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Show MORMON CHURCH. POLYGAMY. 127 other name for whoredom^ and is as foreign from the real principles of the church as the devil is from God, or as sectarianism is from Christianity.'" 1 Mormonism then is not necessarily polygamy at least it was not in its early history. The church existed for twenty years without the practice being known to the laity as an authorized one, and as I have given the opinions of the most prominent of the clergy on the subject, I propose now to notice how it is treated in their works. It is a singular fact that the only reference the Mormons make to the Bible as a guide in life, or use its teachings in their arguments, is when they try to defend polygamy. The precedents established by Abraham, David, and Solo mon, referred to in the Old Testament, viewed entirely in the abstract, and the pretended revelation to Joseph Smith, are the only authorities claimed for their acts. Both the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrines and Covenants expressly condemn polygamy, and a more pos itive condemnation of it we could find nowhere. Let the reader judge for himself from the following quotations : " And it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulged themselves somewhat in wicked prac tices, such as like unto David of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon his son." " The word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For beho! d, thus saith the Lord, this people begin to wax in iniquity ; they understand not the Scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Behold David and Solomon truly had many v/ ives and concubines, Which thing was abominable before me^ saith the Lord; wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people out of the land of Jerusa lem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up a righteous branch from the fruits of the loins of Joseph, * Millennial Star, vol. 6, p. 22. |