Texas Polygamy Compound
April 5th, 2008 . by ErinJust when this word seems like it couldn’t get anymore creepy and weird, I read about something that makes my skin absolutely crawl!
Leave it to the whack jobs of America to try and revive polygamy! Not only has this particular individual tried to revive polygamy but he’s reviving it with over 50 girls, all under the age of 16. I’ve posted a link to the news story…
52 Children Removed From Polygamist Compound In Texas
‘There was a crackdown on a polygamist compound after a 16-year-old girl claimed she was sexually abused. It’s being called the largest single investigation by the Texas Department of Family Services, and it’s centered around the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ (FLDS) ranch near Eldorado, Texas.’
Nothing like the Fundamentalist, Re-Organized, and Community of Christ wanting to be completely separate from the LDS church but keeping the same name with another word in front… Kudos on the originality guys! Keep making yourselves proud with your crazy antics!
Well in this Texas groups defense- the LDS church practiced polygamy as a religious doctrine- and then quit. The fact that this group broke off when the “majority” Church disavowed the practice, and that this group has continued the practice of polygamy is their religious ideal. We love to disown and divorce the idea of “mainstream” Mormonism today of having anything to do with polygamy but you only have to go back 4 generations (or about 100 years) to find it in my “thick Mormon blood”. And that “thick Mormon blood” represents previous leaders of Mormonism.
You still have to wonder if they are doing it for the same reasons that the LDS did it for. When you have a compound of girls mostly under the age of 16 and almost half are pregnant? Something tells be they strayed pretty far from the original point of polygamy which was to multiply and replenish not to mention make the church stronger and at the time was divinely sanctioned. It is no longer sanctioned therfore we no longer practice it. We shouldn’t be blamed for the doings of others.
Other point; back 100 years or so when our heritage involved polygamy, it wasn’t against the law. Now it’s against the law. You can harp on about how we should take responsibility instead of hiding our heads, but the truth of the matter is people should take responsibility for their actions, and if they do follow us as closely as you say they do, then they should have heard the part about obeying the law of the land. I’m pretty sure we did and that’s why we don’t practice polygamy anymore.
If one truly has “thick Mormon blood” and is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, there is NO defense of the Texas group.
One of the Articles of Faith states, “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”
A fully active AND BELIEVING member of the LDS church adheres to the commandments of God as they are revealed through His prophet. He does not pick and choose that which he will believe - and ignore or explain away that which is inconvenient.
He or she will make mistakes along the way in trying to adhere to God’s commandments - but that is different than adopting only those parts that are easy.
The fact that we believe that God will… “yet reveal many great and important things…” means that he can give higher instruction than that which was previously given. Example - the gospel of Jesus Christ supercedes the Law of Moses. One cannot say that it was good enough 2000+ years ago - and so it should be good enough today. The Law of Moses has been fulfilled… God has told us to move beyond it - and anyone who chooses to stick with it does so at his own peril.
God has, throughout history, commanded some of His people to practice the Law of Polygamy. Abraham was allowed the practice as was Jacob (Israel) just to name two. But others were condemned for the practice (Solomon leaps to mind). Since Solomon came AFTER both Abraham and Jacob, we must conclude that God can revoke that law after allowing its practice. His latest word on ANY issue is His current word.
Another one of the Articles of Faith says, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, and in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.”
The law of the United States makes the practice illegal. God said through His prophet that His people are not to practice it at this time. It doesn’t matter what He said on the matter in the 1840s, His most recent proclamation forbids its practice - and THAT IS THAT.
If we believe in modern revelation; if we believe in obeying the law of the land, then we cannot justify what is going on in Texas. It is NOT of God and is therefore an abomination before Him.
First, please research your claims on the legality of polygamy. (id est “back 100 years or so when our heritage involved polygamy, it wasn’t against the law”)
Second, please do not infer my unstated position. (id est “and if they do follow us as closely as you say they do”)
Third, I made no religious claim and find it indecent that you would infer my religiosity, if that indeed is what your intention was. (id est “A fully active AND BELIEVING member of the LDS church adheres to the commandments of God as they are revealed through His prophet.”)
Fourth, this appears to be an overreaction to my attempt to show the other side of the story. My only question is, “Is this reaction formation?”.
And finally, I made no attempt to validate their actions. I think what was going on in the Texas compound was incorrect. I’m glad the state stepped to stop the molestation of minors. My intention was only to point out that we share a common heritage that some like to deny.
Ok! Now that things have gotten heated i think it’s time we all stopped boxing each other and take a time out. I’m sorry skivy for making you feel like you were being ganged up on. That was not my intention. Let us beathe in, breathe out and focus positve energy…..
Its cool. I still love you. And I think that we can have a heated debate without hurting each others feelbads.