Messenger Magazine
The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come give me your hand,” said the merry World,
“And walk with me this way!”
It has been frequently assumed - not only by detractors of Mormonism, but by many Church members themselves - that the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy and has no righteous examples of men practicing that way of life.
Our tenth Article of faith tells us that “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel,” but what does that mean? Is it just speaking of “the return of the ten tribes” or does it apply to us too? Early LDS history shows us that many newly converted Saints came from foreign lands across the ocean to this country to help build up Zion, yet that time - as far as most Church members are concerned - seems to have passed, so what relevance or importance can that doctrine have to us today?