The Verse That Shaped Our History

The reality of the polygamy debate is that there are far too few pieces to get an accurate picture. I can see why there are proponents of both sides, and believers in multiple narratives. The honest truth may be out of our grasp, at least until the restoration is complete. At some point the truth will be proclaimed upon the housetops. Until then, we’ll have to grapple with the tattered remnants of a woefully dim coat of many colors.

This series is an investigation into the verse that has shaped our history and beliefs. As I’ve studied the history and the theology, I’ve realized it all hinges on this single verse in the Book of Mormon. Incorrectly interpreting the hinge point will cause the door to swing in the wrong direction, opposite of what was intended by the Lord. Jacob 2:30 is the exception, the reason Mormons allow for a future commandment to practice polygamy, plural marriage, celestial plural marriage or whatever you prefer to call the “sanctioned” version of having more than one wife.

There is no reason to take what I write or say as gospel. I’m just an old chunk of coal, a guy in your ward, a nobody without any credentials, calling, or commission. I understand if you think I’m a fool and reject everything I say. However, you may find value in exploring the Book of Mormon in depth, especially these chapters and verses etched by Jacob. I believe the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth and it would serve us well to abide by its precepts.

Through my own study I’m going to show why I believe the practice of taking more than one wife leads to a curse on the land, a curse upon posterity, and why we must repent of the traditions of our fathers in order to see the promised Zion. I’ll show some alternative interpretations and how Jacob 2:30 isn’t about future polygamy at all.

Joseph Smith’s polygamy has become a hot topic in the last few years among Mormons of every branch.¹ As a lifelong multi-generational Mormon and direct descendant of several polygamists from the 19th century, including two of the earliest Nauvoo adherents, I have felt the urge to add my voice along with the small chorus of those who are defending Joseph.

I do this to honor my ancestors and as an act of repentance. While it may be easy to point the finger of scorn at them, I too am in need of sincere repentance. I recognize that I am flawed in many ways; I am “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;”²

We can go in so many directions with this, but for this series of posts I want to try and stay focused on the Book of Mormon and the message that’s being communicated to us. I may write future follow-up articles to further explore some of the concepts that this series touches on. Hopefully there will be enough for you to chew on and my hope is that all will search deeper in the scriptures and then go to God for more light and truth.

Before diving in it might be worthwhile to open your scriptures and read Jacob chapters 1–3 to refamiliarize yourself with the text we’ll be exploring. Please let me know what I may have missed or overlooked; I’m sure there is plenty I haven’t considered yet. Ask any questions you have in the comments. I would also like to learn the official positions of other branches of Mormonism, so if you have information to contribute, please share it below.

I wanted to keep this short, but I think it’s important to walk through some of these ideas, to study, ponder, weigh, and consider them. I don’t want to trifle with the souls of men, and none of us should take this matter lightly. It obviously challenges the conventional narrative, and if you draw new conclusions it can affect your entire world, and hopefully for good.

Is “raising up seed” tied to polygamy? Is “raising up seed” literal or spiritual? Or both? Can we discover spiritual meaning that may give us greater appreciation and understanding on the topic? Have we limited ourselves by only interpreting “raising up seed” as a literal child-rearing endeavor? Did God “raise up seed” with Lehi and his posterity? Was it spiritual or physical, or was it both? How does it apply today?

My search started in 2005 and became more earnest in 2015. I have returned to writing off and on, but there were always more questions than answers. I kept writing until my notes were nearly impossible to keep track of. This series is an attempt to share the stuff I think about and to document my own search for truth. I only write to persuade others to come unto Christ, and to ponder deeper over the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. As with all Mormon history and theology, you should check the sources and conduct your own search for the truth. My words, and words from anyone else for that matter, should be measured against the scriptures.

I hope you will receive this sincerely and understand that it’s written with a love for my people in mind. I love the Latter-day Saints, and I hope it reflects the spirit it’s intended to convey. Let us all press on and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of God.³

This blog uses footnotes, and I recommend reading them to get the full picture of each post (plus I’ve hidden a few easter eggs). Hover over or tap a footnote number to read the note without losing your place. All the notes are also listed at the end of each post.