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Another year has quickly become history and we face once again the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, who is God the Son. Growing up brainwashed by Mormon doctrine, we were taught that the universe is populated by multiple gods, men who had lived polygamy being so righteous they earned their own godhood. Each ‘god’ has several wives with whom he engages in eternal sex to populate all the planets that he earned in this mortal estate. When I became a Christian and began studying the Bible under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, I discovered the original lie the serpent told in the Garden of Eden was that they could become gods if they disobeyed God. Multiple verses throughout the Bible teach there is only one God, only one Savior, only one redeemer, that all the false gods of the nations are idols. What a pleasant shock it was to learn that truth. Christians celebrate Christmas differently than the world does, because the Lamb is also the Lion, our Creator became our Savior and there is no other.
Isaiah 43:11I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no Saviour.
Isaiah 45:21 ...and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
We want polygamists to know and understand there is only One God—Jesus is God—
and He ALONE is the Savior.
We thank you for your support and prayers that enable us
to bring Biblical truths to polygamists.
“A testimony of Joseph Smith is vital. No man can accept Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world ... unless he can accept Joseph Smith as God’s mouthpiece and the restorer of His work in these latter days. First, to say that we are Christians then requires two or three certainties. We must know for certainty in our hearts and minds that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. We must know that this [Mormon church] is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God on earth in these last days; and finally we must have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God” (LDS Church 11th President, Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, p. 371).”
BUT THE BIBLE SAYS….
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Titus 3:4-7
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY
~~It all began with Joseph Smith~~
I knew that my husband was, as well as other men, occasionally reminded that it was his duty to make his kingdom larger as speedily as possible, by taking another wife, or more than one if he liked. We had many very stormy interviews on this subject; he used to discuss my callers, and especially the pretty girls, as most Mormon men discuss women, with reference to their "points," as jockeys would talk of horses, or importers of fine stock. Polygamy does not tend to enhance the value of womanly dignity and grace, and very little respect for them is either expressed or felt by one brought up under its baneful influence.
It is strange how quickly men, in a polygamous community, lose that chivalrous courtesy which characterizes men elsewhere. It seemed so strange to me to see the deference shown to my sex when I left Utah, and came, for the first time in my life, among people living under monogamic laws. I was struck by the tenderness and consideration men showed towards their wives and children; and the women, claiming, with confidence that they were used to it, and considered that it belonged to them, their husbands' attention and care. It was strange, too, to see the deference shown to a woman by the young men and boys; and when once, in a car, I saw a manly little fellow, about twelve or thirteen years of age, rise with a rare grace, and give his seat to an old lady, the tears sprang to my eyes, such an unaccustomed sight was it. I contrasted that boy with the youth of Utah, and I felt with a new indignation flashing through all my veins, and a new sorrow tugging at my heart, the curse that polygamy was to the young men, as well as to the young girls, who are growing up under the teachings of that baneful system. It is horrible! It fouls and poisons the stream at its very source (and it adds mud and filth as it crawls along its slimy way), sending up its noxious vapors, until it has bred a most pestilent moral malaria, which nothing but the cool, clear air of religious liberty and education shall ever dispel and purify. Why cannot men and women, outside of this terrible system, see the horrors of it, and work for its overthrow? My soul cries out in agony, 'Is there no help for this great evil?' Everywhere the world seems so dead to it! The enormity does not seem to manifest itself unto them. They speak lightly of Mormonism, as of something to ridicule or laugh at, rather than to condemn. God knows there is nothing laughable or ridiculous in it to its victims. It is the most pathetic, tragic earnestness and reality.
~ Ann Eliza Young, Wife No. 19, pgs 400-401
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KJ wrote: “When [you say God] said 'don't do it" regarding polygamy" you do not cite scripture, but just schmooze over the statement as if it were as commonly accepted and known by rote, just as John 3:16. The truth, however, is that God does not condemn multiple wives, but does in fact, give guidelines as to who and how the additional wife matter is to be handled. But one of the ways to handle it is not "No!””
REPLY: God also gives guidelines on how to handle those who kill people, rape people, steal from others or burn down his neighbor’s crops. God giving guidelines on how to handle lawbreakers is not God condoning breaking the law. It’s ironic you reference John 3:16, the verse that clearly explains Jesus saves by ‘gift’ because of His love and sacrifice for us. John 3:16 does not include having multiple wives. And God DOES condemn polygamy. Anything that fits into the category of adultery is wrong and that includes polygamy.
You need to read Deuteronomy 17:17 and 1 Corinthians 7:2.
DJ wrote: “Telling people especially little children that the God of the bible expects people to earn their salvation by practicing polygamy is telling people a great big lie.”
BL wrote: “Praise the LORD for all the hard work in research being undertaken by many these days to help others find their way out of the maze of Mormonism.”
Salvation by Grace. “Since all good things come by the grace of God (that is, by his love, mercy, and condescension), it follows that salvation itself ... is bestowed because of this
infinite goodness. However, one of the most damnable doctrines of an apostate Christendom is the concept that man can gain salvation ... by grace alone and without obedience. This doctrine of the devil has the obvious effect of lessening the determination- of an individual to conform to all of the laws and ordinances of the gospel, such conformity being essential if the sought for reward is in reality to be gained.” ~ Mormon Doctrine, pg 602-603
(continued)
How I became a plural wife:
My future “husband to be” and his two wives repeatedly invited me over for dinner, they would arrange the seating so that I sat by him but I didn't feel comfortable because our “prophet” had not yet given his permission. So I went to see the prophet, Owen A. Allred and asked him if I could court Harry. Without hesitation, he said yes.
I was surprised when he gave his approval. I wanted to get to know my future husband, Harry and his family. I knew so little about him and them. After church one Sunday I told his first wife that I had asked the prophet about him, so she invited me over for dinner to talk to her husband and his other wife. I told them I had asked the Prophet if I could court Harry. He seemed excited at the prospect which alarmed me - I didn't want to hurt any of his wives’ feelings. It was a very uncomfortable situation. He invited me to pray with them that night. It was wonderful.
He invited me to dinner, and we went to Subway then to the park to talk. I knew he was building a house and didn't want to spend extra money. We talked about my past relationships with other men, through an many tears I told him everything. He was very kind and reminded me that the Lord had forgiven me. The next day the prophet called him and told him about my wild past and that he should not proceed with the courtship, but he told the prophet I had told him everything and had truly repented. Since Harry stood up for me, he gained my trust in a huge way, I felt safe with him.
One night Harry and I were sitting on the couch quietly talking, suddenly one of his wives came into the room and put my hand in his hand, she said she wanted me to know that it was okay to hold his hand. I was uncomfortable and felt terrible. I wanted him to take my hand on his own not because it was forced on him. She showed us a newspaper advertising rings for sale and pointed out one that was only $100.00. It was pretty clear they couldn't afford more than that for my ring. Harry and I went out a few days later and purchased the ring she had suggested. I didn't want to hurt her feelings or complain that it was a band much like a young boy would give his girlfriend and chided myself for not being more appreciative.
A few weeks later he invited me to his first wife's bedroom and asked me to come into his family as a wife. I was infuriated, everything in me screamed, say NO! It was humiliating and
disappointing that he took me into his first wife’s bedroom and sat on her bed to propose marriage to me. I wanted to cry, but then I started arguing with myself, "you have to live this principal to get to heaven, it may as well be with him; you don't want to disappoint him, what can go wrong? It is the will of God." The answer, yes, came out of my mouth and I couldn't take it back.
When I left their bedroom, his two wives were waiting just outside the door smiling and asked, did you say yes? I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. Oh, how I wish I could have said, no! Doubts crept in. I asked myself, if this is so right why does it feel so wrong? Of course, no one would know my real feelings, I plastered a great big smile on my face and told myself it was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. How could I hurt their feelings on such a happy occasion? It wasn’t until years later I discovered how wrong it really was!
- We praise God for making the way through legal lawsuits revealing to the world sexual and other crimes in Mormon polygamy groups and the LDS church.
- Pray for “AR” and his family, they have left a polygamy group but they are trying to steal his home from him, it is legally his. This family of eight is facing unbelievable difficulties. Pray also they will accept the TRUE Savior and trust Him.
- Pray for financial help for a former plural wife who is in dire need of extensive dental work.
- Praise for a telephone call from Massachusetts about a neighbor who watched our internet shows and left the LDS church.
Just call Doris: 801-649-3103, or Email: doris@shieldandrefuge.org |
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