If you’re looking into Mormon polygamy, I have a giant list of sources on the Polygamy tab of my Mormon History Resources page. However, this list is overwhelming and for most people unnecessary, so below you will also find a list of popular resources, a list of Year of Polygamy episodes that address both race and polygamy, and a note about sources pertaining to fundamentalist Mormon groups.
The resources listed on this page and in the spreadsheet range widely in terms of being faithful toward or antagonistic to the LDS Church and other sects. People have different reactions to learning about the history of polygamy, ranging from integrating the knowledge into their existing belief structure to embracing atheism. You’ll have to decide for yourself which resources you want to engage with.
Popular Resources
The following are some of the most popular (and widely considered to be helpful) resources for understanding the historical practice of polygamy and the effects it has on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon sects.
I cite these resources because they are widely popular and helpful for ex-Mormons, but many believers appreciate them too. Most of the authors are faithful members, but note that reactions to learning about polygamy are highly individual. I cannot say whether believers who have questions will consider these sources uplifting. I can say that both Mormons and ex-Mormons generally consider the sources listed below to be historically accurate.
The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men, by Carol Lynn Pearson
Rather than focusing on the history of polygamy, this book focuses on the lived experience of today’s members and aims to help readers find healing and peace.
I have listed this source first because while it is easy and interesting to get sucked into learning the history, what you likely need is peace and healing on an emotional more than an intellectual level. Studying the history can certainly help you discover insights that help with healing, but for many people, directly addressing wounds that the doctrine of polygamy has caused you may be more efficient and effective.
Year of Polygamy, by Lindsay Hansen Park
This podcast starts with the plural wives of Joseph Smith and delves into any and all aspects of the history of Mormon polygamy, including Utah polygamy and fundamentalist Mormon history and polygamy. For the greatest understanding, start at the beginning and listen through to the end. Doing this requires a significant time commitment, but the podcast is probably the most comprehensive single resource about Mormon polygamy in existence.
Lindsay Hansen Park was a believer at the beginning of the podcast but goes through a faith transition at some point along the way. Her beliefs are not a major feature of the podcast but are more prominent in the beginning episodes. Podcast guests are believers, ex-members, and historians with widely ranging beliefs. Episodes that feature beliefs and opinions different from yours may be difficult to listen to.
A House Full of Females: Plural Marriage and Women’s Rights in Early Mormonism, 1835-1870, by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
In this book, renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize–winner Laurel Thatcher Ulrich explores polygamy and women’s rights for early Mormon women, using their diaries and other documents. This book is widely available in libraries even outside of Utah and has also been published as an audiobook.
In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith, by Todd Compton
This groundbreaking book looks at the lives of women who were plural wives of Joseph Smith, Jr. The exact number and identities of Joseph Smith’s wives are debated, so Todd Compton focuses on 33 women whose marriages to Joseph Smith are strongly supported by historical evidence.
In Sacred Loneliness: The Documents, edited by Todd Compton
This collection of documents that form the historical basis of In Sacred Loneliness brings together primary documents essential to understanding Mormon polygamy, including many firsthand accounts written by the women involved. For individual links to these women’s accounts, some of which are accessible for free, you can see my spreadsheet of polygamy resources, under the heading “Personal Accounts / Writings of Women.”
Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, by Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery
Whether you’ve heard of this book or not, for Brighamite Mormons, this biography of Emma Hale Smith brought her out of the shadows of history, where she was forced by Brigham Young’s angst. As you probably guessed by its inclusion on this list about polygamy, this book deals with Emma Smith’s dealings with polygamy from her position as Joseph Smith’s only legal wife.
Resources Specific to Race and Polygamy
Resources exploring the intersection of race and polygamy can be hard to find, but several episodes of the Year of Polygamy podcast address both topics. For your convenience, I’ve linked to these episodes below.
“Episode 35: Interracial Polygamy and Lamanite Marriages“
“Episode 56: Mormon Polygamy in the Mexican Colonies“
“Episode 93: The Pacific Island and Mormon Polygamy“
“Episode 136: Race, Polygamy, and Racism“
“Episode 157: Black Mormons in Massachusetts“
Resources for Fundamentalist Mormon History
The Year of Polygamy podcast has many episodes on various fundamentalist Mormon groups. You can find a listing of many of the resources cited in the podcast in the “Fundamentalist Mormons and Polygamy” section on the Polygamy tab of my Mormon History Resources spreadsheet.
The Year of Polygamy podcast also has many episodes that are interviews of former and current members of fundamentalist Mormon churches. I believe those episodes do a better job of portraying the subjects fairly and humanely than do many of the sensationalized articles published by tabloids and news outlets.
More Resources
For an extensive index of polygamy resources, please consult the Polygamy tab of my Mormon History Resources spreadsheet, which lists resources primarily pulled from the citations of the Year of Polygamy podcast by Lindsay Hansen Park. The listing of these resources does not indicate my (or Lindsay’s) endorsement of their content or veracity. In fact, many sources contain opinions I disagree with. This list is just a list of sources—so many sources that unless you’re a historian specializing in Mormon polygamy, you will never read them all. I certainly have not read them all, and no one expects you to either.
I also have a Polygamy YouTube playlist with resources on the topic.
Good luck as you explore this interesting and frequently horrifying history! If you find yourself struggling with your mental and emotional health, remember that it is healthy to take breaks and rely on others for support. The ex-Mormon communities online are good resources for this, as are general mental health and wellness practices. Take care of yourself!
Eternity of Cats 