I have not been active for a long time. Your testimony has helped answer some of my deepest concerns with the church. My family now attends church again and we are loving it
What an incredible miracle!! Like president Nelson said: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. To me You and your family are one of these mightiest works!!!!
My new favorite RUclips channel. I think I know why Christ hasn’t returned yet, he was waiting on David to join the church so he could double the membership 😂
Thank You Brother David. Your being led by the spirit to bring others into the Covenant. 47 years of searching was probably in preparation for what your able to do now.
David, I’ve watched so many friends and family members walk away from the church. I’ve searched for a RUclips voice that would provide persuasive answers to their questions and a solid counter to their doubts. Your videos are what I’ve been hoping for. They will be powerful tools for those who doubt. Tears come to my eyes as I hear your witness for truth. Please stay true and continue to reclaim those who have gone astray. God bless you.
David, as a descendant of several polygamist; can I just say thank you?!!!!! When I was growing up, my grandmother would read to me from my ancestors journals. I know why they practiced polygamy. They didn’t enter into it lightly. It was something that the Holy Ghost had to testify to them that they were truly called to do it. At times it was difficult. At times it was comical. But I was born in the covenant thanks to it. I was born with all the blessings of the gospel. I owe my most precious blessing, my membership in the church, to these people. I will praise their names forever! Especially the women. In many ways polygamy was a blessing for them. In many ways it was a sacrifice for them. But it has been nothing but a great blessing to me and thousands like me.
I pity the wives of polygamists, including my g.g.grandfather, Johnathon Browning, gunmaker (through his 3rd wife). Their accounts are sad. It isn't "glorious," or "noble," are you kidding? This guy is NUTS. It is an abomination to the Lord. Read Jacob 2 dude (I'm talking to you, David Alexander). Yes, I'm proud to be a Browning, but I also appreciate that Joseph Smith WASN'T a polygamist. We live in the information age, Joseph Smith papers. There are books written for and against polygamy. This guy read the History volumes, "Saints" which is propaganda. The Joseph Smith papers prove it. It's the church's 3rd attempt "in the spirit of transparency" and it wasn't. But nice deep dive there. I've heard both sides. Bottom line: Joseph Smith wasn't a liar, wasn't a pedophile. Try reading "Joseph Smith Revealed: Exploring an alternate polygamy narrative," or "The Exoneration of Emma, Joseph, & Hyrum." Section 132 doesn't match the writing style of revelation received through Joseph Smith. This guy is easy to refute with his talking points, but y'all wouldn't believe it because you're stuck in your false traditions. So I've already wasted too much of my time on y'all. Joseph was a true prophet, the BOM is true, there are problems with Brigham / Nauvoo and thereafter. I see the church as a broken up old chevy pickup. It's damaged, but can still get the job done because it spreads the BOM throughout the world. You people won't learn anything by staying in your own echo chamber. You are not even aware of your own false traditions, just like the Lamanites. I hope & pray you open your eyes. Adam & Eve, Noah, many others didn't need polygamy to "raise up seed." Ugh.
Amazing! You’re a perfect example of what Alma said… “he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.” It’s inspiring to watch you receive this greater portion!
This is hands down the best explanation and exploration of the polygamy topic I've ever heard in all my years as a member of the church. Thank you for your direct and simple testimony on this. If ever I find someone wanting a good explanation on the subject this is will be the top video I send them to. I can't wait to see your testimony after you've received your endowment in the temple of God. Keep up the good work, brother!
This was the hardest principle I struggled with in the church coming from a Catholic tradition as a convert. It almost destroyed me and lost my blessings I am enjoying now if I did not do my part of exercising my faith and trusting the Lord the answer will come. No one (humans)friends or relative in the church could convince me the truth of it until our gracious Heavenly Father revealed it to me personally. It was a glorious experience that never left me to this day. Thank you for sharing your own revelation and spreading this good news...the restoration of Christ's church. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing yourself to the world. You are a miracle.
@@rconger24 it was the most amazing personal experience. I couldn't contain myself. I could cry all day just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing that scripture.
Thank you for making this video. I am currently preparing to serve as a missionary and this video helped strengthen my testimony about polygamy in the early church. I learned things that I didn’t know before and will be able to better teach others of this. And bring them unto Christ and His true church.
Right on, way to do some homework before you go, it’s crazy this can be done these days. I wish you the best mission and know it will bless your life and for all time, way to be!
Brilliant assessment for polygamy, David. We love your insights. Revelation is an amazing process. Here are a couple of facts to add to your testimony. Polygamy was practiced by only approximately 2% of the early Church membership, but as late as 25 years ago more than 50% of full tithe payers, active members and full time missionaries were descended from those early polygamous families. That is a powerful added testimony to what the Lord taught you.
David, Thank you for your amazing testimony, love, and devotion to the restored gospel! You are truly a remarkable man. Those early saints had some amazing and incredible revelations from God verifying the practice of polygamy. I'm not sure if you have been able to read any of those or not but they are a foundation to why they had the faith to practice polygamy. My ancestors practiced polygamy and reading their life histories it was an incredible sacrifice. It's hard enough to take care of one family...Being the father of seven, I can only imagine what it would be like to provide for, care for, and nurture multiple households. Do you have a way for us to communicate with you? Thank you again for your amazing videos! You are indeed a gifted, articulate, spiritual man!
When I entered the MTC in 1983, the person conducting an initial meeting asked for those descended from polygamists to stand up. About two thirds of us stood up.
@@gemmeerobinson1803 I rather pay 10% to build temples, buildings and to give to the poor (vs to give up to the government up to 50% or more, lol) At least the first goes to good causes and is more efficiently spent! But I do agree, as per the 10% I don't think that most christian churches have that (although they do ask for donations).
Thank you, Brother David, for your powerful testimony! You're a great teacher. Many Church members are being tricked by the Adversary these days, falling prey to the naysayers and critics of the Church, and believing lies and false explanations regarding this and other issues in Church history. We sure need your bold, Spirit-filled witness of the truth to help remind those who once believed, find those who would believe, and strengthen those who do believe.
@@Kristy_not_Kristine Sorry you feel that way. I absolutely love the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! My testimony comes from the Holy Ghost confirming that it's true. I will not, nor could I ever deny it. Have a blessed life.
David, thank you for reminding me that polygamy was glorious, not an embarrassment. I, too, have journals from my ancestors. They were tremendously faithful people who sacrificed greatly!
I love how your “wandering in the desert” for 47 years has brought you to explaining things in the church so gloriously! You’ve been pondering the gospel and thinking about things for so long that you are bursting with profound ways to explain the gospel. I think the spirit has planted these thoughts into your mind for years then he said “ok David, you’re ready to share with boldness” there is that saying “you never know what you had until it’s gone but in your case it is “You know what you got more when you have it” So neat to watch you. What a fun light you are 🙌
I’m out gardening and mowing the yard with tears of gratitude for the early saints including some of my family who were commanded to practice this principle. They were eventually ran out of the United States to Mexico until that generation died off in the wilderness. Thank you for helping me to understand this better. Praise and honor be to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ forever for this eternal plan of happiness🙏🎶
David, yesterday I stumbled onto some of that disturbing “garbage” online that you were talking about, specifically dealing with polygamy. Today you were inspired to post this specific video so that I could be comforted and reassured on this topic. I’ve watched all your videos at least three times over the last few weeks and been sharing your channel with everyone, but I still can’t believe you posted this at the exact time I needed it. Thank you.
Thank you. I have children who are believing the lies about Polygamy and Joseph Smith. I love your insights. All eight of my Great Great Grandparents were early Pioneers who walked with Joseph. I have always had a testimony since I was young. So I never worried or questioned the practice of Polygamy. But I needed to hear you tonight so that I can help my children who are being swayed by the Father of Lies. Thank you!!!!! Keep up the good work.
All the sources that perpetuate those lies are so easily debunked. They're mostly from RLDS sources or church history completely taken out of context. The most compelling argument is temple work for the dead. The reason it completely destroys their claims is because Joseph Smith and God made a very big deal all throughout church history and the doctrine and covenants regarding the work for the dead. There's not a single other church on earth that does work for the dead, not even the RLDS church which is the church that put out all the garbage trying to convince everyone that Joseph never practiced polygamy. If those sources were true, then the work for the dead isn't being done because we would have lost the priesthood. So in other words, the entire restoration of the fullness of Christ's gospel, which Joseph said would never stop progressing till Christ comes, failed. Jesus apparently isn't very good at planning and completely botched the most important moment in the world since his resurrection. Most people who believe those lies that your children are falling into believe Joseph Smith was a prophet but that Brigham Young wasn't a prophet. It's impossible to believe Joseph Smith was a prophet and also believe the restoration failed. It's also impossible to ignore the work for the dead. And there's only one church on earth doing it.
I had a child who once called Joseph and Brigham "pervert prophets." He/she learned that trashy non sequitur at BYU. He/she repented when I pointed out that the Church was led by prophets who practiced plural marriage for the MAJORITY of church history.
@@bumpercoach so true. I was attending an international conference, when, at dinner, some people learned we were LDS. They started to chide us about 'polygamy.' A muslim fellow jumped on the table (figuratively) and said just that about them. Obviously they were guilty of serial marriage and/or "swinging." My wife and I laughed all the way home.
There is something else the amazing women who committed to this, sacrificed. A normal life, a normal, family, a normal romantic relationship with her husband. The things of greatest importance they yielded. This is something most little girls dream about. Their dashing husband, children, a beautiful home. They gave EVERYTHING away for God. All their hopes and dreams. And they probably found unseen treasures of great joy as they submitted to God’s will. And if they didn’t, if it was a miserable, daunting experience, they did it ANYWAY. I look at myself and what I sacrifice compared to them and it’s like a pebble floating in space next to a Star. I shrivel under their brilliant, blinding star of an example.
David, I think you hit the nail on the head with this podcast. Your insight into polygamy, as given to you by the Spirit, is logical, simplistic, and true. The way you delivered this message in your humble and sincere manner is the most beautiful explanation of why God required this of the early saints that I have ever heard. Most of my direct-line ancestors participated in this requirement and were given the same testimony of it that you have received. Your witness that God does give us answers to our questions when we sincerely ask, even when we first just have to trust in faith that His ways are above our ways, is a refreshing thing to behold. Thank you for reminding me that when the fruits are glorious the roots are glorious. Bless you!
When I was 14 years old I hit the wall concerning polygamy. It broke my heart. I was a romantic at heart. I struggled with my self image and self worth. I left like polygamy spat in the face of my romantic notions. It broke my heart. That experience was so difficult BUT this topic has been rebuilt into a beautiful increased understanding of love, of God, of marriage, of eternal marriage, of polygamy, of the early pioneer and Saints. I have learned to love polygamy in our early church. I am thankful for it. I have been able to share my love for it to support my fellow sisters. God has made it a strength in my faith. It’s so beautiful. I have learned to love other women by the measure of if I could share my family with them or not. God has grown my heart many sizes over again.
I just have to tell you, thank you so much for your testimony! I've been a member all of my life, but haven't put a lot of thought into polygamy and the reasons behind it. Your testimony touched my heart so deeply, I feel now as you do the great depth of gratitude for those early saints and those deep and hard sacrifices that they made. Really love all that you are doing to spread your zeal for the restoration! Keep going!
Amazing what you have learned in such a short time. I was born in the church. I love Joseph Smith. I've never not believed, but polygamy has always been an irritant. Your humility to overcome a natural objection is amazing. Love your story.
I am here today because of polygamy. My ancestors were faithful early saints who went to prison over this issue. Your revelations about the reasons for it are spot on!
The officers came to take Grandpa to jail. He invited them to eat with the family before they left. Grandpa called on his son to pray. 20 minutes later, when the prayer was finished, Grandpa was no where to be found
Wow, you’re on fire! He, God is speaking to you. I’ve never heard it explained so well and so clearly of the early leaders and Saints of the church. The work is hastening and we are fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. God bless you. Love this!
David, we are so grateful that you have chosen to give us daily encouragement. Your fresh views of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the impact of His Love and atonement for each on of us are wonderful. Your perspective as a practical Bible scholar has such an impact as you testify of the restored Church of Jesus Christ and the restoration of Prophets and Apostles in whom we can safely place child-like faith as Christ's chosen leaders in this dispensation. We love you and look forward to each episode. George and Leslie Brunt
Amen and amen. The student has become the teacher. That was a masterful dissertation on the history of the early saints and what they went through, and I think you got it perfect. And the most amazing thing about all of it is that no scholars or professors taught these things to you. You are a student of the Holy Spirit who has revealed truths to you directly from our Father, and who can argue with that? If I ever come across anyone who has doubts or questions about polygamy, I will definitely share this video with them because the perspective you have on the subject is not of this world. Thank you so much for having the courage to share this and God bless you, Brother David!
I've been a member of the church since I was 12. I'm 28 now and still keep trying my best to stay true to the faith even though it seems harder and harder as life goes on. Your testimony strengthens mine very much, and something about your content makes me feel very peaceful and calmed. Thank you David!
I've been a member of the Church all my life, and this was one of the best explanations of polygamy I have ever heard. In the past, all I would usually say about polygamy is that it is a shared historical practice of every Christian, Jew, Muslim and many other major religions. It is a principle that is clearly taught and even sanctioned in the Bible (2 Samuel 12:8). It's just hard for some that it happened more recently with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When His purposes require it, who are we to question? This truly provided me with a better understanding of the glory and purposes of polygamy. Your knowledge of the scriptures and ability to receive revelation is impressive. Your lifelong quest for truth is inspiring! Thank you!
I had a crisis of faith several years ago, but it was over creation where I thought science contradicted the biblical account of creation. It broke me. I felt the same sorrow at losing faith. I was miserable and I went to Heavenly Father and said “I don’t care what science teaches, I am going to trust Your words” and the same thing happened! Spiritual bombs teaching me truth upon truth. Faith always comes first, then you are taught truth from above.
Read or listen to the book Is Atheism Dead? by Eric Metaxis. This and many other books demonstrate that the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence supports the existence of God and the creation. It sounds like you have gotten past this issue but this is still good information to have.
@@russellskousen6217 after I received an answer from Heavenly Father I started discovering speakers like Metaxis. I also like Stephen C Meyer. Hugh Ross is good too. Some of the information you need discernment to decide if it is true. That is why I feel like getting an answer from a spiritual source first was important
David, your testimony joy is contagious, your testimony is strengthening, and your wisdom is astounding! Can’t get enough of your videos. This one was top of the list! It is very powerful to hear such compelling thoughts from a new convert… especially with your background and foreknowledge. Keep it up brother!
David, as a life long member I am no where close to you in my scriptural knowledge. It is phenomenal to see someone with a great knowledge and desire to find truth find it and see how it brings all prophecy and all scripture together. I love learning along with you. What a great journey, thank you for taking me along. It is helping me and strengthening me.
As a life-long member I really want to thank you for sharing your experience and testimony of polygamy. It was never a major stumbling block for me but I never considered how glorious and essential it was. I can now be enthusiastic and joyful about it.
David… You are on Fire with your testimony and I absolutely LOVE this channel! I am lifted up, encouraged and edified every time I listen to you! Thank you for lifting so many hearts and souls! I love you brother!!!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing wisdom that Heavenly Father has given you! I've been a member of the Church since I was 10 years old (I am now 73) and I've always struggled with Polygamy. Everything you have shared has blessed my soul with understanding. I'm so thankful!
Thank you for Psalm 48. A favorite of mine. I was singing harmony with you. We sounded pretty good. I was just singing it yesterday! I will always be a pentecostal Mormon!
As David was singing, I suddenly imagined the beauty that would have happened, had my atheist father been able to sing to his seven children with his whole heart, this song, as David just did!! He could have blessed our lives so immensely!! Instead, he was a deadbeat dad, who finally told me when I was a young adult that he hadn’t needed us when we were growing up!! But, he repented in his own way, as I became much older. It was too late for many of us, though. I actually have felt very sorry for him for many years, that he missed out so much on our childhoods and wasn’t there for us, and chose instead to break my mother’s heart and leave all of us because of an affair with another woman, whom he married when I was only 5. My wonderful mother was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints back when she was expecting me. She remained an exemplary, faithful member of the Church for the rest of her life. But, my mind still regrets that my poor father didn’t know how to love his own children, and the immense pain that the 7 of us had to endure, and the many, many mistakes we made, because we were not important to him. I was from his second batch. My mother had 4 children, and my father’s first wife had 3. I started being able to forgive my father when I was in my 20s. By the time I gave birth to my triplets in my early 40s, who were his 16th, 17th, and 18th grandchildren, after having ignored my two older children who were teenagers by then, my father FINALLY started to UNDERSTAND that children ARE important, and he spent time with my triplets and began to love and value them! They opened his heart!!! He finally allowed this to happen as an old man in his 80s! He passed away three years ago. He was still an atheist, but his heart was being prepared. My 14 year old son wants to be baptized for and in behalf of his Grandpa. We will do it soon! ❤
I love how you compared your revelation to Saul's. I believe that God has called you to this ministry brother. Please continue to do the work you're doing. Your personality and approach is unlike any other I've seen and it's much needed today. ❤❤
David, your story and mine are very similar. I was raised catholic. I spent 50 years looking for the true church with no results. I was at the point there might be a God. There wasn’t a Holy Ghost. Because all these churches I went to had different beliefs and claimed they were following the Holy Ghost. Something was wrong with that! Then the fact there’s 45,000 different religions!!! Who’s the right one. Which one is true!!! I prayed and prayed to God for years with no answers! Back in 1982 or 1983 two LDS missionaries came by our house. We did the lessons. My wife didn’t like the LDS church and said if I was going to join the church she would leave me. So I didn’t become LDS. But since then there has always been something tugging on my heart. Two months ago I had enough courage to call the local LDS church. I have been meeting with missionaries again. My wife does not like it but she is a little more comfortable with it. I am going to be baptized on Saturday May 20 at 2pm. I have enjoyed your videos very much!!! Thank you very much!!!
This was amazing! Thank you! It's interesting to note also (I just learned this from Jon Pennington Junior, a.k.a. Mr. Mormon), that polygamy was only an active part of our church's history for roughly 50 years, and during those 50 year was the Civil War! Nearly an entire generation of men were lost during that war! There were probably not many men around to marry at that time, let alone, righteous, covenant, keeping men. I also learned that only between 2%-5% of the church members participated in polygamy, I would've thought the numbers were much larger.
Thank you for your testimony. I know many who wouldn't have the faith to say polygamy was glorious, that kind of speech is something the world will tear you apart for believing. However you're absolutely right, the fruit of it, the restoration of the gospel and the saints that are alive today because of it is glorious.
Thank you Brother Alexander ❤ I too was a teen during those hateful years of the early 70s. But once I finally recognized the restored church had the only sweetness that the world had to offer I stayed at least semi close and never missed a conference. Foolishly, the issues of polygamy and Joseph Smith I simply shelved to look at later because the fruits of what I needed were all I wanted. I have since taken those thoughts down and gained knowledge and pure light about everything else but this one thing I have neglected. Thank you from my heart for helping my testimony grow more in this area ❤ And thank you for your courage to fight this dark deception so valiantly. ❤
This made me weep with joy along with you! I'm so grateful to have you as one of the happy people. I simply cannot get enough of your common sense way of expressing what I myself have felt. Thank you and God bless! 🙏❤
Thank you for this. I have studied the life of Joseph Smith for over 30 years, since my own conversion, and my testimony of polygamy is the same as yours. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Joseph Smith.
@@JakobPGrauthats simply false, look up sants unscripted channel and look at what they had to say, they debunk this whole notion that Joseph Smith didn't practice polygamy
40:32 what’s interesting, is that the very day that they left Nauvoo, February 7, 1846 was Shabbat Shirah. So Jews around the world were celebrating the Song of the Sea, or in other words the parting of the red sea. This same day the Saints left Nauvoo and headed west to Utah (the Mountain of the Lord) to receive the law of God in the Mountains. At this time, the Mississippi River was frozen solid Feb 7, 1846. This is also the day that the Saints crossed over from Nauvoo, beginning their trek to the west. This fulfilled the prophecy by Joseph Smith in D&C 133. This same day was Shabbat Shirah for Jews around the world, who hold a fast commemorating the Children of Israel crossing over the Red Sea on dry shod. There are no coincidences like this. The Lord was with the Pioneers and had this whole thing planned and orchestrated to the very day. So it truly was like the exodus of Egypt.
Thank you David, this is the second video I’m watching of yours and I feel the spirit confirming lots of your words and your powerful testimony. You’re giving me new perspective and helping me with my faith. God bless you for sharing this good fruit!
Hallelujah! David is on point - AGAIN! 😉 I’ve always been so inspired by my ancestors and I have several that practiced polygamy. The fruits of their sacrifice is so evident. They had believing blood as Elder Faust sometime would refer to the early faithful Saints as having.
POLYGAMY!! I was grateful to hear your comments on the topic of polygamy. I am just barely 70 years old and come from a family of polygamists. My 5th great-grandfather, whose name was Benjamin F. Johnson knew the Prophet Joseph Smith as a young man. Joseph came to him as the head of his home to request permission to marry his sister Sophronia. Sophronia was a teenager at the time. Joseph was also a teenaged boy at that time and was floored by this. Joseph told Benjamin that an angel had appeared to him and commanded him with a drawn sword to implement this policy or he would be replaced by another servant who, in fact, would. In my youth, my mother would correct me from using the term polygamy and should instead use the term 'plural marriage'. in the journal written by Benjamin, which I have read more than once, Benjamin talks about his wives (6 of them) more like sisters and there was nothing in any way lurid about it. Our's would go on to become the second largest family in the LDS church, second only to Brigham Young's family. Our's was to become a 'missionary' family. I served two years as a full time missionary, in Germany back in the early and mid-1970s. My wife and I have also served for over 3 years as service missionaries. We are proud to be who we are and what we have done. Thank you for the work that you do. Your messages are informative and inspirational. Please keep them up and continue in this great message. You have a way of talking to many who are being blinded by the adversarial mists of darkness. Robbin Fisher Boise, Idaho USA
I’ve been a member my whole life, and yet I still struggle with polygamy. But, I do know the Gospel of Jesus Christ, within His Church is true. So I go by faith, believing I’ll understand it all at some future time. Thanks for your amazing spirit, and your testimony.
May I offer you something to consider? I too have struggled with polygamy, especially after getting married. It has been terribly intense. I have been seeking and praying for many years for God to help me find the truth. As I've knocked over and over again on the doors of heaven, I was finally led to look at the scriptures and early church history from a different perspective and what I have found has been an incredible answer to my prayers. There is a lot to unpack and I don't want to overload you with my thoughts; but, from my study, Polygamy is not of God. I cannot find one instance where God commands it anywhere in scripture (outside of section 132 which we have no original copy) It doesn't persuade me to believe in Christ; and, I've also never found any happy polygamous families in the scriptures. All examples seem to be filled with sorrow and bitter fruit. If you are open, I'd suggest reading the original section 101 of the Doctrine and Covenants 1835 edition www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/259. This was the church's law on marriage which was approved by Joseph Smith and which the whole church unanimously voted in favor of. It was removed many years after Joseph's death and replaced with section 132 on plural marriage. I would encourage you to not disregard your feelings concerning this matter. God may be speaking to you. Your 'feelings [which are] tender and chaste and delicate...is pleasing unto God' Jacob 2:7 Take care and may God bless you.
Surrendering yourself to the will of God has powerful and unintended consequences, I have seen this in my life as well! Nearly lifelong issues I have had were healed by giving my will to the Father! Love this video
Thank you once again, David, for speaking to my heart! ❤ I have also had times where I struggled with polygamy, and I also have came out on the other side of that doubt with a stronger testimony of the restoration and genuine love and respect for the people who were willing to enter into polygamy. Thank you for helping me understand even better! You are such a gift to the body of Christ! Thank you, Brother David! May God bless you forever!
Wow! What a powerful sermon. The spirit was so strong as I listened to your testimony and understanding of polygamy. David, you are such a blessing to me and your channel has become my favorite because it is uplifting and is restoring my faith that has taken a beating from being married to a Catholic for the past 9 years. When my husband and I joined the church as young newly weds we were so excited and we accepted everything that we were taught by those young missionaries because we felt that authority and that Spitit of God. We went to the temple as soon as we could and had 3 children BIC. My husband passed away in 2012 and I remarried in 2014. My present husband is a wonderful man, I love him with all my heart but it is very hard being unequally yoked. It's hard on him too and my heart aches for him. Sometimes it's hard to be happy because of that. So your video sermons bring me joy and peace. Keep them coming!
YOUR mission was meant for a time like this. ❤ as a product of a polygamous great grandfather, THANK YOU. My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, and my testimony are everything to me.!
@@stacy2point0 , if you read the history, it is proven by in-depth research by the researcher, Bradshaw, that every woman that Joseph Smith married was already married, was usually in her mid-30s, and everyone of them was at least seven months pregnant (doesn’t sound like a catch to me ). Their husbands attended each ceremony. At the time, it was believed that people could marry into a family line. Thus, the mothers of these unborn children, wanted their children to marry into Joseph Smith’s line, with the subsequent blessings. Getting the full story always makes a huge difference. I invite you now to do your research of the young 14 year old girl, who was taken in by the Smiths and who helped Emma in the home.
I just found your videos, and am astonished at what I have learned just in the two I have watched! This in particularly really helped me so much in understanding the roots I have with polygamous ancestors. This is an area that I felt needed to be "put on the back burner" because I couldn't accept it, even though I couldn't discount my faith overall in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned today that I need to repent, and am seeing just how much this is not something to be ashamed of. I appreciate your scriptural understanding, and putting into perspective the sacrifices that God does call on His people to make. For those early Latter-day Saints, well... you just said it so beautifully. So thank you! And I hope I can view more of what you are sharing. I subscribed so hopefully going forward I'll see more from you.
It amazes me how much you understand. This is the best answer to polygamy I have ever heard. Thank you for sharing. My son is a missionary in Arizona, and this comes up a lot😊
Well, David, thanks to the Google algorithm that dropped your channel channel into my lap pretty early, a week before your baptismal. I have been tracking your progress ever since. I love your broad perspective from your lifelong study of the Bible and how it ties directly into the Restoration. Thank you for your many and profound insights. We are exactly the same age, and my gospel study has consisted mainly of reading the Book of Mormon over and over and over, supplementing occasionally from the Bible and other Standard Works. I have occasionally partaken of videos from certain quibbling Evangelicals, compared to whom you are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your expansive view, especially of the Great Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which I share. Even within the Church, but especially in the broader family of Christianity, it seems greatly under-appreciated to me.
And my great grandparents were also polygamous pioneers of early American, Scotch Irish, Scandinavian, German, and Welsh stock. You undoubtedly must have many many literal cousins in the Church you just joined. Aside from the Brotherhood of the gospel, you are literally among family.
Thanks for sharing your testimony about this important principle. I am a 7th generation member and all of my great great grandparents were pioneers and most practiced polygamy. like many others I have had my own struggles with polygamy but I have had significant spiritual witnesses about the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and virtually all of the doctrines of the restoration. The personal revelation that you received rings true to my experience and even some of the wording that you use matches inspiration that I have received. I'm so excited for your journey on the covenant path and look forward to many more great videos. God bless you!!
Powerful, brother. Get baptized and enter the covenant path and keep sharing! And take that van where you need to go! I was humbled and chastised by your words and a spirit of humility entered into my heart. Your words of "by their fruits ye shall know them" was already in my heart when you mentioned them again in this video to me. The words from Lectures on Faith about sacrificing all earthly things has also been on my mind. We need to leave the things of this world behind - not easy to do. Those sister missionaries wouldn't be here today without those faithful early Saints. Glory to God, in the highest! Thanks for sharing, David!
I also wanted to mention that it's estimated that 20% of the current membership of the church came from Polygamy. That's 3.2 million people (and likely even more and counting with each new generation) that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Polygamy. These were the people that kept the Church afloat, that became the missionaries and spread the gospel to all the Land so that it could get to where it is today -- in every nation, kindred, and tongue. The Church has fulfilled the prophecy of expansion *because* of the early saints' practice of Polygamy.
Yes, it sounds like you had personal revelation on the subject of polygamy to me. Your views are beginning to narrow on that path that Christ referred to as "one". It's always a blessing when God finds a person worthy enough to reveal a mystery, to both the person who receives, and to whom they share. Thank you for sharing.
I've been a member for 45 years, sealed to my wife & we're temple workers. We were both converts, as you are. "Polygamy" and Joseph Smith were always my 2 stumbling blocks. I loved the Plan & finally logic-ed out that the Book of Mormon was so wonderful, encompassing SO much, even answering questions left by holes in, or "messings with" the Bible, that somehow Joseph accomplished bringing it forth, however unlikely it seemed possible. Richard Bushman's prequel to his landmark "Rough Stone Rolling" -- entitled "Joseph Smith & the Beginnings of Mormonism" -- was what finally legitimized JS for me. You look at his roots, his family's origins & THEIR travails, and you see the foundation being laid. But I've never had clear understanding on the need for, or "latter-days" basis for, polygamy, until now! Personally, I found it interesting that in Church history, Joseph had been given the commandment to start polygamy, on a limited basis, almost as soon as the Saints entered Nauvoo, but perhaps sensing how divisive it could be, delaying proclaiming it until the Lord really PUSHED him to do so! In any case, thanks for your enlightenment! You laid out 3 of the 6 reasons for it (1. Leadership cleansing, 2. Testing, 3. Swift promulgation of the new holy nation). I'm hoping to learn the remaining three! - Bill L., KS
Thank you brother Alexander for sharing your testimony and your faith journey. Your channel has helped strengthen my faith. Polygamy has been a hard pill for me to swallow as well, I read that the Prophet Joseph Smith asked why the saints needed to practice it when it seemed to go against biblical and Book of Mormon principles and the Lord told him it was “to bring forth a righteous posterity.” This gave me great comfort because I realized that many of our modern day prophets and apostles are part of that posterity as am I, we are the fruits. I hope to remain “true to the truth that our parents have cherished, true to the faith for which martyrs have perished.” As the hymn goes. Keep spreading the word, I hope and pray that I can declare it as bravely as you without fear of the accusers and be a light on the hill.
I am really thankful that you have come out and testified by the power of the Spirit what you know and felt. There are a few women SOME genuine but are leading many away from faith in this principle and in turn it will decay other areas of their faith. They have much influence through podcasts and they are very persuasive. We really will in these last days need the guiding influence of the Spirit if we are going to make it. As president Nelson said! That is one thing people can’t ever take away from you ….the testament of the Holy Spirit!!!
Thank you, Brother David, for sharing your testimony and growing knowledge. You already know so much more than many people who have been members their entire lives. God gives to those who honestly seek. Love your videos!
I had a hard time with this principle too. It wasn't till I got really sick and for a time I was hospitalized. I was so sick I was near death and the veil between worlds was thin. At that time I was blessed with the constant companion of the Holy Ghost and was able to ask all the questions that I'd had. I asked a plethora of questions on polygamy and it was made known to me that it was ordained of God.
Brother David, thank you for sharing your personal revelation. It was a reconfirmation of the understanding I have of why polygamy was practiced. I had my children watch as well. We appreciate your willingness to go to the Lord rather than just looking online for an answer.
As a child reading the Old testament I saw how the Lord had allowed them to have multiple wives because they were building up Zion and there needed to be a nation called Israel. Since that time so many years ago I understood that that was the reason also that polygamy was reinstated for a season to build up New Zion. David, I never did figure out the other things that you did though. Thank you so much for the extra insights! 🤗
As a member of the LDS Church I’ve heard of stories from other people, not members but people that would try to belittle of what I believe. I’ve never doubted that what I believe is not true, but I guess this is part of something good Even though we weren’t educated in Joseph’s smith work. My dearest mother served her mission in Tonga and for that all her kids are still attending. I know Heavenly Father is perfect and so should his gospel. If your at the top of the mountain why should you climb back down. I’m so grateful for your encouragement sir, you’ve always had the holy spirit with you but now you have the Holy Ghost. Ofa atu toko
I also have 2 LDS polygamist families in my ancestry. The family records that I have read said that both men loved their 1st wife and neither man wanted to take on more wives, it was a challenge.I really love your song about "A Holy Nation". I just love your testimony!
Polygamy was a way for God to increase our numbers of the faithful, in selfless righteous families! Polygamy never bothered me because God's Prophets of old practiced Polygamy and God knew they did! And God didn't stop them from practicing it, so it had a purpose then and it had a purpose then and it had a purpose when God asked Joseph Smith to do it! So I trust in God's wisdom and not my own! The creator of the Universe and the World 🌎 knows way more than I do! I don't question God anymore! As a member of the church my heart ❤️ is filled with love and adoration for God and his wisdom and his perfect plan of salvation and happiness!❤🕊🙏🏻🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
Thank you for your amazing vide today! Thank you for easily singing a beautiful song from your heart. 💜 Thank you for knowing the scriptures so well and sharing your knowledge. I’m inspired to learn more faster. Thank you for talking about polygamy. I got my testimony of this hard doctrine when I was 21 years old. It bothered me. Now I am at peace and have learned so much more about this commandment that it is good. God gave me the answer I needed to hear in the way I needed to hear it. Thank you for sharing the Lectures on Faith. They are so powerful. Thank you for sharing your passion of the gospel. I didn’t think about Joseph Smith being the little stone. Thank you for your work on this video.
I don't remember when I first learned about polygamy. I do seem to remember that while I felt slight discomfort at first, I came to accept it with an ease that honestly surprises me. Though, I'm fortunate to be the son of a man who dedicated countless hours over the years researching and studying what there was to know about the doctrine of plural marriage. It concerned him gravely at first, and his immediate reaction was to go pray (which is the right reaction to have). Before he began to pray, he had every intention of demanding that God make everything alright immediately, to fix the concerns he had right away. He says though, that when he actually began to pray, he prayed something very different, and that he sees it as an example of the Spirit giving us what we are to say. Instead he expressed his concerns to the Father, asked for help, and promised God that he wouldn't betray the relationship he had formed with Him, that he would stay true to his covenants no matter what he found. In response he experienced immense peace, and a reassurance that he could feel safe in taking the time it would take to fully understand the topic, and that he didn't need to be afraid of what he'd find; there would always be room for faith. I have heard him testify multiple times that now that he knows what he knows about polygamy, he's more certain than he was before of the strength and virtue of Joseph Smith's character, and that the more he learns the better and better he thinks the prophet Joseph looks. He volunteers with FAIR Latter Day Saints, and I wouldn't be surprised if he knows more than the vast majority of anyone on Earth about plural marriage. So I've been blessed to have a father like him, whose knowledge extends to a great deal of the history of the Church, and understanding the lies the enemies of the Church spread. If I ever have a question or a concern, I go to him and he always sets me at ease. Anyways, that's the long way of saying plural marriage was never the trial and challenge for me that it so often is for other members and non-members alike. I have inherited a long line of faith from my forefathers. On my father's side of the family, I have polygamists in my family tree. I think you'll often find that the descendants of the early saints who practiced plural marriage have been blessed with a legacy of faith, one of the many benefits and wise reasons for the practice. Another reason that is similar to what you said could be related to what it takes to really start a new, distinct, long-lived religion. It's sort of like a planet needing to be in the "Goldilocks Zone" of its host star in order to be habitable, just enough sunlight and heat that it doesn't freeze and liquid water is present on the surface, but not so close to the star that the planet's surface gets sterilized by the heat and light. A religion requires some degree of tension between the views of its host society and themselves in order to truly survive. Too little tension, and the religion just gets absorbed into its host culture, becoming indistinguishable from the general religious sentiments of the area. With too little tension, the Church would've probably ended up like any number of Protestant denominations, just yet another sect among thousands. Too much tension, however, and the host culture destroys the religion. Polygamy provided the tension between the Church and its host society, and before the move to Utah, that tension was high enough that it likely would've ended in the host culture destroying the Church. Once sufficient distance was put between the saints and the rest of the US, the tension was just enough to keep the Church distinct but not so much that it got destroyed. Polygamy served that purpose in the past, and I think we are in the beginning of the days where another doctrine of ours will serve the same function of sufficient tension to keep us distinct, and that is the doctrine outlined in The Family: A Proclamation To The World. That was all a bit of a tangent, but I would just like to end this comment by saying that while I've always felt fairly comfortable with early polygamy, and have had confidence that it was ordained of God, it was more on a purely intellectual, non-emotional acceptance and agreement with the doctrine. But today, listening to your video, I felt it, and now feel I can say that I have the witness of both my mind and my heart. Thank you. You are very powerful in the Spirit when you testify of truth.
Hi David, I’m enjoying your video’s! Thank you. You so hit the nail on the head. When you look at the early saints, they were basically given EVERY excuse to leave the gospel before arriving in the Salt Lake valley. Persecutions, Polygamy, crossing the plains - some walking with hand carts, failed banks, and so many other things. But those who arrived there were well and truly tried, tested and proven which brought about a core who could be the foundation of the restored gospel. So interesting!
Thank you brother Alexander . When i first became a member of Christ true church i did not know muçh about the pollegamy issue at all . After becoming a member i ask my mentor about it . He simply told me that it was a devine commandment . I , as a little child accepted that answer and never thought much about it again . I think the lord blessed me with temporary ignorance so i did not confuse my simple mind with what people outside the church tried to tell me .
Such an interesting analysis thank you. I come from Amasa Lyman. He had 8 wives and 33 children. I think we may be the second largest family in the church next to Brigham Young's descendants. I think you are right - there are probably 70,000 of us in the church and I come across cousins all the time wherever I go - it's amazing. It really did cause a huge increase in children being raised in the church and strong connections to each other and the church.
@Seek Truth There was one woman who once claimed she was, but it turns out she wasn't. There are records saying that some of those marriages were consumated, but there are no records of any children coming from anyone but Emma. That is strange given how often Emma was pregnant. Joseph was clearly fertile, but no other children?
Abraham commanded to sacrifice, is an example of that statement earlier… a religion that does not expect its members to sacrifice will not stand against tribulations. Then Israeli we’re taken to the laboratory in Egypt.
Brother David, thank you so much, I learned so much from you, you seems to have more understanding than us Latter Day Saints for years, however I feel so bless that even I didn’t have that much of understanding as much as yours, I still stayed faithful Lds. And it such a greatest gift to know someone like you who actually had given me more answers even on the things I never ask to God and never thought and the more I heard your testimony and your better understanding of the gospel, you strengthen me more, the more I feel so grateful where I am, thank you so much Brother David.
Thank you for your comments on this subject, David. Polygamy and why it was in the early latter-day church was something I wondered about. I still knew that Joseph Smith was the chosen restoration prophet, and that was what matters. But the conclusions you came to, after surrendering yourself to God's will, make sense to me. I'm thankful you didn't quite on your sweet sister missionaries, and more importantly on the salvation Jesus Christ was offering you after 47 years of searching. I, too, trust in the Lord and will follow Him. I am thankful that Joseph Smith and those early Saints were able to lay the foundation and pay the price, following whatever God commanded so that we can enjoy the fruits of their efforts today.
I have learned a lot of things in your talk today. I am one of the members who have several ancestors who were pioneers who crossed the plains in wagons and a great, great, great grandmother who was the first person who crossed the plains with a hand cart and did so without a husband and had 6 children to take care of alone. I am one who is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and proud of my heritage. If you would like to hear her story, there is a book written about her journey called Faith Greater Than Pain written by my nephew, Lynn Cleland. Which was written About Sarah Good Marshall. She kept a journal of every day of her journey across the plains.
David you are such a delight in my life. I am so grateful for your testimony and the experiences you've had in life that we deeply need to hear as lifelong members of the church. You are helping me to not get lost in the weeds of the noise and stick to the covenant path, something I'd lost sight of in recent years.
I love you!! You were born for such a time as this - Esther 4:14 Thank you for answering the call!!! Don’t worry, I’m a happily married mother of 8 and grandmother of many, a convert, baptized at 17 in Oct of 1981 sealed in the Idaho Falls temple in 1983 to my true love!!! Keep up the amazing work you’re doing!!!
Thanks Linda. Good for you! Sealed in the Temple to your True Love! I am still stuck in the early parts of The Princess Bride...haven't found my "True Love" yet to be sealed in the Temple with. So pray for me. I hope she recognises me when she sees me, and I her...when ever that is. Much love, David
Thanyou to share . Im Maria but this cel is of my husband who pas away 2 years ago ,,im in Australia sunshine cost,helping my daugther whith new baby and i return to Argentina in 2 weeks ,,i just found you thankyou very much !!!!! Y thankyou for your song have a special voice!! I m also converse when i had 21 im now in 70 I glad to meet you .
The Prophet said a couple of years ago that he was being taught in new and instructive ways that the Lord is able to do His own work. I believe we are seeing the fulfillment of that in just the last couple of months with your conversion, your testimony, and your sharing your insights, Brother David. God bless you! We are seeing that the Lord is able to do His own work, and it's new and instructive! Love you, brother!
Wow! I appreciate you sharing your conversion and your testimony of the Church and of the early practice of polygamy. I think your fresh perspective was very helpful for me. I am blessed to be from a pioneer heritage on both sides of my family. I am truly inspired by the sacrifices of the early saints, and no doubt about it the results are abundantly evident of the good fruits!
I love that you spoke about learning spirituality about polygamy. As a latter day saints woman I often wondered in my younger years if we were just things for Heavenly Father's sons. As a missionary I struggled with it and had to lean on my testimony that the love I felt reading the Bible was the same love I felt reading the Book of Mormon, that the book of Mormon blessed my life. When I became a mom I realized the preciousness of God's children and the sacredness of motherhood. When my husband took off his garments and started searching out more criticisms he came across a woman's journal she had written of the polygamy experience she had had here in Utah. Other women from back east came to free the women in polygamist marriages. She stood up and bore testimony of the work they were doing in raising children up unto God. It really made an impression on me that I didn't know what really went on and was judging through modern eyes. Her testimony still lingers with me today.
I've spent substantial time studying this topic. It hasn't affected my testimony in the least, in part because I've always approached it outside the context of our earthly understanding of marriage and its widely evolved meaning- its societal, emotional, moral and doctrinal implications. We don't really understand the full nature of all our relationships in the eternities, and it's better to hold on to the iron rod and forge ahead than dump everything out of an incomplete understanding of this principle.
I can’t tell you how much this video means to me! Thank you for putting into words the feelings in my own heart. Blessings to you! You are a great blessing!
Thank you so much for this video, David. As always, you are such a delight to listen to. Your insights into the reasons why God inspired Joseph Smith and the early leaders of the faith to practice this principle really resonate with me, and these kinds of insights are very refreshing to hear these days. Your sensitivity to (and willingness to follow) the promptings of the Holy Spirit are inspiring and uplifting. Keep up the good work :) We need more of these kinds of positive and uplifting things in the world today.. you are truly doing God's work :)
I'm a new convert myself. Polygamy was easy for me to understand because I was taught that it was necessary because of our belief in sealing. Polygamy was helpful in giving single women a way to be sealed. David's points are valid as well. There were more women than men. As a woman who was widowed twice before I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I find that polygamy, in order to be sealed, is nothing be ashamed of. My two husbands were not Latter-Day Saints so I really have no family now. I would not mind being sealed to a faithful Latter-Day Saint man, especially if I was friends with his wife. I know that sounds weird given our current cultural beliefs about that. It sounds weird to me, as well. But it would certainly give me more peace to have that option, you know? Just saying.
Those Saints who keep their covenants, and endure in faith, will have all the blessings that Heaven has to offer. That includes you! Congrats on your decision to join the Fold of Christ-the True Church. (Read about the Fold of Christ in Alma 5.) Best Wishes.
WOW!!! Thank you, David! Such insight. Thank you for heeding the Spirit, recognizing the light and darkness, and Repenting...we all need to! I love how you recognized displeasing God. You explained that so well. Thank you for presenting this in such a logical and Spiritual way, helping us to recognize what our ancestors sacrificed. Their reputation, I love that. I pray we all will be as faithful. LOVE that you discovered and helped us discover the meaning of Isaiah 60:22. Just WOW.
I want to let you know that your words and testimony is truly inspired by the Holy spirit and you have found the fullness of the Gospel in this last dispensation of time. You are filled with the light brother. May you be blessed with all you stand in need of. Thank you for helping to strengthen my testimony and understanding.
I read an old early history book about utah. The book recounted, during polygamous times, how a government official visited and was amazed at the patriotism and beauty of the people. Streets lined with smiling, clean, beautiful children and mothers. People singing and waving. Gods ways are higher than our ways.
Thank you David for your perspective. I was blessed on my conversion journey to gain a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and polygamy. I read all I could on his life and the history of the Church. What an amazing man. Thanks again for strengthening me with your testimony ❣️
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I have not been active for a long time. Your testimony has helped answer some of my deepest concerns with the church. My family now attends church again and we are loving it
What an incredible miracle!!
Like president Nelson said: Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.
To me You and your family are one of these mightiest works!!!!
My new favorite RUclips channel. I think I know why Christ hasn’t returned yet, he was waiting on David to join the church so he could double the membership 😂
FACTS
Double? Possibly more? Brother David is a force!
And let’s not discount his ancestry on the otherside of the veil. I’m giddy with excitement!
Thank You Brother David. Your being led by the spirit to bring others into the Covenant. 47 years of searching was probably in preparation for what your able to do now.
Thankyou.
Now my browsing to your channel would not be complete without hearing your inspiring songs, a great sinher too!
Thanks!!!!!
David, I’ve watched so many friends and family members walk away from the church. I’ve searched for a RUclips voice that would provide persuasive answers to their questions and a solid counter to their doubts. Your videos are what I’ve been hoping for. They will be powerful tools for those who doubt. Tears come to my eyes as I hear your witness for truth. Please stay true and continue to reclaim those who have gone astray. God bless you.
David, as a descendant of several polygamist; can I just say thank you?!!!!!
When I was growing up, my grandmother would read to me from my ancestors journals. I know why they practiced polygamy. They didn’t enter into it lightly. It was something that the Holy Ghost had to testify to them that they were truly called to do it. At times it was difficult. At times it was comical. But I was born in the covenant thanks to it. I was born with all the blessings of the gospel. I owe my most precious blessing, my membership in the church, to these people. I will praise their names forever! Especially the women. In many ways polygamy was a blessing for them. In many ways it was a sacrifice for them. But it has been nothing but a great blessing to me and thousands like me.
Amen
Amen! I could have written this comment myself.
Ditto!
Amen
I pity the wives of polygamists, including my g.g.grandfather, Johnathon Browning, gunmaker (through his 3rd wife). Their accounts are sad. It isn't "glorious," or "noble," are you kidding? This guy is NUTS. It is an abomination to the Lord. Read Jacob 2 dude (I'm talking to you, David Alexander). Yes, I'm proud to be a Browning, but I also appreciate that Joseph Smith WASN'T a polygamist. We live in the information age, Joseph Smith papers. There are books written for and against polygamy. This guy read the History volumes, "Saints" which is propaganda. The Joseph Smith papers prove it. It's the church's 3rd attempt "in the spirit of transparency" and it wasn't. But nice deep dive there. I've heard both sides. Bottom line: Joseph Smith wasn't a liar, wasn't a pedophile. Try reading "Joseph Smith Revealed: Exploring an alternate polygamy narrative," or "The Exoneration of Emma, Joseph, & Hyrum." Section 132 doesn't match the writing style of revelation received through Joseph Smith. This guy is easy to refute with his talking points, but y'all wouldn't believe it because you're stuck in your false traditions. So I've already wasted too much of my time on y'all. Joseph was a true prophet, the BOM is true, there are problems with Brigham / Nauvoo and thereafter. I see the church as a broken up old chevy pickup. It's damaged, but can still get the job done because it spreads the BOM throughout the world. You people won't learn anything by staying in your own echo chamber. You are not even aware of your own false traditions, just like the Lamanites. I hope & pray you open your eyes. Adam & Eve, Noah, many others didn't need polygamy to "raise up seed." Ugh.
Amazing! You’re a perfect example of what Alma said… “he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.” It’s inspiring to watch you receive this greater portion!
Wow! That scripture is SPOT ON!! Powerfully illustrated by Brother David’s journey through the gate and on the path!
Wow what you said is also amazing. Thanks 🙏 Great insight on your part.
This is hands down the best explanation and exploration of the polygamy topic I've ever heard in all my years as a member of the church. Thank you for your direct and simple testimony on this. If ever I find someone wanting a good explanation on the subject this is will be the top video I send them to. I can't wait to see your testimony after you've received your endowment in the temple of God. Keep up the good work, brother!
This was the hardest principle I struggled with in the church coming from a Catholic tradition as a convert. It almost destroyed me and lost my blessings I am enjoying now if I did not do my part of exercising my faith and trusting the Lord the answer will come. No one (humans)friends or relative in the church could convince me the truth of it until our gracious Heavenly Father revealed it to me personally. It was a glorious experience that never left me to this day. Thank you for sharing your own revelation and spreading this good news...the restoration of Christ's church. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing yourself to the world. You are a miracle.
Thank you Milo😄
"And Jesus answered and said... flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 16: 17
@@rconger24 it was the most amazing personal experience. I couldn't contain myself. I could cry all day just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing that scripture.
Amen!
Hi Milo kumusta?
Thank you for making this video. I am currently preparing to serve as a missionary and this video helped strengthen my testimony about polygamy in the early church. I learned things that I didn’t know before and will be able to better teach others of this. And bring them unto Christ and His true church.
Loin go buying
Right on, way to do some homework before you go, it’s crazy this can be done these days. I wish you the best mission and know it will bless your life and for all time, way to be!
Brilliant assessment for polygamy, David. We love your insights. Revelation is an amazing process. Here are a couple of facts to add to your testimony. Polygamy was practiced by only approximately 2% of the early Church membership, but as late as 25 years ago more than 50% of full tithe payers, active members and full time missionaries were descended from those early polygamous families. That is a powerful added testimony to what the Lord taught you.
Source on those statistics?
David, Thank you for your amazing testimony, love, and devotion to the restored gospel! You are truly a remarkable man. Those early saints had some amazing and incredible revelations from God verifying the practice of polygamy. I'm not sure if you have been able to read any of those or not but they are a foundation to why they had the faith to practice polygamy. My ancestors practiced polygamy and reading their life histories it was an incredible sacrifice. It's hard enough to take care of one family...Being the father of seven, I can only imagine what it would be like to provide for, care for, and nurture multiple households.
Do you have a way for us to communicate with you? Thank you again for your amazing videos! You are indeed a gifted, articulate, spiritual man!
A beautiful example of modern day revelation.
When I entered the MTC in 1983, the person conducting an initial meeting asked for those descended from polygamists to stand up. About two thirds of us stood up.
@@gemmeerobinson1803 I rather pay 10% to build temples, buildings and to give to the poor (vs to give up to the government up to 50% or more, lol) At least the first goes to good causes and is more efficiently spent! But I do agree, as per the 10% I don't think that most christian churches have that (although they do ask for donations).
Thank you, Brother David, for your powerful testimony! You're a great teacher. Many Church members are being tricked by the Adversary these days, falling prey to the naysayers and critics of the Church, and believing lies and false explanations regarding this and other issues in Church history. We sure need your bold, Spirit-filled witness of the truth to help remind those who once believed, find those who would believe, and strengthen those who do believe.
Perhaps it's you continuing to be tricked by the false traditions of our fathers
@@Kristy_not_Kristine
Sorry you feel that way. I absolutely love the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! My testimony comes from the Holy Ghost confirming that it's true. I will not, nor could I ever deny it. Have a blessed life.
David, thank you for reminding me that polygamy was glorious, not an embarrassment. I, too, have journals from my ancestors. They were tremendously faithful people who sacrificed greatly!
I love how your “wandering in the desert” for 47 years has brought you to explaining things in the church so gloriously! You’ve been pondering the gospel and thinking about things for so long that you are bursting with profound ways to explain the gospel. I think the spirit has planted these thoughts into your mind for years then he said “ok David, you’re ready to share with boldness” there is that saying “you never know what you had until it’s gone but in your case it is “You know what you got more when you have it” So neat to watch you. What a fun light you are 🙌
I’m out gardening and mowing the yard with tears of gratitude for the early saints including some of my family who were commanded to practice this principle. They were eventually ran out of the United States to Mexico until that generation died off in the wilderness. Thank you for helping me to understand this better. Praise and honor be to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ forever for this eternal plan of happiness🙏🎶
David, yesterday I stumbled onto some of that disturbing “garbage” online that you were talking about, specifically dealing with polygamy. Today you were inspired to post this specific video so that I could be comforted and reassured on this topic. I’ve watched all your videos at least three times over the last few weeks and been sharing your channel with everyone, but I still can’t believe you posted this at the exact time I needed it. Thank you.
Thank you. I have children who are believing the lies about Polygamy and Joseph Smith. I love your insights. All eight of my Great Great Grandparents were early Pioneers who walked with Joseph. I have always had a testimony since I was young. So I never worried or questioned the practice of Polygamy. But I needed to hear you tonight so that I can help my children who are being swayed by the Father of Lies. Thank you!!!!! Keep up the good work.
You're not alone. It's so hard to watch your children be tricked by the "fog" of deceit.
All the sources that perpetuate those lies are so easily debunked. They're mostly from RLDS sources or church history completely taken out of context. The most compelling argument is temple work for the dead. The reason it completely destroys their claims is because Joseph Smith and God made a very big deal all throughout church history and the doctrine and covenants regarding the work for the dead. There's not a single other church on earth that does work for the dead, not even the RLDS church which is the church that put out all the garbage trying to convince everyone that Joseph never practiced polygamy. If those sources were true, then the work for the dead isn't being done because we would have lost the priesthood. So in other words, the entire restoration of the fullness of Christ's gospel, which Joseph said would never stop progressing till Christ comes, failed. Jesus apparently isn't very good at planning and completely botched the most important moment in the world since his resurrection. Most people who believe those lies that your children are falling into believe Joseph Smith was a prophet but that Brigham Young wasn't a prophet. It's impossible to believe Joseph Smith was a prophet and also believe the restoration failed. It's also impossible to ignore the work for the dead. And there's only one church on earth doing it.
I had a child who once called Joseph and Brigham "pervert prophets." He/she learned that trashy non sequitur at BYU.
He/she repented when I pointed out that the Church was led by prophets who practiced plural marriage for the MAJORITY of church history.
Bet they don't question the serial polygamy of divorce culture all around them or the anti family assumptions of popular changes
@@bumpercoach so true. I was attending an international conference, when, at dinner, some people learned we were LDS. They started to chide us about 'polygamy.' A muslim fellow jumped on the table (figuratively) and said just that about them. Obviously they were guilty of serial marriage and/or "swinging." My wife and I laughed all the way home.
There is something else the amazing women who committed to this, sacrificed. A normal life, a normal, family, a normal romantic relationship with her husband. The things of greatest importance they yielded. This is something most little girls dream about. Their dashing husband, children, a beautiful home. They gave EVERYTHING away for God. All their hopes and dreams. And they probably found unseen treasures of great joy as they submitted to God’s will. And if they didn’t, if it was a miserable, daunting experience, they did it ANYWAY. I look at myself and what I sacrifice compared to them and it’s like a pebble floating in space next to a Star. I shrivel under their brilliant, blinding star of an example.
David, I think you hit the nail on the head with this podcast. Your insight into polygamy, as given to you by the Spirit, is logical, simplistic, and true. The way you delivered this message in your humble and sincere manner is the most beautiful explanation of why God required this of the early saints that I have ever heard. Most of my direct-line ancestors participated in this requirement and were given the same testimony of it that you have received. Your witness that God does give us answers to our questions when we sincerely ask, even when we first just have to trust in faith that His ways are above our ways, is a refreshing thing to behold. Thank you for reminding me that when the fruits are glorious the roots are glorious. Bless you!
When I was 14 years old I hit the wall concerning polygamy. It broke my heart. I was a romantic at heart. I struggled with my self image and self worth. I left like polygamy spat in the face of my romantic notions. It broke my heart. That experience was so difficult BUT this topic has been rebuilt into a beautiful increased understanding of love, of God, of marriage, of eternal marriage, of polygamy, of the early pioneer and Saints. I have learned to love polygamy in our early church. I am thankful for it. I have been able to share my love for it to support my fellow sisters. God has made it a strength in my faith. It’s so beautiful. I have learned to love other women by the measure of if I could share my family with them or not. God has grown my heart many sizes over again.
I just have to tell you, thank you so much for your testimony! I've been a member all of my life, but haven't put a lot of thought into polygamy and the reasons behind it. Your testimony touched my heart so deeply, I feel now as you do the great depth of gratitude for those early saints and those deep and hard sacrifices that they made. Really love all that you are doing to spread your zeal for the restoration! Keep going!
Amazing what you have learned in such a short time. I was born in the church. I love Joseph Smith. I've never not believed, but polygamy has always been an irritant. Your humility to overcome a natural objection is amazing. Love your story.
I am here today because of polygamy. My ancestors were faithful early saints who went to prison over this issue. Your revelations about the reasons for it are spot on!
Mine too!
The officers came to take Grandpa to jail. He invited them to eat with the family before they left. Grandpa called on his son to pray.
20 minutes later, when the prayer was finished, Grandpa was no where to be found
@@fayereeves6568 Hahahaha. Love this.
55 minutes in now 😭 I love how your heart is so full of joy that it manifests in song. You just cannot keep it in💞
Wow, you’re on fire! He, God is speaking to you. I’ve never heard it explained so well and so clearly of the early leaders and Saints of the church. The work is hastening and we are fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. God bless you. Love this!
“The Spirit of God like a fire is burning, His Latter-Day glory is beginning to unfold”
David, we are so grateful that you have chosen to give us daily encouragement. Your fresh views of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the impact of His Love and atonement for each on of us are wonderful. Your perspective as a practical Bible scholar has such an impact as you testify of the restored Church of Jesus Christ and the restoration of Prophets and Apostles in whom we can safely place child-like faith as Christ's chosen leaders in this dispensation. We love you and look forward to each episode. George and Leslie Brunt
This whole video was just beautiful. I love that you are a member of The Church and that you are my brother in Christ. Just keep being you.
Amen and amen. The student has become the teacher. That was a masterful dissertation on the history of the early saints and what they went through, and I think you got it perfect. And the most amazing thing about all of it is that no scholars or professors taught these things to you. You are a student of the Holy Spirit who has revealed truths to you directly from our Father, and who can argue with that? If I ever come across anyone who has doubts or questions about polygamy, I will definitely share this video with them because the perspective you have on the subject is not of this world. Thank you so much for having the courage to share this and God bless you, Brother David!
I was thinking the same thing. The Holy Ghost is a brilliant teacher.
Amen!
Amen!
I've been a member of the church since I was 12. I'm 28 now and still keep trying my best to stay true to the faith even though it seems harder and harder as life goes on. Your testimony strengthens mine very much, and something about your content makes me feel very peaceful and calmed. Thank you David!
Jeremy...we all need each other. Please consider me a friend..and if you need ANYTHING...Let me know. My email is davidmalvinalexander@gmail.com
I've been a member of the Church all my life, and this was one of the best explanations of polygamy I have ever heard. In the past, all I would usually say about polygamy is that it is a shared historical practice of every Christian, Jew, Muslim and many other major religions. It is a principle that is clearly taught and even sanctioned in the Bible (2 Samuel 12:8). It's just hard for some that it happened more recently with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When His purposes require it, who are we to question? This truly provided me with a better understanding of the glory and purposes of polygamy. Your knowledge of the scriptures and ability to receive revelation is impressive. Your lifelong quest for truth is inspiring! Thank you!
I had a crisis of faith several years ago, but it was over creation where I thought science contradicted the biblical account of creation. It broke me. I felt the same sorrow at losing faith. I was miserable and I went to Heavenly Father and said “I don’t care what science teaches, I am going to trust Your words” and the same thing happened! Spiritual bombs teaching me truth upon truth. Faith always comes first, then you are taught truth from above.
Read or listen to the book Is Atheism Dead? by Eric Metaxis. This and many other books demonstrate that the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence supports the existence of God and the creation. It sounds like you have gotten past this issue but this is still good information to have.
@@russellskousen6217 after I received an answer from Heavenly Father I started discovering speakers like Metaxis. I also like Stephen C Meyer. Hugh Ross is good too. Some of the information you need discernment to decide if it is true. That is why I feel like getting an answer from a spiritual source first was important
David, your testimony joy is contagious, your testimony is strengthening, and your wisdom is astounding! Can’t get enough of your videos. This one was top of the list! It is very powerful to hear such compelling thoughts from a new convert… especially with your background and foreknowledge. Keep it up brother!
David, as a life long member I am no where close to you in my scriptural knowledge. It is phenomenal to see someone with a great knowledge and desire to find truth find it and see how it brings all prophecy and all scripture together. I love learning along with you. What a great journey, thank you for taking me along. It is helping me and strengthening me.
As a life-long member I really want to thank you for sharing your experience and testimony of polygamy. It was never a major stumbling block for me but I never considered how glorious and essential it was. I can now be enthusiastic and joyful about it.
David… You are on Fire with your testimony and I absolutely LOVE this channel! I am lifted up, encouraged and edified every time I listen to you! Thank you for lifting so many hearts and souls! I love you brother!!!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing wisdom that Heavenly Father has given you! I've been a member of the Church since I was 10 years old (I am now 73) and I've always struggled with Polygamy. Everything you have shared has blessed my soul with understanding. I'm so thankful!
Thank you for Psalm 48. A favorite of mine. I was singing harmony with you. We sounded pretty good. I was just singing it yesterday! I will always be a pentecostal Mormon!
We need many more of you!!!!
Thanks Matt.
Some of my best friends have been Pentecostal ❤
As David was singing, I suddenly imagined the beauty that would have happened, had my atheist father been able to sing to his seven children with his whole heart, this song, as David just did!!
He could have blessed our lives so immensely!!
Instead, he was a deadbeat dad, who finally told me when I was a young adult that he hadn’t needed us when we were growing up!! But, he repented in his own way, as I became much older. It was too late for many of us, though.
I actually have felt very sorry for him for many years, that he missed out so much on our childhoods and wasn’t there for us, and chose instead to break my mother’s heart and leave all of us because of an affair with another woman, whom he married when I was only 5.
My wonderful mother was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints back when she was expecting me. She remained an exemplary, faithful member of the Church for the rest of her life.
But, my mind still regrets that my poor father didn’t know how to love his own children, and the immense pain that the 7 of us had to endure, and the many, many mistakes we made, because we were not important to him. I was from his second batch. My mother had 4 children, and my father’s first wife had 3.
I started being able to forgive my father when I was in my 20s. By the time I gave birth to my triplets in my early 40s, who were his 16th, 17th, and 18th grandchildren, after having ignored my two older children who were teenagers by then, my father FINALLY started to UNDERSTAND that children ARE important, and he spent time with my triplets and began to love and value them! They opened his heart!!! He finally allowed this to happen as an old man in his 80s! He passed away three years ago. He was still an atheist, but his heart was being prepared. My 14 year old son wants to be baptized for and in behalf of his Grandpa. We will do it soon! ❤
I love how you compared your revelation to Saul's. I believe that God has called you to this ministry brother. Please continue to do the work you're doing. Your personality and approach is unlike any other I've seen and it's much needed today. ❤❤
Isn't that amazing? This brother is a breath of fresh air.... He speaks the truth in a very unique and special way. So fun to listen to.
David, your story and mine are very similar. I was raised catholic. I spent 50 years looking for the true church with no results. I was at the point there might be a God. There wasn’t a Holy Ghost. Because all these churches I went to had different beliefs and claimed they were following the Holy Ghost. Something was wrong with that! Then the fact there’s 45,000 different religions!!! Who’s the right one. Which one is true!!! I prayed and prayed to God for years with no answers! Back in 1982 or 1983 two LDS missionaries came by our house. We did the lessons. My wife didn’t like the LDS church and said if I was going to join the church she would leave me. So I didn’t become LDS. But since then there has always been something tugging on my heart. Two months ago I had enough courage to call the local LDS church. I have been meeting with missionaries again. My wife does not like it but she is a little more comfortable with it. I am going to be baptized on Saturday May 20 at 2pm. I have enjoyed your videos very much!!! Thank you very much!!!
May the lord bless you and keep you.
❤
Oh my goodness, congratulations. Such an inspiring story.
Congratulations, you will never regret this decision my friend.
Wonderful faith! Congratulations! I rejoice for you!
This was amazing! Thank you! It's interesting to note also (I just learned this from Jon Pennington Junior, a.k.a. Mr. Mormon), that polygamy was only an active part of our church's history for roughly 50 years, and during those 50 year was the Civil War! Nearly an entire generation of men were lost during that war! There were probably not many men around to marry at that time, let alone, righteous, covenant, keeping men. I also learned that only between 2%-5% of the church members participated in polygamy, I would've thought the numbers were much larger.
Thank you for your testimony. I know many who wouldn't have the faith to say polygamy was glorious, that kind of speech is something the world will tear you apart for believing. However you're absolutely right, the fruit of it, the restoration of the gospel and the saints that are alive today because of it is glorious.
It’s a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, there is time for everything. So this is David’s time to tackle some of the deep doctrine
Thank you Brother Alexander ❤ I too was a teen during those hateful years of the early 70s. But once I finally recognized the restored church had the only sweetness that the world had to offer I stayed at least semi close and never missed a conference. Foolishly, the issues of polygamy and Joseph Smith I simply shelved to look at later because the fruits of what I needed were all I wanted. I have since taken those thoughts down and gained knowledge and pure light about everything else but this one thing I have neglected. Thank you from my heart for helping my testimony grow more in this area ❤ And thank you for your courage to fight this dark deception so valiantly. ❤
This made me weep with joy along with you! I'm so grateful to have you as one of the happy people. I simply cannot get enough of your common sense way of expressing what I myself have felt. Thank you and God bless! 🙏❤
David, you've reinvigorated my faith. Thank you for speaking the words God has given you, my brother.
Thank you for this. I have studied the life of Joseph Smith for over 30 years, since my own conversion, and my testimony of polygamy is the same as yours. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Joseph Smith.
@@JakobPGrauthats simply false, look up sants unscripted channel and look at what they had to say, they debunk this whole notion that Joseph Smith didn't practice polygamy
40:32 what’s interesting, is that the very day that they left Nauvoo, February 7, 1846 was Shabbat Shirah. So Jews around the world were celebrating the Song of the Sea, or in other words the parting of the red sea. This same day the Saints left Nauvoo and headed west to Utah (the Mountain of the Lord) to receive the law of God in the Mountains. At this time, the Mississippi River was frozen solid Feb 7, 1846. This is also the day that the Saints crossed over from Nauvoo, beginning their trek to the west. This fulfilled the prophecy by Joseph Smith in D&C 133. This same day was Shabbat Shirah for Jews around the world, who hold a fast commemorating the Children of Israel crossing over the Red Sea on dry shod. There are no coincidences like this. The Lord was with the Pioneers and had this whole thing planned and orchestrated to the very day. So it truly was like the exodus of Egypt.
thank you tackling this head on, for not skirting around it and for opening my eyes to how glorious it was! you’re wonderful.
Not glorious for the girls who had to marry those Old men against their will 😢
Thank you David, this is the second video I’m watching of yours and I feel the spirit confirming lots of your words and your powerful testimony. You’re giving me new perspective and helping me with my faith. God bless you for sharing this good fruit!
Hallelujah! David is on point - AGAIN! 😉
I’ve always been so inspired by my ancestors and I have several that practiced polygamy. The fruits of their sacrifice is so evident. They had believing blood as Elder Faust sometime would refer to the early faithful Saints as having.
POLYGAMY!!
I was grateful to hear your comments on the topic of polygamy. I am just barely 70 years old and come from a family of polygamists. My 5th great-grandfather, whose name was Benjamin F. Johnson knew the Prophet Joseph Smith as a young man. Joseph came to him as the head of his home to request permission to marry his sister Sophronia. Sophronia was a teenager at the time. Joseph was also a teenaged boy at that time and was floored by this.
Joseph told Benjamin that an angel had appeared to him and commanded him with a drawn sword to implement this policy or he would be replaced by another servant who, in fact, would. In my youth, my mother would correct me from using the term polygamy and should instead use the term 'plural marriage'.
in the journal written by Benjamin, which I have read more than once, Benjamin talks about his wives (6 of them) more like sisters and there was nothing in any way lurid about it. Our's would go on to become the second largest family in the LDS church, second only to Brigham Young's family.
Our's was to become a 'missionary' family. I served two years as a full time missionary, in Germany back in the early and mid-1970s. My wife and I have also served for over 3 years as service missionaries. We are proud to be who we are and what we have done.
Thank you for the work that you do. Your messages are informative and inspirational. Please keep them up and continue in this great message. You have a way of talking to many who are being blinded by the adversarial mists of darkness.
Robbin Fisher
Boise, Idaho
USA
I’ve been a member my whole life, and yet I still struggle with polygamy. But, I do know the Gospel of Jesus Christ, within His Church is true. So I go by faith, believing I’ll understand it all at some future time. Thanks for your amazing spirit, and your testimony.
Trust me it is a lie that those men were lechers.
May I offer you something to consider?
I too have struggled with polygamy, especially after getting married. It has been terribly intense. I have been seeking and praying for many years for God to help me find the truth.
As I've knocked over and over again on the doors of heaven, I was finally led to look at the scriptures and early church history from a different perspective and what I have found has been an incredible answer to my prayers.
There is a lot to unpack and I don't want to overload you with my thoughts; but, from my study, Polygamy is not of God. I cannot find one instance where God commands it anywhere in scripture (outside of section 132 which we have no original copy) It doesn't persuade me to believe in Christ; and, I've also never found any happy polygamous families in the scriptures. All examples seem to be filled with sorrow and bitter fruit.
If you are open, I'd suggest reading the original section 101 of the Doctrine and Covenants 1835 edition www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835/259. This was the church's law on marriage which was approved by Joseph Smith and which the whole church unanimously voted in favor of. It was removed many years after Joseph's death and replaced with section 132 on plural marriage.
I would encourage you to not disregard your feelings concerning this matter. God may be speaking to you. Your 'feelings [which are] tender and chaste and delicate...is pleasing unto God' Jacob 2:7
Take care and may God bless you.
Surrendering yourself to the will of God has powerful and unintended consequences, I have seen this in my life as well! Nearly lifelong issues I have had were healed by giving my will to the Father! Love this video
Thank you once again, David, for speaking to my heart! ❤ I have also had times where I struggled with polygamy, and I also have came out on the other side of that doubt with a stronger testimony of the restoration and genuine love and respect for the people who were willing to enter into polygamy. Thank you for helping me understand even better! You are such a gift to the body of Christ! Thank you, Brother David! May God bless you forever!
Have you heard the spirit of God like a fire is burning ? Most beautiful song there is .
Wow! What a powerful sermon. The spirit was so strong as I listened to your testimony and understanding of polygamy. David, you are such a blessing to me and your channel has become my favorite because it is uplifting and is restoring my faith that has taken a beating from being married to a Catholic for the past 9 years. When my husband and I joined the church as young newly weds we were so excited and we accepted everything that we were taught by those young missionaries because we felt that authority and that Spitit of God. We went to the temple as soon as we could and had 3 children BIC. My husband passed away in 2012 and I remarried in 2014. My present husband is a wonderful man, I love him with all my heart but it is very hard being unequally yoked. It's hard on him too and my heart aches for him. Sometimes it's hard to be happy because of that. So your video sermons bring me joy and peace. Keep them coming!
Thank you for your insights, brother David, you truly added to my understanding of the why of polygamy in the early church.
YOUR mission was meant for a time like this. ❤ as a product of a polygamous great grandfather, THANK YOU. My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, and my testimony are everything to me.!
@@stacy2point0 , if you read the history, it is proven by in-depth research by the researcher, Bradshaw, that every woman that Joseph Smith married was already married, was usually in her mid-30s, and everyone of them was at least seven months pregnant (doesn’t sound like a catch to me ). Their husbands attended each ceremony. At the time, it was believed that people could marry into a family line. Thus, the mothers of these unborn children, wanted their children to marry into Joseph Smith’s line, with the subsequent blessings. Getting the full story always makes a huge difference. I invite you now to do your research of the young 14 year old girl, who was taken in by the Smiths and who helped Emma in the home.
I just can’t wait for you to go to the temple! Congratulations on your upcoming priesthood ordination also!!!!
Praying for your Melchizedek priesthood ordination, David!
I just found your videos, and am astonished at what I have learned just in the two I have watched! This in particularly really helped me so much in understanding the roots I have with polygamous ancestors. This is an area that I felt needed to be "put on the back burner" because I couldn't accept it, even though I couldn't discount my faith overall in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned today that I need to repent, and am seeing just how much this is not something to be ashamed of. I appreciate your scriptural understanding, and putting into perspective the sacrifices that God does call on His people to make. For those early Latter-day Saints, well... you just said it so beautifully. So thank you! And I hope I can view more of what you are sharing. I subscribed so hopefully going forward I'll see more from you.
It amazes me how much you understand. This is the best answer to polygamy I have ever heard. Thank you for sharing. My son is a missionary in Arizona, and this comes up a lot😊
Proverbs 3:5-6
Well, David, thanks to the Google algorithm that dropped your channel channel into my lap pretty early, a week before your baptismal. I have been tracking your progress ever since. I love your broad perspective from your lifelong study of the Bible and how it ties directly into the Restoration. Thank you for your many and profound insights. We are exactly the same age, and my gospel study has consisted mainly of reading the Book of Mormon over and over and over, supplementing occasionally from the Bible and other Standard Works. I have occasionally partaken of videos from certain quibbling Evangelicals, compared to whom you are a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your expansive view, especially of the Great Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which I share. Even within the Church, but especially in the broader family of Christianity, it seems greatly under-appreciated to me.
And my great grandparents were also polygamous pioneers of early American, Scotch Irish, Scandinavian, German, and Welsh stock. You undoubtedly must have many many literal cousins in the Church you just joined. Aside from the Brotherhood of the gospel, you are literally among family.
Thanks for sharing your testimony about this important principle. I am a 7th generation member and all of my great great grandparents were pioneers and most practiced polygamy. like many others I have had my own struggles with polygamy but I have had significant spiritual witnesses about the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and virtually all of the doctrines of the restoration. The personal revelation that you received rings true to my experience and even some of the wording that you use matches inspiration that I have received. I'm so excited for your journey on the covenant path and look forward to many more great videos. God bless you!!
Powerful, brother. Get baptized and enter the covenant path and keep sharing! And take that van where you need to go! I was humbled and chastised by your words and a spirit of humility entered into my heart. Your words of "by their fruits ye shall know them" was already in my heart when you mentioned them again in this video to me. The words from Lectures on Faith about sacrificing all earthly things has also been on my mind. We need to leave the things of this world behind - not easy to do. Those sister missionaries wouldn't be here today without those faithful early Saints. Glory to God, in the highest! Thanks for sharing, David!
I also wanted to mention that it's estimated that 20% of the current membership of the church came from Polygamy. That's 3.2 million people (and likely even more and counting with each new generation) that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Polygamy. These were the people that kept the Church afloat, that became the missionaries and spread the gospel to all the Land so that it could get to where it is today -- in every nation, kindred, and tongue. The Church has fulfilled the prophecy of expansion *because* of the early saints' practice of Polygamy.
Yes, it sounds like you had personal revelation on the subject of polygamy to me. Your views are beginning to narrow on that path that Christ referred to as "one". It's always a blessing when God finds a person worthy enough to reveal a mystery, to both the person who receives, and to whom they share. Thank you for sharing.
I've been a member for 45 years, sealed to my wife & we're temple workers. We were both converts, as you are. "Polygamy" and Joseph Smith were always my 2 stumbling blocks. I loved the Plan & finally logic-ed out that the Book of Mormon was so wonderful, encompassing SO much, even answering questions left by holes in, or "messings with" the Bible, that somehow Joseph accomplished bringing it forth, however unlikely it seemed possible.
Richard Bushman's prequel to his landmark "Rough Stone Rolling" -- entitled "Joseph Smith & the Beginnings of Mormonism" -- was what finally legitimized JS for me. You look at his roots, his family's origins & THEIR travails, and you see the foundation being laid.
But I've never had clear understanding on the need for, or "latter-days" basis for, polygamy, until now! Personally, I found it interesting that in Church history, Joseph had been given the commandment to start polygamy, on a limited basis, almost as soon as the Saints entered Nauvoo, but perhaps sensing how divisive it could be, delaying proclaiming it until the Lord really PUSHED him to do so!
In any case, thanks for your enlightenment! You laid out 3 of the 6 reasons for it (1. Leadership cleansing, 2. Testing, 3. Swift promulgation of the new holy nation). I'm hoping to learn the remaining three! - Bill L., KS
Thank you brother Alexander for sharing your testimony and your faith journey. Your channel has helped strengthen my faith. Polygamy has been a hard pill for me to swallow as well, I read that the Prophet Joseph Smith asked why the saints needed to practice it when it seemed to go against biblical and Book of Mormon principles and the Lord told him it was “to bring forth a righteous posterity.” This gave me great comfort because I realized that many of our modern day prophets and apostles are part of that posterity as am I, we are the fruits. I hope to remain “true to the truth that our parents have cherished, true to the faith for which martyrs have perished.” As the hymn goes. Keep spreading the word, I hope and pray that I can declare it as bravely as you without fear of the accusers and be a light on the hill.
I am really thankful that you have come out and testified by the power of the Spirit what you know and felt. There are a few women SOME genuine but are leading many away from faith in this principle and in turn it will decay other areas of their faith. They have much influence through podcasts and they are very persuasive. We really will in these last days need the guiding influence of the Spirit if we are going to make it. As president Nelson said! That is one thing people can’t ever take away from you ….the testament of the Holy Spirit!!!
Thank you, Brother David, for sharing your testimony and growing knowledge. You already know so much more than many people who have been members their entire lives. God gives to those who honestly seek. Love your videos!
I had a hard time with this principle too. It wasn't till I got really sick and for a time I was hospitalized. I was so sick I was near death and the veil between worlds was thin. At that time I was blessed with the constant companion of the Holy Ghost and was able to ask all the questions that I'd had. I asked a plethora of questions on polygamy and it was made known to me that it was ordained of God.
Brother David, thank you for sharing your personal revelation. It was a reconfirmation of the understanding I have of why polygamy was practiced. I had my children watch as well. We appreciate your willingness to go to the Lord rather than just looking online for an answer.
Knocked it out of the park again!! I love Joseph Smith!! Thanks so much for this video
As a child reading the Old testament I saw how the Lord had allowed them to have multiple wives because they were building up Zion and there needed to be a nation called Israel. Since that time so many years ago I understood that that was the reason also that polygamy was reinstated for a season to build up New Zion. David, I never did figure out the other things that you did though. Thank you so much for the extra insights! 🤗
As a member of the LDS Church I’ve heard of stories from other people, not members but people that would try to belittle of what I believe. I’ve never doubted that what I believe is not true, but I guess this is part of something good Even though we weren’t educated in Joseph’s smith work. My dearest mother served her mission in Tonga and for that all her kids are still attending.
I know Heavenly Father is perfect and so should his gospel. If your at the top of the mountain why should you climb back down. I’m so grateful for your encouragement sir, you’ve always had the holy spirit with you but now you have the Holy Ghost.
Ofa atu toko
I also have 2 LDS polygamist families in my ancestry. The family records that I have read said that both men loved their 1st wife and neither man wanted to take on more wives, it was a challenge.I really love your song about "A Holy Nation". I just love your testimony!
Polygamy was a way for God to increase our numbers of the faithful, in selfless righteous families! Polygamy never bothered me because God's Prophets of old practiced Polygamy and God knew they did! And God didn't stop them from practicing it, so it had a purpose then and it had a purpose then and it had a purpose when God asked Joseph Smith to do it! So I trust in God's wisdom and not my own! The creator of the Universe and the World 🌎 knows way more than I do! I don't question God anymore!
As a member of the church my heart ❤️ is filled with love and adoration for God and his wisdom and his perfect plan of salvation and happiness!❤🕊🙏🏻🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
Thank you for your amazing vide today! Thank you for easily singing a beautiful song from your heart. 💜 Thank you for knowing the scriptures so well and sharing your knowledge. I’m inspired to learn more faster. Thank you for talking about polygamy. I got my testimony of this hard doctrine when I was 21 years old. It bothered me. Now I am at peace and have learned so much more about this commandment that it is good. God gave me the answer I needed to hear in the way I needed to hear it. Thank you for sharing the Lectures on Faith. They are so powerful. Thank you for sharing your passion of the gospel. I didn’t think about Joseph Smith being the little stone. Thank you for your work on this video.
I don't remember when I first learned about polygamy. I do seem to remember that while I felt slight discomfort at first, I came to accept it with an ease that honestly surprises me. Though, I'm fortunate to be the son of a man who dedicated countless hours over the years researching and studying what there was to know about the doctrine of plural marriage. It concerned him gravely at first, and his immediate reaction was to go pray (which is the right reaction to have). Before he began to pray, he had every intention of demanding that God make everything alright immediately, to fix the concerns he had right away. He says though, that when he actually began to pray, he prayed something very different, and that he sees it as an example of the Spirit giving us what we are to say. Instead he expressed his concerns to the Father, asked for help, and promised God that he wouldn't betray the relationship he had formed with Him, that he would stay true to his covenants no matter what he found. In response he experienced immense peace, and a reassurance that he could feel safe in taking the time it would take to fully understand the topic, and that he didn't need to be afraid of what he'd find; there would always be room for faith. I have heard him testify multiple times that now that he knows what he knows about polygamy, he's more certain than he was before of the strength and virtue of Joseph Smith's character, and that the more he learns the better and better he thinks the prophet Joseph looks. He volunteers with FAIR Latter Day Saints, and I wouldn't be surprised if he knows more than the vast majority of anyone on Earth about plural marriage. So I've been blessed to have a father like him, whose knowledge extends to a great deal of the history of the Church, and understanding the lies the enemies of the Church spread. If I ever have a question or a concern, I go to him and he always sets me at ease.
Anyways, that's the long way of saying plural marriage was never the trial and challenge for me that it so often is for other members and non-members alike. I have inherited a long line of faith from my forefathers. On my father's side of the family, I have polygamists in my family tree. I think you'll often find that the descendants of the early saints who practiced plural marriage have been blessed with a legacy of faith, one of the many benefits and wise reasons for the practice. Another reason that is similar to what you said could be related to what it takes to really start a new, distinct, long-lived religion. It's sort of like a planet needing to be in the "Goldilocks Zone" of its host star in order to be habitable, just enough sunlight and heat that it doesn't freeze and liquid water is present on the surface, but not so close to the star that the planet's surface gets sterilized by the heat and light. A religion requires some degree of tension between the views of its host society and themselves in order to truly survive. Too little tension, and the religion just gets absorbed into its host culture, becoming indistinguishable from the general religious sentiments of the area. With too little tension, the Church would've probably ended up like any number of Protestant denominations, just yet another sect among thousands. Too much tension, however, and the host culture destroys the religion. Polygamy provided the tension between the Church and its host society, and before the move to Utah, that tension was high enough that it likely would've ended in the host culture destroying the Church. Once sufficient distance was put between the saints and the rest of the US, the tension was just enough to keep the Church distinct but not so much that it got destroyed. Polygamy served that purpose in the past, and I think we are in the beginning of the days where another doctrine of ours will serve the same function of sufficient tension to keep us distinct, and that is the doctrine outlined in The Family: A Proclamation To The World.
That was all a bit of a tangent, but I would just like to end this comment by saying that while I've always felt fairly comfortable with early polygamy, and have had confidence that it was ordained of God, it was more on a purely intellectual, non-emotional acceptance and agreement with the doctrine. But today, listening to your video, I felt it, and now feel I can say that I have the witness of both my mind and my heart. Thank you. You are very powerful in the Spirit when you testify of truth.
Hi David, I’m enjoying your video’s! Thank you. You so hit the nail on the head. When you look at the early saints, they were basically given EVERY excuse to leave the gospel before arriving in the Salt Lake valley. Persecutions, Polygamy, crossing the plains - some walking with hand carts, failed banks, and so many other things. But those who arrived there were well and truly tried, tested and proven which brought about a core who could be the foundation of the restored gospel. So interesting!
Thank you brother Alexander . When i first became a member of Christ true church i did not know muçh about the pollegamy issue at all . After becoming a member i ask my mentor about it . He simply told me that it was a devine commandment . I , as a little child accepted that answer and never thought much about it again . I think the lord blessed me with temporary ignorance so i did not confuse my simple mind with what people outside the church tried to tell me .
Such an interesting analysis thank you. I come from Amasa Lyman. He had 8 wives and 33 children. I think we may be the second largest family in the church next to Brigham Young's descendants. I think you are right - there are probably 70,000 of us in the church and I come across cousins all the time wherever I go - it's amazing. It really did cause a huge increase in children being raised in the church and strong connections to each other and the church.
I come through Lydia Partridge and Amasa Lyman. 👋
Amen
@Seek Truth There was one woman who once claimed she was, but it turns out she wasn't. There are records saying that some of those marriages were consumated, but there are no records of any children coming from anyone but Emma. That is strange given how often Emma was pregnant. Joseph was clearly fertile, but no other children?
Have you heard about the story of one of Osmonds?
Where the mother and son going around doing mini concerts?
Abraham commanded to sacrifice, is an example of that statement earlier… a religion that does not expect its members to sacrifice will not stand against tribulations. Then Israeli we’re taken to the laboratory in Egypt.
Brother David, thank you so much, I learned so much from you, you seems to have more understanding than us Latter Day Saints for years, however I feel so bless that even I didn’t have that much of understanding as much as yours, I still stayed faithful Lds. And it such a greatest gift to know someone like you who actually had given me more answers even on the things I never ask to God and never thought and the more I heard your testimony and your better understanding of the gospel, you strengthen me more, the more I feel so grateful where I am, thank you so much Brother David.
Thank you for your comments on this subject, David. Polygamy and why it was in the early latter-day church was something I wondered about. I still knew that Joseph Smith was the chosen restoration prophet, and that was what matters. But the conclusions you came to, after surrendering yourself to God's will, make sense to me. I'm thankful you didn't quite on your sweet sister missionaries, and more importantly on the salvation Jesus Christ was offering you after 47 years of searching. I, too, trust in the Lord and will follow Him.
I am thankful that Joseph Smith and those early Saints were able to lay the foundation and pay the price, following whatever God commanded so that we can enjoy the fruits of their efforts today.
I have learned a lot of things in your talk today. I am one of the members who have several ancestors who were pioneers who crossed the plains in wagons and a great, great, great grandmother who was the first person who crossed the plains with a hand cart and did so without a husband and had 6 children to take care of alone. I am one who is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and proud of my heritage. If you would like to hear her story, there is a book written about her journey called Faith Greater Than Pain written by my nephew, Lynn Cleland. Which was written About Sarah Good Marshall. She kept a journal of every day of her journey across the plains.
David you are such a delight in my life. I am so grateful for your testimony and the experiences you've had in life that we deeply need to hear as lifelong members of the church. You are helping me to not get lost in the weeds of the noise and stick to the covenant path, something I'd lost sight of in recent years.
I love you!! You were born for such a time as this - Esther 4:14 Thank you for answering the call!!! Don’t worry, I’m a happily married mother of 8 and grandmother of many, a convert, baptized at 17 in Oct of 1981 sealed in the Idaho Falls temple in 1983 to my true love!!! Keep up the amazing work you’re doing!!!
Thanks Linda. Good for you! Sealed in the Temple to your True Love! I am still stuck in the early parts of The Princess Bride...haven't found my "True Love" yet to be sealed in the Temple with. So pray for me. I hope she recognises me when she sees me, and I her...when ever that is. Much love, David
Thanyou to share . Im Maria but this cel is of my husband who pas away 2 years ago ,,im in Australia sunshine cost,helping my daugther whith new baby and i return to Argentina in 2 weeks ,,i just found you thankyou very much !!!!! Y thankyou for your song have a special voice!! I m also converse when i had 21 im now in 70 I glad to meet you .
The Prophet said a couple of years ago that he was being taught in new and instructive ways that the Lord is able to do His own work. I believe we are seeing the fulfillment of that in just the last couple of months with your conversion, your testimony, and your sharing your insights, Brother David. God bless you! We are seeing that the Lord is able to do His own work, and it's new and instructive! Love you, brother!
Thanks David your explanation could be minister to those less active or what love so much brother
This is the on on going revs ongoing revelation only from the prophet
The church is the on going revelation
The church is the on going revelation
The church is the on going revelation
Wow! I appreciate you sharing your conversion and your testimony of the Church and of the early practice of polygamy. I think your fresh perspective was very helpful for me. I am blessed to be from a pioneer heritage on both sides of my family. I am truly inspired by the sacrifices of the early saints, and no doubt about it the results are abundantly evident of the good fruits!
I love that you spoke about learning spirituality about polygamy. As a latter day saints woman I often wondered in my younger years if we were just things for Heavenly Father's sons. As a missionary I struggled with it and had to lean on my testimony that the love I felt reading the Bible was the same love I felt reading the Book of Mormon, that the book of Mormon blessed my life. When I became a mom I realized the preciousness of God's children and the sacredness of motherhood. When my husband took off his garments and started searching out more criticisms he came across a woman's journal she had written of the polygamy experience she had had here in Utah. Other women from back east came to free the women in polygamist marriages. She stood up and bore testimony of the work they were doing in raising children up unto God. It really made an impression on me that I didn't know what really went on and was judging through modern eyes. Her testimony still lingers with me today.
I've spent substantial time studying this topic. It hasn't affected my testimony in the least, in part because I've always approached it outside the context of our earthly understanding of marriage and its widely evolved meaning- its societal, emotional, moral and doctrinal implications. We don't really understand the full nature of all our relationships in the eternities, and it's better to hold on to the iron rod and forge ahead than dump everything out of an incomplete understanding of this principle.
I can’t tell you how much this video means to me! Thank you for putting into words the feelings in my own heart. Blessings to you! You are a great blessing!
Humility is the key! Thank you for your humility, Brother Alexander.
Thank you so much for this video, David. As always, you are such a delight to listen to. Your insights into the reasons why God inspired Joseph Smith and the early leaders of the faith to practice this principle really resonate with me, and these kinds of insights are very refreshing to hear these days. Your sensitivity to (and willingness to follow) the promptings of the Holy Spirit are inspiring and uplifting. Keep up the good work :) We need more of these kinds of positive and uplifting things in the world today.. you are truly doing God's work :)
I'm a new convert myself. Polygamy was easy for me to understand because I was taught that it was necessary because of our belief in sealing. Polygamy was helpful in giving single women a way to be sealed. David's points are valid as well. There were more women than men. As a woman who was widowed twice before I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I find that polygamy, in order to be sealed, is nothing be ashamed of. My two husbands were not Latter-Day Saints so I really have no family now. I would not mind being sealed to a faithful Latter-Day Saint man, especially if I was friends with his wife. I know that sounds weird given our current cultural beliefs about that. It sounds weird to me, as well. But it would certainly give me more peace to have that option, you know? Just saying.
You know you can have the temple work done for both of your husbands and you can be sealed to one of them? The Spirit will guide you.
@@T3rsky You can't get sealed to someone who doesn't believe in it.
Those Saints who keep their covenants, and endure in faith, will have all the blessings that Heaven has to offer. That includes you! Congrats on your decision to join the Fold of Christ-the True Church. (Read about the Fold of Christ in Alma 5.) Best Wishes.
@@StarShippCaptain Thank you for your comments.
I am a fan! You are speaking pure truth! Love you brother!
WOW!!! Thank you, David! Such insight. Thank you for heeding the Spirit, recognizing the light and darkness, and Repenting...we all need to! I love how you recognized displeasing God. You explained that so well. Thank you for presenting this in such a logical and Spiritual way, helping us to recognize what our ancestors sacrificed. Their reputation, I love that. I pray we all will be as faithful. LOVE that you discovered and helped us discover the meaning of Isaiah 60:22. Just WOW.
I want to let you know that your words and testimony is truly inspired by the Holy
spirit and you have found the fullness of the Gospel in this last dispensation of time. You are filled with the light brother. May you be blessed with all you stand in need of. Thank you for helping to strengthen my testimony and understanding.
I love your insights! I, also, descend from Polygamy. It was a sacrifice AND a blessing. Through it, a great nation did indeed come forth! Thank you!
I read an old early history book about utah. The book recounted, during polygamous times, how a government official visited and was amazed at the patriotism and beauty of the people. Streets lined with smiling, clean, beautiful children and mothers. People singing and waving. Gods ways are higher than our ways.
Thank you David for your perspective. I was blessed on my conversion journey to gain a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and polygamy. I read all I could on his life and the history of the Church. What an amazing man. Thanks again for strengthening me with your testimony ❣️