 2008

Lets us men take the rights away from all women, because after all, the snake tempted Eve in the garden didn't he? Women are the weaker and the stupid ones. We men should feel free to exercise our manhood at all times and make slaves of women. Who cares if we beak the hearts of woman after all EVE was sneaking around in the garden with a low life snake... That makes women the lesser of the two intelligences.

CITIZEN | 4:48 p.m. June 26, 2008

My comment to everyone regardless of your faith is too follow the teachings of JESUS CHRIST.If you don't know what they are look it up.

Bob | 4:49 p.m. June 26, 2008

It's too bad that the LDS has changed its ways to be more acceptable to those who hate them. A once proud church has now given up truth to be loved by haters. The LDS wants to be just like any other plain-wrap denomination and is heading at light speed to be no different than Baptists, Methodists or all the rest.

The real Mormons are the FLDS. May they expand and prosper and keep true.

Kenny | 4:55 p.m. June 26, 2008

If a son or daughter leaves the nest and deverts to a different life style do we disclaim them as our children?Some may do that and there are probably many LDS who would do that. I think it was good for the LDS church to make that video but I think the church needs to extend a helping hand to all groups that broke away from the mainstream LDS regardless of weither they practice polygamy or not and cultivate harmony.We can and should respect our common roots as a church without embracing doctrine that is in conflict.I think we fear that.

Janadele LDS Australia | 4:57 p.m. June 26, 2008

A welcome and needed clarification from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many in the world do not know even the most simple basic beliefs of the LDS Church nor any of its history.

As a practicing Anglican when the LDS missionaries came to my door in 1969, I had never before that even heard of the LDS Church or the Book of Mormon.

Until this recent raid in Texas I had never heard of FLDS, nor had I any concept of the extent of the practice of Polygamy today... up until then I had thought there were just one or two men, whose stories I had seen in the papers, who had entered into Polygamy because of wanting to have more than one wife, and that somehow a few women had been talked into going along with it.

I spent most of last year travelling America, visited all of the LDS Historic Sites,spending lots of time in each area. A fortnight in Nauvoo. A month at Far West/Independance. Rented a home at Park City for three months. Explored Utah... so my lack of knowledge of this situation was not because of isolation in Australia :-))

Bingo | 5:03 p.m. June 26, 2008

. George W. Harris testifies that one evening last fall [see November 7, 1837 FWR.] O. Cowdery was at his house together with Joseph Smith jr, and Thomas B. Marsh, when a conversation took place between Joseph Smith jr & O. Cowdery, when he seemed to insinuate that Joseph Smith jr was guilty of adultery,. . David W. Patten testifies, that he went to Oliver Cowdery to enquire of him if a certain story was true respecting J. Smith's committing adultery with a certain girl 1 , when he turned on his heel and insinuated as though he [Joseph] was guilty; he then went on and gave a history of some circumstances respecting the adultery scrape stating that no doubt it was true. Also said that Joseph told him, he had confessed to Emma, . . .

re: citizen 4:48 | 5:12 p.m. June 26, 2008

do you mean these teachings?:
put away your swords
love your enemies
beat your swords into ploughshares?

Or how about these?:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
"Let everyone who possesses two shirts share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise."

"Give to every man that asketh of thee"

There seems to be some conflict within the LDS community about the following of these teachings today.

kenny | 5:17 p.m. June 26, 2008

I think President Hinckley put it best when he invited people of all faiths to bring all that they had which was good and we will offer that which we know to be true. We need to search for ways to tear down the wall between Salt Lake and Texas. Offer our hand to people of the FLDS,help them,bring them hope and take the gospel to them.Treat them as our brothers and sisters inspite of our differences.Latter Day Saints will be blessed if they are willing.

Benjamin | 5:20 p.m. June 26, 2008

So the LDS church is attempting to distinguish itself from the FLDS church. Why are so many trying to label this action as un-Christ like or biased?

Jesus Christ openly condemned the Pharasees and Sadducees for corrupting his gospel. He called them hypocritical, blind, unclean. And guess what... He loved each and every one of them.

The FLDS church has enacted, in the name of God, some terrible and illegal practices. They have corrupted certain aspects of the religion and gospel as set forth by Jesus Christ himself. And now, because of their history and chosen namesake, the abhorrent nature of these practices is being incorrectly associated with a completely different organization.

The LDS church now has the unpleasant, yet completely warranted, obligation to set the record straight and unequivocally make this distinction.

kenny | 5:26 p.m. June 26, 2008

Corporate LDS has a image to maintain.Members of the church in wards,branches,stakes have a gospel to live.Its time for Latter day Saints to respect people of all churches no matter what they believe or practice.LDS have a rich and colorfull past. We need to stand up take possession of it. People of the world will respect the church for doing that.

who are they trying to kid? | 5:28 p.m. June 26, 2008

It is well known that to become a state, Utah was forced to abandon the practice of polygamy.
(well, that's what they told the world they would do)
That's it in a nutshell.
Case closed.
That's all she wrote.
Finis

Denice | 5:38 p.m. June 26, 2008

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe Doctrine can be found in the Book of Mormon, Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and words from our first presidency. In the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Jacob says in Jacob 2:27 "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;...Jacob 2:30 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."
The Lord was raising seed unto him and so commanded his prophets. On Oct. 6 1890, the Lord commanded his prophets there was seed enough. In the beginning of the church, a lot of women were flocking to the church. As members of the church we discourage marrying outside of the covenants and blessings found in it. One of those blessings is marriage. Those women needed to be married. Most people get married until death do they part. Not in the church! We are married by authority and that marriage is binding throughout all eternity, if faithful.

David the Ex-mo | 5:42 p.m. June 26, 2008

Clearly people are confused and not able to distinguish the two different churches. So what if the LDS church decides to make a video to clarify this fact. Yes, they both hold Joseph Smith to be the first "restored" prophet, but it ends there.

Rick | 5:48 p.m. June 26, 2008

One major problem that mormons are challenged with is that their church claims to be so much more than what it really is and this puts the members in the difficult position of having to constantly defend the unrealistic bases of their believes and church leadershiip, one would think that a true prophet could render better counsel and leadership.

Denice continued | 5:50 p.m. June 26, 2008

As far as concern for what happened to FLDS, they are concerned about it, have you asked them? Then you don't know whether they are or not, now do you? And being a member myself I was sickened by what happened to them. Especially after visiting their website. I knew what happened was unjust and I felt outraged. I asked a lot of questions of my lawyer friends of which they thought there were some rights stomped on. If they hadn't ruled in the manner they had, I would've been up in arms with rage! But, there are still good people in office and the constitution is still hanging in! How extremely important it is to get out and vote!

re:Benjamin | 5:53 p.m. June 26, 2008

Your comments are well taken. But I feel strongly that LDS people fear the brethern or their bishop for that matter if they even so much as express a little love for those who practice polygamy.Simply put, one cannot attend the temple if they show any kindness to those who practice polygamy.Do I think the LDS church is wrong for not practicing polygamy? No!!!! Do I think latter day saints have lost their love for all people of this world who do not live up to the church standards. Yes!!!!!I think there is more than one modern day prophet who would back me up on that piece of wisdom.

Easy being cheesy | 5:56 p.m. June 26, 2008

I watched a few of the videos. They keep up with the "cheesiness" of church produced films.

Anti-FLDS ?? | 5:56 p.m. June 26, 2008

Is the LDS church anti-FLDS? and "so bias & so corrupting that they would try to hurt another religion"? no they are just pro-LDS, just like they are not anti-gay, they are just pro-family. Let's be honest, The LDS church has their own bias towards everything not LDS. The words used here are very creative and made not to sound Anti-FLDS "Distinguising themselves" = we want nothing to do with FLDS. I'm not Anti-Mormon, I'm pro-reality.

Doesn't make it right | 5:57 p.m. June 26, 2008

My ancestors belonged to the KKK. That doesn't make it right today.

And polygamy although practiced long ago, doesn't make it right today either.

Jacque | 6:01 p.m. June 26, 2008

Ok...we all know what LDS started, but it is all part of History. There have been a lot of things that have happened in the past all over the world and it gets called History, let it lie there. Concentrate on what the Church (LDS) teaches and practices today and leave the past what it is History. We are not the only religion that has done or said things in the past, that people have objected to. Lets just all get on with practicing the Gospel as we know it today, that goes for all religions and leave the past in the past.

poor marketing | 6:04 p.m. June 26, 2008

The people that go to the LDS news room website, are most likely already LDS, and already know the differences between themselves and the FLDS. So who outside of the church is going to see these videos? Nobody, kudos LDS marketing department, keep up the good work. (sarcasm) Try youtube next time.

Frank | 6:03 p.m. June 26, 2008

It amazes me how many people post raving about the evils of poligamy teeth gritting if the article is anything with the LDS church and poligamy.

But after the raid on the FLDS all people could post was how horrible it was to interfere with a poligimist group doing no wrong, that there was nothing wrong with poligamy if it was responsible.

I've guess I'd better get used to being slapped if I turn to the left and slapped if I turn to the right.

Daniel | 6:06 p.m. June 26, 2008

This is quite a blog with many strange comments. How come whenever the LDS church says something helpful, it seems that all the FLDS deviates somehow find their way onto these blogs only to belittle, and post their polygamy BS. No one in in their right mind cares about FLDS barbaric practices. You guys need to get a grip on life. I'm sorry to inform you FLDS, but this is no longer the dark-ages.

Alex, pt 1 | 6:08 p.m. June 26, 2008

If the prophet recinds the manifesto and begins to issue plural marriage recommends, then I will be practicing plural marriage, pending the direction of the prophet. It is that simple. Until that day, however, I will not teach, practice, encourage, or scheme about practicing plural marriage.

Plural marriage is a provision of the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage, not the covenant itself. Many people associate the New and Everlasting Covenant with Polygamy because the covenant and the commandment to practice polygamy came together. If you read the first part of section 132 and it tells you what the covenant really is. It is always subject to the one person who holds the keys and according to conditions specified. Therefore Lord can command and he can rescind just like the Book of Jacob says. Sec. 132 refers to marrying "a wife" (neither singular nor plural) and how Abraham was justified in taking multiple wives.

Alex pt. 2 | 6:08 p.m. June 26, 2008

At the time of the revelation the Lord DID expect the saints to practice it. I have a testimony that the commandment to practice plural marriage was the mind and will of the Lord. I have prayed about it. I also have the witness that unless the prophet so indicates, I am not to practice or teach the principle.

The rescinding of and the restoration of the command to practice polygamy has an apparent precedent. Notice how Jacob commanded the people not to practice plural marriage unless commanded otherwise by the Lord, but yet a few hundred years later, Amulek, apparently had "wives" and he was a righteous man. Apparently there was a change somewhere in there.

Venom | 6:13 p.m. June 26, 2008

Wow, people have a lot of venom left for something that matters sooo little. I'd hate to see the ulcers that would result if the Church put out a tv show or something.

tigerlily | 6:11 p.m. June 26, 2008

dixie dan: guess what the lds church has practiced polygamy since 1890. some that still practiced it left utah. yes many utahans came from polygamists families so what, that doesn't mean that they practice polygamy

from Michigan | 6:30 p.m. June 26, 2008

The major difference I see between the FLDS and the SLC-LDS as of June 2008, is that the FLDS believe and practice polygamy now AND in their version of heaven, while the SLC-LDS believe they will be practicing polygamy only in their version of heaven, even though they did practice it in the UT territory up until the Oct.6, 1890 presidential order forbade it in order to avoid the bankruptcy of Edmunds-Tucker and to become a state in 1896.

Reality | 6:29 p.m. June 26, 2008

Wow I bet Bro. Joe would be very proud of the church and culture he created!

No really I think he would, how a fraud could engage what has become millions of people is an outstanding task. But in the end I think he will be saddened as he has denied so many enternal salvation.

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