The Shocking Truth: Are The 'Mormon Wives' On Reality TV Actually Mormon?

The question of whether the "Mormon Wives" featured across various reality television programs are actually members of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is one of the most frequently searched queries on the internet today. The answer is a definitive and nuanced "no," for the vast majority. As of December 2025, the women and families who gain notoriety for their polygamous or controversial lifestyles are almost universally affiliated with splinter groups or a modern, progressive movement that the mainstream LDS Church officially disavows and even excommunicates members for joining. This core distinction between the LDS Church and Fundamentalist Mormonism (FMF) is crucial to understanding the true religious landscape of these high-profile figures.

The confusion stems from the historical practice of plural marriage, which was foundational to early Mormonism but was officially discontinued by the LDS Church in 1890. Modern-day polygamy is practiced exclusively by Fundamentalist Mormon groups, while a different set of reality stars represent a new wave of "progressive" or "ex-Mormon" influencers whose lifestyles clash with the conservative doctrines of the Utah-based faith.

The Sister Wives: Biography and Fundamentalist Affiliation (AUB)

The Brown family, the most famous polygamist family on television, is the primary example of the difference between mainstream and fundamentalist Mormonism. Patriarch Kody Brown and his wives—now ex-wives in most cases—were deeply rooted in a polygamist sect that has no association with the LDS Church.

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• Kody Brown: Born January 17, 1969. The patriarch of the family, Kody was raised in a mainstream LDS family but converted to the fundamentalist practice of plural marriage later in life, following his father's footsteps. His religious affiliation was with the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB).
• Meri Brown: Born January 16, 1971 (Age 54, as of 2025). Kody's first wife. Meri was raised in a polygamist family within the AUB. She left her spiritual marriage to Kody in 2022.
• Janelle Brown: Born May 6, 1969 (Age 55, as of 2025). Kody's second wife. Janelle also came from a polygamist background, as her mother married Kody's father as a second wife. She announced her separation from Kody in late 2022.
• Christine Brown: Born April 18, 1972 (Age 52, as of 2025). Kody's third wife. Christine was raised in a prominent AUB family, with a direct lineage to early Mormon polygamists. She was the first to leave her spiritual marriage to Kody in 2021.
• Robyn Brown: Born October 9, 1978 (Age 46, as of 2025). Kody's fourth and currently only legal wife. Robyn was also raised in a fundamentalist Mormon family. She and Kody remain committed to their plural marriage beliefs, though they currently practice monogamy.

The Critical Distinction: LDS Church vs. Apostolic United Brethren (AUB)

The belief system of the Brown family falls under Fundamentalist Mormonism (FMF), specifically the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB). The AUB is a distinct religious organization that broke away from the mainstream LDS Church to continue the practice of plural marriage, or "the Principle," which they believe is essential for celestial exaltation.

The LDS Church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, explicitly forbids polygamy and has done so for over a century. Any member of the LDS Church found to be practicing, advocating for, or even supporting polygamy is subject to excommunication. Therefore, the "Sister Wives" are not "Mormon" in the modern, mainstream sense of the word. They are members of a separate, schismatic faith group.

This distinction is often lost on the public, who use the term "Mormon" to broadly describe any group with origins in the teachings of Joseph Smith. The AUB, unlike the more infamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), is generally considered less strict and allows for more autonomy among its members, which facilitated the Browns' decision to go public with their lifestyle.

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The 'Secret Lives' Phenomenon: Progressive Mormonism and 'MomTok'

A more recent wave of reality television and social media fame has introduced a different type of "Mormon Wife" into the public consciousness: the Utah-based "MomTok" influencers featured on shows like *The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*. The controversy surrounding these women is not about polygamy, but about their interpretation of mainstream LDS doctrine and their public, often provocative, lifestyles.

The cast members, including figures like Taylor Frankie Paul, Whitney Leavitt, and others, are generally members of the mainstream LDS Church or have strong ties to it. However, they are often labeled as "progressive" or "modern Mormons." This label signifies a more relaxed adherence to the church's strict cultural and behavioral codes, particularly concerning modesty, alcohol consumption, and sexual expression.

The 'Not Really Mormon' Sentiment and Cultural Clash

The question "Are they *really* Mormon?" is often posed by devout, traditional Latter-day Saints themselves. This internal debate highlights the growing tension between the conservative church culture and the pressures of modern social media fame. The highly publicized "soft swinging" scandal involving some of the "MomTok" influencers, for example, is unequivocally against the tenets of the LDS Church, which teaches strict marital fidelity.

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For many faithful members, the behavior and public personas of these influencers are seen as a betrayal of their covenants, leading to the cultural assertion that they are "Mormon in name only" or "ex-Mormon," even if their names remain on the church's records. This group represents a cultural entity that is trying to reconcile a traditional religious identity with a modern, secular lifestyle, often resulting in public scrutiny and potential church disciplinary action.

The Legal and Religious Status of Plural Marriage

The legal and religious status of polygamy further solidifies the separation between the reality stars and the mainstream faith. In the United States, polygamy is illegal in all 50 states. The Brown family's move from Utah to Las Vegas and then back to Flagstaff, Arizona, was partly driven by legal concerns, though their marriages were only recognized as spiritual unions, not legal contracts (with the exception of Kody and Robyn's legal marriage).

The LDS Church's official stance is clear: it does not permit plural marriage. Its official website and public statements consistently distance the faith from any polygamist groups, including the AUB and the FLDS. The church views these fundamentalist groups as apostates—those who have rejected the modern direction of the faith.

In summary, while the term "Mormon Wives" is a catchy, curiosity-driven keyword for reality TV, it is a significant misnomer from a theological and organizational standpoint. The women on these shows are either dedicated members of a separate Fundamentalist Mormon sect (like the AUB) or are progressive social media figures whose modern lifestyles are often in direct conflict with the doctrines of the mainstream LDS Church. The true story is one of schism, cultural evolution, and the complex, often contradictory, relationship between faith and fame in the 21st century.