Shoot they closed up the discussion before I could answer SMA's post (I hope he comes here to chat). But, he made a comment about Romney and the LDS church that I just have to answer.
He said that it bothered him that the prophet seemed to receive revelations conveniently. Like, when they ended the practice of plural marriage in order to achieve statehood.
But, it's not quite that simple.
The US government wanted to end "the twin relics of barbarism"; polygamy and slavery. Well, there wasn't much they could do about slavery, at the time. But, they COULD go after those "godless Mormons" out west. They passed act after act, until the Edmunds-Tucker act which effectively shut down the LDS church; disenfranchised it, took most of the land, all the money, sent men AND WOMEN to jail or into hiding, declaring some men as adulterers, and many women as little better than whores, and their children illegitimate, even tho these men and women WERE MARRIED, and their children not only born to a married couple, but, as we say, "born in the covenant" (sealed to their parents for time and all eternity).
Women were denied the right to vote (Deseret Territory had given the vote to women), and men who declined to sign a loyalty waiver that said they denounced plural marriage.
And all this despite the First Amendment!
Well, I guess God would decide to end the practice of plural marriage rather than see His church destroyed. Despite what others say, we do NOT believe that one must be plurally married to be exalted.
I just hope that people see this and converse with me!
