Daughter of polygamist writes of LDS women

She is also convinced that Mormon women "are not downtrodden, brainless, weak or incapable. I was also attempting to speak to the feminists of the world and even in the church. I'm not a nonfeminist, but I'm committed to partnership — the roles men and women play. I think it's wonderful that women get to stay home and raise their children."

Solomon especially enjoyed reading "Women of the Covenant," a book written by three LDS women scholars, Jill Mulvay Derr, Janath Russell Cannon and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher. "That book enlightened me in many ways about the heritage and activism of Mormon women. I discovered how much the Relief Society has had to do with education in Utah and across the globe — and contributions women have made in social work and medicine. These things made me very proud to be a Mormon woman."

In her own book, Solomon tried to be "as fair and even-handed" as she could. She said she "values every point of view" and has consulted the works of such LDS women intellectuals as Terry Tempest Williams, and she enjoys the work of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. "It's a sign of maturity to be able to sustain more than one point of view. It's an eternal spectrum. All of us have a lot of growing to do, so I'm slow to condemn anyone.

"The only problem I have with women speaking out is when they are intolerant. I don't appreciate women who take potshots at the prophet."

Since becoming a Mormon, Solomon has felt very welcomed. "I've been invited to speak in probably 100 different wards. The Relief Society in my ward spent an entire evening discussing one of my books. To be received so warmly was wonderful."

On the other hand, she said, Deseret Book does not carry them. "I hear the reason is polygamy, but they don't return my calls."

Solomon hopes no one will condemn her for "having an inquiring, curious mind. I have great respect for others who have the courage of their consciences."

During the recent Warren Jeffs trial she found herself rooting for the prosecution and said she is "so glad that young woman won. When a life is commandeered that way, it is a rape. So I thought the trial was symbolic. I have two brothers in that group, and they lost their families because of him. My sister has not been allowed to speak."

Jeffs, 51, is awaiting sentencing in 5th District Court after he was convicted of rape as an accomplice, a first-degree felony. He was accused of performing a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. Jeffs faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced Nov. 20.

Solomon is grateful that Utah and Arizona prosecutors are taking action, "not against polygamy but against child abuse, mishandling of funds, usurping lands, that sort of thing." And she hopes her book will "empower women, shore up testimonies and that it converts people to the LDS faith and makes Mormon women better understood."

She is almost finished with a new novel, "The Lost Boy," inspired by the problems of young men in fundamentalism, "who are exiled from their homes because they're not doing enough in their lives."

On the other hand, she believes the LDS missionary program is "a wonderful rite of passage" that helps young men become stronger members.

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E-mail: dennis@desnews.com