Monday, November 17, 2014

Jacob condemns those practicing polygamy

Polygamy is a sin unless authorized or commanded of God
 
Many people criticize and are falling away from Christ's church based upon the history of polygamy in the church. To those whom are unsure if this was truly commanded of God at designated times in history, or to those who find it repulsive, I would recommend consideration of the very blessings that members of the church as the " House of Israel " can claim because we all are adopted into Abraham's  family, or we are literally part of his family.. The blessings for the " House of Israel " came by way of Father Abraham; a prophet whom is trusted to be of God not only in the LDS faith, but even in the Old Testament. Abraham was a prophet who also practiced polygamy, along with many in the Old and New Testament.
 
Father Abraham had four wives in the hundred and seventy five years that he lived, one of which was Jacob, whom was re-named " Israel ". Jacob had four wives; Leah, Ziplah, Bihah, and Rachel. The children from these marriages are referred to as " The Twelve Tribes of Israel ".
 
This is the very same " Israel " that was prophesied would be scattered in the book of Jacob, in the Book of Mormon.
But, it should also be mentioned that the " scattering of Israel " is something that is also taught about in the other testaments of Christ; the Old and New Testament. In fact this " Scattering of Israel " was mentioned 22 times; Deuteronomy 28:64, Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 4:27, Psalms 106:27, Jeremiah 9:16, Ezekiel 20:23; Ezekiel 22:15 , etc....
 
Lehi's group in the Book of Mormon is one of those that the allegory of the Olive Tree speaks of; as Lehi's family was taken from one place and planted in another, ( Jacob 5:9) and this was done in order to preserve the " blood that believes".
 
The Book of Mormon Student Manual ( Religion 121-122 ) states that the scattering of Israel was a blessing to Israel and to the rest of Heavenly Father's children, and it states that President James E. Faust of the First Presidency spoke of the scattering of Israel; he said, " The scattering of the House of Israel throughout the world scattered the blood that believes so that many nations may partake of the gospel plan" ( Ensign, Nov. 1982 )
 
When commanded; having more posterity through means of being able to produce children, or " seed " faster as a result of polygamy; " sprinkles the blood that believes " about the earth.
 
Thankfully Abraham was promised incredible blessings; that his descendants could also partake in. Even as Abraham's son Jacob created what we know as the Twelve Tribes of Israel between his wives. Those who believe in these prophets should understand the great blessings that have come about because of the, " blood that believes"  being dispersed across our nations to strengthen and bring God's children closer to Christ through their testimonies being dispersed more widely.
 
Thankfully Joseph Smith and few others were commanded to create more children with the " blood that believes " as this enabled Christ's church to grow and plant roots that could not be plucked out by Satan's forces.
 
We should have much gratitude in our heater for those who endured such a trial as too covenant with more than one wife and for those women whom covenanted with a husband with such a responsibility of providing for and caring for multiple women and children; as many know that maintaining one healthy marriage is a great task in it's self. What a sacrifice these individuals made to help build God's kingdom, yet ironically many members of the church are embarrassed by these great servants of God, whom endured so much for us all to have what we have.
 
We should be thankful that we have very clear instructions that polygamy can be a  counterfeit  tool of Satan; as we learn in Jacob chapter 5; and that it is only authorized at certain times; and only by God himself; through His prophet; as it says in
Jacob 2:30:
" 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."
 

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