Plural Marriage
Abraham
Abraham was a polygamist and had three wives.
Abraham married Hagar, “…to be his wife.” (Genesis 16:3-4),
“Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.” (Genesis 25:1-2)
Abraham had other unnamed ’’concubines….’ (Genesis 25:6).
Jacob
Jacob was a polygamist and had four wives.
Rachel (Genesis 29:20-30)
Bilhah (Genesis 30:3-4)
Leah (Genesis 30:9-17)
Zilpah (Genesis 30:9-17)
The Savior held the polygamist, Abraham and Jacob, in such high esteem that he used them as examples for good, many times.
“...Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,” Abraham and Jacob, who were polygamist, ended up “in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:11)
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Abijah had fourteen wives (2 Chronicles 13:21) and yet he is described as a righteous king of Judah who honored the Lord (2 Chronicles 13:8-12) and prosper in battle because of the Lord's blessing (2 Chronicles 13:16-18)
Jehoiada, a priest under king Joash had two wives (2 Chronicles 24:3) and is described at his death as one who; "had done good in Israel, both toward God and toward his house.” (2 Chronicles 24:16).
Esau the son of Isaac and Rebecca and brother of Jacob was a polygamist and had two wives. (Genesis 36:2)
The Prophet Samuel’s mother was a plural wife. (1 Samuel 1:1-2)
The Scriptures mention the Prophet Moses having two wives.
(Exodus 2:21). (Numbers 12:1)
The Lord reveals his laws.
“These are the judgments which thou shalt set before them...If he take him another wife...” (Exodus 21:1&10)
Also in the scriptures referring to future events in the last days -- of husbands having more than one wife.
(Isaiah 4:1) And why will “seven women” “take hold of one man”? –-- Why? “…to take away our reproach.”
What “reproach” could that be? --- Why it is the disadvantage and unfairness of living a good life and yet, through no fault of your own, not being able to find a worthy husband, a family and to be able to raise children.
Note: (Genesis 30:23) “And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:”
The Lord gave wives, (note: the s = plural), to another man.
“...I gave thee ... thy master’s wives....” (2 Samuel 12:7-8)
The Prophet Gideon had “…many wives….”
“And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.). (Judges 8:30-31)
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Latter-Day Revelation on Plural Marriage
"Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet...relating to...the eternitly of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage." (Doctrine and Covenants 132:1-66)
Doctrine and Covenants Excerpts from three addresses by President Wilford Woodruff regarding the Manifesto. Doctrine and Covenants Official Declaration-1
I find the following to be an interesting thought:
The Prophet Joseph Smith had more than one wife sealed to him for time, (this mortal life only), and/or throughout all "eternity". Thus some people may conclude that he was immoral. And yet there has been only one wife, Emma Smith who has had any children from the Prophet Joseph Smith. In fact no one, has ever claimed to be a descendant of the Prophet Joseph Smith other than the descendants of Emma and Joseph Smith.
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