Wednesday's Pick!

Author Irene Spencer offers the captivating story of her life in Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife. Raised in a fourth generation polygamous family, the daughter of a second wife, Irene learned to follow the Principle - that living in polygamy was essential for eternal salvation. At 15 she struggled with her desire to marry a man who wanted a monogamous relationship, but the guilt she felt of denying "God's call" led her to become a second wife to Verlan LeBaron at the age of 16 in 1953. Because of the fear of crackdowns on polygamy in the United States she spent much of the next 28 years living in Mexico and Nicaragua, in conditions of extreme poverty - no running water, no electricity, an outdoor toilet, recycled clothes - so many things that we take for granted. She eventually had to share her husband with 9 other wives and had 13 of his 58 children. Irene had to overcome many obstacles in order to escape from this lifestyle, including children to support, impoverished living conditions, and lack of skills and education. Her story is a truly compelling and inspirational one.
Irene Spencer now lives in Anchorage, Alaska, with her husband of almost 20 years and travels world-wide speaking on polygamy and related issues.