The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir

Polygamist communities are still widely considered taboo in the US, and the practice of polygamy remains federally illegal. Still, across the country, families practice various forms of polygamy. Ruth’s experiences of polygamy relate to Mormonism, a religion that formed in the 1820s after a man named Joseph Smith proclaimed to have found golden plates which instructed him on the practice of polygamy and Mormonism. Mormonism is based on Christianity but incorporates Joseph Smith as the “final prophet,” and the practice of polygamy was once at its center. Today, most Mormons reject the practice of polygamy, but it remains common in certain groups and families. Mormonism is a strict religion, but fundamentalist Mormonism commonly becomes dangerous as men acquire extreme power, often have dozens of wives, and usually lack the ability to properly support their large families. As a result, children are often neglected, left to fend for themselves, or otherwise expected to grow up quickly and take care of one another. In The Sound of Gravel, Kathy exemplifies how one’s loyalty to fundamentalist principles can lead to not only their own undoing but the undoing of those they love. Additionally, the fight for domination and power in polygamist colonies often leads to violence, as Wariner describes when Joel was murdered. Having to remain covert often forces polygamist communities to resort to illegal means to make ends meet. The LeBaron colony still exists, and in 2019, nine people living there were killed in relation to a drug cartel conflict. About 1,000 people currently reside in LeBaron.