It is a completely different world for us who were born and raised in Mormon Fundamentalism. We were brainwashed from the cradle to believe that those not in the group were our enemies, not to be trusted.
Those who exit polygamy and Mormonism usually carry with them the idea that in order to follow God, they must have a “human” leader who carries authority from God. Mormon
polygamy groups and the LDS all have a human “prophet” whom they believe has that exclusive authority. Its very difficult for them to understand or believe that Christianity does not have a human mediator between themselves and God, that we follow Jesus Christ ALONE through the instructions, commandments and promises revealed in His Word. This is an exceedingly difficult concept for them because they’ve always been taught to follow, obey, and revere their human ‘prophet’. We point them to the following Bible passage:
1 Timothy 2:5-6-- For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
We thank God for the opportunity to share His love and grace to those from Mormonism who have been taught to trust in humans rather than in God alone.
We thank you for your support and prayers that enable
us to bring the Good News to polygamists
To help our readers understand the struggles polygamists face, we present suggested reading material which may give you a better understanding of the dark world of Mormon polygamy. This month our featured book is entitled, Born in Polygamy, by Rebecca
Kimbel. Her book is 1 1/2 inches thick and contains a huge amount of information, so we will be reviewing it for the next couple of Newsletters. We also focused on this book with a couple of our shows which you can watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfdNP-3Yu6s
Born in Polygamy is written by Rebecca Kimbel who suffered tremendously in a polygamous family. She was raped, bartered, sold, beaten, and threatened with blood atonement if she didn’t submit. On the back cover her opening quote is: “I was born a slave, sold as a slave and bred as a slave in the United States of America.” She then goes on to inform the reader, that her story isn’t unique since there are literally thousands of people born into the Mormon polygamy culture and their only choice is to obey or be destroyed. She also states that:
“Murder, theft, child molestation and other crimes flourish among our ‘holy people’. Constitutional rights of the victims remain nonexistent. American courts continue to uphold the rights of the perpetrators, as it is all done in the name of Freedom of Religion.” ~ Rebecca Kimbel, Born in Polygamy, Back cover.
Rebecca’s grandfather was a third-generation polygamist. On page One she writes:
“Grandfather gave two of his daughters to my father... Thus, my mother became the second wife of her brother-in-law. His father constantly preached that Polygamist born children were God’s chosen and choicest people on earth. This greatly elevated my Dad’s opinion of himself. Dad’s belief that he was superior to other people swelled his ego and soothed his excessive pride.”
She explains that in her polygamy group if a man wants to advance in their priesthood which earns them the right to become a god, he must have at least seven wives. The only reason some plural wives are even married is to facilitate their husband into earning his standing as a god. The more wives a man had the greater he is within the Fundamentalist
community, and the afterlife.
On page three she quotes Brigham Young, “Will you love your brothers and sisters, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is what Jesus Christ meant.” Brigham Young, Deseret News, April 16 1856.
This is the foundational doctrine of many polygamy groups. Rebecca’s book can be purchased at Amazon.com or go to: www.rebeccakimbel.com.
MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY
“I heard the revelation on polygamy, and I believed it with all my heart, and I know it is from God—I know that he revealed it from heaven; I know that it is true and understand the bearings of it and why it is. ‘Do you think that we shall ever be admitted as a State into the Union without denying the principle of polygamy?’ If we are not admitted until then, we shall never be admitted” (Brigham Young, August 19, 1866, Journal of Discourses 11:269, as quoted by Bill McKeever, In Their Own Words, pg 293.)
Where did this commandment come from in relation to polygamy? It also came from God. It was a revelation given unto Joseph Smith from God and was made binding upon His servants. When this system was first introduced among this people, it was one of the greatest crosses that ever was taken up by any set of men since the world stood. Joseph Smith told others; he told me, and I can bear witness of it, ‘that if this principle was not introduced, this Church and kingdom could not proceed.’ When this commandment was given, it was so far religious, and so far binding upon the Elders of this Church that it was told them if they were not prepared to enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be taken from them. (John Taylor, April 7, 1866, Journal of Discourses 11:221, as quoted by Bill McKeever, In Their Own Words, pg 293.)
“You might as well deny ‘Mormonism,’ and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the Twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose that doctrine, and the whole of them would be damned” (Heber C. Kimball, October 12, 1856, Journal of Discourses 5:203, as quoted by Bill McKeever, In Their Own Words, pg 293.)
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This is a billboard in Salt Lake City, UT advertising a locally made brand of vodka labelled FIVE WIVES VODKA. They suggest you enjoy Five Wives because the “locals” do—of course it is a parody on the many Mormon polygamists who live in the Intermountain West. Its humor is even more evident in that Utah has strict alcoholic beverage controls; adults cannot buy any alcohol outside of a Utah State owned liquor outlet. Utah also boasts a local producer of beer labelled Polygamy Porter. Beer in Utah can be sold through the local grocery stores, but only if it doesn’t exceed a certain alcohol level. It is evident that the practice of polygamy is accepted and even profitable for some Utah businesses.
Tom Green, a well known and self-advertised polygamist from Utah has passed away. He had recently been accepted as a member of the Kingston Polygamy Group. He is survived by wives, 34 children and 54 grandchildren. His obituary gave no cause of death but a source said it was a result of the COVID-19 virus.
In 2001, Green was convicted of bigamy and criminal nonsupport involving the thousands of dollars in state payments made to support his children. The next year he was convicted of child rape, for which he spent six years in prison; he was in his 30's when he had sex with his first wife who was 13."
“I heard that Mormons practice blood atonement and do not believe that the blood of Jesus atoned for the most egregious sins. That essentially you have to pay it yourself through blood vengeance. Does any of that have any merit?” --MCT
ANSWER: This was certainly a part of early Mormonism, and the doctrine can still be found in the early texts. The mainstream LDS church, for obvious reasons, has distanced itself from this teaching but many Mormon fundamentalists still believe in (and even practice) blood atonement based on the doctrine that certain sins are beyond Jesus' ability to atone, that they must be atoned by the shedding of the sinner’s blood.
However, Colossians 2:14 says this: ... having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. And 1 John 1:9 is also clear that the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL our unrighteousness.
“Praying our Lord opens all eyes to the true and living God. Thank you for your work.” --MH
“I enjoy all of your shows, please don't change a thing. I am LDS, but I am questioning my beliefs after 38 years of being in the LDS Church. The LDS Church kept a lot of things away from me, and I am beginning to discover them. I am not happy with the manipulative and deceitful behaviors of Joseph Smith and the early leaders of the church. I do enjoy the truth that bring. Thanks!!” --DB
- We are thankful that our weekly bible study with ex-polygamists is beginning to increase from two people to possibly a half-dozen folks. Ask God to continue to bless them through His Word that each one would recognize that Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior—and each would give his/her life to Him.
- We are also grateful that speaking opportunities are beginning to open again.
WE ARE available to speak to your group, association, church or organization about the Mormon Fundamentalists of today.
Just call Doris: 801-649-3103, or Email: doris@shieldandrefuge.org |
