Voices in Harmony Excerpt - A Sisterwife Speaks - I've Never Been Happier

Having been born and raised in the principle, [of plural marriage] I suppose others would say my childhood was far from the norm, but I don't believe it would be possible for anyone to look back with more fondness on their childhood than I do. Our home was always filled with love, and I felt safe and secure in that love. I never lacked companionship or friendship. I was surrounded by lots of brothers and sisters and I had a wonderful father and three wonderful mothers that I could turn to for anything. I felt sorry for those that didn't have big families. To me, I was the luckiest girl in the whole world! My family has always been a close one.

As I grew up, I became more aware of how different our life was from the majority of the world, but I never regretted that. I knew that I was in control of my own life, and the choice was mine to make. I was always told that if I put my mind to it, I could do or be anything. I know that that is true. Every choice I make determines who I am and who I will become. Because of the understanding that my life is mine to lead, I never felt pressured or forced into anything. I chose to marry into the principle of my own free will. I had plenty of men to choose from-married or single.

I know that I couldn't have chosen better. I realize more and more everyday how blessed I am to have the wonderful husband and sister wife that I do. I suppose most people think that living the principle has to be full of pain and heartache, but my experience has been the opposite. I've never been happier! I believe communication is the key, and also always thinking of the happiness of others.

I've heard some women say that they would want to be only a first wife. I, on the other hand, always thought it would be wonderful to be a plural wife-although I believe, in reality, we are all plural wives. I know I have a better and more loving and understanding husband because he lives this law.

There is nothing more beautiful than being able to have a sister wife either. I'm so grateful to her for letting me share in her happiness and joy. I do not feel threatened by the love that she has for my husband or the love he has for her, because I love them both so much, and feel secure in their love for me, and trust that they would never desire to hurt me in any way-just as I would never desire to hurt them.

Living this principle is a beautiful way of becoming a greater whole, every addition [of more wives] bringing their strengths and talents to bless the lives of the rest. And with each addition, you wonder how you could have existed without them. I believe with all my heart that the more we allow ourselves to love others, the more our hearts expand, and we become more capable of giving love. Love does not run out-there's no end to its supply, unless you cut off the source. If you let it, love will continue in the principle.

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VOICES IN HARMONY

http://www.principlevoices.org/index.php?topic=VoicesinHarmony

Authors and Compilers:
Mary Batchelor * Marianne Watson * Anne Wilde

About the Book

This book is a unique collection of original essays
written by plural wives in their own words.

Some of the plural wives who submitted essays for
inclusion in this book are speaking publicly for the
first time. In the past many of these women have
chosen to remain silent rather than risk revealing
their identities. This publication has provided them
with a medium wherein they could feel comfortable in
sharing their thoughts, ideas, feelings and emotions.
Along with their stories, the reader will find
important and enlightening background material
discussing events and doctrines leading up to
contemporary polygamy.

This book meets the authors' four aims: (1) to present
a positive voice for plural marriage, (2) to
demonstrate that a significant number of women have
freely chosen to accept this lifestyle, (3) to help
dispel false stereotypes, and (4) to allow plural
wives to speak and be heard.

This book reveals that plural wives are diverse,
independent and balanced and have found meaning and
fulfillment in their chosen lifestyle. Voices in
Harmony will surely take its place among other
significant historical and scholarly works.

~ Excerpts from the Preface, by Carolyn Campbell

Endorsements

D. Michael Quinn
Affiliated Scholar in the Center for Feminist
Research, University of Southern California. Author of
"LDS Church Authority and New Plural Marriages,
1890-1904," Dialogue 18, Spring 1985 & Mormon
Hierarchy, Signature Books.

"This is a book without parallel for those interested
in studying modern American family life. Even the most
casual reader will be interested in its statistical
profiles of 100 women who have lived as wives in
polygamous households. These women's personal essays
do not fit the outsider's stereotypes. From
19-year-olds to women of retirement age, these plural
wives are intelligent, articulate, and integrated
within modern society. An outsider may regard their
faith as odd and their devotion to plural marriage as
even stranger, but this book reveals these plural
wives as diverse, devout, intelligent, and interesting
women."

Professor Martha Sonntag Bradley University of Utah.
Author, Kidnapped from That Land: The Government raids
on the Short Creek Polygamists

"This collection of testimonials from women living
plural marriage adds a missing link in our efforts to
better understand the principle. With poignancy, a
sense of the spirit, and a deep respect for plurality,
these women speak to their own experience and tell us
how plurality feels to them. As such, it is an
important contribution to the growing body of
literature about the practice of plural marriage. For
them an affirmation of their chosen lifestyle, for us
a window into the fascinating private world of
plurality."

Ken Driggs
Attorney at Law
Author of several articles on Mormon History and the
law. Ken has also written about Fundamentalist Mormon
polygamists. (see www.kendriggs.com)

"Fundamentalist Mormons have rarely been allowed to
tell their own story, especially the women who elect
to enter plural relationships. This book listens
respectfully to these women who write about their
lives based upon belief and tradition, and they should
be taken seriously. These plural wives explain their
unorthodox choices--choices made in religious faith
and in a commitment to a Mormon way of life left
behind over 100 years ago by the largely successful
LDS Church. There simply is nothing else available
with gives the reader these insights."

Professors Irwin Altman & Joseph Ginat Co-authors,
Polygamous Families in Contemporary Society. Dr.
Altman is a Distinguished Professor of psychology,
University of Utah. Dr. Ginat is Professor of Social
and Cultural Anthropology, University of Haifa,
Israel.

"An excellent review of theological, historical and
legal underpinnings of fundamentalist Mormon polygamy.
Of special interest are the 100 essays by women who
describe their marriages and relationships with
co-wives in contemporary plural families. Specifically
designed to counteract public statements by those
opposed to plural marriage, the volume in general, and
the personal accounts in particular, offer a unique
perspective on modern plural family life. The volume
is well worth reading; it can contribute to informed,
constructive, and rational discussions and policy
making regarding this unusual American family
lifestyle."

Professor B. Carmon Hardy History Professor,
California State University at Fullerton. Author,
Solemn Covenant; The Mormon Polygamous Passage

"Historians always value firsthand accounts. This
gathering of personal observations by contemporary
polygamous women is, therefore, especially
significant. It is a most timely project, important to
everyone interested in this fascinating topic."

Here is a link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Harmony-Contemporary-Celebrate-Marriage/dp/...