This question does seem strange and pointless. Bishops ask all TR seeking Mormons if they agree with or affiliate with groups or individuals whose teachings and practices conflict with Mormon precepts. This question has lost its original intent these days.

It was added to pacify law enforcement in the 1950's. At that time there was a major movement to clamp down on polygamy abuses in Utah. FBI and local police were engaged in surveillance and wire taping suspected polygamists. Grand juries were formed and were using the findings. There were small raids, arrests, and prison time for some of the polygamous priesthood fanatics. One large raid in Short Creek disrupted the whole town and many if not most residents were hauled off in buses to who knows where. Many ended up in Arizona detention centers and neither Arizona or Utah was willing to deal with them.

There were national news stories with huge articles in papers and news magazines, and there were segments movie news shorts in theaters. The Mormon GAs and general membership were humiliated and wanted the notoriety to stop.

President David O. M. met with law enforcement officials and cut a deal. He said the church would monitor and eliminate polygamy by adding a new requirement for TRs. That's when this question was added.

Of course polygamists who still attended mainstream wards lied. Those who did not go to a regular ward didn't care. Everyone else lost track of why the question was added. Polygamy continued uninterrupted.

I blame David O. for being a coward and not using this opportunity to cooperate with authorities and cut back on the abuses which continue today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2014 12:50PM by Cheryl.

Thanks, I always wondered about the genesis of that one.

Figures. Mormonism morphs and twists just about everything, doesn't it?

I think that the next time you are asked that question, you should answer that you are in a Pedophiles Anonymous Help Group and that it is too bad that they didn't have groups like this back JSs day (not that he would have gone) since he was ordered by threat of a flaming sword.

REALLY? Isn't a sword enough? Why a FLAMING SWORD? Why does the CULT always go so far over the top? PA-LEEZE!

So the question itself is now outdated??

God must have forgot to tell the brethren that they no longer need to ask this quesiton. It would cost the church time, effort, and money to instruct leaders to cross out the question with blue ink OR replace the insert sheet within the Bish and SP binder.

I no longer answer any of those questions

He not only "associates" with a known apostate, he is MARRIED to one! And everyone at church knows it!

That question had a sort of J. Edgar Wiretap feeling about it - I'm not surprised about how far back it goes.

Thanks Cheryl. Who knew? Not me. Like catnip, I always thought that question was more like being interviewed for a post with the FBI or CIA, but even more, it now seems so cultish.