I'm glad you were able to find Melissa and figure out the changes you wanted in your life, Sam. And that you enjoy giving your kids time, attention and total approachability. That rocks! Bright blessings. 💖
I always see that when I watch their videos. When Sam's talking she just gazes at him..its adorable! It's a goal for anyone to find someone to love them like that!
I’m so glad that your intro is short and sweet. I skip thru everyone else’s because it’s irrelevant to the videos. Keep it real and keep it who you are!! 😘😘😘😘💕💕💕💕 love who you are!!!
New watcher. If you do an intro, keep it really short. People really don't like sitting through an intro, they came to see, and hear, you! You're doing great! I love it, so far. Congratulations to you both.
I think a few pictures would be a cool intro. Maybe one of each of you when you were younger, one from your wedding, and a more recent photo? The best intros are only a few seconds long. If it’s more than 10 seconds, I fast forward.
Sending positive vibes from Maine! It's evident that Sam navigates life, outside the FDLS, with an equal partner who is supportive and kind. As you share your story, it's obvious you're such a strong team! Thanks for including us in your journey.
I noticed that both of you are very happy and equal each other. I understand how Sam went through his life and not getting used to have one wife:). How often you guys visit your sibling?
You two are so sweet. I read comments before watching and find your empathy amazingly mature. No condemnation of the community but an acknowledgement of your disagreement with the polygamous life is clear but done with great respect. Good for you to decide to be a more hands on parent. What do you two do for a living ?
Awesome. Could you do a video of some more culture shocks you experienced once you left? I would also be interested in a video on the people you lived with when you left and how you adjusted to “typical” family life.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I grew up in St. George and the FLDS community was always so mysterious to us. Thank you for clarifying what life was like growing up in that community!
I just had this mental image of like a cartoon montage of some of the moments you have told stories about for the intro, ending with the iconic image of Mother Mildred gobbling up all the pepperoni's 🤣😂
Maybe a little music in the back ground and pictures of you guys and your family would be a good intro. It makes my day when I see that you guys posted a new video ❤️. I wish you would post a couple times a week at least! I feel you guys get a lot of questions and could make tons of videos just on the questions you get in your comments. Your so lucky for having the father you have in the FLDS because a lot of others I have seen and watched videos on haven’t had that experience that you did. There was a lot of sexual and physical abuse in a lot of other families. I’m so happy that you didn’t have to experience anything like that.
Thank you so much for always being one of our biggest supports every single video! You are the best! I wish we had enough time to do more than one video, but we are loving all the questions! I am very lucky to have the Father that I did.
I just stumbled upon your channel and I’m so glad I did! I’ve always been fascinated (in a good way) and it’s fun to here this perspective of someone who has left FLDS but doesn’t have a terrible experience. There is a lot of content out there with terrible experiences, and I really really feel for them and hope they can make it through the trauma. But at the same time, it’s like “normal” society where there are TERRIBLE experiences. It’s just something that mainstream society doesn’t know about beyond what they see in mainstream media. I think there are very beautiful lessons that came out of this. In one of your other videos spoke about how he cared so greatly for you and it was just because it’s what he was taught. I’m positive that there were some terrible predators and abusers in the religion. But there are those people (male and female) in every religion. I love that y’all are sharing this. It really is a beautiful story. I wish y’all all the best 💛
Thank you so much! You are totally right! There are definitely horrible things that have happened in this religion (just like many others), but all I can do is share MY experience. I really appreciate all the love and support from people like you who can see where my heart is in sharing my story.
I enjoy your videos so much and I, like so many others, really like the short intro. I always skip everyones lengthy intro. Please spend your time giving us more videos!
A short intro with pictures of your family or maybe even a short cartoon animation showing a little bit of the back story (childhood family, leaving the FLDS Church, marriage and children).
Melissa does such a great job keeping the videos going. I love you guys! Question: how many of your brothers are now living the FLDS life? Do you have any contact with them?
Thank you so much! So out of the 35 of us children only 15 of us have left, so there are still A LOT of siblings out there and unfortunately I am not allowed to have contact with them unless they reach out to me, which is extremely rare.
Hi guys, keep your intro its short and sweet. As well as your story sam, i would love to hear more of melissa's story and background as well, that i think would be interesting. Just love your channel no matter what you talk about. You guys rock ❤
These little chats are always so interesting! Great questions. I also love seeing the love between you two. It’s palpable when you look at each other ❤️ Question: what were the traditions around naming children? I feel like there are a lot of the same names used. Is it religious? Do kids need to be named after someone in the church in some way? Who names the baby?
Thank you so much for watching! You are so sweet! A lot of names were obviously names after people in the scriptures. It wasn't required, but they did kinda believe that if a child was named after a person in the scriptures, it would help them lead a life like that person. I believe the Mothers would mention names, but the Fathers had the last word on the baby's name.
I don't think you guys are boring, you are informative. So I like the fact that there is no flashy grafics or to much music. But then again, most of the time I listen more to your video's then watch it, so I kind of use it like a podcast.
Must say I love your intro’s so far. It is calm and sweet and you both are cute. Am not a fan of those busy upbeat intros. I alwsys skip them. Didn’t see a new intro yet in newer videos so hope it will just be the same. Love you!
For a new intro, maybe a quick sequence of pictures of Sam growing up, including pics of him with some sisters, if they don't mind, or possibly with images of the dresses from the side or back to preserve anonymity. The dresses visually suggest polygamy. Could mix in pictures of the beautiful mountains that were Sam's backyard. Mountains are easy--you could go take some pictures of them in the present. Any music over the pictures, maybe a snippet of a hymn. I loved the harmony in the song we heard sung by the wives. And then you can just say Welcome back! ?
Use your Story of how you lived before you met and how you choose to live now. As your intro see My Little Homestead on UA-cam intro. I really like theirs
I stumbled across your channel. I find your content really interesting and you have a lovely voice to listen to. No intro please or else keep it simple & brief.
I'm really enjoying ur videos. One of your videos was recommended to me and I watched it and then instantly binge watched ur entire channel, every single video lol. I was hooked after the first video and I've been looking forward to a new video since I've watched every one u have ever made in the last 2 days lol. Without a doubt if u stay consistent uploading videos with these topics I bet ur channel will grow quickly. Well we can only hope :)
Another super informative, sweet video! I'll echo other comments because it is so worth noting, it is really beautiful to see your partnership and equality (and i don't buy that Sam doesn't want all the pressure of decision making, i think Melissa is an amazingly strong and smart woman and who wouldn't want to put 100% into that relationship? The best marriages i've witnessed are 100/100 relationships, and it's so easy to tell that's the way yours is!) I love hearing that your kids are excited when you come home, I grew up with some family friends who's Dads were extremely strict and it was almost like a monster was coming home when he arrived - and that's just random Catholic or otherwise non religious families, so i don't think it is necessarily tied in with belief systems. I'm so glad I had a Dad who listened and was there for us, it certainly helped that there was only two kids to tend to :P I truly believe the parents/examples that a young person has determine what they look for in partners and what they expect, too. Sorry for the longest comment ever but i so wish i could go out to coffee with you two & this is the next best thing!
Thank you so much! Your sweet comments mean soo much to us! I agree that a lot of the things I grew up with are common themes in lots of different households, and I am just happy to take the good and implement it into my life and take the things that I wish were different and try to be better in my own little family. Thank you so much for sharing and being open with us in your thoughts and feelings as well! We wish we could go to coffee with you too! =)
Do you still have a relationship with your parents? Just found your channel and it's really interesting! Awesome to see how far you've come and the journey.
Do you still have a relationship with the family that took you in when you first moved out? They sound like they were a great support to you when you first left. I am also curious if now as an outsider you would classify the FLDS as a cult as mainstream society tends to? I know obviously you are probably sensitive to that as much of those you love are still involved but I’m just curious! Really enjoy your videos!
We absolutely do! When they took me in, I became part of the family. They have treated me like a son ever since! They are the grandparents that my children know and love, and we are super close to all of the siblings, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents. They are an extraordinary family and we are super grateful to be a part of it. =) We don't like to use the term "Cult" because it is normally used with anger or resentment, and obviously very negatively. We have found a definition of a cult that we like though and that is "If you can't leave with your dignity, it's a cult" I was able to leave with mine, but I know not everyone was, so I understand when they define it that way.
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy - I love that your dignity is intact from your perspective. That saying implies that the group you left also believes your dignity is intact. Unfortunately, they do not treat you, or other “apostates” with the dignity and respect that you deserve.
If you do an intro keep it super quick. Long intros have people skip through. One of my daughter’s favorite things is figuring out our intro. I’m sure she’d love to help if you’d like. Great content! I finally have a question in mind. Were you ever in the know of your parents families? Being together with your grandparents, the other grandparents for the other children? Did you know about their upbringing being same or different? Stuff like that.
All of my grandparents except for my paternal grandmother had passed away when I was a baby or earlier. The church overall was not as strict when my father and mother were younger, so we knew about their upbringing being a little different, but I never heard about it from my grandparents.
You guys are so adorable!!!❤️ Intro is just so sweet & love seeing your faces! Just be yourself, real & raw is what a lot of people like. I can’t speak for everything that follows you, but I love watching videos that are raw/real. You guys are amazing & thank you for sharing your stories! God bless!❤️
Don't worry about an intro!!! You guys are just fine without - I, like others, prefer that!!!! Thanks for continuing to give us these glimpses...wondering about the tensions between church and state, especially in Utah - can the state shut down/prosecute these sects or would that open too many legal cans of worms?
Thank you so much! At least currently I don't think there is a lot of tension. I no longer live in Utah, so I am not as up to date on things, but the legal smackdown on Warren Jeff's followers already happened and seems to be over.
You guys are so Awesome😀 I know you have talked about the newly married wives not know anything about sex/inter-coarse, so did someone explain it to the man? Just curious. Btw love the intro you have now
You guys are so interesting and uplifting to watch just the way you are! Sorry if this was already answered in another video that I missed, but I'm curious if the mothers and father called each other Mother and Father or did they say something more along the lines of "you all's father" when talking to the children about each other and Mildred, etc when talking directly to each other?
They always referred to Father as Father and the Mothers as Mother so and so when talking to us, but they would sometimes use each others first names to talk directly to one another.
These are great videos. I am interested in maybe any cultural experiences you feel you might have missed out on as a child? (ex. vacations, museums, etc.) Anything you specifically do different with your children (or things you do the same)?
Media is a huge cultural difference that my children have that I didn't. The biggest thing I can say that I do differently with them is only having two of them so that I can have a personal relationship with them both.
Was there rules about how men had to wear their hair? I saw Warren Jeffs with a shaved head and it made me wonder! Thanks for sharing your story and answering our questions!
I would like to know more about what Sam thinks now that he’s out about the underage marriages, abuse, warren going to prison, and all the hard stuff to talk about when it comes to then Flds. Did he grow up knowing anyone that experienced those things and what does he think of it now? What does he think of the group now that he is out? I understand Sam had different experiences than others and I would love to hear his opinion now of what’s going on with the flds being so private & not in touch w the world, does he believe that the people there are brainwashed? I could go on n on w the questions, hopefully y’all are comfortable talking about this. Very adorable couple & y’all have great videos, so interesting! xx
Thank you so much for watching! I grew up not seeing any of those things personally and we were not allowed to hang out with children from other families which kept me pretty sheltered from those things as well. Of course I think that any and all types of abuse are absolutely horrific and I think that Warren is an evil man that should be in prison for what he has done. I don't know if I would say that the people are brainwashed any more than any other strict religion. Just because what they believe (practicing polygamy) is not socially acceptable doesn't mean that it wasn't just a belief like many others. If you grow up with it, it isn't weird to you. As long as there isn't abuse going on, I don't think they are any worse for their beliefs. It is when those beliefs hurt other people that I have a problem with it. Hope that all makes sense!
It doesn’t matter if there’s an intro or not, I’m always so excited to watch a new video from you both!! You do such a good job portraying what life was like for you growing up and it’s very interesting! I’m glad Melissa asked the questions she did that were just on the fly, because that’s exactly the questions I had in my head. So why did you guys move to las Vegas? And Melissa, how did your family react when you chose to leave the lds church? Is that why you moved? Just so curious if your kids ever get to see their grandparents!
(Melissa Responding) Thank you so much! I am glad that the questions I ask resonate with others too! We moved to Las Vegas for Sam's job. My family is all very loving and kind and we have a wonderful relationship with them. My parents actually live here in Vegas as well now, and our kids are OBSESSED with them. They have the sweetest relationship. =)
I found your channel today and have binge watched quite a few of your video's already😊. Your both such a lovely couple & I really look forward to your upcoming content & also learning more about your experiences growing up. From Scotland💛🌼
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy I have family who were FLDS but changed over to LDS. In all honesty their pretty much mis-understood by some people's assumptions. I'm wondering if you could both do a video about your experience or thoughts on the difference between the two, other than the poligamist side of things?🤗🌼🌺
I would love to hear your thoughts about the show Sister Wives. It seems like while there are some similarities, their family lives a very different lifestyle with less strict rules than your family.
I've actually never watched it before haha. But from what I have heard they didn't follow Warren Jeffs and so their polygamy experience was VERY different from how I grew up.
Thank you for the "behind the scenes" look at your life growing up in polygamy. You talk a lot about Mother and Father, I'm just curious if you ever still see them and if your parents have met your children and what if yes, what kind of relationship they have with them.
A short snappy into 👍 I always skip long drawn out intro’s, especially the ones with annoying music 😂 I love that you don’t show your children on this channel 👍 I have a question for your sister if she comes back on. Did the wives get jealous of the time the other wives would share with your father? I find it so hard to get my head around sharing a man like that. Another question I have is that you’ve said no one is getting married anymore/atm. I’m wondering how/if they think they’re religion will survive if they’re no longer marrying? Also because they’re no longer marrying I’m wondering what the goals are now for the children, especially the girls?
Hi! Great question. I was able to meet a lot of uncles from both sides but still have a lot that I have never met. I have met a few of my aunts from both sides. I do not remember meeting my mother's parents and believe they passed away shortly after I was born. My grandfather from my father's side passed away long before I was born so, unfortunately, I never got to meet him. I did, however, get to meet and have a good relationship with my grandmother from my father's side. She was a lovely lady.
What a lovely couple you are. I love your videos and look forward to watching and learning about your life. One question Sam, have you had any contact with your mother since leaving at all? Keep up the good work! Love from England 🏴❤️
Thank you so much! I was able to stay in contact when I first left, but it was limited. Then a few years after I left, Warren Jeffs got more strict about not being allowed to have contact with outsiders and my contact was taken completely away.
I lived in Utah every Mormon person I met said Mother/Father referring to their parents. There were many polygamous families in my area. They've mentioned FDLS families wouldn't speak to others. The biggest surprise for me was how many FDLS women worked in local stores.
Sorry if you’ve already answered somewhere…but approximately how many FLDS marriages would you estimate were polygamous? Were there many marriages that were just one man and one woman or did most marriages eventually become polygamous? Thank you!
Most marriages became polygamous, but I am not sure of the exact percentage. Polygamy was considered a celestial law, so most righteous men and women within the church wanted to be in polygamous marriages.
Hiiii! I’m a new subscriber from the Bronx, NY and watched almost all your videos in a day, they’re so interesting and you both are just so enjoyable “not fun lol” to watch! I do have a question, not sure if you talked about this yet but how many wives were like a standard or was there like a requirement to have a certain amount of wives? Also, was there like a certain time requirement between each wife? If that makes sense. You guys are so sweet and look forward to being apart of this channel’s journey.
You are so cute, i am so glad you are now in the church of Jesus Christ of ladder day saints, you are great examples to all of us , I have a neighbors that were born into FLDS , but are not into FLDS now, but oh what great neighbors they are to us, we are members of the LDS church, and we have lesrned alot from them, I love there family.
I think it would be a fun intro if you had the graphics of a silhouette of a man pop up, and then a woman, and then another woman, and then a bunch more really fast. Kind of like those bumper stickers you see with the line of silhouettes representing the family.
I have an idea! How about a fun acting summary of how you two met! Ex: Opposite sides of the screen, you walk to each other and wave hi. (You each are holding placards with your names on them) Next frame, you pretend he is paying for your lunch, twice. Next frame, you are back to back and walk away from each other. Next frame On the screen… 5 Years Later You repeat your meeting Next , he’s holding college books Next he sweeps her off her feet… Bride and groom Next … words of (However long you’ve been married …. Years later) with booties of how many children you have!
What I've always wanted to know is, if some men in the community have more than one wife, then don't some men who want a wife having trouble finding one? Did boys think about this, like "I better be good to get a wife". But I've also heard stories of a lot of young men being kicked out so maybe that evened the numbers?
How did it feel knowing your mother was having to share your dad. I understand that is what you grew up with but did you ever see your mother feeling jealous or hurt? Did you witness the vying for attention from your father? Did you ever feel protective of your mother or want her to have your dad to herself?
Great question! I never wondered anything like that because it was too normal for the way I grew up. I never felt like any of the Mothers fought for Father's attention. I heard that when the 3rd Mother joined the family it was hard on my Mother (who was the second wife), but that happened before I was even born, so I never witnessed it firsthand.
I love how the husband never speaks for others and always makes known he’s only telling his exp while acknowledging that wasn’t everyone’s.
I'm glad you were able to find Melissa and figure out the changes you wanted in your life, Sam. And that you enjoy giving your kids time, attention and total approachability. That rocks! Bright blessings. 💖
Melissa looks at you with so much love, it’s really nice to see that between a couple.
Awww thank you so much!
I agree. ❤️❤️❤️
I always see that when I watch their videos. When Sam's talking she just gazes at him..its adorable! It's a goal for anyone to find someone to love them like that!
I really do love how respectful of your parents you still are. I love these chats
Thank you so much!
Yeah u can definitely tell they were loving parents & how he still has a deep love for them ❤️
Agree 100% it really shows was an incredible person Sam has become. Keep doing you as we love it!
It is interesting to me that you always refer to where Sam grow up as ‘out there’….
I’m so glad that your intro is short and sweet. I skip thru everyone else’s because it’s irrelevant to the videos. Keep it real and keep it who you are!! 😘😘😘😘💕💕💕💕 love who you are!!!
We appreciate that! Thank you!
I agree. I like that you don't have an intro.
Agreed! I come for the new content, not flashy intros 😊
No fancy intro. Y’all arent boring and y’all are refreshing.
"I wouldn't even say 50/50, it's always been 100/100" my heart exploded when I heard that! ❤️ Love you guys!
New watcher. If you do an intro, keep it really short. People really don't like sitting through an intro, they came to see, and hear, you! You're doing great! I love it, so far. Congratulations to you both.
Thank you so much!
I think a few pictures would be a cool intro. Maybe one of each of you when you were younger, one from your wedding, and a more recent photo? The best intros are only a few seconds long. If it’s more than 10 seconds, I fast forward.
Great advice! Thank you!
I agree!
Just wanted to say this video was so good and I love the thoughtful questions and thoughtful answers.
Sending positive vibes from Maine! It's evident that Sam navigates life, outside the FDLS, with an equal partner who is supportive and kind. As you share your story, it's obvious you're such a strong team! Thanks for including us in your journey.
Thank you so much for such kind words. It really means so much to us!
I love the way you two look at each other!!! I'm so happy for you that you got out. What a wonderful marriage you guys have!
I really don't care about the intro. So happy to see you.
Same!
Thank you so much!
I noticed that both of you are very happy and equal each other. I understand how Sam went through his life and not getting used to have one wife:). How often you guys visit your sibling?
It is so lovely to learn about the traditions you grew up in without television generated drama. Thank you.
Our pleasure! =)
You two are so sweet. I read comments before watching and find your empathy amazingly mature. No condemnation of the community but an acknowledgement of your disagreement with the polygamous life is clear but done with great respect. Good for you to decide to be a more hands on parent.
What do you two do for a living ?
Thank you so much! I am currently a Sherwin Williams Sales Rep and Melissa stays at home with our kiddos and is a Pampered Chef Consultant. =)
I know I’m late to the party, but I forward through long intros! I love what you do!
I would enjoy seeing a montage of photos from your past.
I think your intro is just fine!
Melissa is such a good interviewer! Thank you for your respectful and honest answers.
I personally like the intro the way it is. I don't like long intros.
I'd like to see a "normal day" in your current life filmed . I love your channel and I've watched all your vlogs . 🌸
Thanks so much for watching! Maybe one day!
Awesome. Could you do a video of some more culture shocks you experienced once you left? I would also be interested in a video on the people you lived with when you left and how you adjusted to “typical” family life.
Great ideas!
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I grew up in St. George and the FLDS community was always so mysterious to us. Thank you for clarifying what life was like growing up in that community!
I just had this mental image of like a cartoon montage of some of the moments you have told stories about for the intro, ending with the iconic image of Mother Mildred gobbling up all the pepperoni's 🤣😂
Hahahaha that would be AMAZING!
I binged all of your videos and have been waiting for this since your live the other night. SO excited!!
Yay thank you!
Good job for breaking a cycle and being the attentive parent to your children that you deserved to have 💗
Thank you so much!
He has awesome cheekbones and you have such beautiful eyes, y’all are so cute together. Your skin also looks so good here, very radiant and perfect!
It sounds like such a nightmare for everyone involved, including the father. Who would want that much responsibility for that many people!
Nooo, I love your intro!!
Aww thanks!
Maybe a little music in the back ground and pictures of you guys and your family would be a good intro. It makes my day when I see that you guys posted a new video ❤️. I wish you would post a couple times a week at least! I feel you guys get a lot of questions and could make tons of videos just on the questions you get in your comments. Your so lucky for having the father you have in the FLDS because a lot of others I have seen and watched videos on haven’t had that experience that you did. There was a lot of sexual and physical abuse in a lot of other families. I’m so happy that you didn’t have to experience anything like that.
Thank you so much for always being one of our biggest supports every single video! You are the best! I wish we had enough time to do more than one video, but we are loving all the questions! I am very lucky to have the Father that I did.
I just stumbled upon your channel and I’m so glad I did! I’ve always been fascinated (in a good way) and it’s fun to here this perspective of someone who has left FLDS but doesn’t have a terrible experience. There is a lot of content out there with terrible experiences, and I really really feel for them and hope they can make it through the trauma. But at the same time, it’s like “normal” society where there are TERRIBLE experiences. It’s just something that mainstream society doesn’t know about beyond what they see in mainstream media. I think there are very beautiful lessons that came out of this. In one of your other videos spoke about how he cared so greatly for you and it was just because it’s what he was taught. I’m positive that there were some terrible predators and abusers in the religion. But there are those people (male and female) in every religion. I love that y’all are sharing this. It really is a beautiful story. I wish y’all all the best 💛
Thank you so much! You are totally right! There are definitely horrible things that have happened in this religion (just like many others), but all I can do is share MY experience. I really appreciate all the love and support from people like you who can see where my heart is in sharing my story.
Holy Cheekbones! You both are so gorgeous!
Enjoying your videos so much.
Hahaha thank you and thanks for watching!
I enjoy your videos so much and I, like so many others, really like the short intro. I always skip everyones lengthy intro. Please spend your time giving us more videos!
Thank you! Will do!
Maybe a drawing of your/a family tree as an intro?
Cool idea!
The family that took you in and modeled a couple led family did a wonderful job. I am so happy you landed in a safe environment when you moved out.
Thank you so much! They were and still are such a great example to me! =)
Just watched your home town tour and I think some screenshots of that tour would make for a great into.
Great channel!
That's a great idea!
A short intro with pictures of your family or maybe even a short cartoon animation showing a little bit of the back story (childhood family, leaving the FLDS Church, marriage and children).
Great ideas!
I really like these videos you are both such positive people!
Thank you so much!
i don't mind the short intros. maybe depending on the video you could do family photos or whatever pertains to the video?
Melissa does such a great job keeping the videos going. I love you guys!
Question: how many of your brothers are now living the FLDS life? Do you have any contact with them?
Thank you so much! So out of the 35 of us children only 15 of us have left, so there are still A LOT of siblings out there and unfortunately I am not allowed to have contact with them unless they reach out to me, which is extremely rare.
I don't think you guys are boring. Your stories are fascinating.
Thank you!
You're so welcome! I appreciate how you share your stories in an informative and respectful manner. ❤
Hi guys, keep your intro its short and sweet. As well as your story sam, i would love to hear more of melissa's story and background as well, that i think would be interesting. Just love your channel no matter what you talk about. You guys rock ❤
You guys are absolutely lovely
Thank you so much!
These little chats are always so interesting! Great questions. I also love seeing the love between you two. It’s palpable when you look at each other ❤️
Question: what were the traditions around naming children? I feel like there are a lot of the same names used. Is it religious? Do kids need to be named after someone in the church in some way? Who names the baby?
Thank you so much for watching! You are so sweet! A lot of names were obviously names after people in the scriptures. It wasn't required, but they did kinda believe that if a child was named after a person in the scriptures, it would help them lead a life like that person. I believe the Mothers would mention names, but the Fathers had the last word on the baby's name.
You're such a lovely couple.💕🌹
Your intro is actually good, you might just want to include your last names.🌹🤗
I don't think you guys are boring, you are informative. So I like the fact that there is no flashy grafics or to much music. But then again, most of the time I listen more to your video's then watch it, so I kind of use it like a podcast.
Thank you so much! We are glad you enjoy it!
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m caught up on all videos. Can’t wait to see more. Have a great weekend 😊
Thank you so much for watching!
Must say I love your intro’s so far. It is calm and sweet and you both are cute. Am not a fan of those busy upbeat intros. I alwsys skip them. Didn’t see a new intro yet in newer videos so hope it will just be the same. Love you!
For a new intro, maybe a quick sequence of pictures of Sam growing up, including pics of him with some sisters, if they don't mind, or possibly with images of the dresses from the side or back to preserve anonymity. The dresses visually suggest polygamy. Could mix in pictures of the beautiful mountains that were Sam's backyard. Mountains are easy--you could go take some pictures of them in the present. Any music over the pictures, maybe a snippet of a hymn. I loved the harmony in the song we heard sung by the wives. And then you can just say Welcome back! ?
I love your plain start. I think what you do is fine
You are both so interesting and enjoyable I didn’t even realise there was no intro.
Awww thank you so much!
I am a new viewer and I love your channel.💝
Welcome! And thank you so much for watching!
Use your Story of how you lived before you met and how you choose to live now. As your intro see
My Little Homestead on UA-cam
intro. I really like theirs
Love your channel!
Thank you so much!
I stumbled across your channel. I find your content really interesting and you have a lovely voice to listen to. No intro please or else keep it simple & brief.
Thank you! We are happy you found us. :)
Start introduction with pictures from FLDS, and LDS. Similarities, and differences.
Sam has a great a DJ voice.
I'm really enjoying ur videos. One of your videos was recommended to me and I watched it and then instantly binge watched ur entire channel, every single video lol. I was hooked after the first video and I've been looking forward to a new video since I've watched every one u have ever made in the last 2 days lol. Without a doubt if u stay consistent uploading videos with these topics I bet ur channel will grow quickly. Well we can only hope :)
Thank you so much! We are so happy you found us! We will definitely be staying consistent for you. =)
Another super informative, sweet video! I'll echo other comments because it is so worth noting, it is really beautiful to see your partnership and equality (and i don't buy that Sam doesn't want all the pressure of decision making, i think Melissa is an amazingly strong and smart woman and who wouldn't want to put 100% into that relationship? The best marriages i've witnessed are 100/100 relationships, and it's so easy to tell that's the way yours is!) I love hearing that your kids are excited when you come home, I grew up with some family friends who's Dads were extremely strict and it was almost like a monster was coming home when he arrived - and that's just random Catholic or otherwise non religious families, so i don't think it is necessarily tied in with belief systems. I'm so glad I had a Dad who listened and was there for us, it certainly helped that there was only two kids to tend to :P I truly believe the parents/examples that a young person has determine what they look for in partners and what they expect, too.
Sorry for the longest comment ever but i so wish i could go out to coffee with you two & this is the next best thing!
Thank you so much! Your sweet comments mean soo much to us! I agree that a lot of the things I grew up with are common themes in lots of different households, and I am just happy to take the good and implement it into my life and take the things that I wish were different and try to be better in my own little family. Thank you so much for sharing and being open with us in your thoughts and feelings as well! We wish we could go to coffee with you too! =)
Do you still have a relationship with your parents? Just found your channel and it's really interesting! Awesome to see how far you've come and the journey.
Do you still have a relationship with the family that took you in when you first moved out? They sound like they were a great support to you when you first left. I am also curious if now as an outsider you would classify the FLDS as a cult as mainstream society tends to? I know obviously you are probably sensitive to that as much of those you love are still involved but I’m just curious! Really enjoy your videos!
We absolutely do! When they took me in, I became part of the family. They have treated me like a son ever since! They are the grandparents that my children know and love, and we are super close to all of the siblings, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents. They are an extraordinary family and we are super grateful to be a part of it. =) We don't like to use the term "Cult" because it is normally used with anger or resentment, and obviously very negatively. We have found a definition of a cult that we like though and that is "If you can't leave with your dignity, it's a cult" I was able to leave with mine, but I know not everyone was, so I understand when they define it that way.
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy - I love that your dignity is intact from your perspective. That saying implies that the group you left also believes your dignity is intact. Unfortunately, they do not treat you, or other “apostates” with the dignity and respect that you deserve.
That is a great perspective! So glad you’ve found such a wonderful second family!
No ideas on an new intro but excited to see a new video from you guys❤️
Thank you so much for watching!
If you do an intro keep it super quick. Long intros have people skip through. One of my daughter’s favorite things is figuring out our intro. I’m sure she’d love to help if you’d like. Great content! I finally have a question in mind.
Were you ever in the know of your parents families? Being together with your grandparents, the other grandparents for the other children? Did you know about their upbringing being same or different? Stuff like that.
All of my grandparents except for my paternal grandmother had passed away when I was a baby or earlier. The church overall was not as strict when my father and mother were younger, so we knew about their upbringing being a little different, but I never heard about it from my grandparents.
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Love 💕 you guys.
You guys are so adorable!!!❤️
Intro is just so sweet & love seeing your faces! Just be yourself, real & raw is what a lot of people like. I can’t speak for everything that follows you, but I love watching videos that are raw/real.
You guys are amazing & thank you for sharing your stories! God bless!❤️
Thank you so much!!
Don't worry about an intro!!! You guys are just fine without - I, like others, prefer that!!!! Thanks for continuing to give us these glimpses...wondering about the tensions between church and state, especially in Utah - can the state shut down/prosecute these sects or would that open too many legal cans of worms?
Thank you so much! At least currently I don't think there is a lot of tension. I no longer live in Utah, so I am not as up to date on things, but the legal smackdown on Warren Jeff's followers already happened and seems to be over.
You guys are so Awesome😀 I know you have talked about the newly married wives not know anything about sex/inter-coarse, so did someone explain it to the man? Just curious. Btw love the intro you have now
Monogamy and having a reasonable number of children is a more romantic way to live, in the best possible sense of the word.
You guys are so interesting and uplifting to watch just the way you are! Sorry if this was already answered in another video that I missed, but I'm curious if the mothers and father called each other Mother and Father or did they say something more along the lines of "you all's father" when talking to the children about each other and Mildred, etc when talking directly to each other?
They always referred to Father as Father and the Mothers as Mother so and so when talking to us, but they would sometimes use each others first names to talk directly to one another.
These are great videos. I am interested in maybe any cultural experiences you feel you might have missed out on as a child? (ex. vacations, museums, etc.) Anything you specifically do different with your children (or things you do the same)?
Media is a huge cultural difference that my children have that I didn't. The biggest thing I can say that I do differently with them is only having two of them so that I can have a personal relationship with them both.
Was there rules about how men had to wear their hair? I saw Warren Jeffs with a shaved head and it made me wonder! Thanks for sharing your story and answering our questions!
Men were supposed to have a comb over hair style. His shaved head was just for prison.
Your intro is already cool.. Just needs some musical accompaniment fading as you introduce yourselves. Maybe a country one.
Thank you! That is a fantastic idea!
I would like to know more about what Sam thinks now that he’s out about the underage marriages, abuse, warren going to prison, and all the hard stuff to talk about when it comes to then Flds. Did he grow up knowing anyone that experienced those things and what does he think of it now? What does he think of the group now that he is out? I understand Sam had different experiences than others and I would love to hear his opinion now of what’s going on with the flds being so private & not in touch w the world, does he believe that the people there are brainwashed? I could go on n on w the questions, hopefully y’all are comfortable talking about this. Very adorable couple & y’all have great videos, so interesting! xx
Thank you so much for watching! I grew up not seeing any of those things personally and we were not allowed to hang out with children from other families which kept me pretty sheltered from those things as well. Of course I think that any and all types of abuse are absolutely horrific and I think that Warren is an evil man that should be in prison for what he has done. I don't know if I would say that the people are brainwashed any more than any other strict religion. Just because what they believe (practicing polygamy) is not socially acceptable doesn't mean that it wasn't just a belief like many others. If you grow up with it, it isn't weird to you. As long as there isn't abuse going on, I don't think they are any worse for their beliefs. It is when those beliefs hurt other people that I have a problem with it. Hope that all makes sense!
It doesn’t matter if there’s an intro or not, I’m always so excited to watch a new video from you both!! You do such a good job portraying what life was like for you growing up and it’s very interesting! I’m glad Melissa asked the questions she did that were just on the fly, because that’s exactly the questions I had in my head. So why did you guys move to las Vegas? And Melissa, how did your family react when you chose to leave the lds church? Is that why you moved? Just so curious if your kids ever get to see their grandparents!
(Melissa Responding) Thank you so much! I am glad that the questions I ask resonate with others too! We moved to Las Vegas for Sam's job. My family is all very loving and kind and we have a wonderful relationship with them. My parents actually live here in Vegas as well now, and our kids are OBSESSED with them. They have the sweetest relationship. =)
❤️
What happens with all the men that don’t get allocated a wife? Surely there is an imbalance with some men taking more than one wife?
Some men don't get married, but it is also much more likely for men to leave than for women, so that also helps with the imbalance as well.
I found your channel today and have binge watched quite a few of your video's already😊. Your both such a lovely couple & I really look forward to your upcoming content & also learning more about your experiences growing up. From Scotland💛🌼
Thank you so much! We are so glad you found us!
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy I have family who were FLDS but changed over to LDS. In all honesty their pretty much mis-understood by some people's assumptions. I'm wondering if you could both do a video about your experience or thoughts on the difference between the two, other than the poligamist side of things?🤗🌼🌺
I would love to hear your thoughts about the show Sister Wives. It seems like while there are some similarities, their family lives a very different lifestyle with less strict rules than your family.
I've actually never watched it before haha. But from what I have heard they didn't follow Warren Jeffs and so their polygamy experience was VERY different from how I grew up.
Intro suggestion - Bitmojis of yourselves.
That would be super cool!
How accurate is the show "Escaping Polygamy"?
Thank you for the "behind the scenes" look at your life growing up in polygamy. You talk a lot about Mother and Father, I'm just curious if you ever still see them and if your parents have met your children and what if yes, what kind of relationship they have with them.
You guys are perfect just the way you are.
Thank you so much!
How about an intro of interesting answers - a kind of montage.
A short snappy into 👍 I always skip long drawn out intro’s, especially the ones with annoying music 😂 I love that you don’t show your children on this channel 👍 I have a question for your sister if she comes back on. Did the wives get jealous of the time the other wives would share with your father? I find it so hard to get my head around sharing a man like that. Another question I have is that you’ve said no one is getting married anymore/atm. I’m wondering how/if they think they’re religion will survive if they’re no longer marrying? Also because they’re no longer marrying I’m wondering what the goals are now for the children, especially the girls?
Sam did you get to know your grandparents? Or aunts and uncles? (From your mom or your dad)
Hi! Great question. I was able to meet a lot of uncles from both sides but still have a lot that I have never met. I have met a few of my aunts from both sides. I do not remember meeting my mother's parents and believe they passed away shortly after I was born. My grandfather from my father's side passed away long before I was born so, unfortunately, I never got to meet him. I did, however, get to meet and have a good relationship with my grandmother from my father's side. She was a lovely lady.
Did you watch television? Particularly sitcoms with normal size families?
Nope, television was not allowed.
What a lovely couple you are. I love your videos and look forward to watching and learning about your life. One question Sam, have you had any contact with your mother since leaving at all? Keep up the good work! Love from England 🏴❤️
Thank you so much! I was able to stay in contact when I first left, but it was limited. Then a few years after I left, Warren Jeffs got more strict about not being allowed to have contact with outsiders and my contact was taken completely away.
I notice that you always say “father” and “mother,” did you ever call them “mom” and “dad”?
It was considered disrespectful to call them mom or dad, so we always referred to them as Father and Mother. =)
I lived in Utah every Mormon person I met said Mother/Father referring to their parents. There were many polygamous families in my area. They've mentioned FDLS families wouldn't speak to others. The biggest surprise for me was how many FDLS women worked in local stores.
Sorry if you’ve already answered somewhere…but approximately how many FLDS marriages would you estimate were polygamous? Were there many marriages that were just one man and one woman or did most marriages eventually become polygamous? Thank you!
Most marriages became polygamous, but I am not sure of the exact percentage. Polygamy was considered a celestial law, so most righteous men and women within the church wanted to be in polygamous marriages.
Hiiii! I’m a new subscriber from the Bronx, NY and watched almost all your videos in a day, they’re so interesting and you both are just so enjoyable “not fun lol” to watch! I do have a question, not sure if you talked about this yet but how many wives were like a standard or was there like a requirement to have a certain amount of wives? Also, was there like a certain time requirement between each wife? If that makes sense. You guys are so sweet and look forward to being apart of this channel’s journey.
Do you have pictures of your family?
You are so cute, i am so glad you are now in the church of Jesus Christ of ladder day saints, you are great examples to all of us , I have a neighbors that were born into FLDS , but are not into FLDS now, but oh what great neighbors they are to us, we are members of the LDS church, and we have lesrned alot from them, I love there family.
I think it would be a fun intro if you had the graphics of a silhouette of a man pop up, and then a woman, and then another woman, and then a bunch more really fast. Kind of like those bumper stickers you see with the line of silhouettes representing the family.
I like the way you start the videos. I kinda hate Intros
I have an idea!
How about a fun acting summary of how you two met!
Ex:
Opposite sides of the screen, you walk to each other and wave hi.
(You each are holding placards with your names on them)
Next frame, you pretend he is paying for your lunch, twice.
Next frame, you are back to back and walk away from each other.
Next frame On the screen…
5 Years Later
You repeat your meeting
Next , he’s holding college books
Next he sweeps her off her feet…
Bride and groom
Next … words of
(However long you’ve been married …. Years later)
with booties of how many children you have!
WE LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! This would be soooo cool!! It just got put on the list! =)
What I've always wanted to know is, if some men in the community have more than one wife, then don't some men who want a wife having trouble finding one? Did boys think about this, like "I better be good to get a wife". But I've also heard stories of a lot of young men being kicked out so maybe that evened the numbers?
Your intro could be A continuous pencil drawing many people getting married and children
That's a great idea!
Good morning .. whatever. Hey 👋 everyone welcome to our channel .. we’re Sam and Melissa etc
Did you always call him father, or could you use dad, pa etc
Do you still have contact with your family or have you disconnected?
I have relationships with those who have left and very limited contact with those still out there.
Why is it that boys/men were older when they got married & girls extremely young ( 12 years old & up)
How did it feel knowing your mother was having to share your dad. I understand that is what you grew up with but did you ever see your mother feeling jealous or hurt? Did you witness the vying for attention from your father? Did you ever feel protective of your mother or want her to have your dad to herself?
Great question! I never wondered anything like that because it was too normal for the way I grew up. I never felt like any of the Mothers fought for Father's attention. I heard that when the 3rd Mother joined the family it was hard on my Mother (who was the second wife), but that happened before I was even born, so I never witnessed it firsthand.
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy thank you for your response! I have such deep respect for you abs your wife! How wonderful that you have each other 💕