Muddy: Where Faith and Polygamy Collide

Muddy

by Dean Hughes

When Brigham Young summons young Morgan Davis to his office and calls him to join other missionaries in settling the Muddy River Valley (what is now Nevada), Morgan can’t imagine what lies in store. He has just two weeks to find a wife and gather enough belongings to help start a settlement.

As Morgan and his new bride, Angeline, travel the long trail south in a covered wagon, they fall in love and connect with the other Saints. But the desert location on the Muddy River soon becomes a physical and emotional test for all of them. Together they face difficult requests from Church leaders, multiple failed attempts to settle, deaths of loved ones, and then perhaps the ultimate challenge—polygamy.

What do stalwart members do when faced with conflicting feelings between what their hearts tell them and the hard instructions from Salt Lake City? Morgan and Angeline are about to find out.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Religion, Historical, Book Club

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much to feel about this book, that really presents a difficult subject and time in Church History. I’ve long not really understood the need for polygamy to be practiced, so thought I’d try out Dean Hughes newest novel. I’m sorry to say I struggled with it. Not just the subject matter. It felt a little like reading an informational text at times, this retelling of historical events. Very little character development or emotional attachment. While I felt very connected to Angeline in personality - I didn’t understand the lack of conviction between what she was feeling and what she actually says.

I was also deeply troubled by the use of coercion used by leaders, guilt tripping over their righteousness and state of worthiness to achieve the results they had in mind. I’m not sure if things were really like that, but I’m sorry telling someone you’ve received a witness and that should be good enough for them - when it’s such a life changing event is not good enough at all. Then at the end talking like “you had your agency all along”. I never once felt like the main characters could exercise much agency for themselves - far too much threats of going to hell if they didn’t tow the line for that. Of course looking at all of these things through our present day eyes, will impact how we feel. I also believe that we look at these events through our present day understanding of the gospel. The approach by our general leaders is a far cry from the coercion used back then. Even still I do believe people were acting within the boundaries of their limited understanding in most things, not just polygamy. That applies to many of the tried and failed projects Brigham encouraged.

As far as the polygamy line, without adding spoilers, I appreciated the insight to the emotional trauma it was mostly to the first wife. The objectivity was clear from the author, though I still felt ‘resolving’ all the issues didn’t seem realistic and it annoyed me. I’m intrigued to see if the next book will address the end of the practice or not and how that was handled.

Overall, I read through to the end out of intrigue more than anything, but I would not say it was a book that grabbed my heart, or enjoyed. I’m not even sure I’d recommend it sadly.

[Rachel Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after listening to Hughes on a podcast. I think we glamorize the pioneers. They were human. Chances are they weren't skipping to Zion with big smiles. Their challenges were beyond rough, there was sorrow and joy, and I believe they were very human and did the best they could with what they had. I do believe the context and mindset were different and it's hard to get in their heads and fully understand. Hughes took a very proactive, realistic approach when crafting ths novel, and I found myself interested.

I found "Muddy" to be compelling. I have been through Moapa Valley many times (the Muddy river area) and I'm totally awestruck over the stories of the settlers there. It is still not a hospitable area, so kudos to all they did so long ago. I think Hughes did a good job of weaving fact with fiction and showing the inner and outer conflicts these brave men and women went through. He tackled the toughest subject--polygamy. I won't lie. The very thought of it makes me sick and I had to power-through the parts where the main characters Angie, Ruth and Morgan grappled with the reality of multiple wives. Another reader aptly said these parts made them sad and melancholy--I'd totally agree. I know I view it with a 21st century view, but it's all I know, and polygamy has always upset me.

There was some muddiness about the prophet's counsel at times--what's from God and what's not? But again, I think he represented those types of inner conflicts well. I really enjoyed the read & look forward to the next installment.

I also gave thanks to God that I'm born now, for many, many reasons and feel gratitude for my ancestors who did live through some very hard things.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea how to rate this book. Dean Hughes is a master story teller, and I appreciate his thorough research and careful writing when delving into historical situations. That being said, this particular story has my stomach and heart in knots.

If I was to just rate the story telling and writing expertise aspects of this novel, it would receive a solid four stars from this reader. The pace of the story progression was quick and held my attention from beginning to end. I was thoroughly engaged in the storyline. Perhaps I read into their characteristics on my own, as I have a great imagination, but unlike other readers who have reviewed this book, I felt the characters were well developed. I found myself involved emotionally in all three of the main characters, (Angie, Morgan, and Ruth), and caught my heart twisting and my eyes filling with tears for each of them at different times throughout the book. I'm not often this affected by the books I read--and I read many.

Now, if I rated the subject matter, it would get A HUGE thumbs-down for me. Negative 5 stars. I have some of the history--even if it truly happened. I fully believe that Mr. Hughes represented the time period and experiences very truthfully, and for that, my stomach is tied in knots. I am completely disgusted in the way people were coerced and manipulated into doing things back then. Many of the issues and the way things were handled during the early years of the Mormon church just boil my blood. I appreciate that Mr. Hughes allowed the characters to state some of my feelings about that coercion, and their very valid doubts about the men in authority. Thankfully, for the most part, those issues have been resolved today, and the kind of coercive measures that were allowed in times gone by, are not allowed today. There are still many people who believe they should accept every "calling" and follow their Church leaders without question, but thankfully, I think more and more realize that it is, INDEED OKAY to go to the Lord and seek HIS will directly instead of feeling like you have no choice in the matter. I am sickened by the guilt-laden, completely inappropriate coercive measures that were often employed by authority in this novel, knowing that it really did happen that way.

Do you see how conflicted I am about how to rate the book? It's written very well--but I hated what happened.

The ending: Ugh. I imagine this book will leave a very bad taste in many people's mouths with an ending that leaves so many questions, unfinished storieses, and frustration and disgust with the manipulation tactics that were so blatantly used on these people. This story does give a voice and insight to men and women who experienced the "call" to polygamy in the past, and that is a good thing, but the way those "calls" were made can't help but raise angst and ire.

In the end, I appreciated the eventual acknowledgement of God's presence in the lives of those people who were sacrificing so much. His knowledge of the individuals and families, and His love for them was evident in the final scene. It brings home the reality that God is true, but the people here on Earth are not perfect--far from it--and it is to God we should turn for our answers and guidance.

Sigh.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading books by Dean Hughes ever since I was in high school. I love the way this author blends things that really happened with fictional characters. The way he writes, he’s able to make things “come alive” for me in a way that history books can’t. I love that!

This book starts with Morgan. He’s getting ready to meet with Brother Brigham. I kind of loved that scene, because Morgan knows he’s going to get a calling, but there’s no way he could have imagined just what. Morgan is asked to go to the Muddy mission. Not only that, but he’s to find a wife and they need to be ready to leave in two weeks. That’s just crazy!

I loved the way the book follows Morgan through the process of first finding a wife, then getting ready to go. And then the trip. This would have been awful! Hot, long, uncomfortable for both man and woman.

And when they finally got to the mission, there was no where to live. And things didn’t quite go how Morgan was thinking they would. I loved the way it shows him as a person. He didn’t necessarily love everything he was asked to do. He thought a lot of things through and came to his own decisions sometimes and sometimes he was told to do something very different from his own decision. But he became a stronger man through all of it. And his wife, Angeline did too.

I loved the way this book made me think. It made me wonder what I would have done in the same situation. I don’t know, but I hope I too would have grown.

This book is about the Muddy Mission. This mission was started in 1864 by Brigham Young. It was located just north of Las Vegas in some seriously unforgiving area. I can’t even imagine living in the heat, and sand. Especially without any real form of shelter the way the people would have. Can you tell this book touched me? I actually did some research after reading it and I determined that I had ancestors that were a part of this mission. Wow! Talk about making history come alive!

[Stephanie]

So, as I mentioned, 80% of the first 30 pages was letting us know that the female lead was not pretty. Other girls were described as frilly, silly, giggling, and pretty. But this girl is masculine, practical (because femininity and practicality are natural antonyms 🙄), thick (lol), and absolutely not pretty, but like maybe a little cute in her own way like if the sun’s in your eyes and you’re squinting when you look at her? Then I read 60 more pages and they only told us she wasn’t pretty 2 or 3 more times, so I guess it gets better as you go on? I just couldn’t.

I was hoping this would be an easy way to explore the polygamy era of Utah history, but I’ll have to try non-fiction I guess. The book is recent, but the storytelling feels dated.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an ancestor that was at the Muddy river for a time and that made it more interesting for me to start the book, but what took over was the conflict of polygamy and the way the author dug into the subject. It was so thought provoking and a little hard to read at times. The hard life and what the early saints dealt with is just amazing. I’m thankful I wasn’t one who had to lead the way, that it was worked out more or less before I was born.

[Andrew Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, painful story of 1860-70s pioneers and polygamy under the harshest circumstances.

I loved Dean Hughes' WWII-era Children of the Promise series. He is a great storyteller, using clean, simple prose, who puts his characters in some terrible situations. His characters approach faith and obedience in interesting, nuanced ways--he never makes things easy. I hadn't read his books in several years, but this book is every bit as good as his earlier novels.

This tells the story of a Salt Lake-area Mormon man called to settle in the Muddy River Mission, around St. Thomas, Nevada. It starts with his calling by Brigham Young, his quickly decided by happy marriage, and the travel of the new couple south to the Muddy. Although they were warned how difficult the climate and farming would be, it turns out to be even worse than they imagined.

And, of course, questions about polygamy come up. Hughes does a great job of taking on the subject directly, showing the different attitudes about the practice that existed at the time. I strongly applaud Hughes and Deseret Book for not shying from the subject.

Although their writing styles are very different, I saw a lot of Maurine Whipple and The Giant Joshua in the book. In the structure (like starting with the trek from Salt Lake City to the south), and in the descriptions of the frontier lifestyle.

A really beautiful book. Fascinating portrayal of faith and doubt in the face of trying circumstances and mistakes and bad counsel made by Church leaders.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was torn between giving this three or four stars. I enjoyed the book and the look into the physical trials, as well as the trials of faith, of these early pioneers. I believe it gave me a better understanding of the sacrifices some were called to go through, and made me very grateful that I wasn't one of them. What I felt it lacked was giving us a true sense of the fire of faith that made such sacrifices possible, and the blessings of peace and joy that come from such sacrifices that make it worthwhile and propel us forward. I know with each sacrifice I've been called to make in my life I have received much more than I ever gave, and I am sure that must have been abundantly true for these faithful saints. I wish we were given more of a sense of that to help with understanding why they would be willing to go through so much.

[Maren bosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book at first and I almost stopped reading but I’m so glad I continued on. As much as I understand from an intellectual perspective so much of what the early saints experienced, this book opened up the reality of it all—the emotions that sprung from the challenges they faced and the hardships they were asked to endure. My love and appreciation for my ancestors deepened as I read this book. I’m thankful for their commitment to obey and to stay rooted in Christ. As I read about the difficult circumstances they endured and the faith they had to rely on I made so many connections to my own life and the sacrifices we are asked to make today to stay faithful to the gospel in such a chaotic and sin sick world. Learning about the faith of those that have gone before strengthens me.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I don’t feel like the characters were as developed as I know the author can do. I wasn’t emotionally attached to any of these characters as I always am in his other books, and problems were too easily resolved. Having said all that, I will read the next one. Dean Hughes is a great author.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was painful to read at times because of the subject matter. Lots to think about it and interested in the next book in the series.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not believe in polygamy. Having said that, I am here because I had ancestors who practiced polygamy, and the descendants of that particular family, generally speaking, are great people. Hughes did a good job of presenting what polygamy could have been like on a personal level for his three protagonists, for people who were trying really hard to be good people. I liked his characters and my heart actually broke for them all. I believe most polygamists marriages were very, very hard, and most probably had a lot more suffering than Hughes portrayed. See the book the Polygamists Wives Book Club.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly high caliber literature but it was entertaining and I learned a bit of history that I wasn't familiar with.

[NaDell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to say I enjoyed this story. The struggles and challenges the people faced were real, whether they were physical or emotional and I can't really say I enjoyed reading that, other than to say that they felt real because of the writing and the story was great.
The Prophet Brigham Young calls missionaries to settle an area south of St. George, Utah to grow cotton, build up Zion, and build families. Parts of this book are facts and parts of it are fiction, including Morgan Davis, who Brigham Young asks to find a wife and leave with the group just two weeks later.
All through the book, Morgan finds himself in deep introspection deciding for himself if he truly believes that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true and if it is lead by a prophet and if it is, if he should always follow what the prophet tells him to do. I think all of us have had moments where we have to decide for ourselves, prayerfully, what we believe and make up our minds to do what is right.
This does cover Morgan being asked to take an additional wife (polygamy) and talks about why he is asked to do that and includes both his viewpoint and his wife's about all of it. I like that it doesn't shy away from hard discussions between the two of them .
I also appreciate the forward by Dean Hughes about reading this book as a 'time traveler' knowing that our experiences in modern times are not the same as their time and our challenges vary as well.

[Dallin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was decent and engaging, for the most part. It meandered though, especially the pacing. The historical descriptions of the settlements were interesting, though the historicity, of course, couldn't fully support a weak story. The main characters were generally likable, though the relationships could have been better structured. They seemed too perfect and their flaws seemed too catered to their situation. Their flaws weren't even really flaws, which took away from the struggle and hardship of the situation. Regardless, you could develop a fondness for the characters. As I said. Likable. Consequently, I may pick up the sequel.

Dialogue...was interesting. There is a lot of nuance simply because of the culture. An outside observer may simply think it's very religious.

The plural marriage issue was handled rather superficially and seemed to lack historical research. It was almost like a thoughtful person simply sat down and tried to imagine what being in a polygamous relationship would be like and then just started writing; rather than a research-based examination in a novel format, which would open our modern eyes to their time-period perspective. Essentially, this aspect of the book was weak. Overall, the writing felt confined by the history rather than augmented by it. Disappointing for such a prolific author. Even more so as this was my first experience with his writing. I probably would not recommend this book.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Dean Hughes and am a fan of his historical fiction books. This book wasn't my favorite of his though. It basically stressed me out the whole time I was reading it. Trying to farm a sandy desert in 115 degree heat and then have to come to terms with polygamy on top of that? Oh my. It was just a little too much for me. Life is hard and we have to do hard things but when it starts to seem like life is ONLY hard and there isn't any joy that goes with it, then that's just depressing. Which is what this book was. It also felt a little forced--like Hughes had a specific agenda in the messages he wanted to get across and it just didn't happen naturally. Ideas like agency vs obedience and faith vs logic pop up a lot.

So I didn't love it. But do I want to find out what happens next in the sequel? Yeah I probably still do.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book. I greatly respect Dean Hughes and have read and enjoyed other books by him. I think the topic of polygamy is so distasteful to me that I am not sure I can be fair to the book. I understand that I am looking at this situation through today's standards. I know that some men, no doubt, entered into polygamy to help stranded, needy women. I still have difficulty dealing with the fact that they married these women and had children with them. That said, I think the author does a good job presenting the issue from the point of view of the man, the additional wife and the original wife. I also appreciated how the author let the main character struggle with being obedient as well as thinking for himself.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really appreciated the forward where Hughes wrote that no matter what we read or empathize with or try to understand, we could NEVER comprehend the lives of people that lived in the past. The world was a different place, so we can’t look at it with our knowledge and understand. That said, I believe that Hughes was taking a touching subject and trying to make us comprehend a little of how people may have felt. A good plan, but the book seemed so fluffy and cheesy that I couldn’t stomach that, let alone the tough subjects that it contained.

[Norma Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still can't believe that after struggling to get to Utah, the poor saints were sent to regions like the Muddy River Valley, which was uninhabitable. to try to settle and prosper. These things really happened. I'm thankful that our ancestors had the fortitude to withstand it all, even polygamy. The story was interesting though a little dry as the landscape. Every day I'm thankful that I wasn't a pioneer. I'd have died of chappy lips!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I appreciated the note to the reader at the beginning of this book which explains that reading this book would be like going back in time, I still felt like some of the sentiments and points of view of the characters were very 21st century. I may not understand how the early saints had the strength and faith to do all that was asked of them but I am in awe of their courage and willingness to settle new lands.

[Scott Birk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story since I have ancestors who helped settle Southern Utah around the time the story portrays. The perspective of the plural wives was interesting. Not only was it physically difficult to settle Southern Utah, but add to it the complexities of living in two households and all that goes along with it. That would have been extremely difficult.

[Ryan Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE to read historical fiction; it's my two favorite genres combined! One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is that it helps bring history alive. Dean Hughes did just that in his novel MUDDY. This is a novel about the early and initial settlers of the Muddy River Valley (what is now Nevada) and the trials that they faced there.

Some would say that these were simpler times, and I would agree, to a point. The lack of constant subjective news feeds, electronic distractions, and preemptive advertisements would make me agree. However, the things that these pioneers were asked to do; up and move to an unfamiliar and dangerous place, settle a land that is completely uninviting, and with the added principle of polygamy, there are plenty of relative things that would make this time far from "simple".

Hughes traverses these topics beautifully through researched events along with characters that make you feel like you have a front-row seat to how life was back then. The non-judgmental empathy that I felt while reading this book really helped me to understand the situation and feel like I could walk and work alongside these incredible people. Read MUDDY for some perspective and humble yourself to the work performed and trials suffered by the incredibly strong people of the time. We oftentimes worry too much about the things that don't really matter when we just need to let go of all of that and trust that the Lord will lead us to the experiences that we need to have.

[Mariah Critchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit me hard! Something about historical fiction reaches me more than a basic historical account can. "Muddy" has really done a lot for my personal grapple with coming to terms with plural marriage in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was painful and enlightening to view what creating a plural marriage could have been like from the perspectives of the three main characters. I can't remember the last time I cried so hard reading a book and trying to process it.

I was struck by the grit of the people who settled and resettled and resettled again in a hard place to live. I have some ancestors who settled in a similarly desolate area in southern Utah as part of a church venture and ancestors who were in polygamous marriages. This book dramatically increased my respect, love, and understanding for some of the people I came from--people who must have been strong in the face of unimaginable trials and faith-filled as they tried to navigate human leaders, counterintuitive commandments, and internal struggles. On that note, I appreciated how Hughes portrayed Brigham Young and the way the characters perceived him and struggled with their feelings about him. It felt more authentic than the extreme perspectives of Brigham Young the hero/prophet/leader and Brigham Young the sexist/racist/tyrant.

I definitely recommend this to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints who could benefit from more insight into some obscure moments in Church history.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting and thought-provoking. It explores parts of Church history that we seldom hear about, and grapples with some important questions. As I read about the Saints struggling to cope with the unrelenting heat and dryness of the Muddy, I felt a certain kinship with them that comes from my own similar circumstances. I, too, was obliged to leave my family and my home as a new bride to take on the intense heat of the southern desert. As I listened to this story, sweating indoors in the middle of an Arizona summer, with the air conditioning on and fans spinning feverishly in every room, I appreciated all the more the incredible endurance of these brave men and women. If you were to compare their thermometer to mine, it would be a very similar story, but I did not have to work outside in the sun to dig out an irrigation ditch that had filled in with dust yet again, and I had modern conveniences that tempered the heat for me too. Their experiences inspired me to be stronger and less-complaining about my own "hardships." They also inspired me to do more to help others, to be a solution rather than an additional burden.

The night I finished the story, our air conditioner broke, as if the story were breaking its bounds and trying to recreate itself in our own apartment. Thank goodness we were leaving town the next day, and could escape. Whew! Sometimes books try to hit a little too close to home. Even so, I expect I will tempt fate and continue the series when later books become available.

[Kelsey Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, I don’t know… This book is about a Latter-day Saint couple that is called on a mission to live and grow cotton in one of the hottest places on earth. But as their better judgment clashes with what church leaders tell them to do on multiple occasions, they cycle through faith dilemmas over and over again. I think I felt more stressed while reading this book rather than inspired. Maybe I internalized the situations too much, realizing there’s no way I’d be willing to go through most of the scenarios the characters experienced in the book. This realization hit home since farming missions and polygamy are part of my church’s history (and my family history). There’s definitely a part of me that can’t yet reconcile why some of these things happened, and the book basically reminded me of that.

[Raymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, well done, Dean Hughes. This booked sucked me in due to the fact that Warren Foote is my great great great grandfather. Dean has an incredible way of developing character. His writing style is very real and concrete. He has a way of bringing polygamy and all of its complexities to life. I felt uncomfortable and struggled right alongside the characters. But then that last scene...I have experienced similar things in my life too and it does change you, and it is beautiful. I know a novel like this is no small feat and I feel grateful for all of the hard work that went in to it.

[Patti Raney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean Hughes is great at writing characters to know and love. Such an interesting story of trying to start a settlement in such a harsh Nevada habitat. I loved the way the characters learned deeply and spiritually from their experience...as do we. The ending was not what I expected at all! I am looking forward to the next book, River, to come out!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m grateful polygamy isn’t part of my life. I have ancestors who practiced so this book gave me insight to how they might have felt. Different time for us to learn from and try to understand. I’m anxious to see what happens in the next book.

[Alice-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always wanted to read a historical fiction that dealt with polygamy. It's also a story about pioneers colonizing the west, particularly the terribly hot desert of Nevada. I thought the author did a great job helping me get inside the head and hearts of those asked to do things so incredibly heart-wrenching. It gave me so much to think about!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different era. Different situations. Same questions and struggles. Even handed treatment with more realistic characters and situations than in some historical novels. Some hard questions left for the reader to answer. One that makes you think.