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Sue's avatar

I was also taught to build my entire world around my husband and children. And I have recently recognized that I became a shell of myself. I am working to change that, but it is not easy, and goodness, there’s a lot of anger involved! Especially about the male centric way things are taught in the church. I will have to read Mormon Enigma! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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Linda Hamilton's avatar

I’ve been in that exact same place and it’s SO HARD. Good for you for doing the work and prioritizing yourself ❤️ It matters!

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Cindy Lomprey's avatar

Since learning of Joseph’s polygamy, deception and manipulation of Emma and those around him, I have absolutely no use for him! And to think that I once sang… with gusto… the words “praise to the man.” Thank you for sharing this heartfelt article about his poor wife that had few - if any other - choice than to stand by his side! UGH!

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Linda Hamilton's avatar

I can’t stand Praise to the Man anymore! It always gave me an icky feeling but now it just makes me angry.

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Kandis Lake's avatar

Love your analysis of the elect lady revelation alongside context from Mormon Enigma. Mormon Enigma may be my very favorite church history book. Centering her experience with less of a filter has made me think differently about everything.

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Linda Hamilton's avatar

It’s such a good book! I wish the church curriculum for D&C was more historical and honest.

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Stephenie G.'s avatar

I'm with you Linda, an "elect lady" is not all that it is cracked up to be.

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Linda Hamilton's avatar

I used to think it was so cool but now I can’t unsee the misogyny.

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Michelle Stevenett's avatar

Thank you for sharing all of this! Emma's life and story is one we really should know better. And while the history has been "settled" for some time around polygamy, I found some incredibly important and valuable pieces in Karen Hyatt's work "Wo Unto You Scribes." She shows the actual documents that have been altered by scribes throughout church history, painting a very different picture. We have Emma's actual words about polygamy, including words from her deathbed (she was consistent in her words). It's actually really good news! Polygamy has wreaked havoc in our world at large (and for sure in this church) and I would even say it's pure evil. I encourage everyone to check out Karen Hyatt's youtube (mentioned above) or her website with downloadable pdf of the same presentation at her website josephtoldthetruth.org. She visually shares all the sources and links so you can see and research them yourself. It's worth a look. It's changed my understanding of history considerably.

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