22 Jun It seems like a real generalization that was meant to be able to be avoided when convenient
His point is very telling - he frames his answer first in terms of the civil illegality of people obtaining more than one state-issued marriage license.
Namely, “[Illegal aliens] are not members of this Church
“The Church, of course, has no jurisdiction whatever in this matter,” he says - to wipe his hands of the matter.
Yet - as if realizing the loophole he might have just opened up for members in nations that do not outlaw plural marriages, as well as any who might try to skip state-authorization for a plural union [thus rendering the additional spouse fully legal] - he makes sure to add:
“Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.”
“More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God.”
Oh, the “revelation” in which it states: To Whom It May Concern: Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise. What circular reasoning we have here. Wilford says that since its against the laws of the state, then it would be best if the saints stop doing it.