In a recent publication, we read the following:
Interestingly, the Book of
Mormon, published in 1830, denounces polygamy in no uncertain terms. In
a few episodes, taking more than one wife is actually listed more among
society’s worst sins. N the book of Mosiah, for instance, the Nephite King Noah
(not the Noah of the Genesis flood) “had many wives and concubines. And he did
cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight
of the Lord.” A more comprehensive condemnation is found in the book of Jacob,
where the once-righteous people “indulge themselves somewhat in wicked
practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines.”
The passage then goes on to command: “For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife, and concubines he shall have none” (Mosiah 11:2;
Jacob 2:23; 1:15; and 2:24, 27).
In the entire Book of Mormon,
the single exception to its apparent anti-polygamy rule comes just a few
verses later in the book of Jacob. “For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts,
raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken
unto these things” (Jacob 2:30). The general rule is monogamy. This proviso,
however, stipulates that in the event that God desires for His people to have
more babies (to “raise up seed unto me”). He will set aside the monogamous norm
and sanction polygamy. Saints would later point to this verse as scriptural
justification for plural marriage, but to the casual reader it would appear that
the Book of Mormon was an antipolygamous text. At the very least, no one
in 1830, including Joseph Smith, thought that their restored gospel and Church
authorized anything but monogamous marriages. (Stewart Davenport, Sex and
Sects: The Story of Mormon Polygamy, Shaker Celibacy, and Oneida Complex
Marriage [Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Press, 2022], 75-76, emphasis added)
On plural marriage in the Book of Mormon, see, for e.g.
Polygamy, Deuteronomy 17:17, and Jacob 2:24
Rashi on Deuteronomy 17:17 and the King Having Plural Wives
Why does the Doctrine of Covenants Contradict The Book of Mormon? Should it?
