Losing the Priesthood – 2 – Plural Marriage

Having treated the question of what part Priesthood ordinations may have played in John Taylor’s prophesy questioning the validity of many of the Saint’s authority, we need to look past the assumption it was fulfilled (or was even primarily) because of that issue.  There were many other reasons and situations which the early prophets and apostles warned could lead to many – if not most – of the Saints losing the Priesthood or its power.

Celestial (Plural) Marriage – The Law of the Priesthood

One area of great importance to this issue was that of Celestial (or Plural) Marriage.  Most Latter-day Saints today might not easily see the correlation though, as they may think that it was practiced just to increase the number of Church members or as a trial of faith.   Indeed it certainly was a trial and test of faith for those who lived it, but it was also an essential part of the faith of those who believed it to be a true principle.

The Latter-day Saints before the 1890s believed it to be “a necessity to man’s highest exaltation in the life to come.”(1) as the First Presidency of the time put it, and it was called the “law of the Priesthood”(2) in the revelation which Joseph received on the subject in 1843.  The Saints were also taught it was part of the restoration of the Gospel, that it was needed for God’s kingdom to progress, and that through it God sent his choicest spirits.  It has been a source of controversy ever since, and an important principle in the issue of Priesthood authority.

Joseph was told by God for instance that if he did not proceed with establishing Plural Marriage that “his Priesthood would be taken from him.”(3)  Those to whom he revealed that law were put under the same obligation, as John Taylor relates, “When this commandment was given, it was so far religious, and so far binding upon the Elders of this Church, that it was told them if they were not prepared to enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that would come in consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be taken from them and given to others.”(4)  Heber was told by Joseph that if he did not take another wife he would lose his Apostleship.(5)

The word of the Lord was explicit upon this point; “It is not meet that men who will not abide My law shall preside over My Priesthood;”(6)  As John Taylor clarified it; “A man obeying a lesser law is not qualified to preside over those who keep a higher law.”(7)

Thus, a man’s Priesthood can be effected by what laws and commandments he refuses to live, and officiating in some offices is dependent upon fulfilling obligations the Lord has laid down to qualify those holding those callings.  The Church and its apostles recognised this, and warned the Saints of the results of rejecting this law, and the effect it could have on the Priesthood -

“What would be necessary to bring about the result nearest the hearts of the opponents of ‘Mormonism’, more properly termed the Gospel of the Son of God?  Simply to renounce, abrogate or apostatize from the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in its fulness.  Were the Church to do that as an entirety God would reject the Saints as a body.  The authority would be withdrawn, with its gifts and powers, and there would be no more heavenly recognition of the administrations among the people. The heavens would permanently withdraw themselves, and the Lord would raise up another people of greater valor and stability, for his work must, according to His unalterable degrees, go forward …”(8)

“The entire Church and all of its Priesthood, with the Presidency at the head of it might motion and vote against this principle until doomsday with just one effect, (namely) to vote themselves away from the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, from the possession of their Priesthood, and to find themselves very speedily outside the Church and Kingdom of God; while he would raise up others that would honor and observe his law.”(9)

Thus, those who sustained such a course (and still do oppose His laws), have placed themselves outside of God’s approval, without Him recognising their Priesthood, as He works instead with those who will honour His laws.

Click here for Part 3

1. First Presidency & Twelve, Petition for Amnesty, 19 December 1891.  “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.”  (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol.11, p.268 – p.269, 19 August 1866)
2. “I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and my Father before the world was.”  (D&C 132:28, 58, 61, 64)
3. Eliza R. Snow, Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, p. 69-70
4. 7 June 1866, Journal of Discourses 11:221-222
5. Life of Heber C. Kimball, Orson F. Whitney, p. 336, 1888 edition
6. Revelation to John Taylor, October 13th, 1882, Church Historians Office
7. John Taylor, October 10th, 1882, Life of Wilford Woodruff, Matthias F. Cowley, p. 542
8. Charles W. Penrose, Deseret Evening News, April 23rd, 1885
9. Deseret News, Editorial, 1 April 1885