Many of the comments we receive in response to our videos about Mormon polygamy often include accusation that we don’t know what we’re talking about. A recent comment said this:
"I find it so interesting that so called Christians always seem to talk about doctrine as if they have a clue as to what the Prophets of old and Jesus Christ taught. It's so sad !!!!”
We find it interesting that anyone the least bit familiar with the Bible could not know what Jesus and the prophets of old taught. We do know God’s will by reading the Bible. Actually, the only way in which we can know God's will is by reading the Bible. But this culture rejects the authority of Biblical Scripture relying on personal revelation or some teaching of an elevated man they call a prophet. It's very difficult for someone raised in any sect of Mormonism to understand that all we need is Jesus—He alone is the mediator between us and God.
They question, “how can we possibly know that God or the prophets did not teach polygamy or that monogamy is His only choice in marriage?” We can and we do know because the Bible is clear that God’s design for marriage is monogamy which Jesus affirmed in the New Testament. God’s word is true—it is eternal—it never fails– it never changes– culture and progressive humanity doesn’t nullify or outdate the words God has given us in His Bible. And we depend upon the power of His word as we apply it to Mormon polygamy.
We thank you for your support and prayers that enable us to continue to bring Biblical truths to polygamists!
MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY
~ It all began with Joseph Smith ~
At that time there was great excitement among the Saints [Mormons] in Utah. Brigham Young and his Apostles were denouncing the Gentiles in the most unmeasured language. ... I really can hardly credit that so much ridiculous nonsense, bad grammar, and blasphemy, could ever have been uttered in a public place of worship; yet it was so. The Saints [Mormons] were told that in these last times all the Vials of the Wrath of God were about to be poured upon the earth; wars and desolations, anarchy and persecution, fire, pestilence, and unheard of horrors, were to desolate all the world, until men should call upon the rocks to hide them, and in the bitterness of their souls curse the day in which they were born; death was to be sought for, but not found... it is no wonder that the Saints [Mormons] in Europe were alarmed, and became anxious to emigrate to Utah, where they were told they would be safe. A seven years' famine was said to be at the door, when a sack of wheat should be sold for a sack of gold, and Gentile Kings and Princes were to come and crouch to the Saints for a morsel of bread. The very women in Zion were counselled to sell the ribbons from their bonnets, to buy flour with the proceeds, and to hide it away against the day of wrath.
The brethren and sisters in Switzerland who could dispose of their property hastened to "flee to Zion." Some did 'so at a ruinous sacrifice. One gentleman ...I knew, who was part proprietor of a newspaper and printing establishment. ... sold out at a great loss, dreading that the storm might overtake him before he reached the "Chambers of the Lord in the Mountains," as the [Mormon] Elders called Salt Lake City.
Up to this time I had never seriously doubted my religion, and I probably never should have done so had it not been for the introduction of Polygamy. But what I saw in London a that time sadly shook my faith, and the stories which I heard from Utah quite frightened me. Nothing, of course, was openly said, and at first I disbelieved every evil report, until at last it was impossible for me altogether to reject what was told me. ...when we saw letters from mothers to their children, and husbands to their wives —all people of unquestioned faith, setting forth the troubled state of men's minds in Utah, expressing fears for their own safety, and hinting at "cutting off" the transgressor, and the doings of " Avenging Angels," we could not cast them aside with contempt. My views of the glories of Zion were changing; henceforth I was never firm in the faith — I felt that there was something wrong. Fanny Stenhouse, Tell It All, pgs 156, 157, 159
Repentance According to Mormonism:
“The forsaking of sin must be a permanent one. True repentance does not permit making the same mistake again...The Lord said: ‘Go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return.’” LDS Church
president, Spencer W. Kimball, Repentance Brings Forgiveness.
Repentance, Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. ESV
“The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind”
(Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15).
“Oh come on … the Bible is full of polygamy, particularly in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself is descended through King David and one of his wives (Bathsheba). Some Jews were still observing levirate marriage under the law of Moses, during the time of Christ. Besides, arguing from the Bible can be an uncertain business, since there are so many different interpretations and Christian bibles to choose from (not to mention thousands of different sects of Christianity).” J.B.
REPLY: Show us one place in the Bible where God commanded men to take multiple wives as the Mormons claim He did. Show us just one commandment from Him to do it. Where is it? The problem is, they claim the Bible says what it doesn't say. Interpretation is a totally different conversation. So is practice. But the claim that God COMMANDED polygamy cannot be substantiated.
“Thank you for posting your episodes on Spotify! Your program has been very beneficial to me.” M.
NOTE: This comment is from a person living in a polygamous community but is now seeking the truth.
"There's a disconnect there… indeed, Doris, and I long await the day when you folks FULLY deconstruct from cult life, Evangelicalism included.” A.R.
REPLY: Evangelicalism is not a cult life, actually, it IS true LIFE in Jesus who is the light and life of the world.
A recent interview by a former member of the Kingston polygamy group has been posted. He talks briefly about his family and growing up experiences in the group:
Joe Robinson spoke at length about the chilling truth of his life when he grew up as a part of the cult in Salt Lake City. He was part of the Kingston Group, known as The Order, his parents were half-siblings, the same father, different mothers.
The Kingston group practices polygamy, young members are required to take blood tests to determine which family members they could safely marry. He was just 10 years old when they came to take blood from him and each family member.
Joe’s father is Daniel Kingston, he had 14 wives and 157 children at the time Joe told his story. Polygamist men don’t stop having children until they are crippled with age making it highly probably that Daniel now has considerably more wives and children.
Joe answered questions about children born through incest and subsequent deformities. It was particularly noticeable in Joe's family according to him, because not only were his parents half siblings, his father also married not one, but two, of his mother's sisters. "I saw kids were born with missing ears and things like that.
Joe said he could never really have a proper “crush” on any girl because they were all related to him. He had one particular crush on a girl who was his cousin. He said, "everyone you know is someone that you're related to."
Opposing the actions and leadership was not an option unless you wanted to be excluded from the community. Joe was kicked out of the group when he was 20 years old because he questioned their treatment of his mother who was dying of cancer.
https://www.boredpanda.com/man-raised-cult-kingston-group-mormon-reveals-horrifying-truth-inside-practices/
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September 2022, ten members of the Kingston Group filed a lawsuit citing forced incestuous relationships, indoctrination, subjection to physical abuse, child labor, slave-like working conditions, and schemes to defraud the State. The Kingston group has denied any wrongdoing. There is no update on the status of this lawsuit.
- Pray for "M" who thanked us for our programs addressing the problems of Mormon polygamy. He is in a polygamous community—pray he will find his salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. Pray for his wife who is not searching like he is. Pray they will both find the true answers in Jesus.
- Pray for “A” who is trying to find courage to leave a polygamous community.
June 29th we were invited to share about Mormon polygamy and polygamists to a class held at the new Utah Christian Research Center in Draper, Utah. Pics below:
Introducing A Shield and Refuge Ministry; contact and media information.
Presenting the foundation of Mormonism. The first Seven Presidents of the Mormon church were polygamists.
Just call Doris: 801-649-3103, or Email: doris@shieldandrefuge.org |
