Probably one of the hottest areas of controversy rages around the Book of Mormon”‘s teachings on polygamy. Those unfamiliar with the teachings of this book might be surprised to learn that polygamy was flatly condemned in the book of Jacob. Jacob was a Nephite prophet who said polygamy was abominable (2:24), and equated the practice with whoredoms (2:28). Modern Mormons, though, twist verse 30 of this same chapter””For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people, otherwise they shall hearken unto these things”””to provide for possible future endorsement of the practice God considered so abhorrent.
The earlier Jaredites, however, had no teachings we know of on polygamy, but several things indicate that perhaps they could have practiced polygamy. The brother of Jared (the one who was so holy that he could behold the entire body of the Lord) had twenty-two children (Ether 6:20), and another Jaredite, Orihah, had thirty-one (Ether 7:2). In addition, Ether 14:2 states that in a time of warfare “Every man kept the hilt of his sword in his right hand, in defense of his property and his own life and of his wives and children” (italics mine), which certainly implies the practice of polygamy. Thus the teaching of the Book of Mormon on polygamy seems to be this: God permitted the Jaredites to practice it without comment; He allowed it but condemned it in the Israelites; and He forbade it to the Nephites, while saying that it might be all right some time in the future.
For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today (Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices.
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