2 Wives 2 Laws: A Story of Mormon Polygamy

Richard Connell is happily married to his wife Kara in 1880 Utah Territory. Then his Mormon ecclesiastical leader calls him to take a second wife, completely scrambling his world. The shock is multiplied by the choice of who is to become that second wife in acceptance of “God’s law.” Further complicating his life is the assignment of U.S. Deputy Marshal William Baker Alden to enforce federal anti-polygamy laws by arresting and helping prosecute offenders. Alden’s task is difficult as Mormons have created all sorts of defenses and diversions. Among Richard’s challenges: choose which law to obey, successfully court a second wife, keep household peace, hide one wife, avoid an apparently inevitable confrontation with federal law officials. An interesting, personal, historically accurate inside look at Mormon polygamy.