Polygamy

Polygamy

Dear Editor:

Your feature piece, "Christian Polygamy Takes Root in Utah," was most interesting. I question however the use of the adjective, Christian, with the term polygamy. Jesus described marriage as monogamous, one man and one woman, united together. Steve Butts, leader of the polygamist band, appeals to the Old Testament for justification of his practice. It is true that God tolerated polygamy among his people in pre-Christian times, but a careful reader observes that in every case those polygamous marriages were fraught with conflict. The old covenant was taken away by the death of Christ (Colossians 2:14). We live under the rule of Christ and must obey his commands (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians. 1:22). To seek approval from Moses' law is the same as trying to avoid an Arizona statute by appealing to the pre-statehood law of Mexico.

The religion of Christ does not exist to satisfy personal appetites. It is a life of faithful obedience to Christ. Muslims find their polygamy approved in their Koran. Folks in Africa get their approval from their shamans.

Utah may tolerate the polygamy of the Be Free Patriarchal Church, but they cannot claim approval from Christ

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