Dangerous genetic mutation found in polygamist sect

[pam]

A July 27, 2017, BBC article explains how fumarase deficiency continues to proliferateamong polygamists in Short Creek on the Utah-Arizona border. The community is made up of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). The sect is not associated with the main body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which forsook polygamy over 100 years ago and excommunicates members who try to practice it.

During the 50 years that Mormons did practice polygamy, there was a constant influx of new converts to the Church, guaranteeing genetic variety, but the sect at Short Creek is a closed community, setting up a dangerous situation for inbreeding of negative genetic traits.

https://mormonhub.com/blog/buzz/lds-news/bbc-genetic-mutation-polygamist-sect/

[person0]

In regard to the actual topic of the OP,  it is unfortunate that these people have long rejected the true prophet of God, ignoring the counsel of the Lord regarding the practice of polygamy.  Their decision has resulted in medical complications that could be argued as a form of child abuse.  Their practice is carnal, uninspired, and is an abomination before the Lord.  Having said that . . .

5 hours ago, pam said:

. . . The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which forsook polygamy. . .

I would say the more accurate way to say that would be, "which ended the active practice of polygamy. . ."  The doctrines regarding monogamous marriage, as well as plural marriage are both true; however, the principle requires the Lord to call us to practice what is appropriate and applicable to His plan, in His time.  Right now we are practicing monogamy, because this is the Lord's will.  When members write in a tone that seeks to appease the societal consensus that having more than one wife is evil, it also spreads through the membership of the Church.  If the Lord revealed tomorrow that we were to once again seek for the righteous application of plural marriage, how many would leave the Church because they inaccurately view it as a 'mistake' in the Church's past?

Polygamy is an excommunicated offense because the Lord, through His prophet, revealed His will that we obey the law of the land, and over time, return fully to the practice of monogamy. As a result, those in the Church who attempt to practice polygamy, do so with neither the Lord's blessing nor command, and are acting out of their own carnal lusts.  If the Lord were to command the practice of plural marriage once more, the opposite could also occur; a faithful priesthood holder who refuses to obey the command to take a second spouse could receive Church discipline for abiding the commandments of men and fearing man more than God.

We all ought to be prepared to declare the active practice of polygamy an abomination when not under the sanction or permission of the Lord, as it is today.  Yet likewise be prepared to advocate its holy nature for the times the Lord see's fit to command it for His righteous purposes (even if it be difficult to bear).  This is consistent with both ancient and modern scripture.

Edited August 3, 2017 by person0