The Restored Order of Marriage, cont.

The Manifesto and Beyond

• The Manifesto ended polygamy in October 1890.

• Later interpretations by Pres. Joseph F. Smith applied the Manifesto to plural marriage outside the United States.

The Manifesto and Beyond

• Elders Marriner W. Merrill, Matthias Cowley, and John W. Taylor opposed broader interpretations of the Manifesto.

•Elder Merrill died and Elders Cowley and Taylor resigned.

The Manifesto and Beyond

• Matthias Cowley was later disfellowshipped and John W. Taylor was excommunicated.

• Matthias Cowley returned to fellowship in the Church.

•John W. Taylor was posthumously restored to membership in 1965.

Why Polygamy?

Historians (some sympathetic and some antagonistic) have suggested many things…

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably• as a social experiment

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably• as a social experiment• to build up the Kingdom

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably• as a social experiment• to build up the Kingdom• to expand marriage opportunities

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably• as a social experiment• to build up the Kingdom• to expand marriage opportunities• as part of the restoration of all things

Why Polygamy?

• to have mistresses honorably• as a social experiment• to build up the Kingdom• to expand marriage opportunities• as part of the restoration of all things• to establish connections between families

Why Polygamy

In Section 132, the Lord said:

•All those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same

• It was instituted “for the fulness of my glory.”

Joseph Smith’s Explanation

• In a letter proposing marriage to Nancy Rigdon, who rejected Joseph’s proposal, he said, “ Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.”

Celestial Marriage

The more important message for us is that we can receive celestial marriage.

Celestial Marriage

Celestial marriage is three-way covenant between God, a woman, and a man…

Celestial Marriage

Celestial marriage is three-way covenant between God, a woman, and a man…• to bless our marriage and family life in this world

Celestial Marriage

Celestial marriage is three-way covenant between God, a woman, and a man…• to bless our marriage and family life in this world• to seal our spouse and children to us eternally

Celestial Marriage

Celestial marriage is three-way covenant between God, a woman, and a man…• to bless our marriage and family life in this world• to seal our spouse and children to us eternally• to qualify us for exaltation, so that we can receive all the Father has.

Calling and Election Made SureThose who press forward in righteousness, living by every word of revealed truth, have power to make their calling and election sure. They receive the more sure word of prophecy and know by revelation and the authority of the priesthood that they are sealed up unto eternal life. They are sealed up against all manner of sin and blasphemy except the blasphemy against the Holy

Calling and Election Made SureGhost and the shedding of innocent blood. But the mere fact of being married for time and eternity in the temple, standing alone, does not give them this guarantee. Blessings pronounced upon couples in connection with celestial marriage are conditioned upon the subsequent faithfulness of the participating parties.

- Joseph Fielding Smith

Innocent Blood• If a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.

Innocent Blood

• Whose blood is innocent?

Innocent Blood

• Whose blood is innocent?

•How do we figuratively shed Christ’s blood?

Polygamy in the Old Testament

• Approved by the Lord

• Wives given by the prophet

Emma Smith

• Verily, I say unto you: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.

Emma Smith

• And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph.

• And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed.

Law of Sarah

And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified…

Law of Sarah

If any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed…

Law of Sarah

It shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him.

Class 26 – Section 134

Church and State

Section 134

• Approved in August 1835.

• Included in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, but not as a section of the D&C.

• Probably written by Oliver Cowdery

Section 134

• v. 1. Governments were instituted by God for the benefit of man.

• v. 2. Their purposes include: securing free exercise of conscience, protect property, and protect life.

Section 134

• v. 3. We are responsible to seek out good representatives.

• v. 4. Laws should not infringe on religious practice unless they infringe on rights and liberties of others.

Section 134

• v. 5. Members are bound to sustain their own governments.

-- Even if they are oppressive?

Section 134

• v. 5. Members are bound to sustain their own governments

-- Even if they are oppressive?

•v. 5. … while they are protected in their inherent and inalienable rights.

Section 134

• v. 8. Governments are justified in punishing offenders and Saints are expected to help bring offenders to justice.

Section 134

• v. 10-11. Churches can try people for membership, but their power doesn’t go beyond that. Other crimes must be tried in civil courts.

• v. 11. Citizens can protect themselves and their property in times of emergency.

Section 134

• v. 12. We believe we have the right to preach the gospel though the earth.

• v. 12. We do not believe it right to interfere with slaves, to preach the gospel to them, or baptize them without their masters’ consent.

Section 134

• v. 9. We do not believe it just to mingle civil influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members , as citizens, denied.

Separation of Church and State

• If a majority has a strong religious viewpoint, when is it just for them to enact laws in support of that viewpoint?

Separation of Church and State

• If a majority has a strong religious viewpoint, when is it just for them to enact laws in support of that viewpoint?

• Consider polygamy vs. same-sex marriage.

Separation of Church and State

• Is there a legal or moral reason that churches in the United States should not voice opinions about political matters?

Separation of Church and State

• No!

• But the Church agreed to limit its political influence in order for Utah to gain statehood.

• If churches support specific candidates, then there are tax questions, however…