Defending "Traditional" Marriage in Utah

Traditional Marriage in Utah

January 6, 2014 at 5:15pm

First off, this represents our (Utah Mormons) principles on government and religion:

D&C 134:9

9 We do not believe it just to amingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.




And then these are some examples of "traditional" marriage in Utah:

“This law of monogamy, or the monogamic system, laid the foundation for prostitution and the evils and diseases of the most revolting nature and character under which modern Christendom groans…”

- Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, v. 13, p. 195


"Patriarchal marriage (AKA polygamous marriage) involves conditions, responsibilities and obligations which do not exist in monogamy, and there are blessings attached to the faithful observance of that law, if viewed only upon natural principles, which must so far exceed those of monogamy as the conditions, responsibilities and power of increase are greater. This is my view and testimony in relation to this matter. I believe it is a doctrine that should be taught and understood.
The benefits derived from the righteous observance of this order of marriage do not accrue solely to the husband, but are shared equally by the wives; not only is this true upon the grounds of obedience to a divine law, but upon physiological and scientific principles. In the latter view, the wives are even more benefited, if possible, than the husband physically. But, indeed, the benefits naturally accruing to both sexes, and particularly to their offspring, in time, say nothing of eternity, are immensely greater in the righteous practice of patriarchal marriage than in monogamy, even admitting the eternity of the monogamic marriage covenant."

Journal of Discourses; Vol. 20; Joseph F. Smith



"Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of Heaven among men."

Journal of Discourses; Vol. 9; Brigham Young



"Those who are acquainted with the history of the world are not ignorant that polygamy has always been the general rule and monogamy the exception."

Journal of Discourses; Vol. 11; Brigham Young



"Has the American Congress seen proper, since its first organization, to pass a law against polygamy? No. So far as the national law is concerned, it has no more bearing upon the subject of polygamy than it has upon the subject of monogamy, or something that never existed. Let us go still higher, above the laws of Congress, to that great instrument—the American Constitution, which we, as a people, have always held as one of the most perfect and glorious instruments that was ever framed by any nation, through their own wisdom, since the world began. It guarantees to us the liberty of the press, freedom of speech, liberty to seek for one's happiness, and to emigrate from State to State, and to enjoy all the privileges and
[p. 361b]
rights that any man could in conscience ask for. Is there anything in that glorious Constitution that forbids polygamy? There is not."

Journal of Discourses; Vol. 6; Orson Pratt



Etc...



Also, until 1963 (in Utah), it was against the law for a White person to intermarry with Blacks, Filipinos, or Asians. So, traditional marriage was also racist.

In 1977 (14 years after interracial marriage became legal in the state), an apostle, Boyd K. Packer, was still giving counsel to the young people of the church to ONLY MARRY SOMEONE FROM YOUR OWN RACE. Here's a link to the talk in full context: http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1051




So, when someone says they're for protecting "traditional marriage," do they know what they're saying?