#CardanoDebate . **Subject: Unpacking the "Cardeno Debate": Scripture, Polygamy, and Interpretation in LDS Thought**
The "Cardeno Debate" continues to spark significant discussion within Latter-day Saint circles and beyond. Centered on interpreting Jacob 2:30 in the Book of Mormon ("For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things"), the debate hinges on a critical question:
* **Traditional Interpretation:** Does the verse provide a *singular, divinely-sanctioned exception* (raising up seed) justifying the historical practice of polygamy as commanded through Joseph Smith? Proponents see it as the clear scriptural basis for that specific commandment.
* **Progressive/"Cardeno" Interpretation:** Does the phrase "raise up seed unto me" hold a *broader, more spiritual meaning* – referring to raising righteous, covenant-keeping children faithful to God's teachings? This view, often associated with the term "Cardeno" stemming from a Spanish-language discussion (where "cardinal" was misspelled), suggests the verse isn't a narrow justification for polygamy but a general principle about God's purposes for families and marriage. It asks if the "command" could encompass monogamous marriage as the ideal standard for "raising seed" in a spiritual sense.
**Why does this matter?** The debate touches core issues:
1. **Hermeneutics:** How do we interpret scripture, especially passages used to authorize significant practices?
2. **Polygamy's Theological Basis:** Was it a temporary exception based on a specific reading of Jacob 2:30, or is its justification more complex?
3. **Modern Application:** How does understanding this verse inform views on marriage, family, and LDS history today?
Whether you lean towards the traditional or "Cardeno" view, this debate highlights the dynamic nature of scriptural interpretation and its profound implications for understanding LDS doctrine and history. What are your thoughts on Jacob 2:30's meaning and its rol
