The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy

The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy examines the lasting effects of Mormon plural marriage doctrine on contemporary members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Author Carol Lynn Pearson combines research, personal experiences, and collected stories to analyze how historical polygamy continues to impact modern relationships. Through survey responses from over 8,000 participants, Pearson documents the current experiences of LDS women and men regarding temple sealings, remarriage practices, and family dynamics. She explores official church policies, cultural beliefs, and generational attitudes about eternal marriage arrangements. The book includes personal narratives and testimonies from church members, revealing their struggles with the theological implications of plural marriage in the afterlife. Pearson investigates how these beliefs affect dating, courtship, marriage, and family relationships in the present day. This work raises questions about gender, power, and doctrine within religious institutions and how theological concepts shape individual identity and interpersonal connections. The book contributes to broader discussions about faith, family structure, and women's roles in religious communities.

Readers report feeling validated and understood in their concerns about eternal polygamy in Mormon theology. Many describe crying while reading as their personal struggles are articulated. Readers appreciated: - Clear documentation and research - Personal stories from affected individuals - Respectful tone while addressing difficult topics - Solutions and suggestions for change Common criticisms: - Repetitive content - Some found it too emotional rather than academic - A few felt it undermined faith Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reviews: "Finally someone is talking about this elephant in the room" - Goodreads reviewer "Helped me process years of anxiety about the afterlife" - Amazon reviewer "Too much focus on feelings, not enough doctrinal analysis" - Goodreads critic The book resonates strongly with Mormon women but receives mixed responses from male readers, according to review demographics.

Wife No. 19 by Ann Eliza Young This first-hand account from Brigham Young's former plural wife exposes the realities of 19th century Mormon polygamy through personal experiences and observations.

Tell It All by Fanny Stenhouse A detailed memoir chronicles one woman's twenty-five year journey through Mormon polygamy and her ultimate departure from the faith.

In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith by Todd Compton This historical examination presents the lives of thirty-three women who were sealed to Joseph Smith in plural marriage.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff This parallel narrative interweaves a historical account of Brigham Young's wife Ann Eliza Young with a modern murder mystery in a contemporary polygamous community.

Banking on Heaven by Janet Bennion This ethnographic study examines the lives of women in modern fundamentalist Mormon communities through field research and interviews.

🌟 Author Carol Lynn Pearson was once married to Gerald Pearson, who came out as gay during their marriage; their story was chronicled in her bestselling memoir "Goodbye, I Love You" 🌟 The book explores how the LDS Church's historical practice of polygamy continues to affect modern Mormon women, even though the practice was officially discontinued in 1890 🌟 Pearson gathered over 8,000 responses from Mormon women and men about their feelings on eternal polygamy while researching this book 🌟 The concept of "eternal polygamy" stems from the Mormon belief that marriages can last beyond death, and that men can be "sealed" (eternally married) to multiple women 🌟 Carol Lynn Pearson is considered one of Mormonism's most influential feminist voices and has been writing about Mormon culture and theology for over 50 years