Recently the LDS Newsroom issued a number of official releases from the Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) differentiating themselves from the FLDS Church which currently practices polygamy and recently was in the news when one of their communities was raided in Texas.
One of the releases I read referred to the fact that the Mormon church no longer practices polygamy (since 1890), but not only that, they excommunicate members who do. In the news release they actually quoted a passage from the Book of Mormon in opposition to polygamy.
Here are some quotes from their own book actually opposing a practice that has become forever connected historically with Mormonism:
” Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.” …
” Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; …” -Jacob 2:24, 27
Those who still support polygamy point to verse 30 as a possible loophole for the practice in order to raise up a special seed unto the lord:
“For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.” -Jacob 2:30
LDS apologists also refer to this passage as a loophole for the practice of polygamy in the 19th century Mormon Church.
I must of missed it, does verse 30 really say that the Lord might command his people to practice polygamy? In any case, the verse is not at all clear.
However, verses 24 & 27 are quite clear indeed, in opposition to polygamy.