Faith Matters Unpacking Polygamy: The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy, with Carol Lynn Pearson
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Nov 7, 2025 Carol Lynn Pearson, a poet and playwright, delves into the complex legacy of polygamy, calling it a profound mistake that still haunts Latter-day Saints. She discusses its ties to patriarchy and advocates for a shift toward partnership. Pearson shares her personal journey of reconciling faith with past trauma, urging listeners to trust their moral intuitions. She emphasizes honoring foremothers without perpetuating harmful practices and encourages bravery in rewriting narratives, inviting a fearless approach to teach future generations about this sensitive topic.
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Polygamy As A Patriarchal Fruit
- Carol Lynn Pearson frames polygamy as a product of patriarchy and calls for moving toward partnership instead of dominance.
- She argues Zion transcends both patriarchy and matriarchy, and partnership is the healthier goal.
Diary Of Early Heartbreak
- Carol Lynn Pearson recounts diary entries from 1956–1961 describing deep heartbreak over temple polygamy teachings.
- She used private tears and writing to process the pain before later reclaiming her testimony.
Human Motives In Leadership Choices
- Pearson suggests Joseph Smith may have braided physical desire with spiritual justification when introducing polygamy.
- She sees this as a human error rather than an infallible prophetic act.
