Dear Praying Friends,
Doris Hanson, Director,
A Shield and Refuge Ministry |
“2 Timothy 3:1-4 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— (NIV)”
The above Scripture passage came to mind after observing the reaction of groups of people around the country who rejected the results of our presidential election. Yet it’s likely that if the election had turned out the other way, they would care very little for the concerns of the other side, and vice versa.
We are not ‘doomsdayers’ - but we are Bible believers. And God does warn that the Wrath of the Lamb will come. No one but God alone knows when that will be. So in these last days, our obligation is to be faithful in spreading the truth of God’s unique and exclusive Gospel to the tens of
thousands of polygamists who are depending upon polygamy for their salvation instead of Jesus alone.
When beliefs change, behavior changes, consequently, the truth changes people. That’s why our mandate is to steadfastly be about the Master’s Business.
Just plain foul and nasty. Polygamy and polyandry were illegal back then. Too bad pedophilia was not a capitol crime back then, or today for that matter. What a reprehensible legacy to have left behind!
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From Our Website:
Amen, we don't need Joseph Smith when we have Jesus! You said it all in that sentence. Please make your show an hour long again. M.
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I am from Maryland. I have recently had missionaries from the LDS Church near me. I was wondering if you knew if Polygamy is something that could secretly practiced in Maryland? As a child I was raised in a Baptist Church but we have moved and now these missionaries want us to join their Church; should I do this?
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Email:
You have a great website with wonderful guests. The Lord is a wonderful person to have and know. I live in Oregon [my] church we are told never to trust feelings, you can only trust God...never man... I enjoy Sandra Tanner ... Ex-Mormon Files etc. Keep doing what you arr doing and God will bless you for it. Love your guests.
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It breaks my heart to watch people go through [polygamy] ... I'm glad that you were able to leave it as well. I think your show is great and people get to learn a lot of stuff through your show. Keep up the good work. God bless you too.
Thirty-two ex-FLDS polygamy group members filed a federal lawsuit against imprisoned Warren Jeffs and the law firm that had represented him. The lawsuit charges the law firm of enabling numerous crimes to be perpetuated by the FLDS including child bride marriages.
Warren Jeffs refuses to respond or answer. The law firm has filed to have the lawsuit dismissed saying it has no merit. They insist that legal work for a client does not necessarily indicate endorsement of their activities. A federal judge will decide whether to dismiss the lawsuit or go forward with a jury trial. Jeffs refusal to answer does not stop the lawsuit from going forward, only that it will go forward without him.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the Utah Attorney General's Office to respond to an appeal from the Kody Brown family who have taken their case to the high court for a final decision to legalize polygamy.
However, the request does not guarantee the Court will hear their case, but indicates that it has survived one phase of the screening process.
The Supreme Court website says it hears only about 80 of 7,000 to 8,000 appeals it receives a year. One attorney said the chances aren't better than 10 percent at this point that the Brown’s case will be heard by the Supreme Court.
The Brown polygamous family is part of the Allred Polygamy groups, also known as the Apostolic United Brethren.
Utah's bigamy statute makes it a crime if someone "knowing he has a husband or wife or knowing the other person has a husband or wife ... purports to marry another person or cohabits with another person."
The offense is a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Isaiah 4:1 is often used to condone polygamy as a proper biblical thing to do. However, no matter how one twists this verse, one cannot squeeze out a doctrine favoring polygamy. The context of this verse isn't polygamy—it is war. It is God's judgment on the arrogant women of Israel. War always kills men leaving more women per man.
Isaiah 4:1 In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!"
Isaiah 3:25-26 Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
The military men are gone. This is God's judgment against wickedness, not a means of fostering polygamy. Note that this passage speaks of God's judgment upon the women of Israel. In reading verses 3:13 through 4:1, it is evident that the chapter break does not conclude the thought.
The entire message is about judgment against the people, and particularly the women, of Zion. The passage is judgment and sorrow for women, not the so-called blessings of polygamy. This judgment against the women is an awful and fearful judgment. Part of that judgment is that they will be forced to seek out men for protection and provision because they are left destitute, stripped of health, husbands, family, provision, homes and apparel. This is hardly a compelling description of the blessings of polygamy.
The evil deeds of humans are prophesied and recorded in the Bible, but that is hardly the same thing as commandments. God forbade taking
multiple wives (Deuteronomy 17:17), it is never right to disobey God!
There are several other passages in the Old Testament that those who advocate polygamy use to justify living the "principle".
Many of them believe that because there are laws governing polygamy and because several great men of God lived it—God must be advocating it. One of these passages is Exodus 21:7-11. Next time, we’ll discuss how that Scripture is mis-used by pro-polygamists.
continued next month....
One of the first victims of the reformers was H. J. Jarvis, a reputable merchant of Salt Lake City. He was dragged over his counter one evening and thrown into the street by men who then robbed his store and defiled his household goods, giving him as the cause of the visitation the explanation that he had spoken evil of the authorities, and had invited Gentiles to supper. His two wives could not secure even a hearing from Young in his behalf. "Rocky Mountain Saints;" p. 297.
That Young's rule should be objected to by some members of the church was inevitable. There were men in the valley at that early day who would rebel against such a dictatorship under any name; others--men of means--who were alarmed by the declarations about property rights, and others to whom the announcement concerning polygamy was repugnant. When such persons gave expression to their discontent, they angered the church officers; when they indicated their purpose to leave the valley, they alarmed them.
Anything like an exodus of the flock would have broken up all of Young's plans, and have undone the scheme of immigration that had cost so much time and money. Accordingly, when this movement for "reform" began, the church let it be known that any desertion of the flock would be considered the worst form of apostasy, and that the deserter must take the consequences. To quote Brigham Young's own words:
"The moment a person decides to leave this people, he is cut off from every object that is desirable for time and eternity. Every possession and object of affection will be taken from those who forsake the truth, and their identity and existence will eventually cease."
~ Journal of Discourses, Vol. IV, p. 31.
The almost unbreakable hedge that surrounded the inhabitants of the valley at this time, under the system of church espionage, has formed a subject for the novelist, and has seemed to many persons, as described, a probable exaggeration. But, while Young did not narrate in his pulpit
the tales of blood which his instructions gave rise to, there is testimony concerning them which leaves no reasonable doubt of their truthfulness.
~ Story of The Mormons, Chapter 7
... they have a criminal code called 'The Laws of the Lord,' which has been given by revelation ... . It is to be put in force, ... and when in vogue, all grave crimes will be punished and atoned for by cutting off the head of the offender. This regulation arises from the fact that without shedding of blood there is no remission.
- "History of the Mormons," Book 1, Chapter X.
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Acts 26:17-18 I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' (NIV)
Please pray the above prayer for all Mormon Fundamentalists, even for all Mormonism. Their gospel consists of works, works and more works.
They are bound up in the stranglehold of Joseph Smith as a prophet and revelator, who prophesied false doctrines, a false gospel and a false
version of what eternity looks like.
After recently attending two separate events that many polygamists and ex-polygamy group members attended, I left with a heavy and hurting heart. They are all secure in their Mormon belief that because they are morally good people, their eternity in Heaven is ensured. They are lost in a ‘good works’ salvation, so have rejected Jesus ONLY as Savior. May God give us fresh ideas and multiplied mercies as we reach out to them with His Gospel of Grace. |
We are available to speak to your group about Mormon polygamy.
We are grateful for the invitation to Boise, Idaho to speak about our ministry on January 28th to the LWML Convention. We look forward to meeting new friends and explaining what our ministry is all about.
We are happy to share our ministry and ministry materials with any interested group. Just visit our website or give us a call:
www.shieldandrefuge.org
Doris at 801-649-3103
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Tidbits from MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY
