#MeToo #MeThree

It is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month! #MeToo #MeThree

Recently we shared a guest blog post written by John Llewellyn Section 132, A Weapon of Sexual Assault. This blog post is dedicated to reiterating some of Llewellyn’s points and sharing our perspective on Mormon polygamy and Doctrine & Covenants 132.

Words hold symbolic meaning, and the coercive words within Doctrine & Covenants 132 to Emma Smith, and to those victims who have followed, were carefully crafted to give the perpetrator power and control. WE/all women have the freedom to unravel any deceptive form of fraud, including religious doctrines that undermine our happiness.

Although volumes could be written detailing the coercion behind Mormon polygamy, we will attempt to give a brief overview. (Btw: This blog post is uncomfortable for us, we extricated ourselves out of the Mormon Fundamentalist religion, a religion that advocated breaking the polygamy law, and we do not want to aide in blurring the lines between Church & State. The lines would not be blurred if polygamy laws were enforced.)

Hopefully, this will help you understand the religious issue better.

Consent cannot be given through fraudulent means

Whatever differences of opinion regarding the validity of Mormon polygamy revelation (D&C 132); by today’s standards, there is no doubt, this scripture would NOT hold up in a court of law.

Twisting D&C 132

It is time to stop deflecting from the victims of polygamy by presenting polygamy perpetrators as victims. (This tactic is nothing new; Joseph Smith blamed entering polygamy on an angel threatening him with a drawn sword.)

Polygamists today are following the example of Joseph Smith and early Mormon leaders who blamed angels and God for polygamy. (Of course, this could be said for all religions that support polygamy). Polygamists and plural wives are going so far, as saying former members (survivors) are persecuting them.

It is time to separate the ones in need (victims) from the ones with greed (polygamists). This should not be a religious issue — it is a human rights issue. It is still illegal to practice polygamy in the United States today.

Polygamy Rape Culture

Today the polygamy rape culture is being supported by the State of Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and several agencies and organizations throughout Utah who are either silently endorsing polygamy, or advocating for the decriminalization or legalization of polygamy.

Many Utah organizations and agencies present themselves as champions of women, yet their culture blinds them from seeing the connection between male privilege (Mormon) polygamy and domestic violence.

Although plural wives are often their husband’s greatest proponent, it is to be expected. Stockholm syndrome , Trauma bonding , Human Trafficking , Undue Influence

Creating a healthy culture, that refuses to notice crimes against women and children, may not understand all the forms of domestic violence. Psychological and emotional abuse is relevant when a husband uses power and authority to take spiritual wives.

A culture that is doing nothing to assist polygamy victims is giving tacit approval.

D&C 132 Compare & Contrast

Read Doctrine & Covenants 132 and count how many times you detect narcissism, delusions of grandeur, lack of empathy, and anti-social behavior?

Perpetrator: It does not take a doctorate or degree in the mental health field to realize that if Joseph Smith were alive today living in Utah he would either be put behind bars, admitted into a prison psychiatric ward, revered as a prophet, or a fugitive running from the law.

Victim: There is no doubt that Joseph Smith’s wife Emma was in a dependent role with her husband, who was also her ecclesiastical leader. He used his purported polygamy revelation in an attempt to hold Emma psychologically hostage. Unfortunately, no one was there to help Emma unravel the machinations behind Joseph Smith’s writing. Emma Smith was a victim of polygamy. However, we also esteem Emma Hale Smith as an unrecognized heroine and survivor of polygamy.

Today Mormon first wives and plural wives, who are recruited into polygamy, are no different than Emma Smith. However, in the twenty-first century women have more rights, more protection, more services, and more opportunities

Understanding Doctrine & Covenants 132

Section 132 of the Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, is a weapon of sexual assault. It is used by Mormon men to coerce multiple women into having sex.

Step One: The key to converting a woman to the Mormon faith is to convince her that Joseph Smith was a prophet who communicated with God or Jesus Christ.

Step Two: Convince the woman that Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants is an authentic revelation and commandment from Jesus Christ. If Joseph Smith is a genuine prophet, then Section 132 must be an authentic revelation and commandment. And the commandment must be obeyed or serious consequences will follow.

It is well known that Mormons say the purpose of plural marriage is to “raise up a righteous seed.” You cannot do that without sexual intercourse. In the case of many monogamous wives, a husband having sex with other women is emotionally traumatic. However, according to Verse 64, she must continue having sex with him, no matter how psychologically painful, or she will be destroyed. That is exactly what the Lord told Emma Smith in Verse 54.

It is quite clear that the purpose of Section 132 is to coerce monogamous wives into accepting plural wives. Because it is an abnormal demand it must be in the form of a commandment, the disobedience of which is damnation or death. Section 132 is clearly a coercive document.

In the case of rape, there must be resistance on the part of the woman, and force by the man, overcoming the resistance. The force in this case is damnation and destruction. The threat of damnation or destruction in the case of a true believer can be equivalent to a gun pointed at the woman’s head. Even though under a marriage where a woman is expected to submit sexually with her husband, under these circumstances it is possible to rape or sexually assault a legal wife. Plural wives who are recruited into polygamy and forced into marriage are also victims.

There is hope!

There is a theme here. Understanding and accountability is the bridge needed to prevent Mormon polygamy, which is undeniably a form of sexual assault. We cannot change the past, yet TODAY through accountability, we will shape tomorrow.

Recently, there have been two phenomenal commentaries written and published in the Salt Lake Tribune from members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints about Mormon plural marriage that support our hope for change.

Commentary: LDS history of polygamy still used to victimize women Kristy Money

Commentary: The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy haunts the modern Mormon church Carol Lynn Pearson

Please read and share the good word! With your help, we can stop the Mormon polygamy rape culture and its trafficking of women and young girls.