Unpacking Polygamy: Wrestling with 132, with Bethany Brady Spalding, Patrick Mason, and Bill Turnbull

Today we’re wrapping up our week of Unpacking Polygamy with a very honest, illuminating and challenging conversation among three faithful friends: Bethany Brady Spaulding, Patrick Mason and Bill Turnbull. Together, they tackle the profound theological problems that polygamy presents, particularly as it is laid out in what is perhaps the most challenging scripture in our canon—Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. 

They compare and contrast Section 132 with what God has revealed elsewhere in scripture and with what the church actually teaches today. And they consider the question of whether it is possible for the church to actually move on from polygamy if section 132 continues to be taught as inspired scripture. 

Along the way, they celebrate the restored gospel’s teaching of a higher and holier order of celestial union—couples sealed together for eternity as intimate, equal partners.

This conversation was originally inspired by an essay written by Bill and Susan Turnbull, two of Faith Matters founders, titled “One Couple’s Wrestle with Polygamy.” It’s a fascinating and compelling piece and we encourage you to check it out. You can also find Bill’s essay on the Abrahamic Test on our website, faithmatters.org.

Faithfulness in any relationship, including our relationship with God and with the Church, requires not just generosity but also a willingness to acknowledge and honestly address problems. This is a conversation full of both generosity and honesty. We hope you are challenged and inspired by it.

This episode is part of a five-part series on polygamy. We invite you to listen to all five episodes for a range of perspectives and voices on this important topic. You can find even more resources on our website, faithmatters.org.