Chicago scoop: Eagle Mountain is a polygamous enclave
Eagle Mountain bills itself as one of Utah's "newest and most progressive" cities so it may be surprising to hear the community described as a polygamous enclave by a prestigious Chicago newspaper.
Two reporters for The Chicago Tribune were in Salt Lake City recently for the national Religion Newswriters Conference. While here, they visited with members of the Apostolic United Brethren.
The AUB is one of Utah's largest polygamous sects and has members living throughout the state, mostly in the Bluffdale/Riverton area and in Rocky Ridge.
About 15 to 20 families live in Eagle Mountain -- which has a population of about 14,000 people.
But several passages in the report implied the city is mostly a polygamous haven, such as this one: They point to such communities as Eagle Mountain and Rocky Ridge, where polygamous families appear to be happy and prosperous, often with multiple wives of one husband living in palatial homes with adjoining yards.
"It was kind of humorous at first that the whole city would be labeled that way," said city spokeswoman Linda Peterson.
Fundamentalists actually began building homes in the Eagle Mountain area long before the city incorporated in 1996.
"Basically they keep to themselves," said Peterson, who is attempting to contact the newspaper. "It's a very small portion of
the city's population and doesn't impact people from wanting to live here."
Fact is, there are fundamentalist Mormons, many of whom practice polygamy, sprinkled throughout Utah.
Rocky Ridge rightfully can be described as an enclave; so can Hildale, home of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
But Eagle Mountain? Nah.
Two reporters for The Chicago Tribune were in Salt Lake City recently for the national Religion Newswriters Conference. While here, they visited with members of the Apostolic United Brethren.
The AUB is one of Utah's largest polygamous sects and has members living throughout the state, mostly in the Bluffdale/Riverton area and in Rocky Ridge.
About 15 to 20 families live in Eagle Mountain -- which has a population of about 14,000 people.
But several passages in the report implied the city is mostly a polygamous haven, such as this one: They point to such communities as Eagle Mountain and Rocky Ridge, where polygamous families appear to be happy and prosperous, often with multiple wives of one husband living in palatial homes with adjoining yards.
"It was kind of humorous at first that the whole city would be labeled that way," said city spokeswoman Linda Peterson.
Fundamentalists actually began building homes in the Eagle Mountain area long before the city incorporated in 1996.
"Basically they keep to themselves," said Peterson, who is attempting to contact the newspaper. "It's a very small portion of
the city's population and doesn't impact people from wanting to live here."
Fact is, there are fundamentalist Mormons, many of whom practice polygamy, sprinkled throughout Utah.
Rocky Ridge rightfully can be described as an enclave; so can Hildale, home of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
But Eagle Mountain? Nah.
1 Comments:
I thought the Chicago article was very interesting and not at all like most one reads in mainstream sources.
It was fair, I thought, and gave a brief glimpse of polygamy that may just help to inform those who may have formed opinions based soley on the yellow journalism which predominates on this subject.
I was particularly touched by the self-confidence the women showed and how about that young lady who aspires to be both a dentist and a plural wife?
A worthwhile read.
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