“We Would Never,” Leaders Say, While Gesturing Broadly at Several Volumes of Historical Precedent Salt Lake Temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints In response to the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s ongoing debates over whether monogamy is, in fact, more of a “guideline than a rule,” leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement this week that experts are describing as “technically restrained, but spiritually… suggestive.” The statement, titled “On the Matter of Historical Enthusiasm,” reaffirmed that the LDS Church does not practice polygamy, has not practiced polygamy, and would like to be very clear that it is absolutely not practicing polygamy—before proceeding to devote several paragraphs to the rich theological, logistical, and, at times, “deeply character-building” history of having done exactly that. “We wish to emphasize that plural marriage is a concluded chapter,” the statement read, adding, “though one whose lessons remain avail...