Yesterday, when I visited the blog “Ask Mormon Girl” and made a comment on her post about the need to talk about polygamy, I also received by email all the comments following mine.
They were many, and ranged from heartbreaking to hurt and angry to condemning. Many Mormon women posted about their agony over the fact that they had indeed been taught that a polygamous marriage was a necessity in what they call the “Celestial Kingdom.” When some responded with the possibility that the doctrine of the necessity of polygamous marriages was no longer valid, others stated vehemently that this doctrine is core to Mormon belief and people either needed to get with the program or get out. A few peaceful voices interjected, again with the possibility that this particular doctrine had passed its prime, but they were generally ignored.
Current publicity coming out of the Mormon Church would have one believe that they are essentially mainstream Christian. From what I read yesterday, and from the other research I have done, secrecy cloaks the innermost workings and the innermost doctrines of Mormonism.
That scares me. If these things cannot be brought to the light, I want to know why not. What must be kept hidden? Why? Who benefits most from that secrecy? Who is hurt the most?
Another thing that troubled me greatly was the amount of pain expressed by these Mormon women, who wanted nothing more but to love God fully, yet were learning that to do so, they had to sacrifice their own core values to live as good Mormon women in this completely male dominated religion.
I went to sleep last night wrestling in my soul yet one more time about the damage certain religious beliefs have brought. Much of that damage has fallen on women and other particularly vulnerable groups.
I have asked in my own spiritual journey over and over again, “Is it a true religion that systematically devalues a group of people in order that others may stay in power?”
After a restless night, and with continued trouble in my spirit, I am choosing to make these thoughts public. I live in a community with strong Mormon influence and have much respect for them. Some of my husband’s relatives are devout Mormons and good people.
But core doctrines like these condemn me and the vast majority of the world to damnation. That being the case, they need careful examination. If they are true, then a bundle of us need to convert. If they are not, then a huge number of people have been systematically and cruelly deceived.
Question, are there different kinds of Mormons? I guess what I am asking is can there be Mormons out there that are good people and don’t go with the polygamy stuff and don’t follow all of the other secret things (maybe they don’t know them or agree with them)? I’m just a bit confused by what you are saying. Are you saying that as a group Mormons devalue women? If this is true, then in a way women have been devalued by the Southern Baptists when it comes to religion and what their place is in it and their place in the home etc. I see your point and agree with you on the need for openness in religion.
It seems to me that in any situation that a group of people can be devalued if those in positions of authority accept and promote it.
Yes, there are different kinds of Mormons, but central to any kind are the secret Temple rituals and the all-male leadership. Plus, it is the women who have to plan on sister-wives, not the men who can look forward to brother-husbands.
Thank you for your research and concerns. We share those concerns. Nancy and Zack