>>So how do you defend your beliefs that polygamy was ok, even though Jesus taught against it?
I don’t defend my beliefs, I don’t have to, but I do answer questions (grin see what I said about having fun?)
Q: even though Jesus taught against it? (polygamy)
A He never did teach against polygamy. Your opinion is no more binding on me than my beliefs are on you.
Is it because Joe Smith practiced it, so it had to be ok with God?
First, his name is Joseph Smith, please have the courtesy to spell things completely, familiar terms are for those who are familiar with the person they are being used for.
Have you ever said a prayer?
Did you get an answer?
If you went on an internet forum and someone told you your answer (to your prayer, from God) was a lie, while acting in an ignorant and bigoted manner, how much credence would you give them?
I am being kind to you, and you don’t even know it. (sad really)
>>What about the fact that he sent men off and then married their wives?
Fact: (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Fact) Something has to be true to be a fact, this is not a fact.
I have researched this accusation extensively and it cannot be proven because of the number of documents that have been forged and passed off as historically accurate by enemies of the church. (do some research on Mark Hoffman http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Mark+hoffman I recommend wikipedia as it has a fairly accurate history, Mark the best known because he started blowing things up)
There are even accounts by women of the period who never met Joseph Smith about how they were his wife in some way.
Were their problems with Polygamy? Certainly. Were they because Men did not live up to the commandments they were given? Certainly? Were people trying to do anything lewd and lascivious? I sure there people were and are, but I believe my church leaders are separate from that particular group.
Isn't that like what David did with Bathsheba?
A: Who died? Murder is an unpardonable sin, bigamy, adultery, theft, even sodomy are all forgivable. (not that I am admitting your accusation, I reject it, but your comparison is not apt.)