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I find that talking about swimming, reading books on swimming, and theorizing about swimming all contribute to a peripheral knowledge of the subject from a distance. However, it is when you actually jump in the water and do it, that is when you experience for yourself what swimming is like.
The same applies to the living of and implementation of plural marriage. Also, I believe that further strengthening of testimony occurs when you have made the commitment as it applies to this principle. I believe much like my forefathers and mothers before me that this principle was ordained by God and sent into this last dispensation of the Fullness of times as a fulfillment of all the laws of Zion. Joseph Smith was not lustful or deceived when he was commanded to live and implement this refining and dividing principle. Many early Mormon women were given visions of how beautiful plural marriage is in the eternal sense, my GG-grandmother among them (Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt). I don't believe that these visions were a delusion of mind or a concoction to reconcile the living of it.
I personally am one who is currently living in plural marriage with both wives in the same household. We are not armchair quarterbacks regarding this principle. It is a refining and purifying principle and it exacts just as much refinement from the men as it does the women. The first thing to be jettisoned is selfishness and jealousy; those who cannot or will not do this eventually or quickly fail in plural marriage.
Any man who enters this principle with sexuality at the front of his motivations will also meet disappointment. I know the current mentality is to focus on all the sexual items, but this is a spiritual myopia. The managing of home and wives teaches a man leadership and sensitivity; things necessary for his growth in the priesthood. I believe that in this last dispensation this principle was meant to stay. Since 1843 (public knowledge of it) and section 132, it never has not been time to live it.
I believe that a remnant of people will keep these principles alive and truly attempt to establish Zion with its attendant laws and principles regardless of what the mother church is doing. I wonder who is truly exhibiting apostate behavior from God and Joseph.
The Lord had contingency plans in the event that the whole church would go astray and reject the truth. (If you don't think it can happen, read the Book of Mormon). Throughout the scriptures we find that the Lord saves a small righteous remnant who serves Him at all costs and in the face of all opposition. The following quotes illustrate what the Lord will do when the general body of His Church goes astray:
Many of this people are perhaps preparing themselves, by following after the world in its mad race for wealth and pleasure, to go down with Babylon when she crumbles and falls; but I know there is a people, in the heart's core of this people, that will arise in their majesty in a day that is near at hand, and push spiritual things to the front; a people who will stand up for God, fearing not man nor what man can do, but believing as the prophet Joseph says, that all things we suffer are for our best good, and that God will stand by us forever and ever. (Orson F. Whitney, Deseret News, Aug. 11, 1889)
...for if Zion will not purify herself, so as to be approved of in all things, in His sight, He will seek another people; for His work will go on until Israel is gathered, and they who will not hear His voice, must expect to feel His wrath. (Joseph Smith, TPJS, pg. 18)
I do not know but that it would be an utter impossibility to commence and carry out some principles pertaining to Zion right in the midst of this people. They have strayed so far that to get a people who would conform to heavenly laws it may be needful to lead some from the midst of this people and commence anew somewhere in the region round about in these mountains. (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 15:361-362)
Before the great day of the Lord shall come, and the day of righteousness and peace dawn upon this fair creation, two potent cleansing processes shall be in active operation. The first of these is a preparation of a choice people, purified by an application to their lives, as individuals and a community, of the principles of the gospel of peace. Such a body will evolve from those called Latter-day Saints, who as a Church possess the foulness and power of the pure plan of salvation. Out of this community at present in the merely incipient stages of development and from the remnant of the whole house of Israel, will emanate the nucleus or foundation from which will spring the righteous millennial population of our globe. (George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, 42:585)
And if we as a people do not hold ourselves on the altar ready to be used with our means and all that God has bestowed upon us, according to the Master's bidding, for the upbuilding of His kingdom upon the earth, He will pass on and get somebody else; because He will get a people that will do it. I do not mean to say that He will pass on and leave this people; no, there will come up from the midst of this people that people that has been talked so much about. (Daniel H. Wells, Deseret News, Dec. 9, 1882)
Many will doubtless make shipwreck of their faith and will be led away by the allurements of sin into by and forbidding paths; yet the kingdom will not be taken from this people and given to another, but a people will come forth from among us, who will be zealous of good works, willing to do the bidding of the Lord, who will be taught in His ways, and who will walk in His paths. (Daniel H. Wells,Deseret News,Nov. 6, 1875)
God will preserve a portion of this people, of the meek and the humble, to bear off the kingdom to the inhabitants of the earth, and will defend His Priesthood; for it is the last time, the last gathering time. (Brigham Young, Contributor, 10:362)
Many of this people have broken their covenants... But you cannot do that, for God will cut you off and raise up another people that will carry out His purposes in righteousness, unless you walk up to the line of your duty. (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 4:108)
But the day will come when the Lord will choose a people out of this people upon whom he will bestow his choicest blessings. (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 11:145)
I feel it important to share some of my views. Things are not always what they seem. I think there are some surprises around the corner and especially for Latter-Day Saints who believe that 'All is well in Zion'.
There are people who are doing their best under divine influence to gather and live the laws of the Celestial Kingdom, all this in spite of current LDS direction and leadership.
"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself." (D&C 105:5)
This is a small part of my belief and perspective of things in the last days.
Sincerely, Jeff Hanks