LDS: Do you think The Brethren still engage in this today?

Question

"In December 1892, the 33-year-old Mormon apostle Abraham H. Cannon recorded in his diary: 'At my Quorum meeting on Thursday the brethren were told that our success in the Church [law]suits was in a great measure due to the fact that we have a partner of Justice [Stephen J.] Field of the Supreme Court of the United States in our employ, who is to receive a percentage of the money if the suits go in our favor, and the property is returned to us.'

"In the wake of federal sanctions over polygamy, Mormon leaders felt their only resort was to offer cash to a U.S. Supreme Court justice. In fact, Justice Field was not the only dignitary who was 'bribed' (Cannon’s word) by the LDS Church in those desperate times, according to the explicit account recorded by Apostle Cannon."

So the First Presidency bribed a US Supreme Court justice and mentioned it openly in the weekly meeting of The Twelve. Apostle Abraham Cannon was the 4th son of George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency.

http://signaturebooks.com/2010/11/important-utah-and-mormon-diary-published/#hide

What do you think of this and do you think The Brethren still engage in activities like this today?
.

Answer 1

"I'm here huckleberry....." and a star so that perhaps some of my contacts may see it and 'chime in'.....



nope - don't think they do that for a second....



why? because I know the men - and because I read portions of this diary and AHC made it VERY CLEAR that these men did this on their own....because they could not attain an answer from God as to the direction they should take......

my personal opinion is that they could not get an answer because it had already been given.....@the time of he 1890 manifesto. AHC may have thought he was doing what he was supposed to - but if polygamy is only ok when God says so and He said stop.......IMHO only, of course.



edit: D&C 132 is about the new and everlasting covenant. it sets forth the terms and conditions, explains about celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit , cautions us to stay on "the strait and narrow way" and about blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, talks of the blessings of exaltation, the power to seal, talks a bit to JS and emma, and set forth the laws governing plural wives.......it does NOT say that polygamy is required for exaltation.



have you read the 2nd manifesto? it clearly states that it was given BECAUSE of the "numerous reports in circulation that plural marriages have been entered into contrary to the official declaration...of 1890". the LDS do NOT "wink" 2polygamy in their midst. I personally have SEEN instances where members thought they were being clever and had some secret sanction of the church turn angry and resentful when they were cautioned, cautioned again, and eventually excommunicated.....like a little child who didn't think their mother really meant no.

the LDS do nt practice polygamy. any member found practicing such will be excommunicated.....and believe me, I know the truth about the LDS church.

Answer 2

No, I don't think they do - or would....but that is just a personal opinion.



I read through the stuff you posted and other sites, and phrog is right (again) - other quotes from that same time period indicate that Cannon said he could not receive any inspiration from God on what to do so these men took matters into their own hands.



edit: you are wrong my friend - interesting that you call me smug while @the same time you claim to know my religion so much better than do I. I will continue to follow the HG and hope that you may do the same.....IOW - you find your way to heaven, and I'll meet you when you're there.



As to other comments here - there have always been those who "belong" to religions that appear to be active and really do not believe the doctrine...there likely still are. The simple fact is however, if they are polygamists, they are NOT LDS. They may attend. They may even hold some leadership position. But if they are going against the doctrine - they have set themselves away from being LDS.

Answer 3

Historically the church continued in Secret until 1908. That was the unofficial date after the 1890 Manifesto which was the official public revelation that it had ceased. The government threatening to take the temple had much to do with that decision.



The question of is it practiced today, yes by as many as 40,000 in and out of the western states including Utah. I was involved in rescues in Utah and every rural area seemed to have independent clicks. In most cities there were those who discretely practiced polygamy.



In my opinion and based on my own experience, I fully believe that some more affluent church members do discretely practice polygamy. I have some proof, but there is nothing to be gained by exposing it.



I lived in Utah from 1992 to 2001 and had an underground railroad for fleeing teens of the fundamentalist. My trips to SLC to see discrete independents revealed some still involved in the mainstream church.

Answer 4

We all know the church tries to gain favor with lawmakers. Just like any other powerful organization. This includes all other churches. Ever wonder why the LDS church does not allow anyone to see it financial dealings. Not even temple recommended members. Because it is highly questionable how their money is spent. Not only would it expose the church but it would expose a lot of people. Including politicians.

Answer 5

I honestly wouldn't be surprised. I would be sad though. Sad for my relatives that still believe in the Mormon cult.

Answer 6

I have never heard of anything like that happening today........however it wouldn't surprise me if it did. they would do anything to influence anyone. I will just quote Russell Ballard...... "when something needs to get done, we know how to do it." ----sounds pretty suspicious to me.

Answer 7

We are a game to them. All of them.