Sister Wives: Kody Brown’s Family Faces Unjust Discrimination at Mormon Museum, Rekindling Debates on Polygamy and Acceptance

The latest episode of Sister Wives brought a deeply upsetting moment for the Brown family, reigniting conversations about prejudice and religious freedom. Kody Brown, his four wives, and their 15 children endured a grueling family trip that culminated in an unfortunate incident: they were denied entry to a Mormon museum in Carthage, Illinois, simply because of their polygamist lifestyle. This act of discrimination, highlighted by the museum director’s decision, sparked outrage among viewers and within the family itself, underscoring the ongoing challenges they face in a society that often struggles to accept their unconventional faith and family structure.

While many may not agree with Kody Brown’s choice to live in a plural marriage, the principle of “live and let live” should extend to all peaceful individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs or lifestyle choices. The outright refusal of access to a historical site, especially one connected to the very origins of their faith, felt like a direct assault on the family’s dignity and their children’s right to experience their heritage. This incident served as a stark reminder that despite increasing visibility and dialogue, the Brown family, and others like them, continue to encounter significant societal hurdles and moments of outright bias.

A Grueling Journey Culminates in Kody Brown’s Epic Meltdown

The controversial museum denial occurred during what could hardly be called a vacation – a marathon road trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, a place deeply significant to the origins of Mormonism. Kody Brown and his four wives – Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn – embarked on a demanding three-day drive from Las Vegas, covering vast distances in two giant RVs. Traveling with 15 children, including several visibly reluctant teenagers, transformed every planned pitstop from a quick break into an hour-long logistical challenge. The sheer scale of coordinating such a large family, coupled with the relentless driving schedule, pushed Kody to his limits, leading to one of the most memorable meltdowns witnessed on the reality series.

The intense pressure of the trip exposed Kody’s breaking point. He revealed that he was functioning on only about four hours of sleep each night, a recipe for extreme crankiness and irritability. His frustration was palpable as he tried to manage the dynamics within the RVs. “I try to rotate and spend time with all my wives,” Kody explained, articulating his exasperation with the cramped and chaotic setup. This phrase, “rotate,” itself became a point of contention, with Robyn, his fourth wife, expressing her dislike for the term despite her understanding of their unique marital arrangement.

Kody openly admitted, “I was ready to meltdown because I was too exhausted to sit here and try and delegate. I wanted to bark orders and have them obeyed.” This raw confession highlighted his desire for control amidst the chaos, a desire met with gentle but firm resistance from his wives. Christine wisely retorted, “I think ‘obey’ is a four-letter word,” reminding him of the reciprocal nature of respect within their relationships. His desperate plea, “I needed to stop and get everybody out of my face,” while seemingly harsh, underscored the immense mental and emotional strain he was under. It also served as an ironic self-reflection, given that he was the one who initiated the ambitious plan to transport 21 people across states in two RVs.

However, Kody, with a moment of self-awareness, recognized the precipice he was on. He understood that losing his temper completely could cause lasting emotional damage within his family. “You’re kind of at a point where you think losing your temper can do a lot of emotional damage, so I just wanted to call on God to help me maintain a decent disposition,” he wisely reflected. This acknowledgment of his own limitations and his decision to seek spiritual grounding rather than succumbing to anger was a crucial moment, showcasing his underlying commitment to preserving his family’s emotional well-being even under extreme stress.

Historical Roots and Violent Beginnings for Polygamy

The Brown adults embarked on this pilgrimage to Nauvoo with a deep sense of anticipation, eager to connect with the historical roots of their faith. Nauvoo was the vibrant hub where the founders of Mormonism, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, lived and preached. It was also, tragically, the place where their unwavering commitment to polygamy ultimately led to their brutal murders. Joseph Smith believed he was commanded by God to embrace plural marriage, a divine directive that reportedly led him to take 33 wives. Kody, reflecting on this historical figure, admitted, “He did a fine job of it, but I’m not interested in that big of a task,” acknowledging the monumental undertaking Joseph Smith’s lifestyle represented.

During their tour in Nauvoo, the family encountered Joseph Johnstun, a non-polygamist Mormon tour guide, who unveiled a surprising historical detail that deeply unsettled them. He informed them that 12 of Joseph Smith’s wives had other husbands—a concept known as “brother husbands.” This revelation added a new layer of complexity to their understanding of early Mormon polygamy, prompting discussion and reflection among the Brown family about the evolving interpretations and practices of plural marriage throughout history.

The historical significance of their visit deepened as the family learned about the tragic fate of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. They were profoundly moved by the account of how the two brothers were essentially lynched by a prejudiced mob in Carthage, primarily due to their polygamist beliefs. This historical narrative of persecution resonated deeply with the Brown family, drawing a poignant parallel between the historical struggles of their ancestors and the contemporary prejudice they continue to face.

The Brown Family Faces Modern-Day Prejudice in Carthage

The irony of the situation was not lost on the Brown family. After learning about the violent prejudice faced by their religious predecessors in Carthage, they themselves encountered a modern, albeit less violent, form of discrimination in that very same town. The denial of entry to the Mormon museum was a stark and painful reminder that the fight for acceptance for polygamists is far from over. This incident occurred precisely in the place where the founders of their faith met a violent end due to similar societal disapproval, making the experience particularly poignant and emotionally charged for the Brown family.

The encounter highlighted the deeply ingrained historical connections of the Brown family to the origins of polygamy. It was revealed that Robyn Brown’s great-great-great grandfather, John Sullivan Fullmer, served as Joseph Smith’s lawyer, and Christine Brown’s great-great-great grandfather, William Adams, was an eyewitness to some of the chaos and mayhem surrounding Joseph Smith’s persecution. These ancestral ties underscore the profound historical lineage of the Brown family’s polygamist roots, making the museum director’s act of prejudice not just a personal slight, but a rejection of their deeply embedded family and spiritual heritage.

The director’s decision to deny entry based on the Browns’ religious beliefs was met with profound disappointment. In a nation that prides itself on principles of religious freedom and acceptance for all peaceful individuals, regardless of their race, sex, ethnicity, or faith, such an act of intolerance is deeply troubling. It exposes a societal hypocrisy where certain beliefs are deemed acceptable, while others, particularly those that deviate from the mainstream, are still met with judgment and exclusion.

Janelle Brown articulated the family’s pain, stating, “Once in a while, it’s made very clear to us that we have prejudice against us. It’s just me and I’m accepting of other people, and it hurts.” Her words encapsulate the emotional toll such experiences take on individuals who simply wish to live according to their convictions without judgment. This discrimination, though not physically violent, inflicts emotional wounds and reinforces the sense of being an “other” in their own country.

Kody Brown: More Committed to Polygamy Than Ever

Despite the challenges and the overt prejudice faced during the trip, the episode concluded with Kody Brown boldly reaffirming his unwavering commitment to his plural marriage. He declared, “I believe Joseph Smith was inspired by God to have plural wives. Absolutely.” This statement underscores the profound theological conviction that underpins his lifestyle, suggesting that for Kody, polygamy is not merely a choice but a divine calling.

His visit to the jail where Joseph Smith was shot and bayoneted provided a powerful moment of reflection and strengthened his resolve. Witnessing the site of such violent sacrifice for the principles of plural marriage brought Kody’s own daily struggles into sharp perspective. He wisely observed, “When I’m feeling sorry for myself because my wives are treating me like a ping-pong ball, I realize so many others have sacrificed so much so I could live in plural marriage in peace.” This realization highlights the profound sense of legacy and responsibility Kody feels, recognizing that his ability to live openly in a plural marriage is built upon the sacrifices of those who came before him.

Ultimately, regardless of personal opinions on the polygamist lifestyle, the Brown family’s experience in Carthage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of tolerance and respect for differing beliefs. To judge and exclude a family from a public, historical institution based on their faith is a disservice to the principles of inclusivity and freedom that a diverse society should uphold. The incident provokes a critical question for all: where do we draw the line between personal disagreement and outright discrimination? The Brown family’s journey continues to challenge societal norms and inspire dialogue about acceptance in an ever-evolving world.

What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you agree that the Browns should have been allowed entry to the museum, or do you believe the director’s decision was justified? Let us know your perspective in the comments below.

–Bonnie Fuller

More Sister Wives:

1. Sister Wives Go On Attack & Meri Cries Over Janelle’s Cruelty
2. ‘Sister Wives Tell-All’: Robyn Is OK If Kody Brown Takes A Fifth Wife
3. Sister Wives Preview: Kody Brown – I Did Not Choose Religion To Be A Womanizer