The first focus of our ministry is “To bring Biblical Truths to polygamists.” We are certain it is God’s Word that is the moving power that draws people out of darkness and into His wonderful light. We cling to the promise He made in Isaiah:
Isaiah 55:10-11— “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
We show polygamists from the Bible that God’s requirement is not polygamy but is faith in Jesus Christ alone, and we show them that God’s grace, rather than our works, results in God’s gift of eternal life. Many are amazed at such an idea, others don’t want to hear it, some just shrug it off as another deceitful religious trick—how can such a wonderful thing as heaven be FREE? But it isn’t FREE, Jesus paid the price for it in FULL. Thank you for your support of this ministry!
“I thank God every day he showed me your program so I would have the strength and courage to leave the
LDS Church and especially why. Thank you. Loved the episode of your answer to a viewer’s letter. It was priceless.” CB
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“I’ve loved listening to your show over the past 2+ years... am caught up on all the episodes, I think! I’m nearly certain I’ve heard you referring to LDS scriptures that were in print at the same time that both affirmed monogamy AND, in a different area, polygamy at the same time. If I’m correct about that, I sure would appreciate your help in finding these references!
“I pray for you every week that you would prosper in spreading of the truth! I’ve never been polygamous, but your show has been so great at encouraging me to be more forward in learning to be able to help spread the gospel! I love that you give references for whatever you say! God bless!” BH
ANSWER:
The early Mormons verbally denied living polygamy while they were secretly practicing it. During that time, the Mormon Scriptures said this:
"MARRIAGE. v. 4 "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 the case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again." 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, C1, p. 251(1835)
In the Mormon publication, Times and Seasons, Joseph Smith repeated the statement from Doctrine and Covenants on Marriage and denied all allegations that polygamy was being practiced. Times and Seasons, vol. 3, p. 939(1842)
After years of secretly teaching and practicing polygamy, Joseph Smith publically said this to the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo on Sunday May 26, 1844.
"...What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers." History of the Church,6, p. 411
At the time he said this, Joseph Smith had secretly taken over 25 plural wives.
There are several very good books that have been written about contemporary Mormon polygamy.
For those who have a deeper interest in this topic and the difficulties escapees face in leaving and
adjusting to society outside of the group, we recommend you read their stories.
This month we introduce a book written by Kaziah Hancock, Prisons of the Mind, first published in 1987. It describes Kaziah’s experiences as, “A true story of white slavery done in the name of religion.”
From the flyleaf: “The powerful story that follows is that of an unscrupulous man using religious compulsion in the extreme to subject and exploit other human beings for his own personal gain. By adding a word where it was convenient and subtracting words so as to give the Holy Scriptures a new meaning, then claiming power and rights, he locked naïve victims into a trap. Preach long enough, loud enough, often enough and they will begin to believe it. Control the environment. Do not allow your subjects to have outside communication, then capitalize on their labor. And what do you have? Prisons of the Minds—a true story you will never forget.”
Kaziah was the daughter of polygamous parents who associated with the “Shortcreek” polygamy group now known as the FLDS in Colorado City, AZ. Many years ago, her mother was quite perturbed at the LDS president, Heber J. Grant, she writes on page 21 of her book:
“After reading the news of the month, Mother said, “What in the world is the matter with Heber J. Grant saying he hopes the polygamists get the full extent of the law, then he’s caught having a second wife on the side? Why, I’d just like to write him a letter and tell him what I think of him.”… So she sat down and wrote him a long letter telling him what a hypocrite he was.’”
Kaziah tells her story of being married off to a man she hated, and suffering unbelievable abuses—sexual abuse as well as physical abuse and deprivation. She was exploited by the men in her world, used as a plaything at night and a workhorse during the day. She was cheated not only of her business that she had built up, but also her money.
She tells how her own mother suffered at the hands of the men in her world, after her husband passed away.
Kaziah had a heart for God from her earliest memory, and during the years of her sufferings in the polygamous environment, because she had no other point of reference, and knew no other way or alternative, she thought she WAS serving God, despite the abuses she experienced.
The next quote, from page 125, clearly shows the disdain by which the Mormon dogma views females: “His chair leaned against the wall as usual while he held The Journal of Discourses in his hand. “I am your Lord,” he shouted… “If you think you will ever get to God by bypassing me, you’re crazy. You have to go through me to even get to God. He recognizes the head of the home, not the tail.”
Jesus said a bad root cannot produce good fruit. Kaziah's story demonstrates the truth of those words by giving the reader a whole new perspective on the doctrine of Mormon polygamy.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Kaziah has been a guest on our program several times. You can click the following links to watch her interviews with us:
http://www.whatloveisthis.tv/episodes/2011/ep438.htm
http://www.whatloveisthis.tv/episodes/2013/ep625.htm
http://www.whatloveisthis.tv/episodes/2015/ep803.htm http://www.whatloveisthis.tv/episodes/2015/ep836.htm
On January 4, 1896, President Grover Cleveland signed a proclamation for Utah to become the 45th State in the Union. The Presidential Proclamation required that Utah give up the practice of plural marriage (polygamy). As a result the Utah State Constitution, Article III contains these words:
“Article III The following ordinance shall be irrevocable without the consent of the United States and the people of this State:
[Religious toleration -- Polygamy forbidden.]
First: -- Perfect toleration of religious sentiment is guaranteed. No inhabitant of this State shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship; but polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited.”
Notice the phrase: “polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited.”
This is the governing document, the Constitution of the State of Utah. However, its stipulation of the prohibition of polygamy, FOREVER, has never been honored. Mormons and Mormon Fundamentalists continue to embrace the doctrine of plural marriage, they continue to teach it is required by God, that no one can enter God’s Kingdom without having been a believer in plural marriage.
Brigham Young taught:
"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; and
I will go still further, and say that this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord had given, and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned."
Prophet Brigham Young, Deseret News, November 14, 1855
The Utah Legislature continues to pass laws sustaining polygamy as a crime, but the politicians and the legal authorities do nothing to stop it nor seem to take notice of the crimes against women and children who are in polygamy.
There are several reports of people in FLDS community who are responding to the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you to those who pray for these souls, and please continue to pray for many, many more to be added to the Lamb’s Book of Life. Pray for discipleship and that the God would restrain the devil’s efforts to destroy their new-found faith.
Pray for a woman with six children including a 15 year old daughter that is being watched carefully as a possible plural wife. Pray for them. Pray God will protect the young girl and open the parents eyes to see the light of God’s truth.
We are always interested in what our readers and supporters find interesting regarding the topic of polygamy. If you have a particular question, or would like more information on a news event or topic relating to the practice of plural marriage or have a concern, we invite you to send your request to us via email:
doris@shieldandrefuge.org
We also like to receive suggestions for topics to cover on our weekly internet and Roku broadcasts. Feel free to let us know what’s on your mind. If you know of anyone who is in polygamy and has questions or may want to escape, they can contact us at:
Toll free - 877-425-9993 |
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