By Kristine Shawkey
Irene Spencer is a woman who struggled with the lifestyle she was born into and always longed to become part of a different world.
Spencer was born into a polygamist’s family in Salt Lake City in 1937 as one of 31 children. The polygamy lifestyle was one she detested and fought to escape.
She has taken her experience and wrote an award-winning book. “Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife” vividly depicts Spencer’s life married to a man with nine other wives and the struggles she faced. She started writing it 16 years ago and has just recently published the work and is witnessing huge success.
“I want people to know what the cult can do and how people can suffer,” Spencer said. “I want to inspire and empower women caught in any cult or relationship. If I could change my life, they could do anything.”
Spencer married her sister’s husband, Verlan LeBaron, when she was 16. She had 13 children and adopted another.
She attended four of her husband’s weddings. There, she had to put a smile on her face, take the woman’s hand and give it to her husband. If she did everything she could, she might gain more favor in her husband’s eyes. All the women worked hard to be the favorite wife.
“Women in the society were devalued,” Spencer said. “The number one requirement was to be obedient and not to betray the brethren.”
After she turned 40, her husband began courting his 10th wife. That was when she decided she was not going to be a part of that life anymore. Preparing for her escape, one of her sons got her a car and her children gave her $125. Spencer left in her mid-40s, without money, education or contact with others outside the polygamist community. She was scared of the world ahead of her, with thoughts of damnation from leaving.
Once a part of this new world, Spencer began longing for a husband where she would be his favorite wife. A few years later, she married Hector Spencer. They have been married for 20 years.
Today Spencer lives with her daughter in California and travels around the country visiting her 119 grandchildren. Spencer is a born-again Christian and has taken a new perspective on organized religion, believing all religions are not cults.
“Like God said, ‘Know the truth and the truth shall make you free.'” Spencer said. “I believe in one God and undeniably we have access to him. He is our inspiration. I believe in Jesus, who gives us peace, joy and love.”
