Category Archives: Marriage and Singlehood

Nauvoo Women: An Overlooked History of the Mormon Relief Society

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

This year (2011) Mormon ladies have been learning about the history of the Church’s Relief Society, said to be “the Lord’s organization for woman.” Julie B. Beck, the Relief Society general president wrote that “understanding our history is not only … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

The Dysfunctional Doctrine of Mormon Polygamy

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

Continuing our discussion about Mormon polygamy, on June 29 (2011) Doug Gibson, from Ogden’s Standard-Examiner, recounted the toll the 19th century practice of polygamy took on LDS “marriages and hearts.” He wrote, “Polygamy was a contradictory doctrine, and extremely dysfunctional. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Polygamy | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Where did the Mormon doctrine of polygamy come from?
Emma knew.

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

On July 12, 1843 Joseph Smith recorded what Mormons believe was a revelation from God “relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives” (Introduction to D&C 132). In this … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , | 150 Comments

Keeping “our radar focused” on the membership

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Eric Johnson

Pity the poor singles who live in the Salt Lake City area of Utah. According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune (“Loss of young adult members spurred changes to LDS wards,” 4/27/11, p. B1), 5,000 single Latter-day Saints … Continue reading →

Posted in LDS Church, Marriage and Singlehood, Mormon Culture, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 40 Comments

Rebecca Swain Williams: More To Her Story

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

The April 2011 edition of Ensign magazine includes an article about early Latter-day Saint Rebecca Swain Williams. As the article notes, Rebecca and her husband, Fredrick G. Williams, converted to the LDS Church in late 1830 while living in Kirtland, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments

Lying for the Lord

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Eric Johnson

In his apologetic book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research), Michael R. Ash hopes to calm those Mormons who are thinking about leaving the Mormon Church … Continue reading →

Posted in D&C and Pearl of Great Price, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 80 Comments

The Dark Side of a Dark Doctrine

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Sharon Lindbloom

The Canadian Supreme Court (British Columbia) is currently hearing a case on the constitutionality of Canada’s polygamy laws. On December 2 (2010) the court heard testimony from Utah clinical psychologist Dr. Lawrence Beall, who described the “dark side” of polygamy … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Fundamentalist Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 51 Comments

Elizabeth Smart a Victim of Mormonism?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Sharon Lindbloom

The trial of ex-Mormon-turned-Prophet Brian David Mitchell is well underway, and garnering attention outside of the US. Mitchell, you may recall, abducted 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart in 2002, insisting that she was to become his second (plural) wife. Mitchell and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Sister Wives

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Sharon Lindbloom

I know it sounds like a spoof, but it’s not. On September 26th (2010) TLC will premiere a new reality show: Sister Wives. According to ABC News, “The series will follow the fundamentalist Mormon family of Kody Brown and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Fundamentalist Mormonism, Polygamy | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Reinstating Polygamists By Proxy

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Sharon Lindbloom

The July 2009 issue of A Shield & Refuge Ministry Newsletter mentioned an interesting facet of LDS temple ordinances — that of proxy work done on behalf of excommunicated fundamentalist polygamists. On June 2nd (2009) the Salt Lake Tribune ran … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamentalist Mormonism, Mormon Temple, Polygamy | Tagged , , | 189 Comments