Quote:
Originally Posted by Archaea
God does not intervene as much as many would like, it would otherwise destroy free agency.
If we accept the concept that polygamy is ever proper, then perhaps God's eternal view of sexuality is not so prudish as many would have us believe. Thus God did not destroy Joseph for what might be seen as improprieties.
|
Adam and Eve's offspring committed incest.
Abraham was commanded by God to take Hagar, even though Ishmael didn't receive his birthright.
I think there is ample precedent to show that God has shown more flexibility in what is and isn't sexually permissible, but that 'permissiveness' was not due to individual initiative, but due FIRST to His divine decree. There is ample precedent to show that those that chose to act outside the bounds of what was deemed acceptable by God were condemned for their actions.
I am led to conclude one of two things about the issue of Joseph Smith and polyandry.
1. It didn't happen in the way protrayed by those that wrote about it.
2. God, for whatever reason, signed off on Joseph Smith's polyandric ways, and as such was not sinful, even though that conduct is radically different than the accepted norm in most societies.