Growing Up In Polygamy

In Part 2 of Val Snow's story, we continue our conversation about growing up inside the Kingston Clan, also known as "The Order."After spending years trying to reconcile who he was with what he had been taught, Val opens up about coming to terms with his sexuality in a community that believed being gay was a choice. He shares the pressure to conform, the fear of being discovered, and the impossible expectations placed on LGBTQ individuals within the group.Val recounts what happened when his father found out he was dating men, the reaction from his family and community, and the events that ultimately led to him being cast out of the only world he had ever known.Leaving a high-control religious community often means losing more than your beliefs. For many, it can mean losing family, friendships, support systems, and a sense of belonging. Val's story highlights both the pain of rejection and the courage it takes to live authentically.If you haven't seen Part 1, be sure to check it out first, where Val shares what it was like growing up with a father who had 14 wives and more than 160 children, the abuse he experienced, and the challenges of life inside the Kingston Clan.Thank you to Val for trusting us with his story.❤️ If Val's story resonates with you, please consider sharing this video. Stories like his help create understanding, compassion, and hope for others who may be facing similar struggles.#GrowingUpInPolygamy #KingstonClan #TheOrder #LGBTQStories #Polygamy #ReligiousTrauma #CultRecovery #ExMormon #ValSnow #HighControlReligionIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us!growingupinpolygamy@gmail.comCreate Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

In this episode, we sit down with Val Snow to hear his incredible story of growing up inside the Kingston Clan, also known as "The Order," one of the most secretive polygamous groups in the United States.

Val was raised in a family unlike most people can imagine. His father had 14 wives and more than 150 children. He shares what life was really like growing up in such a massive family, the financial struggles they faced, the abuse he witnessed and experienced, and the challenges of finding his own identity in a community where obedience was expected and questions were discouraged.

Val also opens up about what it was like realizing he was gay in a culture that taught homosexuality wasn't real and that attraction to women would come through marriage and faithfulness. Long before he was ready to tell anyone, he was already wrestling with feelings that put him at odds with everything he had been taught.

This is Part 1 of Val's story. In Part 2, Val shares what happened when his family discovered he was dating men, the consequences he faced, and the events that ultimately led to him being cast out of the community.

If you enjoy conversations that help us better understand high-control religious groups and the experiences of those who leave them, be sure to subscribe and join us for Part 2.

#KingstonClan #TheOrder #Polygamy #CultSurvivor #ExMormon #LGBTQStories #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ValSnow

If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org

At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."

If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy

Insta: @growingupinpolygamy
www.growingupinpolygamy.com
Theme Song created by @artcowles

Please feel free to reach out to us!
growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com

Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

In the final episode of "Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal?", Gloriavale faces growing legal pressure while leaders work to convince the public, and the government, that the abuses of the past are behind them.But have things really changed?As former members continue to speak out and ongoing court cases raise difficult questions, we examine Gloriavale's efforts to reform its image and protect its future. Are meaningful changes being made to create a safer community, or is the leadership simply saying the right things to avoid outside intervention?One of the biggest questions raised in this episode is whether true free will can exist in an isolated community where members are born, raised, educated, and socialized entirely within its walls. When Gloriavale is the only life you've ever known, what does choosing to stay—or leave—actually mean?Join us as we react to the final episode of Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal?, share our perspectives from our own experiences in high-control religious communities, and discuss the complex relationship between faith, obedience, community, and choice.Have you watched the series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.#Gloriavale #Devotion #CultDocumentary #ExMormon #FLDS #GrowingUpInPolygamy #ReligiousTrauma #HighControlReligion #DocumentaryReactionIf you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.orgAt Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamyInsta: @growingupinpolygamywww.growingupinpolygamy.comTheme Song created by @artcowles Please feel free to reach out to us!growingupinpolygamy@gmail.comCreate Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

In Episode 2 of Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal, we dive into one of the most difficult questions any faith community can face: Can you separate a religious leader's contributions from their crimes?

As former members of high-demand religious communities, we discuss the complicated legacy of leaders whose teachings helped shape entire generations, even after serious wrongdoing comes to light. We compare the conviction of Hopeful Christian to our experiences with Warren Jeffs and explore why different communities respond so differently when their leaders are sent to prison.

We also talk about the challenge many religious groups face when trying to distinguish themselves from other controversial movements. Why do some communities feel misunderstood by the media? When does criticism become unfair, and when is it necessary accountability? And how do members reconcile the good they experienced with the harm that was done?

Join us as we react to Episode 2 and share our perspective on faith, loyalty, accountability, and the lasting impact of religious leadership.

What are your thoughts? Can a community honor a leader's contributions while condemning their actions? Let us know in the comments below.

👍 Like this video if you enjoy these discussions
🔔 Subscribe for more reactions, interviews, and conversations about religious movements, cults, polygamy, and faith transitions

#Devotion #ObedienceOrBetrayal #CultDocumentary #ExPolygamistReacts #GrowingUpInPolygamy #WarrenJeffs #ReligiousTrauma #FaithDeconstruction #HopefulChristian #DocumentaryReaction #CultSurvivor #Polygamy #ReligiousLeadership #TrueStory #CultsAndExtremism

If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org

At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."

If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy

Insta: @growingupinpolygamy
www.growingupinpolygamy.com
Theme Song created by @artcowles

Please feel free to reach out to us!
growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com

Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa

Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal? tells the story of Gloriavale, a closed religious community in New Zealand that was founded on promises of faith, unity, and a better way of life. As former members of Mormon communities, we couldn't help but notice some striking similarities to our own experiences growing up in the FLDS and mainstream Mormon culture.

In this reaction and discussion, we explore the origins of Gloriavale, the appeal of religious utopias, and why so many isolated groups seem to develop similar rules, expectations, and power structures over time. We discuss the role of obedience, patriarchal leadership, separation from the outside world, and how sincere beliefs can sometimes create environments where abuse and control are able to flourish.

While Gloriavale, the FLDS, and the LDS Church are very different in many ways, this documentary raises important questions about authority, devotion, loyalty, and what happens when questioning leadership is seen as betrayal.

What did you think of Devotion: Obedience or Betrayal? Did you notice similarities to other religious communities or high-demand groups? Let us know in the comments.

👍 Like this video if you enjoyed the discussion
🔔 Subscribe for more reactions, interviews, and conversations about Mormonism, the FLDS, polygamy, and religious communities
💬 Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments

#Gloriavale #Devotion #FLDS #Mormonism #ReligiousCommunities #ExFLDS #CultDocumentary #HighDemandReligion #Polygamy #ReactionVideo

If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org

At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been misunderstood, marginalized and/or abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."

If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: https://donorbox.org/growing-up-in-polygamy

Insta: @growingupinpolygamy
www.growingupinpolygamy.com
Theme Song created by @artcowles

Please feel free to reach out to us!
growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com

Create Shorts Easily like us with Opus Clips: https://www.opus.pro/?via=SamandMelissa