
The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast Morman Wives push back against their church
Jul 16, 2025
Jessica Grose, a journalist and New York Times writer, dives into the evolving landscape of the Mormon community as seen through the lens of the Hulu show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She discusses how Mormon women are challenging traditional church expectations, notably with new freedoms like revealing shoulders. Grose highlights the growing impact of social media influencers and the relatable exploration of faith and identity that resonates beyond the Mormon experience. Additionally, she addresses the church's concerns about inaccurate portrayals and its dual role as a supportive yet insular community.
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Cultural Dress Rules Are Loosening
- The Church of Latter-day Saints relaxed a cultural dress norm, now allowing women to reveal their shoulders.
- This change ties to the rise of Mormon social media influencers and the popular show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Reality TV Meets Religious Reassessment
- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives mixes reality-TV drama with serious religious questioning.
- Jessica Grose says it shows women grappling with narrow church expectations and desires for independence.
Show Reflects Broader Religious Shifts
- The show's timing resonates with broader religious decline in the US over decades.
- Jessica Grose links the series to a larger trend of people reassessing organized religion.
