In response to recent media inquiries, the following statement has been released by the LDS Church:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned about the temporal and spiritual welfare of all of God's children across the earth, with special concern for those who are fleeing physical violence, war and religious persecution. The Church urges all people and governments to cooperate fully in seeking the best solutions to meet human needs and relieve suffering.
The Church released a statement today against Donald Trump's position on banning refugees from middle eastern countries. The church has been very outspoken on this issue, and yet silent on other issues like abortion. I have a theory....and it has to do with Polygamy. See the news articles below. Once syrian refugees began making their way into Turkey, they brought polygamy with them, and it is wreaking havoc for women in Turkey because those living on the border are now being threatened by their Turkish husbands that if they don't "cook, clean, or meet certain standards", their husbands will take a syrian refugee as a wife (because the refugees are willing and culturally accepting of the practice). There are multiple news articles about this new problem in Turkey.
h[url]ttp://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/ld ... 76885.html[/url]
In Turkey, it’s illegal for a man to take on multiple wives, but activists say the influx of Syrian refugees is fueling a rise in the practice – and the government is turning a blind eye to the problem.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pol ... 80b52fae27
Then, on LDSliving, there is an article that compares the similarities between Joseph Smith and the Prophet Mohammed. It is to be noted, that in the Journal of Discourses, Apostles Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith spoke more fondly of The Prophet Mohammed. And George Albert Smith had even traveled to Pakistan to study the culture.
Here is the article off LDS living...http://www.ldsliving.com/What-Prophets- ... ad/s/84360
Parley P. Pratt and George Albert Smith are quoted in the LDS living article as supporters of the Prophet Mohammad. They were also believers that the doctrine of Polygamy was required in Utah during this time period...most teachings centered around the doctrine of Plurality of wives and its necessity. George q Cannon has an incredibly disturbing speech in the journal of discourses on "Celestial Marriage." These are the ideas of the brethren at this time. Specifically in this speech, Cannon compares the plight of women over seas and how Mormon men should step up to the plate and take them as wives to rescue them from the plight of women (I'm paraphrasing, but its an interesting idea that is repeated as why mormons can do a better job that other religions at practicing plural marriage ).As early as 1855, at a time when Christian literature generally ridiculed Muhammad as the Antichrist and the archenemy of Western civilization, Elders George A. Smith (1817–75) and Parley P. Pratt (1807–57) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered lengthy sermons demonstrating an accurate and balanced understanding of Islamic history and speaking highly of Muhammad’s leadership. Elder Smith observed that Muhammad was “descended from Abraham and was no doubt raised up by God on purpose” to preach against idolatry. He sympathized with the plight of Muslims, who, like Latter-day Saints, found it difficult “to get an honest history” written about them. Speaking next, Elder Pratt went on to express his admiration for Muhammad’s teachings, asserting that “upon the whole, … [Muslims] have better morals and better institutions than many Christian nations.”
Of course I could be paranoid.....I am an avid supporter of women in monogamous marriages. But is the church aware that polygamy could be an indirect result just as it is becoming in Turkey.