If you know me at all, you know that I have a wee bit of an obsession with plural marriage. I have read pretty much every book on the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints) that I can get my hands on: Under the Banner of Heaven, Shattered Dreams, His Favorite Wife, Daughter of the Saints, The Lonely Polygamist (which is fiction, but it's by one of my very favorite authors). And you can count on me reading pretty much every other book on the topic that comes out. I just find it fascinating.
While I believe the religious beliefs behind plural marriage to be completely NUTS, I say if they are consenting adults and if it works for them, have at it. I mean, who wouldn't want an extra wife or two around the house to help with the childcare, the cooking, and the cleaning? In fact my friend Sarah and I call each other "sister wife" because she thinks my husband is just the cat's pajamas and she says she has a strong back (which is great because SHE gets to be the one to play horsie with Anna for the next 9 years) and she loves to garden. She might even be willing to can some peaches and bake the occasional pie. It should be noted that Sarah is a lesbian, so I wouldn't have to worry about the actual "sharing" of my husband. I know!! It sounds perfect, doesn't it?? Unfortunately Davie won't cooperate. He says he can't even keep one one wife happy, why the HELL would he want two??
Anyway, there is a new show coming out this fall called "Sister Wife." I generally loathe reality shows and have managed to never get sucked in to one, but nothing and I mean nothing is going to keep me from being plastered in front of this show every damn week.
The fact that the, uh, "man" of the house has shaggy highlighted blond hair, drives a two-seater sports car and is obviously nursing some sort of "rock-god-wanna-be" fantasy? Just makes it that much more attractive.
In fact I think I'll invite Sarah over to watch it. We'll eat popcorn (what is it with Mormons and popcorn?) and drink Coke. Or is it Pepsi that the LDS church bought and is now considered allowable when all other forms of caffeine are not?
I can't wait.
What do you think of plural marriage?
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14 comments:
My only real beef with it (as brought up by Under the Banner of Heaven) is that each of the women and all their offspring get welfare benefits that are given to the husband, at least around southern Utah. I think if you marry them and birth them, you should be able to support them. Unless, of course, a legitimate need comes up--we all need a hand-up sometimes.
But on the whole, I could care less what consenting adults do with each other. I'd be fine with multiple wives, especially if I could have multiple husbands. :-9
As a former mormon booted for being lesbian - I would LOVE a couple of sister wives! If you want to have a true "mormon" viewing experience you need to make green jello with shredded carrots in it.
Enjoy your viewing - I'll also be tuning in!
Yeah, if it's between consenting adults, I really don't care how many folks they want in a marriage. Frankly, the number of times I've wished my husband and I had a SAHM for my kids is probably approaching triple digits. My husband refuses to consider this option. Selfish!
Casey, you're right. I agree 100% that if you're going to have multiple wives and a dozen or more kids, you have to support them yourself. Period.
Lovesmukiwa: ha! I forgot about the jello! Having grown up in S. Idaho I attended many a Mormon pot-luck, never once without green jello!
YESSSS, I will be plastered to my TV also to watch that show. I saw them on TV yesterday and they are a happy group----now 4 wives and 16 children. (I think)
Its the groups that marry off the 12 to 14 yr olds that make me want to hurt someone. And one such, married an 8 yr old.
Yes, support the plural families on their own! No welfare or benefits if that lifestyle is chosen.
and lastly-----where did you go to Mormon pot-lucks? GV? ( I learn something new abt you kids every week)
SHE BLOGGED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mom, did you know that I deeply, deeply wanted to BE a Mormon when I was growing up? Everyone I knew was Mormon, it seemed, and they always had fun parties! I remember hanging out with the Youren (sp?) clan in GV and I even went to seminary a few times! And then in Boise there was Cheri and Melanie and several other neighborhood girls. Mormons EVERYWHERE!!!
I too remember going home from church with Debbie Youren as a youngster asking mom if I could become a Mormon. Thanks mom, for saying no!
I'm fascinated with the whole idea as well and have read several of the books you mentioned.
Can't wait for the show!!!!
I just saw them on tv, this morning! So crazy. I, too, will have to watch, if I can remember. Will you remind me? I wish we could watch together, and eat popcorn, green jello, and drink root beer. :)
As for the "wanting to be a Mormon" thing...I tried it, it's not all it's cracked up to be! haha
OH MY HOLY SHIT, I love you. LOVE YOU with the light of a million moonbeams. I do believe we should have a "Sister Wives" viewing of this show. In a BAR. With alcohol and the liberal shouting of "OH MY HECK." XOXOX
Kate,
Plural marriage=insanity! I remember studying in anthropology class how in some tribes sisters would share a husband. It is my personal belief that if two sisters shared a husband, one of them would kill the other!
xo, Cheryl
I've always love Mormons..and Muslims, polygamy is a deep fascination of mine as well. I grew up with many a mormon friends and always went to their salmon bakes and dances. Have you watched Big Love? I'd love a sisterwife if I got to help in the choosing, hey, the husband sharing might actually spice things up a bit too?
No, Kate and Jodi------welll, I guess I knew and talked you out of it but had forgotten. I went with a Morman boy in high school so I knew a lot about it and just couldn't believe their ways. But plural wives----nuh uh.
As a practicing Mormon, I would like to add my two cents, if that's ok. Mormons are NOT in any way related to the FLDS church. We are not polygamists, and any polygamists that you read about or see on TV are not associated with practicing Mormons.
I know that a lot of people have some really crazy ideas of what Mormons do and believe, but those ideas usually come from lack of information. For answers to any questions you may have, just go to mormon.org and look around.
As for Mormons and popcorn, I apparently haven't heard about the fad within our church. Maybe I should get on the bandwagon...
-Cathy
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