And, I love the note about “they aren’t soliciting hagiography based solely on family lore and the wishful thinking of imaginative descendants.” Wonderful! Besides being a very high-quality production itself, if this series can raise the bar on family history writing in the church, that will be an additional major success.

If I hear that such events are being held elsewhere, know that I’ll help advertise them as much as I can.

It’s fun to hear which chapter you were drawn to, Chocolate! Maybe others who have read the book will identify their favorites, too (we can have favorites, even if the editors can’t!)

Frank, quite a few of the women discussed their experience with plural marriage, to some depth or another, and with variant responses. A quick count from the index tells me that at least 13 stories in the print volume (there are additional references in the bonus e-chapters) include some such report. These chapters all focus on the lives of the individual women, using their own words to the extent available, so there is no cohesive discussion, no attempt to address that issue in a comprehensive way (just as there is no attempt to explain the need of the Restoration, or the reason for gathering, except insofar as the women themselves mention it in their writings). But the topic is certainly addressed, and easily found through the index.

Oh, and quick question (realizing I’ve not read the book, which is on my list of things I really want to read) – was there any mention of the aspects that tend to be less than favorable toward the Church in the treatment of these women, for example, their thoughts on polygamy?

I loved having a Mexican woman, Desideria Quintanar de Yanez, in the first volume. Her’s was the first biography I read when I received my copy of the book.

I didn’t know about the solicitation for submissions. Very neat!