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The current church narrative found in the gospel topics essays is problematic. It is far from comprehensive or transparent, but beyond that, it is not consistent with past church teachings, the historical sources, the scriptures, or many current church teachings and statements from recent leaders. Yet, despite the fact that the things claimed in the essays have not been spoken by leaders, taught in general conference, and certainly not accepted as church doctrine, some claim that church members in good standing may not publicly disagree with them.

Let's look at some of the problems with that claim, and just a few of the problems with the narrative -- namely, the claim that reasons for polygamy were never given and that polygamy was not taught to be necessary for exaltation.

Sources: 

Brigham Young, vision, Feb. 17, 1847, in Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah 

https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/praise-to-the-man?lang=eng

President Nelson quotes: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng

https://twitter.com/NelsonRussellM/status/1232682006305103872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1232682006305103872%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thechurchnews.com%2Fleaders-and-ministry%2F2020-02-26%2Fpresident-nelson-restoration-invitation-2020-hearhim-joseph-smith-first-vision-bicentennial-175302

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/how-do-you-hearhim-a-special-invitation?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng

August 1852 Special Conference,

Orson Pratt,  pg 14-22, Brigham Young, pg 25-26 https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/17334

Disavowal of Pratt's "First Cause": https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2598412

Brigham Young July 14, 1855 (JoD 3:266)

Brigham Young July 6, 1862 (JoD 9:322)

Brigham Young August 19,1866 (JoD 11:269)

Joseph F. Smith July 7, 1878 (JoD 20:24-31)

Scriptures:

Moroni 7: 15-16

Raise up seed: 1 Nephi 7:1, Jacob 2:25 - 27

3 Nephi 26:10

Deuteronomy 25:5

Genesis 38