Susan,

I wrote Roots of the Olive Tree and I actually am an active member of the church. I've written several short stories that deal explicitly with Mormon themes that have been published in Irreantum and Sunstone. If you're interested, I'd love to chat with you about your blog and project, which I find fascinating. You can find my contact information on my website (www.courtneysanto.com)

Thanks
Courtney

While I understand not wanting to be connected to a practice that is so embarrassing and incomprehensible (to me included), polygamy is something that we used to practice, and many of our forebearers sacrificed a lot for what they thought God wanted them to do. I think we can be too quick today to assert that it has nothing to do with us.
Also, it is not surprising that a woman as old as the people in the book would have a connection to it.