LDS essay on polgamy sheds new light on old topic

PROVO -- Joseph Smith learned early in his associations with deity that study and inquiry most often lead to revelation and restoration.

According to a new church essay, in the case of polygamy, Smith learned that not responding to the Lord brings unanticipated encouragement.

The essay, released Wednesday by the LDS Church, gives greater insight as to the nature of the practice of polygamy.

"The revelation on plural marriage was not written down until 1843, but its early verses suggest that part of it emerged from Joseph Smiths study of the Old Testament in 1831," the essay says.

During his study of the Old Testament, Smith prayed to understand why prophets such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Solomon had many wives without punishment.

"The Lord responded that he had commanded them to enter into the practice," the essay says.

It says Joseph was also commanded to enter into the practice -- no easy task.

With the thousands of descendants of polygamists that exist today, the purposes of growing the church seemed to have been fulfilled.

In what may not be new, but rarely discussed, information, the essay says that between 1834 and 1843 an angel appeared to a hesitant Smith three times and commanded him to proceed with plural marriage.

"During the third and final appearance, the angel came with a drawn sword, threatening Joseph with destruction unless he went forward and obeyed the commandment fully," the essay says.

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LDS essay on polgamy sheds new light on old topic