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Joseph Smith and children through plural marriage
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Does Joseph Smith's lack of children through polygamy contradict the commandment to "multiply and replenish the earth"?
Summary: Joseph Smith does not appear to have produced any children by his plural wives, except for Emma, yet, Doctrine and Covenants 132:63 states, "But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of men." Why did Joseph practice polygamy, if it was not for the purpose of multiplying and replenishing the earth?
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- Question: Was the only purpose of polygamy to "multiply and replenish the earth" and "bear the souls of men"?
- Question: If the only purpose of polygamy was to "raise up seed," then why did Joseph not have children by his plural wives?
Question: Was the only purpose of polygamy to "multiply and replenish the earth" and "bear the souls of men"?
Jump to details:
- Question: Was the only purpose of polygamy to "multiply and replenish the earth" and "bear the souls of men"?
- Doctrine and Covenants states that polygamy is for the purpose of multiplying and replenishing the earth
- The institution of the practice of polygamy was part of the "restoration of all things"
- The institution of the practice of polygamy made available the blessings of eternal marriage to everyone
- Can this be included in the interpretation of D&C 132: 63?
Question: If the only purpose of polygamy was to "raise up seed," then why did Joseph not have children by his plural wives?
Jump to details:
- Polygamy was not permitted only for the purpose of procreation
- Joseph was also sealed for eternity to some women who were already married, but these women continued to have children by their current husbands