Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 2
2:35 This language is clear and positive. But to spell out the commandment, he adds, "Hearken to
the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and
concubines he shall have none" (36).
It is difficult to explain how polygamy could have continued among the Nephites, or how it could
ever have been countenanced in latter days in Utah, in the light of these words of the Lord. No
revelation could have been given by God which would contradict this, for God does not walk in
crooked paths. One divine truth cannot contradict another. Any claim refuting this is patently
false.
Jac 2:39 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.
2:39 Some interpret this to mean that it is possible for God to command his people to practice
polygamy. This presumes the preposterous idea that God would or could ask people to do a thing
which he had described as "abominable" (5,33), “a grosser crime" (30,31), and "greater iniquity"
(45).
Charles A. Davies gives this analysis in "Question Time":
1. God said that David and Solomon's polygamy was abominable (33).
2. God led his people from Jerusalem to raise up a righteous branch (34).
3. God would not suffer the new nation to follow David and Solomon's example (35).
4. One man was to have only one wife (36).
5. A curse on the land is threatened if polygamous practices are followed (38).
6. It was God's intention to raise up a righteous seed and he would command his people to .this
end (39) .
7. Should he not so command (which he did) in the absence of those instructions, they would
continue to hearken unto those things written about David and Solomon (39), thus following the
iniquitous practice. Therefore his command was for chastity- Saints' Herald, April 15, 1962.
The church stated its belief in monogamy and as opposed to polygamy as early as 1835 (D. and C.
111:4b).
Jac 2:43 For they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of hosts.
2:43 No form of plural marriage covenant could dignify or justify more than one wife. Jacob does
not use any fancy term; their cohabitation with any other woman is covered in the one ugly word
"whoredom" (55).
Jac 2:45 Behold, ye have done greater iniquity than the Lamanites, our brethren.
2:45 Many cruel and inhuman vices were practiced among the Lamanites, such as unprovoked
wars, secret combinations which murdered and plundered for gain. Yet the moral lapses of the
Nephites received greater condemnation because they had sinned against a greater light. “I the
Lord can not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (D. and C. 1:5f; A. 21:18). He
condemned the Lamanites but charged the Nephites with greater sin.
Jacob further rebuked his people by saying, "Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and
lost the confidence of your children" (46).