The first time I met a large group of polygamists at once was at a company picnic for my boyfriends father’s company. They were all from different groups and some were independents (no prophet affiliation).
What struck me is the men would never talk to me, so I had to relay questions through my boyfriend, and the women would not respond to a question I asked unless her husband gave his approval. Even then the women were very closed mouthed, very controlled, very broken. They were the saddest people I have ever seen. One woman said in a conversation, “This is the only way to get to the Celestial Kingdom, so I do what I am told”.
Now I have seen this kind of control and abuse in the Mainstream Mormon church, but not quite to this degree.
They must have no innate sense of right and wrong if they give their children away to be sexually abused.
That’s simply appalling. And prior to the first raid in Texas, totally alien to me. I just cannot even comprehend having to live as these sister wives do. The women who escape have literally nightmarish stories to tell, and in many cases, for them it was “life as usual.” (sadly shaking head)