February 29, 1956

Statement by President McKay on polygamy:

President McKay stated that his understanding of the revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, contained in the 132nd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants is as follows: That the revelations was regarding the eternity of the marriage covenant; it was not on polygamy. And the Lord revealed to the Prophet that a man who conforms to that revelations, that is, who enters into the eternity of the marriage covenant, receives every blessing pertaining to the salvation and exaltation of man. No blessing is withheld. The part of the revelation pertaining the to the marriage covenant pertains only to one man and one wife; and then, after the Prophet received it, he asked the Lord what about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who had more wives

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Statement by President David. O. McKay on polygamy (continued)

than one. And then follows the answer of the Lord that, if a man marry another wife and she is given to him as this wife is given to him, and he does not sin, but he does not get a higher glory. There are one or two verses which will lead one to think that this refers to the plurality of marriage.

Plural marriage as a practice is not a principle. We have not abrogated the principle of the marriage covenant and we never will, and the practice of plural marriage is contrary to the law of the Church and the law of the land. President Richards said he agreed with this understanding one hundred per cent.

President McKay said that some of our people taught it as a principle, which was not correct.