Call to Commitment

An early Mormon polygamist family

It is extremely important to know the roots of any spiritual tree. Jesus taught that if a tree is evil, it cannot produce good fruit. He said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (Mt.7:15-16)

John the Baptist said, “The axe is already laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt.3:10). John is preaching repentance and repentance is absolutely necessary, if there is to be entrance by faith into the gospel. Bad fruit comes from bad roots and good fruit cannot be expected until the old roots are dug up and abandoned. What is apparently “good fruit” is a deception, unless repentance has taken place.

The Mormons, the second fastest growing movement on earth have been on a campaign for legitimacy among evangelicals. This should not happen without a thorough renunciation of their founder, Joseph Smith, and his teachings. Yesterday, I became aware of a reopening of a Mormon museum, in which Smith’s polygamy is admitted. He had over 30 wives and this fact is documented to the degree that the Mormon Church can no longer hide it. However, polygamy, in Smith’s case, was preceded by adultery, which was later justified as “polygamy”, which became, then, an accepted practice by Mormons. The attempt to make polygamy a biblical doctrine was only a cover-up for mass adultery. Joseph Smith had sexual relations with eleven women, married at the same time to other men.

Here is a little of the story, beginning with a statement by Smith’s close companion and fellow founder of the church:  Book of Mormon witness, Oliver Cowdery, felt the relationship was something other than a marriage.  “He referred to it as ‘A dirty, nasty, filthy affair...’  To calm rumors regarding Fanny’s relationship with Joseph, the church quickly adopted a “Chapter of Rules for Marriage among the Saints”, which declared, “Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with...polygamy; we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife...”  This “Article on Marriage” was canonized and published in the Doctrine & Covenants.  In 1852, the doctrine of polygamy was publicly announced, thus ending eighteen years of secret practice.  “The Article on Marriage” became obsolete and was later removed.”

“Benjamin Johnson, a close friend of Joseph Smith, described Fanny as, ‘varry nice and comly, [to whom] everyone Seemed partial for the ameability of her character.’  She is generally considered the first plural wife of Joseph Smith.  Although undocumented, the marriage of Fanny and Joseph most likely took place in Kirtland, Ohio sometime in 1833. She would have been sixteen years old.  At the time, Fanny was living in the Smith home, perhaps helping Emma with house work and the children.  Ann Eliza Webb recalls, ‘Mrs. Smith had an adopted daughter, a very pretty, pleasing young girl, about seventeen years old.  She was extremely fond of her; no mother could be more devoted, and their affection for each other was a constant object of remark, so absorbing and genuine did it seem’”.  

“Joseph kept his marriage to Fanny out of the view of the public, and his wife Emma.  Chauncey Webb recounts Emma’s later discovery of the relationship:  ‘Emma was furious, and drove the girl, who was unable to conceal the consequences of her celestial relation with the prophet, out of her house’.  Ann Eliza again recalls:  ‘...it was felt that [Emma] certainly must have had some very good reason for her action. By degrees it became whispered about that Joseph’s love for his adopted daughter was by no means a paternal affection, and his wife, discovering the fact, at once took measures to place the girl beyond his reach...Since Emma refused decidedly to allow her to remain in her house...my mother offered to take her until she could be sent to her relatives...’

Here is the documented list of Smith´s wives, including the women, who had other living husbands. Following this list is that of the 55 wives of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormons. These are indeed the evil roots of thorns and thistles of this movement, growing by leaps and bounds over the face of the earth. No serious and discerning Christian can ever, in the name of tolerance, accept such as brothers in Christ until serious and thorough repentance has taken place. (Please see this link for further information on the Mormons:

http://calltocommitment.blogspot.com.es/2015/06/the-god-of-mormonism.html