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A Mormon Mother: An Autobiography
“This autobiography is the story of a beautiful and gifted woman who freely chose to live as a second wife to a brilliant teacher she met while attending the Brigham Young University. Her marriage took place in 1883 when polygamy, or ‘plural marriage’ was widely practices and strongly defended by the Mormon religion.” These are the words of Obert Tanner, Annie Clark Tanner’s tenth child, who introduces this significant contribution to Mormon history.
Dale Morgan, distinguished historian, wrote that this book “. . . may well be one of the monuments of Mormon literature, and thus far it is almost totally unkown in that literature.”
Most impressive in this newly discovered volume is its objectivity—possibly the most objective in all of Mormon literature. Annie Clark Tanner, though influenced by the period of time in which she was living, confronts her problems with a remarkable understanding and wisdom. She was an interesting woman, and her story provides a personal view of one aspect of Mormon history that has not been well documented until now.
Annie Clark Tanner was born September 24, 1864, in Farmington, Utah. She wrote this autobiography for her family in 1941, the last year of her life.
She was a woman whose satisfaction came in accomplishing what she believed to be her duty. Her writing reflects a native optimism and almost inexhaustible energy. She saw life through, with misgivings about herself, but with sympathetic understanding and compassion for others.
Obert C. Tanner, the author’s youngest child, now a professor of philosophy at the University of Utah, was a participant and an observer of many of the events in Annie Tanner’s life. His introduction places this intriguing personal history in the proper perspective of time and circumstance.
Dale Morgan, distinguished historian, wrote that this book “. . . may well be one of the monuments of Mormon literature, and thus far it is almost totally unkown in that literature.”
Most impressive in this newly discovered volume is its objectivity—possibly the most objective in all of Mormon literature. Annie Clark Tanner, though influenced by the period of time in which she was living, confronts her problems with a remarkable understanding and wisdom. She was an interesting woman, and her story provides a personal view of one aspect of Mormon history that has not been well documented until now.
Annie Clark Tanner was born September 24, 1864, in Farmington, Utah. She wrote this autobiography for her family in 1941, the last year of her life.
She was a woman whose satisfaction came in accomplishing what she believed to be her duty. Her writing reflects a native optimism and almost inexhaustible energy. She saw life through, with misgivings about herself, but with sympathetic understanding and compassion for others.
Obert C. Tanner, the author’s youngest child, now a professor of philosophy at the University of Utah, was a participant and an observer of many of the events in Annie Tanner’s life. His introduction places this intriguing personal history in the proper perspective of time and circumstance.
354 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1983
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August 22, 2007Supposedly this woman is my great-great grandmother or is she my great-great aunt? I can never remember since she was a plural wife and that shit fucks up the bloodline.
June 25, 2019
Once again I have neglected logging the books I've been reading for far too long (darn that dissertation and my non-procrastinating ways). Luckily, I have a post-it note right here with all of them, and I will do my best to remember my thoughts.
[Book: A Mormon Mother] was Janell's pick for book club. It's the story of Annie Clark Tanner, as written for her children, of her life as a second wife to J.M. Tanner. It was enlightening and a bit disturbing. I know we are only getting one side of the story here, but she and her children were ill-treated by Tanner who eventually stops supporting them all together. It's only one story and as Annie Tanner says, every plural marriage relationship was different and there were no norms because relatively few practiced this principle, but I'm glad it wasn't my life.
I was so sad to miss book group when this was discussed. I'm sure it was a fantastic discussion.
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My book club in Maryland picked this book, and I finally got to discuss it with a book club nearly ten years after my initial read. I reread the book, and was struck once again by how smart Annie Clark Tanner is. She is very good at explaining how people in her part of the world understood life. It's fascinating to see how Annie changes over time and how her acceptance of certain things as "this is how it is" shifts to "this can't be right." As her son writes in the preface, Annie's life is really one of tragedy, but the bright spot is her relationship with her children.
[Book: A Mormon Mother] was Janell's pick for book club. It's the story of Annie Clark Tanner, as written for her children, of her life as a second wife to J.M. Tanner. It was enlightening and a bit disturbing. I know we are only getting one side of the story here, but she and her children were ill-treated by Tanner who eventually stops supporting them all together. It's only one story and as Annie Tanner says, every plural marriage relationship was different and there were no norms because relatively few practiced this principle, but I'm glad it wasn't my life.
I was so sad to miss book group when this was discussed. I'm sure it was a fantastic discussion.
------------
My book club in Maryland picked this book, and I finally got to discuss it with a book club nearly ten years after my initial read. I reread the book, and was struck once again by how smart Annie Clark Tanner is. She is very good at explaining how people in her part of the world understood life. It's fascinating to see how Annie changes over time and how her acceptance of certain things as "this is how it is" shifts to "this can't be right." As her son writes in the preface, Annie's life is really one of tragedy, but the bright spot is her relationship with her children.
October 10, 2015
I have to admit that when my mom passed this one on to me I took a while to pick it up because it looked so long and boring. I was wrong. Once I picked it up and read the preface, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.
It's basically a biography of a woman who was born to a second wife in polygamy, and then became a second wife herself. You get to see her honest inner struggle throughout the book as she struggles to understand her upbringing and beliefs and what her conscience begins telling her. Her beliefs change and evolve and it is heart wrenching to see what she and her children went through.
Although she seemed to be careful not to say anything really horrible about her husband, it was hard to respect and like him. But, toward the end of the book she recounts his death and mentions that he kind of died alone. He also left the same amount of money to each of his surviving wives (he had 6) even though he was estranged from some of them (maybe all of them? The author didn't seem to know much about his other wives). For some reason this little bit of info about him made me wonder what polygamy would look like from a man's perspective. I'm sure it would vary greatly, but we always hear the woman's perspective and the men always seem like such jerks! I'm just glad I didn't live at that time.
It's basically a biography of a woman who was born to a second wife in polygamy, and then became a second wife herself. You get to see her honest inner struggle throughout the book as she struggles to understand her upbringing and beliefs and what her conscience begins telling her. Her beliefs change and evolve and it is heart wrenching to see what she and her children went through.
Although she seemed to be careful not to say anything really horrible about her husband, it was hard to respect and like him. But, toward the end of the book she recounts his death and mentions that he kind of died alone. He also left the same amount of money to each of his surviving wives (he had 6) even though he was estranged from some of them (maybe all of them? The author didn't seem to know much about his other wives). For some reason this little bit of info about him made me wonder what polygamy would look like from a man's perspective. I'm sure it would vary greatly, but we always hear the woman's perspective and the men always seem like such jerks! I'm just glad I didn't live at that time.
May 22, 2008
The autobiography of a woman (the mother of O.C. Tanner) who married into a polygamous relationship just seven years before the church stopped the practice. It gives a glimpse from a very faithful woman about the history and society of polygamy. Despite becoming disillusioned with polygamy and her husband (the original president of Utah State University), she still remains a faithful and positive member of the church. She says some interesting things about the Bible, however, but I believe that historically, her ideas about the Bible and evolution fall in line with those of BH Roberts.
May 25, 2013
I loved this book. It's been on my shelf for a long time. I wonder why I put it off. It is such an honest book. She tells her story with out any stops for a pity party. She just looked at life and decided to do what she could to help her children succeed. She is such a woman of principles. It never occurred to her to NOT live by her ideals.
March 17, 2021
4.5 stars. I think this should be a required book.
December 16, 2024
All I can say is WOW. Wow.
Incredible author.
Incredible story.
This is one I want to read again and again and again.
Incredible author.
Incredible story.
This is one I want to read again and again and again.
July 23, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this autobiography. In fact, I could not put it down. What an amazing lady. I thought that I would read it and become more disgusted with the early LDS church about polygamy but I didn't (granted my feelings for it were not very kind in the first place). I am certainly not in favor of it-- I think it was extremely hard on mostly the women and children. I am very impressed with what she made of her life in spite of her polygamous marriage. I think that the early LDS church has definitely evolved from a more "ancient Israel" way of practicing religion to what it is now. Her statement that polygamy was the "capstone" to their religion and basically secured their glory in the afterlife was really interesting. It was almost a worship of the practice itself that they thought brought salvation. (I would be really curious to know what the monogamous LDS couples believed at that time-- if they felt the same way??) The story of the Manifesto and how it changed the church made me think even more that God truly lets us use our agency, I think even more than we realize. We make things more difficult or "look beyond the mark" so often. The early members were sometimes like the ancient Israelites-- they wanted so much more than they could really understand, but God gave them a set of strict rules to live by until they could look to the true source of salvation-- the Savior. The way Annie Clark describes her developing beliefs is just like this. I love that she is so candid about how she believed so strongly in polygamy at first, and how her feelings evolved and changed over her experiences living it-- all the while keeping her focus on trusting in the Lord. That is why she survived.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. This book really got me thinking!
Anyway, enough of my rambling. This book really got me thinking!
February 2, 2009
Annie Clark Tanner was a second wife during the end of Mormonism's days of openly practicing polygamy. Her autobiography, published by her son O.C. Tanner, chronicles her life, her struggles during her time on the polygamy underground, being flighted from town to town, staying in the homes of relatives and friends as she hid from federal agents who descended on Utah and Idaho searching for evidence of polygamy as they investigated men who practiced it. She struggled to accept the concept of polygamy and had to deal with raising children with a physically and emotionally absent husband whose allegiance is to his first wife and family.
Tanner raised a family where education of her children was her first priority, she taught her children to question and find truth through inquisitive thoughtful research. Her story gives perspective from that time period that is severely lacking. The female perspective on the practice of polygamy and the trials that had to be endured, as well as her own journey to reconcile herself with her spirituality is well written and insightful and shows the pressures and burdens that polygamy placed on the women who bought into it.
Tanner raised a family where education of her children was her first priority, she taught her children to question and find truth through inquisitive thoughtful research. Her story gives perspective from that time period that is severely lacking. The female perspective on the practice of polygamy and the trials that had to be endured, as well as her own journey to reconcile herself with her spirituality is well written and insightful and shows the pressures and burdens that polygamy placed on the women who bought into it.
September 3, 2008
I loved this book! I learned about where I come from! I couldn't put it down. Read it girls! I am not even a history buff. It was just a fascinating read about a woman I think I would have been friends with. She wrote her autobiography so very well. At times I didn't think I could turn the page for fear and horror of what was about to happen to her. Other times I couldn't stop. After reading this, I think I could have been a polygamist wife, but suffered much just as she did. I am SO grateful I live now, not then!
If you have any curiosity about polygamy in our church, why we practiced it, what it would have been like, then you should read this. If you have curiosity to know what the church was like in general at the turn of the twentieth century, read it. If you like to read about women of strength, courage, beauty, fortitude, read it. Danny and I both come from polygamist families 5 or so generations back. It helped me to love my ancestors more, appreciating them more.
If you have any curiosity about polygamy in our church, why we practiced it, what it would have been like, then you should read this. If you have curiosity to know what the church was like in general at the turn of the twentieth century, read it. If you like to read about women of strength, courage, beauty, fortitude, read it. Danny and I both come from polygamist families 5 or so generations back. It helped me to love my ancestors more, appreciating them more.
May 5, 2015
This is a wonderfully written story of a girl from the second marriage of an affluent polygamous family. Her father provided her with an excellent education in a time when few women had the opportunity of higher learning. While attending Brigham Young Academy she met her future husband who was a professor there. Annie became Professor J. M. Tanner's second wife in 1883.
From the day of her secret wedding Annie rarely saw her husband, except for visits to get her pregnant. Her husband never lived with her and rarely provided her with money. Annie gave birth to 10 children, 2 died early in life. She raised her children in poverty while making the best of every moment, and always trying to provide her children with a formal education. During this time polygamy was outlawed in the USA, so Mr. Tanner moved to Canada and married additional wives. Annie never talks bad about her husband, and always provides a positive picture to her children of their father, (who never deserved the kind words in my opinion).
From the day of her secret wedding Annie rarely saw her husband, except for visits to get her pregnant. Her husband never lived with her and rarely provided her with money. Annie gave birth to 10 children, 2 died early in life. She raised her children in poverty while making the best of every moment, and always trying to provide her children with a formal education. During this time polygamy was outlawed in the USA, so Mr. Tanner moved to Canada and married additional wives. Annie never talks bad about her husband, and always provides a positive picture to her children of their father, (who never deserved the kind words in my opinion).
January 13, 2016
I'm using this as a text in a Utah history class, and even though I inherited the selection from the previous instructor, I'm really glad it's one of the books. It covers a long and interesting period in Utah/Mormon history, from the end of the pioneer era to the start of World War II. Annie Tanner is an insightful writer, and the memoir is very readable. You get the sense she's telling her story as honestly as possible, and though she went through rough times and her sorrow and confusion come through, she doesn't fall into self-pity. The reader is able to get a feel for the evolution of her beliefs on a variety of topics, from education to faith and obedience, and it makes for a nice balance--she's no Pollyanna/Molly Mormon, but she's not an apostate either--just a thoughtful, faithful woman trying to make sense of and make the most of difficult circumstances. She talks about a lot of topics that are still of interest in modern Mormon theology/society, and the commentaries in the forward and afterword are additional fodder for looking at how these issues are perceived today.
February 23, 2008
This book came from Nick's Grammy's shelves of books she is downsizing. I picked it up one night I couldn't sleep hoping it would be a dry one (it's an autobiography) and found myself becoming more and more alert. Over the last few months I pick it up, read a few chapters and put it down for a few days to weeks to think about. It's an autobiography of a woman born in 1860 in a polygomous home and was in a polygomous marriage herself when in 1890 the church banned members from practicing. I don't understand the practice or the reasons God decided it be at the time. I have always thought it would be interesting to talk to someone from that period--what type of person would they be? I'm discovering that this woman was educated (even in her age) and thinking and normal and I'm finding it a fascinating read.
October 19, 2008
I don't know how many stars to give this book! I have never read a book that has made me so angry as this one did! I am glad that I didn't live at that time because I don't think I could ever have been as accepting of polygamy as Annie. And, I would probably have been convicted of murder if my husband went off to study back East with two other wives in tow and left me behind with a new baby and no means of support but the good graces of other people. I now have empathy for my great-grandfather who became inactive in the Church because of the polygamist marriages of four of his sisters. Thank goodness Annie was enlightened in her later years! She truly was an amazing woman to have raised such a good family dispite her husband. I am sure her strong testimony carried her through and helped her truly endure to the end.
June 6, 2016
I really enjoyed reading about polygamy from a firsthand account. It was interesting to hear how Annie's perspective evolved -- she was raised in a polygamous home and initially a staunch supporter of the lifestyle -- after she married into polygamy and realized the strain it put on women and children. She also provides a lot of insights into the attitude toward polygamy among women and leaders of the LDS church during the end of the 19th century before and after the LDS church issued a manifesto ending the practice. Parts of the book dragged a little for me, but given that she wrote this autobiography for her posterity, without plans for it to be published, it's amazingly well done. And BTW, what a strong, wise woman Annie Tanner was! I would have loved to meet Mrs. Tanner personally -- she'd be an amazing person to have a long conversation with.
December 12, 2009
"I learned years ago the folly of looking to the future for a good time. After all, it is the little things that bring the joy of living = work well done; the visit of a friend; leisure to read and to write; a book review; a ride in the country; some little improvement in the surroundings; something new; or a trip occasionally. To be able to accomplish and enjoy the common things are the greatest sources of happiness." and Annie Clark Tanner certainly provides insights to all of these little life-joy's, struggles and more living in Utah at a time of transition and development. Her life is one of difficulty and triumph and as the mother of O.C. Tanner - a Utah community icon, her story was interesting to me.
April 15, 2008
This book is so fabulous. It is the autobiography of Annie Clark Tanner, written only for her own family members, who, after many years had passed, agreed to have it published. It is a story of a woman whose life is a monument of love for her faith and her family despite the cruelties of living through the denoument of mainstream Mormon polygamy in the last part of the 19th century. I felt that I grew to know and love Annie through her sharing her tenderness and her innermost thoughts in such an open and ungarnished fashion. Really a beautiful book that gave me new insights into my own heritage and faith.
December 20, 2010
One of my favorite Mormon Studies books of all time. Simply an amazing account of a wonderful woman who put up with a lot of stuff in her life and stayed faithful to her convictions despite trials. Annie Clark Tanner was a woman in the late 19th century who entered a polygamous marriage as a second wife right before the underground period in Mormon polygamy. In her autobiography she discusses what life was like in Utah, early Utah Saints, her polygamous lifestyle and how she kept things together when her husband moved to Canada after refusing to give up polygamy after the Manifesto. A fascinating woman and a fascinating life.
February 12, 2008
Wow. A non-anti Mormon but very in-depth look at what polygamy was really like for many of our women. She retains her faith, despite a pretty lame husband. Sshe doesn't get bitter, at life or at him. She raises 9? fine children pretty much alone, even giving birth to her second all alone (well, her 2 year old was there!).
What an amazing woman. I loved reading this book. I found it really refreshing that it wasn't anti, although I did think she had some mistaked views on the gospel at times. Highly recommend it to anyone striving to understand some of the reasons for polygamy.
What an amazing woman. I loved reading this book. I found it really refreshing that it wasn't anti, although I did think she had some mistaked views on the gospel at times. Highly recommend it to anyone striving to understand some of the reasons for polygamy.
March 5, 2008
Wow. I am amaized at this woman's endurance and continued faith in something that she relates as being incredibly hard. This opened my eyes to things about polygomy that I either didn't realize, or didn't want to. Annie gives so much insight into life and living through trials. I wrote down a lot of her insights so that I could remember them.
Can you imagine giving birth all by yourself on th floor? I can now, and I don't know if I would have as good an attitude towards my husband afterward, but You'll be amaized what Annie put up with!
Can you imagine giving birth all by yourself on th floor? I can now, and I don't know if I would have as good an attitude towards my husband afterward, but You'll be amaized what Annie put up with!
April 20, 2008
This is a book about an amazing woman. She was the child of a polygamous marriage and entered into one herself just as the law started to crack down on them in Utah. She is a woman who truly grew from the hardships she experienced. A good look at how it was to live polygamy and she does a good job of comparing it to monogamy and giving her opinion of what the pros and cons of each are. She raised great children, mostly on her own. She came to know herself and what she believed and tried to live by her beliefs. I highly recommend reading it.
April 25, 2008
An eye-opening view of a woman who was raised in a polygamous family, and then chose to become the second wife in a polygamous relationship. Obviously an intelligent and thoughtful person, Mrs. Tanner gives pros and cons of a polygamous vs. monogamous relationship. She also looks backward on her childhood views of polygamy with a different perspective, having experienced it as a wife this time.
I found it fascinating to see how views and even what was considered "doctrine" has changed over time. It was also an interesting lesson to see the Mormon mindset of the time.
I found it fascinating to see how views and even what was considered "doctrine" has changed over time. It was also an interesting lesson to see the Mormon mindset of the time.
December 16, 2007
Raised in a loving and secure polygamous family as the daughter of a second wife, Annie Clark Tanner grew up to be a second wife herself, but during a time when polygamy had been forced underground. Annie is forced to raise her children on her own, with little support (financial or emotional) from her perennially absent husband. She writes with grace about the struggles that challenged, and changed, her faith.
April 20, 2008
This is a lovely autobiography of a Mormon woman, who was born in Utah (to pioneer parents) in 1864. It gives a good picture of what life was like for early settlers here, from a first person account. Annie Tanner had a difficult life. She spent many years in hiding, since she was a plural wife and could not live with her husband under the law. Despite many differences between her day and ours, some things about being a woman and a mother are universal. I really enjoyed this book.
April 24, 2008
Memoirs of a polygamist wife in the LDS Church during the late-19th/early-20th century in Utah. Tanner is very honest about how polygamy made her feel and how it caused her and her children to suffer, but she was also very dedicated to the LDS faith and to God. A balanced, fascinating read of Utah history, faith, perseverance, self-confidence, thinking for yourself, and the deep bond a mother has for her children.
July 27, 2009
This is a true story of a woman born in polygamy who also married into polygamy. She had some of the same questions I have wondered about polygamy. It was truly a test of faith and conviction that she lived her life. Her story made me wonder about how I have lived my life with my loved ones. We all have our challenges, some more than others. Thank goodness we learn from those day to day experiences.
February 9, 2012
This was a woman telling the story of her life as a wife in polygamy and her struggle to support herself and her ten children. She had a desire for all of her children to have an education. Her husband was a well known educator in the church but was obviously overwhelmed. The most interesting insight was the realization of what the manifesto did to young people who had fought so hard to defend polygamy. Very interesting.
February 14, 2008
I loved reading this memoir by an intelligent, faithful woman in regards to polygamy. It is interesting in that she doesn't try to convince the reader of anything--she simply tells her story with grace, simplicity, and honesty. We had an amazing book group discussion with this one and it is the best book I've read written by someone who actually practiced polygamy.
February 16, 2008
A candid, enlightening memoir written by the daughter of a second wife who became a second wife herself during the height of polygamy in 19th century Utah. In her 80's, Annie Clark Tanner realized that her grandchildren had only the vaguest notions of what polygamy had been about, so she set out to record her story. It has all the faith and all the pain wrapped up into one remarkable story.
March 18, 2008
I tend to give nearly every book I read pretty high ratings. This one I rate high because it broadened my world. I better understand the convictions behind polygamy during the late 1800's. I have nothing but empathy for this amazing woman. I don't envy her situation and I will NEVER be a polygamist wife, but I do hope to be like her in many ways.
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