Craig L. Foster - American Polygamy: A History of Fundamentalist Mormon Faith

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC

www.historypress.com

Copyright 2019 by Craig L. Foster and Marianne T. Watson

All rights reserved

First published 2019

E-Book edition 2019

ISBN 978.1.43966.703.3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019935346

Print edition ISBN 978.1.46713.752.2

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the authors or The History Press. The authors and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For Craig L. Foster
To my wife, Suzanne Long Foster; my children; and my granddaughter.

For Marianne T. Watson
To my husband, the wind beneath my wings; my children, my hope; and especially my parents, my foundation.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

It is important to understand that Fundamentalist Mormons are not a homogenous body; the term Fundamentalist encompasses several diverse groups as well as several extended independent family groups, each quite distinct in history and practice, although they share a common heritage and most beliefs about plural marriage.

At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the ancient prophet Nephi introduces himself by stating, [H]aving been born of goodly parents (I Nephi 1:1). Both authors feel they too could say the same, not only about their parents but also about their ancestors. Both are products of a great heritage within Mormonism. For Craig, it is six generations of membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while for Marianne it is six generations of a combined heritagechurch members for one hundred years and then Fundamentalist Mormon ancestry for most of the last century.

Both authors were raised with stories of ancestors who sacrificed and suffered for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Part of that suffering and sacrifice was for the principle of celestial plural marriage as experienced by their ancestors at different times and in different ways. Hardships of living the Principle not only included the expected marital and familial complexities of polygynous relationships but also involved significant outside pressure in the form of judicial prosecution and imprisonment and legislative attacks upon peoples freedomsindeed, upon their very existence. Ultimately, the foes of Mormon plural marriage won the battle between freedom of religion and conformity to the dictates of mainstream society, and the LDS Church was forced to cease practicing a principle so important to its theology.

This is where the heritage of the two authors began to diverge. While Craigs grandmother was born in 1892 as a post-Manifesto baby to the fifth wife, that was the extent of his familys civil disobedience. His grandmothers generation and the following generation moved obediently, and no doubt with a bit of relief, into socially and ecclesiastically acceptable monogamy. Mariannes ancestors did not. And for their decision to continue living plural marriage against societal or ecclesiastical dictates to conform, her more recent ancestors paid heavily through suffering excommunication and ostracism, prison terms and governmental harassment.

With such backgrounds, the authors bring different perspectives to this work but a mutual desire to honestly share a fascinating, sometimes troubling, poignant, even painful history of dedication and sacrifice. One author is a respectful outsider looking in while the other is an insider reaching out to help those on the outside understand a lifestyle, belief and dedication of faith so much at odds with modern society.

This volume is offered as a brief overview of Fundamentalist Mormon history rather than an in-depth or comprehensive study and analysis. For those familiar with the topic, there are obvious gaps and probable oversimplifications of many aspects of this history due to its constrained scope and limited space provided in this kind of genre. If there have been inadvertent mistakes, inaccuracies, inadequacies or omissions, we apologize.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As with any work of this nature, we are deeply indebted to many unnamed people who kindly and generously offered advice, assistance, information and research materials. Many who did so requested that we not publish their names for fear of legal or other reprisal against themselves or family members. For this reason, some sources are cited as anonymous. While they are anonymous to the readers, they are known to us, the authors, and we are profoundly grateful to them.

We would particularly like to thank documentarian Steven L. Mayfield and attorney Kenneth D. Driggs. Steven provided his expertise in photography and donated a number of the photographs that appear in the volume. We enjoyed his pleasant camaraderie during our several jaunts to various research destinations; we value his keen observations and thoughtful feedback. For many years, our friend Ken Driggs has freely shared his incredible wealth of knowledge, documents and writings about Fundamentalist Mormonism. Kens continual support, encouragement and mentoring both in research and writing have been invaluable.

The authors recognize and acknowledge the many contributions of others who shared so liberally and extended to us their genuine friendship. To these we owe a huge debt of gratitude: Alvin S. Barlow, Dowayne Barlow, Newell G. Bringhurst, Kody Brown, Ross Chatwin, Harvey Dockstader, Enoch Foster and family, Brian C. Hales, Nick Hanna, William R. Willie Jessop, Jeffrey O. Johnson, Donna K. Mackert, John Nielsen, Evelyn J. Thompson, Don Timpson and Anne Wilde. The authors also sincerely thank the representatives of the Latter Day Church of Christ and the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for their kind assistance. We give special thanks to several members of the Centennial Park group and other residents in Hildale/Colorado City for their gracious hospitality and sharing their hearts and homes during Fourth of July celebrations and on other occasions.

Finally, Craig lovingly and deeply thanks his wife, Suzanne, and his family for their lifelong patience and support while working on this and other writing projects, especially for his many hours and numerous trips away from home. Marianne extends her profound gratitude to her husband, sister wives and all our children, and to her mother, Evelyn J. Thompson, her late father and her large, extended family, all who have enriched her life.

A MATTER OF FAITH

For most religious people, lifes journey is a matter of faith. This is also true for the various peoples and factions who self-identify as Mormon, including those known as Fundamentalist Mormons. Todays Fundamentalists who practice polygamy are better understood by reviewing their religion in context of its Mormon roots, before they became separated a century ago from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mormons in the broad sense believe the gospel of Christ had become corrupted over the centuries and that Mormonisms founder, Joseph Smith (18051844), acting under the power of God, restored the ancient gospel taught and lived by biblical patriarchs and by Jesus Christ in his day. They believe Joseph Smiths account that he saw and talked with both God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ, who then appointed him to perform a prophetic mission. That mission began in 1823, with Smiths translating