Secrets & Wives
The Hidden World Of Mormon Polygamy (Soft Skull Press)
Excerpts
For Merril, the end is so nigh, it's scarcely worth setting the video. (Ch. 10: The True & Living Church)
Given the extent of the disaster that would unfold, one might argue that God didn't have a hand in the match-making after all. Of if He did, He had his mind on other things, like helping rappers win Grammies. (Ch.2: The Campaigners)
He presented her with a clear choice - either fall in line and be saved, or oppose him and be turned into a black woman. (Ch. 10: The True & Living Church)
It was the slippery slope argument all over again, a favorite of hysterical conservatives. Today it's sodomy, tomorrow polygamy, and by the weekend we'll all be rutting with geese and sock-puppets in the car park of Home Depot. (Ch. 8: Legalize It)
"The N-word isn't considered bad. Everybody uses it there. Daniel said it constantly. If we got up on the furniture or whatever, he'd say 'don't act liker a bunch of ...' That kind of stuff." (Ch. 9: The Order)
As one lady explained, over a fruity Merlot, with dripping disdain: "The Amish are 'quaint'. We don't get 'quaint'." (Ch. 5: Centennial Park)
Given the extent of the disaster that would unfold, one might argue that God didn't have a hand in the match-making after all. Of if He did, He had his mind on other things, like helping rappers win Grammies. (Ch.2: The Campaigners)
The ugly truth about monogamy is that it's a relatively recent obsession, and it isn't really working - the 50% divorce rate doesn't even count all those people who want to get divorced but haven't got around to it yet. (Ch. 8: Legalize It)
"Now I'm going to show you a picture. I don't want you to be shocked, but it's... you know. Porno." (Ch. 9: The Order)
Ask other fundamentalists about the Kingstons and they respond, "oh just lovely people, very good businessmen and the children are so well behaved. But - well, I shouldn't say, but they do, you know, practice... incest." (Ch. 9: The Order)
It's not just kids or people I've met - everyone waves. It may as well be doctrine at this point: Thou shalt practice polygamy and wave at the little Indian guy who's here to judge us. (Ch. 5: Centennial Park)
Hyrum isn't keeping ordinary secrets. Behind that shy front is an incredibly determined and courageous young spy on a mission to break the Order's stranglehold over its people, something he can only do from the inside. (Ch. 9: The Order)
"I made it clear that I didn't want an intimate relationship, but that I felt it was necessary that my children were part of a family."
"So... you didn't want to have sex with Fabio?" (Ch.2: The Campaigners)
"Great," says Jared. "I can see the headline: 'Polygamist women spread manure outside while husband watches from the porch.'" (Ch. 5: Centennial Park)