It’s been fun taking this polygamy detour today, but in the end, it’s really not that difficult.
Polygamy leaves the Mormons in an unsolvable double bind.
Months before he was killed in 1844, Joseph Smith approved the publication of the 2nd edition of the church’s Doctrine and Covenants. That document codified the church’s position on marriage.
Either Joseph was a despicable liar who was engaging in marriages denounced by the standard works bearing his name, or he was following the teachings he published and his name and reputation have been irreparably harmed by despicable liars.
It’s a lose/lose. Sorry, losers.