Criticism of Mormonism/Books/One Nation Under Gods/Use of sources/Damned without plural marriage

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Damned without plural marriage?



A FAIR Analysis of: One Nation Under Gods, a work by author: Richard Abanes

Author's Claims


One Nation under Gods, page 301 (hardback and paperback)

  • Did Orson Pratt teach that anyone not entering into plural marriage "will be damned?"

Author's Sources


Endnote 106, page 584 (hardback); page 582 (paperback)

Answer


The portion of Pratt's sermon on plural marriage referenced by the author is part of a discussion of how one must be sealed by a person having the proper authority in order for their marriage to be valid in the next life. Referring to the revelation on plural marriage, Pratt says:

"He has told us in that revelation, that only one man can hold these keys upon the earth at the same time; and they belong to that man who stands at the head to preside over all the affairs of the Church and kingdom of God in the last days. They are the sealing keys of power, or in other words, of Elijah, having been committed and restored to the earth by Elijah, the Prophet, who held many keys, among which were the keys of sealing, to bind the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers; together with all the other sealing keys and powers, pertaining to the last dispensation. They were committed by that Angel who administered in the Kirtland Temple, and spoke unto Joseph the Prophet, at the time of the endowments in that house. Now, let us enquire, what will become of those individuals who have this law taught unto them in plainness, if they reject it? [A voice in the stand, "they will be damned."] I will tell you: they will be damned, saith the Lord God Almighty, in the revelation He has given..." (emphasis added)

The author only uses the final (bold) portion of this quote and applies it only to the idea that one must have plural wives.