Raising Kids in Polygamy

In the final segment, the Ericksons tackle the practical side of raising kids in polygamy. They discuss whether they expect their kids to be polygamists, the role of their ministry, and the lingering trauma that keeps many fundamentalist groups secretive. Sign up for this secret episode at https://gospeltangents.com/newsletter

Don’t miss our other conversations on Mormon fundamentalism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/fundamentalim/

00:00 – Raising Kids in Polygamy: Charlotte and Melissa explain that they do not force polygamy on their children. Their goal is to raise sons who are such good husbands that “more than one woman would want to be with them,” but the choice is ultimately theirs.
04:00 – Heaven on Earth: Joshua rejects the idea that a miserable marriage now will magically become a happy polygamous one in heaven. He emphasizes that the “same sociality” exists there as here, so marriages must be happy now.
08:00 – Keeping the Faith: The parents focus on instilling a love for biblical feasts and God rather than loyalty to a specific group. They hope their children avoid atheism and maintain a connection to their Israelite heritage.
12:00 – Mormon Legacy Ministries Logistics: Joshua details his role as a bishop for the ministry. They hold services on Saturdays and Thursdays via Zoom to accommodate people transitioning out of other groups.
18:00 – A Bishop Without a Church: Joshua explains that he handles temporal needs (tithes/offerings) but does not perform ordinances or interviews for the ministry, acting more as a referral service for those seeking baptism or marriage.
22:00 – Generational Trauma: Charlotte addresses why many fundamentalists remain secretive and insular. She highlights the history of government prosecution and the fear of having children taken away, noting that until 2020, polygamy was a felony in Utah.

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