''Tell It All'': The Story of a Life's Experience in Mormonism
Fanny Stenhouse
Read by Danielle Cartwright
Fanny relates the experiences of a 19th century missionary as she and her young husband proselytize throughout Europe in search of converts to the new Mormon faith. Her religious zeal is sorely tested upon receipt of news from America revealing that their religion has adopted the practice of polygamy as the means to exaltation. The couple is summoned to Utah only to find themselves firmly ensconced in Brigham Young's inner circle and called upon to practice plural marriage or risk a fall from family, friends, and faith. - Summary by Spiffycat (22 hr 55 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Horrifying and Fascinating
Annika Matson
This was one of the most interesting books I've listened to on Librivox! I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. Fanny writes in such a clear and personal way that I felt I got to know her. We could hardly stop listening to this until it was finished. Also, thanks to the reader who did a wonderful job with the narraration. Thanks for all the time you put into it!
Wayne
An amazing tale directly from an eye witness and participant in the grand experiment that early Mormonism was. After the martyrdom of its founder, Joseph Smith, a majority of his followers found in Brigham Young the continued voice of God on earth. Fanny is converted in England, marries a missionary, and from her own experience shares fascinating insight into early Mormonism in Europe, the call to gather in Zion (Utah), and the momentous adoption of the "revelation" of Celestial Marriage. This is a "must read" for anyone interested in Mormon history, the lives of women in the 19th century, or the human experience of helping to settle the western U.S.
History at its best.
Phxjennifer
This may be the first tell-all book: the inside story of life in the early LDS church under the leadership of Brigham Young and the toxic influence of polygamy. The author, whose husband was pressured into taking 2 additional wives, likens polygamy to a new form of slavery . In addition to exposing the evils of plural marriage, the author also reveals the casual corruption pervading most levels of the LDS hierarchy, alongside individual acts of extraordinary compassion.
Worth a read
Wendy L
The author exposes what the doctrine of polygamy did to the families in the Mormon Church. She also tells of the corruption of governing authorities in many areas of the state of Utah under the control of Mormon leader, Brigham Young. So many tragic stories, both of the author's own experience and the experiences of others. Definitely worth reading. The reader does a great job!
Steven Beckstead
Great historic account - through the eyes of a educated Mormon woman. My family was involved in the issues she discusses. She “honestly” states what she participated in- Mormon Polygamy.
Margaret Forster
So very informative and eye-opening. Excellently read.