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“I take this opportunity of writing to ask you if I can get my endowments and also finish the work I have begun for my dead. Dear Brother, I would like to see and talk with you about it. Will you please write to me and tell me how soon–when and where. I shall come and I will be there. By doing so, you will be conferring a great favour. (I have enclosed a stamped envelope for reply)” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Aug 31, 1903 | wasmormon.org
“I take this opportunity of writing to ask you if I can get my endowments and also finish the work I have begun for my dead. Dear Brother, I would like to see and talk with you about it. Will you please write to me and tell me how soon–when and where. I shall come and I will be there. By doing so, you will be conferring a great favour. (I have enclosed a stamped envelope for reply)” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Aug 31, 1903
“Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing to you, but be a Brother. I am anxious for my welfare for the future and I hope to be one bye and bye... First... a coloured brother, Brother Lewis wished me to be sealed to Him. He has been dead 35 or 36 years. Can I be sealed to him? Parley P. Pratt ordained Him an Elder. When can I ever be sealed to Him? Second, can I obtain my endowments for my dead? Third, can I also be adopted in Brother Joseph Smiths the prophets family. I think you are somewhat acquainted with me. I lived in the prophets family with Emma and others, about a year, and Emma said Joseph told her to tell me I could be adopted in their family. She asked me if I should like to. I did not understand the law of adoption then, but understanding it now, can that be accomplished and when?” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Feb 7, 1890 | wasmormon.org
“Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing to you, but be a Brother. I am anxious for my welfare for the future and I hope to be one bye and bye... First... a coloured brother, Brother Lewis wished me to be sealed to Him. He has been dead 35 or 36 years. Can I be sealed to him? Parley P. Pratt ordained Him an Elder. When can I ever be sealed to Him? Second, can I obtain my endowments for my dead? Third, can I also be adopted in Brother Joseph Smiths the prophets family. I think you are somewhat acquainted with me. I lived in the prophets family with Emma and others, about a year, and Emma said Joseph told her to tell me I could be adopted in their family. She asked me if I should like to. I did not understand the law of adoption then, but understanding it now, can that be accomplished and when?” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Feb 7, 1890
“Unfortunately, neither righteousness, taking the name of Jesus upon her by baptism, nor her great faith in the Lord qualified Jane to enter the holy temple for herself. In May 1894, while Jane was still alive..., Jane was sealed to Joseph & Emma Smith. NOT as one of their children as they had offered and Jane requested. Not as one of Joseph’s wives. But as their eternal servant... An eternal servant. A slave. A relationship that in the eternal law of God doesn’t exist and that is even today a spit in the face to all black women.” - Alice Faulkner Burch, President of the Relief Society in the Genesis Group, Mormon Women's History Initiative Annual Breakfast 2016 | wasmormon.org
“Unfortunately, neither righteousness, taking the name of Jesus upon her by baptism, nor her great faith in the Lord qualified Jane to enter the holy temple for herself. In May 1894, while Jane was still alive..., Jane was sealed to Joseph & Emma Smith. NOT as one of their children as they had offered and Jane requested. Not as one of Joseph’s wives. But as their eternal servant... An eternal servant. A slave. A relationship that in the eternal law of God doesn’t exist and that is even today a spit in the face to all black women.” - Alice Faulkner Burch, President of the Relief Society in the Genesis Group, Mormon Women's History Initiative Annual Breakfast 2016
“Young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, Quote from Pornography Talk at General Conference, April 2005, Photo: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Canterbury Medal Dinner in New York City, 16 May 2013 | wasmormon.org
“Young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, Quote from Pornography Talk at General Conference, April 2005, Photo: Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Canterbury Medal Dinner in New York City, 16 May 2013
“More women are leaving religion than men are. That's shocking to me as a historian of religion in America. There was actually a great article I read called Religious History is Women's History. Women have always outnumbered men. Not at the pulpit, but in the pew.” - Jared Halverson, Unshaken Saints, March 22 2025 | wasmormon.org
“More women are leaving religion than men are. That's shocking to me as a historian of religion in America. There was actually a great article I read called Religious History is Women's History. Women have always outnumbered men. Not at the pulpit, but in the pew.” - Jared Halverson, Unshaken Saints, March 22 2025
“I read a book once on the history of secularization in Great Britain in the 20th century. One of the author's main points was religion seemed to collapse in Great Britain when women stopped coming to church... They held the church up, until they stopped doing that, and there wasn't much left to keep it afloat. Sister saints, be aware of just how important you are in the kingdom of God.” - Jared Halverson, Unshaken Saints, March 22 2025 | wasmormon.org
“I read a book once on the history of secularization in Great Britain in the 20th century. One of the author's main points was religion seemed to collapse in Great Britain when women stopped coming to church... They held the church up, until they stopped doing that, and there wasn't much left to keep it afloat. Sister saints, be aware of just how important you are in the kingdom of God.” - Jared Halverson, Unshaken Saints, March 22 2025
“Whatsoever is, is in God, and without God nothing can be, or be conceived” - Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age | wasmormon.org
“Whatsoever is, is in God, and without God nothing can be, or be conceived” - Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age.
“That eternal and infinite being we call God, or Nature, acts from the same necessity from which he exists.” - Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age. | wasmormon.org
“That eternal and infinite being we call God, or Nature, acts from the same necessity from which he exists.” - Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age.
Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age. | wasmormon.org
“God is not He who is, but That which is.” - Baruch de Spinoza or Benedictus de Spinoza (1632 - 1677), Portuguese-Jewish Philosopher, Forerunner of the Age of Enlightenment and Leading Philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age.
“When I look up at the night sky and I know that yes, we are part of this universe. We are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up—many people feel small because they’re small and the universe is big—but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars. There’s a level of connectivity. That’s really what you want in life, you want to feel connected, you want to feel relevant, you want to feel like you’re a participant in the goings-on of activities and events around you. That’s precisely what we are, just by being alive.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, Author, Science Communicator, TIME Magazine Interview | wasmormon.org
“When I look up at the night sky and I know that yes, we are part of this universe. We are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up—many people feel small because they’re small and the universe is big—but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars. There’s a level of connectivity. That’s really what you want in life, you want to feel connected, you want to feel relevant, you want to feel like you’re a participant in the goings-on of activities and events around you. That’s precisely what we are, just by being alive.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, Author, Science Communicator, TIME Magazine Interview
“The most astounding fact is the knowledge that the atoms that comprise life on Earth, the atoms that make up the human body, are traceable to the crucibles that cooked light elements into heavy elements in their core under extreme temperatures and pressures. These stars, the high mass ones among them, went unstable in their later years. They collapsed and then exploded, scattering their enriched guts across the galaxy. Guts made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and all the fundamental ingredients of life itself. These ingredients become part of gas clouds that condense, collapse, form the next generation of solar systems, stars with orbiting planets. And those planets now have the ingredients for life itself.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, Author, Science Communicator, TIME Magazine Interview | wasmormon.org
“The most astounding fact is the knowledge that the atoms that comprise life on Earth, the atoms that make up the human body, are traceable to the crucibles that cooked light elements into heavy elements in their core under extreme temperatures and pressures. These stars, the high mass ones among them, went unstable in their later years. They collapsed and then exploded, scattering their enriched guts across the galaxy. Guts made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and all the fundamental ingredients of life itself. These ingredients become part of gas clouds that condense, collapse, form the next generation of solar systems, stars with orbiting planets. And those planets now have the ingredients for life itself.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, Author, Science Communicator, TIME Magazine Interview
“It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropomorphic concept which I cannot take seriously. I feel also not able to imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere. My views are near to those of Spinoza: admiration for the beauty of and belief in the logical simplicity of the order and harmony which we can grasp humbly and only imperfectly. I believe that we have to content ourselves with our imperfect knowledge and understanding and treat values and moral obligations as a purely human problem — the most important of all human problems.” - Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist, 1947 | wasmormon.org
“It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropomorphic concept which I cannot take seriously. I feel also not able to imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere. My views are near to those of Spinoza: admiration for the beauty of and belief in the logical simplicity of the order and harmony which we can grasp humbly and only imperfectly. I believe that we have to content ourselves with our imperfect knowledge and understanding and treat values and moral obligations as a purely human problem — the most important of all human problems.” - Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist, 1947
“I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings.” - Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist, Response to a rabbi asking, “Do you believe in God?” wasmormon.org
“I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with fates and actions of human beings.” - Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist, Response to a rabbi asking, “Do you believe in God?”
“Modern apostles are called to be witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world (D&C 107:23). This is not to witness of a personal manifestation. To witness of the name is to witness of the plan, the work or mission, such as the atonement and the authority or priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which an apostle who holds the keys is uniquely responsible to do. Of course, apostles are also witnesses of Christ just like all members of the Church who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org
“Modern apostles are called to be witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world (D&C 107:23). This is not to witness of a personal manifestation. To witness of the name is to witness of the plan, the work or mission, such as the atonement and the authority or priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which an apostle who holds the keys is uniquely responsible to do. Of course, apostles are also witnesses of Christ just like all members of the Church who have the gift of the Holy Ghost.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015
“We need to define the difference between doubts and questions. Questions, when asked with a sincere desire to increase one's understanding and faith, are to be encouraged. Such questions, questions we call them, are asked with the real intent of better understanding and more fully obeying the will of the Lord. Questions are very different from doubts.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015 | wasmormon.org
“We need to define the difference between doubts and questions. Questions, when asked with a sincere desire to increase one's understanding and faith, are to be encouraged. Such questions, questions we call them, are asked with the real intent of better understanding and more fully obeying the will of the Lord. Questions are very different from doubts.” - Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, "Boise Rescue," Boise, Idaho Devotional, June 13, 2015
“While the results of search efforts may be passed from person to person by mouth, it may prove helpful during changes in leadership and other instances to have the search results documented and kept on file in the clerks office. A form can be used for documenting the results of a search (see this sample form, which also contains suggestions on where to search)...” "This sheet is to be used when a member of the ward (usually a member of the bishopric or auxiliary leadership) is assigned to find a member that has not been contacted for some time. Once the steps below are complete, including the recommended changes to membership records and any notes are written, this form should be returned to the ward clerk." - LDS Clerk Wiki for Locating Members 2019 | Ward Sleuthing Form 2008 | wasmormon.org
“While the results of search efforts may be passed from person to person by mouth, it may prove helpful during changes in leadership and other instances to have the search results documented and kept on file in the clerks office. A form can be used for documenting the results of a search (see this sample form, which also contains suggestions on where to search)...” "This sheet is to be used when a member of the ward (usually a member of the bishopric or auxiliary leadership) is assigned to find a member that has not been contacted for some time. Once the steps below are complete, including the recommended changes to membership records and any notes are written, this form should be returned to the ward clerk." - LDS Clerk Wiki for Locating Members 2019 | Ward Sleuthing Form 2008
“We possess some absolute truths that have, where we have applied them, placed us on the “strait and narrow way,” and we are further told that there is “none other way” for salvation. All of this suggests an ecclesiastical exclusivity that seems to embarrass some in the Church, for implied is not just an institutional exclusivity, but also a conceptual superiority with regard to salvational things... With such a great message, can we afford not to be articulate in our homes and wherever we are? Passivity and inarticulateness about this “marvelous work and a wonder” can diminish the faith of others.” - Neal A. Maxwell, LDS Apostle, as Church Commissioner of Education, 1971 | wasmormon.org
“We possess some absolute truths that have, where we have applied them, placed us on the “strait and narrow way,” and we are further told that there is “none other way” for salvation. All of this suggests an ecclesiastical exclusivity that seems to embarrass some in the Church, for implied is not just an institutional exclusivity, but also a conceptual superiority with regard to salvational things... With such a great message, can we afford not to be articulate in our homes and wherever we are? Passivity and inarticulateness about this “marvelous work and a wonder” can diminish the faith of others.” - Neal A. Maxwell, LDS Apostle, as Church Commissioner of Education, 1971
“Though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.” - Austin Farrer, Oxford theologian and New Testament scholar. The Christian Apologist, Light on C. S. Lewis | wasmormon.org
“Though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.” - Austin Farrer, Oxford theologian and New Testament scholar. The Christian Apologist, Light on C. S. Lewis
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
This is a spotlight on a profile shared at wasmormon.org. These are just the highlights, so please find the full story at https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/. There are stories of Mormon faith journeys contributed by hundreds of users like you. Come check them out and consider sharing your own story at wasmormon.org!
I’m still the only one in my immediate family who has left the church. My parents believe I’m doomed and that I’ve doomed my children to eternal unhappiness. However, I’m more at peace now in life than I’ve ever been. I’m so happy we left the church and glad my children will not grow up with the same guilt and shame I experienced as a member just trying their best. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I’m still the only one in my immediate family who has left the church. My parents believe I’m doomed and that I’ve doomed my children to eternal unhappiness. However, I’m more at peace now in life than I’ve ever been. I’m so happy we left the church and glad my children will not grow up with the same guilt and shame I experienced as a member just trying their best. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I had a period of time where I was nihilistic and pretty damn depressed. A loving and supportive wife (who also left with me) was incredibly important. And having a local community of friends who had experienced similar things was also very comforting and validating. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I had a period of time where I was nihilistic and pretty damn depressed. A loving and supportive wife (who also left with me) was incredibly important. And having a local community of friends who had experienced similar things was also very comforting and validating. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Turns out… the church isn’t true!! lol. I could list a myriad of historical and doctrinal reasons why I felt compelled to leave. And the social issues played a big factor too. Leaving was incredibly difficult, even after feeling confident that it wasn’t true. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Turns out… the church isn’t true!! lol. I could list a myriad of historical and doctrinal reasons why I felt compelled to leave. And the social issues played a big factor too. Leaving was incredibly difficult, even after feeling confident that it wasn’t true. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Along the way, I also met some incredibly thoughtful and faithful Mormon friends who were really struggling with their faith. In an attempt to be empathetic, I finally allowed myself to dig deeper into church history without the blinding lenses of apologetics. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Along the way, I also met some incredibly thoughtful and faithful Mormon friends who were really struggling with their faith. In an attempt to be empathetic, I finally allowed myself to dig deeper into church history without the blinding lenses of apologetics. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Once I left the bubble that is Utah county (where I went to high school) I found so many friends and colleagues from all walks of life. I was uncomfortable with the church’s teachings around LGBTQ issues and developed friendships with people in that community that completely changed my perspective. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
Once I left the bubble that is Utah county (where I went to high school) I found so many friends and colleagues from all walks of life. I was uncomfortable with the church’s teachings around LGBTQ issues and developed friendships with people in that community that completely changed my perspective. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I struggled silently for years to understand certain aspects of church history and I never seemed to get the answers I needed - but I would just bury those concerns and double down with service, study, and prayer. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I struggled silently for years to understand certain aspects of church history and I never seemed to get the answers I needed - but I would just bury those concerns and double down with service, study, and prayer. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I’m the 7th of 11 children. Our family was very orthodox growing up. I did all the things - served a full time mission to Wisconsin, got married in the temple, had 3 kids young, and held several leadership callings. I’m the only child of the 11 to have left the church. I love the outdoors, cooking (and eating), music, pugs, and Lego. I was a Mormon. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
I’m the 7th of 11 children. Our family was very orthodox growing up. I did all the things - served a full time mission to Wisconsin, got married in the temple, had 3 kids young, and held several leadership callings. I’m the only child of the 11 to have left the church. I love the outdoors, cooking (and eating), music, pugs, and Lego. I was a Mormon. - https://wasmormon.org/profile/lanceallenclark/
“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stood together in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors' Center for iconic photographs — symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. Taken in front of the statues of the Christus and the 12 ancient Apostles by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, the photographs connect the work of the ancient Apostles with the work of Latter-day prophets.” - Church News: Historic Photo of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Rome | wasmormon.org
“The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stood together in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors' Center for iconic photographs — symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. Taken in front of the statues of the Christus and the 12 ancient Apostles by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, the photographs connect the work of the ancient Apostles with the work of Latter-day prophets.” - Church News: Historic Photo of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Rome
“President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walk out out of the temple after a tour of the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, Maryland, on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.” - Church News: See photos of the Washington D.C. Temple rededication | wasmormon.org
“President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, walk out out of the temple after a tour of the Washington D.C. Temple in Kensington, Maryland, on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.” - Church News: See photos of the Washington D.C. Temple rededication
The Church leaders stood together on March 11 in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center for iconic photographs—symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. In addition to the group photograph, President Nelson—who holds all the keys to the Church—stood near the statue of Peter. The keys held in Peter’s hand are symbolic of Matthew 16:19, where Christ promised Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” - Church News | wasmormon.org
The Church leaders stood together on March 11 in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center for iconic photographs—symbols of their unified testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. In addition to the group photograph, President Nelson—who holds all the keys to the Church—stood near the statue of Peter. The keys held in Peter’s hand are symbolic of Matthew 16:19, where Christ promised Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” - Church News
“This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter.” - Henry B. Eyring, The True and Living Church, April 2008, General Conference | wasmormon.org
“This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter.” - Henry B. Eyring, The True and Living Church, April 2008, General Conference
“Must we, under the broad folds of the American Constitution, be compelled to bow down to the narrow contracted notions of Apostate Christianity? Must we shut up our consciences in a nut shell, and be compelled to submit the bigoted notions, and whims, and customs of the dark ages of popery, transferred to us through the superstitions of our fathers? Must we be slaves to custom and render homage to the soul-destroying sickening influences of modern Christianity? No: American freedom was never instituted for such servile purposes.” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage. wasmormon.org
“Must we, under the broad folds of the American Constitution, be compelled to bow down to the narrow contracted notions of Apostate Christianity? Must we shut up our consciences in a nut shell, and be compelled to submit the bigoted notions, and whims, and customs of the dark ages of popery, transferred to us through the superstitions of our fathers? Must we be slaves to custom and render homage to the soul-destroying sickening influences of modern Christianity? No: American freedom was never instituted for such servile purposes.” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage.
“He had already succeeded in abolishing marriage among Priests and Nuns, and the next step was to forbid the plurality of wives... Through the influence of Apostate Christendom several nations have actually been persuaded to assist the Devil in his malicious warfare against this divine system: they have actually passed laws prohibiting it in their midst. Thus that order of plurality... has been overturned and abolished by human enactments and by human authority. Let Apostate Christendom blush at her sacriligious deeds! Let her be ashamed of her narrow contracted bigoted laws!” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage. wasmormon.org
“He had already succeeded in abolishing marriage among Priests and Nuns, and the next step was to forbid the plurality of wives... Through the influence of Apostate Christendom several nations have actually been persuaded to assist the Devil in his malicious warfare against this divine system: they have actually passed laws prohibiting it in their midst. Thus that order of plurality... has been overturned and abolished by human enactments and by human authority. Let Apostate Christendom blush at her sacriligious deeds! Let her be ashamed of her narrow contracted bigoted laws!” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage.
“The laws against the plurality of wives, we believe to be unconstitutional, growing out of the narrow-contracted bigoted customs of Apostate Christianity. If the [saints] wish to enjoy the privileges granted by the word God, and by the glorious Constitution of our National Republic, let them depart from under the jurisdiction if these illiberal State laws, and go to Utah where religious liberty is tolerated, and where every people and sect have the right to worship please, and marry as many wives as they please.” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage. wasmormon.org
“The laws against the plurality of wives, we believe to be unconstitutional, growing out of the narrow-contracted bigoted customs of Apostate Christianity. If the [saints] wish to enjoy the privileges granted by the word God, and by the glorious Constitution of our National Republic, let them depart from under the jurisdiction if these illiberal State laws, and go to Utah where religious liberty is tolerated, and where every people and sect have the right to worship please, and marry as many wives as they please.” - Orson Pratt, LDS Apostle, The Seer (1853) Criticizing "bigoted" monogamous marriage laws forbidding his preferred plural marriage.