Page 36 - The Marriage Covenant

Foundation Stone Three Continued -

Plural Marriage

efore moving forward to speak on the relation between blood and the soul, I believe it
Bis needful to speak somewhat further on the subject just disclosed, which is polygamy.
Admittedly, this is a subject that is new to me in that I have never taught on it before. Before
this week, I had never looked at the matter in any depth.
As I have looked further into this topic I have found that there are Christians who
practice polygamy today, even in America. My daughter told me of a friend of hers who is
returning from Alaska. While there she met many woman who wear headcoverings, clothe
themselves in modest dress, and are in plural marriages. Many prefer to speak of the
practice of polygamy as “Plural Marriage,” for the word polygamy has become stigmatized
by society.
As I have continued to ponder this topic, I have observed further instances of it in the
Scriptures. I have also considered some Scriptures that are difficult to understand, which
some view as a denunciation of a man having more than one wife. I believe these Bible
passages should be shared before moving forward.
I am hopeful that those reading these teachings will test all that has been set forth. I
wish that all would be as the noble Bereans, searching the Scriptures, while inviting the
Spirit of Christ to guide them. I do not mind having any teaching challenged. Indeed, I have
often encouraged the saints to be diligent in their personal examination of all things that
their understanding might rest upon the testimony of God rather than the testimony of
man.
I have received much encouragement in these teachings by those who want to know
what the Scriptures declare. There are some who prefer the counsel of God to the orthodoxy
of men, even when God’s counsel is unpopular. One brother in Christ wrote me the
following:

I wanted to send you a quick note of encouragement, because I can only imagine the
flak that you are going to receive over the most recent Parables Blog post regarding
polygamy and adultery as defined by the Word of truth. If most have not done so already,
you will most surely be called a heretic now! Yet, I know that you speak the truth and I
love you for it and will continue to stand with you as long as you continue to seek to
correctly divide the word of God, not caring what men may think. I was reminded of the
following testimony that the Pharisee spoke of Jesus. I think it rings true of you as well
even though the Pharisee's motives in making these statements were not genuine. Still,
what they spoke about Christ was true --

Matthew 22:16
They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we
know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in
accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay
no attention to who they are.

Mark 12:14
They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You