What did Brigham Young mean when he said, "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy"? (Journal of Discourses 11:269)

After examining the quote by Bright Young within the context of his sermon, it would appear that Young meant exactly what he said. There's nothing particularly cryptic about this. Brigham was usually pretty forthright and up front about his teaching.

Young said that no one could enter the celestial kingdom apart from entering into the everlasting covenant of polygamy. He appeared to limit the celestial kingdom to those who were into polygamy. This does of course, present a problem or two to the modern Mormon. I would suggest that the modern Mormon has three different ways he or she can go on this one. First, what BY said then was truth, but it isn't truth now. Second, this was one of those seemingly ever-present non-official, non-prophetic, non-revelatory, no-one-can-hold-me-accountable-for-at-a-later-date "opinions" of his. Three, it wasn't true then and it isn't true now and BY--at that point at least--taught rank error.

My guess is that the Mormon will probably go with number one--it was true then, but God can change his truth. After all, he did it in the Bible, etc, etc, etc, -JH (non-LDS)

someone said read the whole story for context. i did because i own the 26 volumes of the JOD. this is what b young said, and i quote: "when that revelation was first read to me by j smith, i plainly saw the great trials and the abuse of it that would be made by many of the elders, and the trouble and the persecution that it would bring upon this whole people. BUT THE LORD REVEALED IT, and it was my business to accept it."

ok. b young said: 1. it was through the prophet; 2. it was reveled by god. if this is the case then the church is astray here because they are not following D and C 1:14--therefore they will be cut off. b young continues, "it is the word of the lord" and "i heard the revelation on polygamy, and i believed it with all my heart and i know it is from god, i know that he revealed it from heaven; i know that it is true."

so what did b young mean when he said you must enter into polygamy to become sons of god? just that. he said it was reveled by god--you cannot get any clearer. to this day the church denies these alleged teachings of god and the prophets. this is a serious charge. nowhere does it say this teaching was for a certain group of men only.

people who teach that this was only for certain men never understood D and C 132:3: all who have this law revealed unto them must obey. if you read it you are included in that ALL. it appears the church denies the teaching of their god; it's not the true church. i will provided documentation upon request. please write me at [email protected]. -RB (non-LDS)