The Polygamy of David and Solomon. Part 1.

The following quotation from Jacob 2:23-24 in the Book of Mormon has often been quoted by anti-Mormons, semi­apostate Mormons, Reorganites, and other offshoots against plural marriage:

But the word of God burthens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in com­mitting whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solormon his son.

Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. (Jacob 2:23-24)

Plural marriage was being lived by many of the Biblical prophets, priests, kings, and patriarchs during the same time period that this scripture was written. The Old Testament is a continuous record of men who lived polygamy during those 4000 years. Even Moses received laws pertaining to the way this marriage style should be lived. For many others it was not intended because they were not sufficiently qualified. Thus this passage in Jacob refers to them.

Since the scripture in Jacob has been seldom properly explained, this pamphlet is intended to help clarify it and explain the apparent contradictions surrounding the polygamy of David and Solomon. [2]

A Few Verses the Majority

From priest to politician, we hear the cry of “sin,” “outlawed,” “immoral,” and other epithets depicting plural marriage. Many people believe that it is an “evil,” “adulterous;” and ‘wicked” practice. Most of these objections, however, originate from those who have not sufficiently read or studied the reasons men and women have practiced this unpopular marriage lifestyle.