Excerpts
Age Group: 19 to 30
There are so many good attributes it [plural marriage] can bring out in a man and a woman, i.e., selflessness, organization, communication, thrift, humility and charity. Above all, it can help a woman grow closer to Heavenly Father, instead of always focusing on her husband, waiting for him to make her happy. This will surely make her a more virtuous woman, be more of a strength to the Lord and a better wife and mother.
Age Group: 31 to 40
My sister-wife and I are the best of friends. We share a bond with each other that could not be there if we were not sisterwives. I would not trade our relationship in order to be the only wife. I didn’t have a bolt of lightning strike, or balls of fire shower down, to know that I wanted to live celestial plural marriage. * * * I have seen the problems that some people have in living the principle, but I have also seen the great joy that can come from living it. I think that many times when plural families have problems, they clame it on the principle rather than the individuals themselves. The joy and happiness that can come from living plural marriage are more intense than words can describe. I don’t believe that plural marriage is for everyone, but I know that I was meant to live it, and that is what I am trying to do to the best of my ability.
Age Group: 41 to 50
Contrary to those who would loudly foist their prejudiced opinions upon the world, and thus categorize and stereotype me because of their bad experiences, there is no shame in me, except wherein I fall short of my own ideals. Rather, there is dignity. There is dignity in being wanted, loved, honored and cherished by dedicated parents, by sisterwives who have the highest ideals and moral standards, and by a loving husband whose commitment is as deep to God and his other wives as it is to me. There is also dignity in bearing children who are wanted, loved, honored and cherished.
Age Group: over 50
Years ago, when I prayed regarding my Prince Charming (he already had one wife), my answer came, definite and very strong — brilliant and warm and settling to my mind. You who have ever experienced that absolute burning in the bosom that cannot be denied, only you will know exactly what I am talking about. No figments of the imagination here. No brainwashing. I knew my Heavenly Father was pleased with this marriage I was contemplating. And it was a plural one. * * * We are not asking that all people enter into this way of life — or even believe it. On the contrary. Please live your monogamous relationships with honor. * * * If you choose not to play in the orchestra, that is just fine. But at least sit down and be quiet so others can play in or listen to the symphony.
A Poignant Testimony
Two months ago (March 2000) my 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a tumor in her head, and surgery was performed to remove the tumor. We were away from home for two weeks for this procedure and recovery. One week after we got back home, the doctor called and told us that the tumor was malignant and a Stage 4 in aggression — the scale being rated from 1 to 4. We had to take her to Salt Lake city from our home in Arizona to have chemotherapy.
Because of the intensity of her “chemo” treatments, she was very sick and unable to travel back and forth (350 miles) between treatments. I had to relocate in Salt Lake City with my 12-year-old daughter, my 11-year-old and 3-month-old baby, leaving six beautiful children behind. We will be here for at least a year to complete my daughter’s treatments. She is very sick most of the time and takes a lot of care. I also try to keep up my nursing license and pay for our living costs, so I work a full-time job.
Who, dear reader, would you guess is caring for my beautiful children in Arizona?–their other mothers, and they are doing a wonderful job. My children are happy, well fed, loved and educated. Yes, we miss each other very much, and sometimes we just want to go home and pretend that we don’t even know what cancer means; but for some reason, this is a trial for us to go through, and we want our Heavenly Father to be proud of the way we deal with it. We can’t always choose our trials, but we can choose how we deal with them. Thank Heavenly Father for the privilege of living with more than one woman in our house to allow our children all the love and care that they need to help them grow to be healthy, happy, well-balanced members of society.
