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Dear Praying Friends,
The legacy of the ancient kings of Israel is clearly stated in 1 Kings 12:28-33. Verse 28: Idolatry; Verse 31: Built temples on their high places; Verse 31 Appointed priests from all the people who were not Levites; Verse 32: Placed “High Priests” at the high places. A disturbingly close parallel is evident when comparing those failures with Mormonism: 1) Idolatry, 2) hundreds of Mormon temples around the world, 3) any Mormon male beginning at age twelve can receive the priesthood. 4) Worthy Mormon males from ALL the people—who are not Levites—can become high priests. All this despite the fact that Hebrews 8:13 explains the Old Covenant, which includes priesthood, is obsolete. (1 Kings 13:34)
And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.
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 ~
MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY
~ It all began with Joseph Smith ~
Secrets and Denial:
Additional marriages were kept secret and when word began to spread Joseph turned to outright denial.
1. Emily and Eliza Partridge were the daughters of the first bishop of the Church, Edward Partridge. When he passed away, his daughters Emily (16) and Eliza (20) sought work as maids to help support their family. Emily recalls: “The first door that opened for us was to go to Smith’s, which we accepted.” “[I was] a nurse girl, for they had a young
baby ... Joseph and Emma were very kind to us; they were almost like a father and mother, and I loved Emma and the children.” “the Prophet Joseph and his wife Emma offered us a home in their family … We had been there about a year when the principle of plural marriage was made known to us, and I was married to Joseph Smith on the 4th of March 1843, Elder Heber C. Kimball performing the ceremony. My sister Eliza was also married to Joseph a few days later. This was done without the knowledge of Emma Smith. Two months afterward she consented to give her husband two wives, providing he would give her the privilege of choosing them. She accordingly chose my sister Eliza and myself, and to save family trouble Brother Joseph thought it best to have another ceremony performed. Accordingly on the 11th of May, 1843, we were sealed to Joseph Smith a second time, in Emma’s presence … From that very hour, however, Emma was our bitter enemy. We remained in the family several months
after this, but things went from bad to worse until we were obligated to leave the house and find another home.” (Emily Partridge’s journal)
2. Letter from Joseph Smith to Sarah Ann Whitney:
“…my feelings are so strong for you since what has passed lately between us…it seems, as if I could not live long in this way; and if you three would come and see me…it would afford me great relief…I know it is the will of God that you should comfort me now in this time of affliction…the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safety…burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up in your breasts…You will pardon me for my earnestness on this subject when you consider how lonesome I must be…I think Emma wont come tonight if she don’t fail to come tonight…”
(Joseph Smith, George Albert Smith Family Papers, Early Smith Documents, 1731-1849, Folder 18, in the Special Collections, Western Americana, Marriott Library, University of Utah). Copied from “A Letter For My Wife” pg 44
FROM OUR MAILBOX
“I do not want to come across as being judgmental... but polygamous groups, FLDS very much included, sound to be as evil; quite possibly more evil when compared, for example, with prosperity gospel movements. Their beliefs, works, and 'prosperity', financially benefitting those associated around the apex, are contrary to Christ's teachings and examples - Christ of the Holy Bible, and no other. His truth is the narrow way: the alternative leads to destruction. Thank you... As always it is a honour and a pleasure to hear your message." --PB
“Your work continues to bless us and we pray all find freedom in the true and living Christ." --MC
THANK YOU for adding your prayers for freedom for the people trapped in the false doctrine of polygamy-Jesus died to set us free!!
“Thank you for another informative video. Question- Is there any group who branched off the LDS church that does not practice polygamy?" --SC
ANSWER: Good question. A book entitled Divergent Paths of the Restoration, by Steven L. Shields lists well over 200 off-shoots of the LDS church. This is amazing since Joseph Smith the inventor of Mormonism, himself said that, “If God had a church it would not be split into factions…” (Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842) The Mormon church has split into hundreds of factions, some practice polygamy, but there are many that do not.
THANKS TO ALL OUR VIEWERS WHO SHARE THEIR COMMENTS.
Story of a Former FLDS Member
Angela Johnson, former member of the FLDS polygamy group in B.C., Canada, has told her story of being raised in the FLDS religion. Her story reflects the same brainwashing, mind and life control that polygamy groups have over their members.
“Angela, now 38, was raised in a strict 1,500-person religious community in Bountiful, British Columbia, Canada, which has practised polygamy for more than 70 years.
Angela now lives in Spokane, Washington, she said the group was completely cut off from the outside world, without internet, TV, mainstream music or media…. she said members lived in 'complete obedience' to the church and those who left were 'shunned' by family and friends.”
When she was 16 years old, she was coerced into a pre-arranged marriage as is often the case in polygamy groups. Her husband was 19 years old. But this marriage took an unusual twist. At first she was disillusioned with the cult, as she calls it, and made the decision to escape, which she did. She also planned to divorce her husband but he also left the group, contacted her, they began to form a friendship which soon became genuine love and they stayed married.
Angela said most of the girls only went up to grade 10 at their private religious school then they got married. They were taught they were the chosen people, elite and everyone else didn't know the way of God.
She said, "I was born in complete fear of everyone who wasn't part of the religion. It was indoctrination after indoctrination - this was the only way. Polygamy was one of the main parts of the religion. There was a hierarchy of men, the women were very oppressed and had to obey everything.”
https://www.newsbreak.com/the-mirror-us-1900780/3839738977646-nurse-who-fled-notorious-polygamous-cult-weeks-after-becoming-child-bride-falls-in-love-with-stranger-she-wed
THEY SAID THAT?
“You believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe, though it is supposed that it is so written in the Bible; but it is not, to my understanding. You can write that information to the States, if you please—that I have publicly declared that I do not believe that portion of the Bible as the Christian world do. I never did, and I never want to.” Brigham Young, JoD 2:6
PODCAST OF INTEREST:
Polygamy: What Love Is This (Episode 18.04, February 12, 2052)
Righteousness and Law in Mormonism.
Discussion of the Biblical difference of the Righteousness of Christ and personal self-righteousness as required in Mormonism/Mormon polygamy. The differences are profound and have eternal consequences.
Sample of Mormon Fundamentalist Teachings:
“How many are there in this Church who are now wavering and shaking because they have spoken against the ordinances of heaven, and especially against that ordinance which God has revealed for the exaltation of the children of men in celestial
Marriage (polygamy)? Hold that as sacred as your own soul: if you cannot see the beauty and glory of it, and feel it in your own hearts, say nothing against it… Who it is that can not see the beauty and the excellency of celestial marriage, and having our children sealed to us? What should we do without this?”
Teachings on Law of Consecration, pgs 116-117
POLYGAMY IN THE NEWS:
Mormonism embraces what they call “the law of consecration.” In a nutshell, it is that they pledge to consecrate their time, talents, money and property to the cause of the Church; such are to be available to the extent they are needed to further the Lord’s interests on earth. The law of sacrifice is that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for the truth’s sake—our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our houses, lands, and families; all things, even our very lives if need be.”
Based on this “law” most polygamy groups disallow members to own personal property. In the Allred polygamy group, (AUB) they allow members to own their own home, but the organization owns the land their homes are built upon. Recently many members of the Pinesdale, Montana AUB community have filed a lawsuit against the AUB: “For more than a decade, and amidst allegations of child molestation leveled against an AUB leader, some of those residents have sought to separate themselves from the church. Perhaps most critically, they want to own the land under their homes..”
“AUB … isn’t budging. It paid the taxes all these years, it maintains, and continues to own the land. A Montana judge has been asked to sort out the peculiar circumstances. The Pinesdale residents suing AUB say their livelihoods and freedom are at stake.”
“[Members] just realized that they were bamboozled and swindled. And then they started looking at the money and realizing how much AUB gains. I mean, it’s millions of dollars. Millions.”
While 27 named plaintiffs are suing AUB, many others in the community, perhaps as many as a third, support the lawsuit — and their efforts to break away from the church.”
https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/montana-community-divided-by-mormon-doctrine-land-rights-and-tithing
Praises and Prayer Requests:
- Continue to pray for “L”. She’s the mother of two young boys, left the FLDS, her husband works out
of state and she suffers loneliness and other marital issues. She is a believer but has become fearful of
many things. Pray God will release her from her past and she can enjoy her life in Christ.
- “S” continues to have domestic challenges. Pray for her strength and comfort & her husband’s
salvation.
NTERNET BROADCAST:
ALL of our programs (past and present) are available for viewing online directly from our website, (www.whatloveisthis.tv) or they may be viewed on your TV via a Roku device (If you have a Roku account, you can add Polygamy What Love Is This to your channel list at this link). Other Internet-to-television devices (Chromecast, many wi-fi-ready Blu-Ray players and gaming consoles) may also stream our programs directly to your TV from our YouTube or Vimeo channels.
Donor Options:
General Donations to A Shield and Refuge:
For other donation options, or to contribute to specific needs, visit: www.shieldandrefuge.org/support
If you would like to support A Shield and Refuge through automatic bank withdrawal, you can download the necessary form at the above link, print it out, fill it in, and either fax or mail it to us per the instructions on the sheet.
Checks can be made out to:
A Shield and Refuge Ministry
and mailed to:
PO Box 651292
Salt Lake City, UT 84165
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us!
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