The largest group of Mormon polygamists don’t belong to a group! I’m talking to the Ericksons: Joshua, Charlotte, & Melissa who purchased the Sister Wives home from Kody Brown and his 4 wives from the TLC channel. We’ll talk about the resources independent Mormon fundamentalists can participate in, how they got their authority to do polygamy, and talk about priesthood in their family. Check out our conversation…
Don’t miss our interviews with Mormon polygamists: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/
I sat down with the Erickson family—Joshua, Melissa, and Charlotte—independent Mormon fundamentalists who purchased the Lehi, Utah home formerly owned by Kody Brown of TLC’s Sister Wives. The Ericksons discuss their journey from mainstream LDS Church membership to independent polygamy, their blog Speaking of Polygamy, and their efforts to restore biblical feasts and practices.
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00:00 – Welcome to the Sister Wives Brown Hotel:
The Ericksons, who now live in the home designed for polygamy discuss the unique architecture, which includes connected apartments that facilitate communal living.
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08:00 – Excommunication & New Fellowship:
The family shares their transition out of the LDS Church. While they were excommunicated, they describe the experience as cordial and devoid of hard feelings. They soon found the Zarahemla Foundation, a non-denominational fellowship for restoration believers.
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14:00 – Defining Independent Fundamentalism:
Joshua explains that fundamentalism isn’t just about polygamy; it is about preserving original restoration principles. They discuss the misconception that leaving the church means losing opportunities to serve, arguing they have found even more ways to be “anxiously engaged”.
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18:00 – Restoring the Feasts:
We did a deep dive into why the Ericksons celebrate ancient Israelite holidays like Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, and Yom Kippur. Joshua provides scriptural justification from Zechariah 14 and the JST of Luke 22, arguing these feasts are for all of Israel, not just the Jews.
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26:00 – Wine Making & The Word of Wisdom:
The family discusses their wine-making classes. They adhere to D&C 89 and Section 27, believing wine should be “of your own make” for sacraments, rather than water.
Introduction to a broad coalition of independent fundamentalists who provide a “soft landing” and fellowship for those questioning mainstream changes.
The Ericksons recount their participation in the independent temple built near Humansville, Missouri, describing the celestial room’s fiber-optic star field and the dedication they felt among independent groups.
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