Growing Up in Polygamy - Sam and Melissa Zitting Wyson Part 2 - Mormon Stories Ep. 1618 

I am not a Mormon and never have been, but I live in the same community as the Columbia River Temple. I have so many friends who are Mormon, but it has always felt like they held me at an arm’s length. Mormon Stories Podcast has helped me to understand why that is the case. I’ve listened to both episodes of Sam & Melissa’s Mormon Story, and it touches my heart so much. Melissa’s love and support for Sam, and their compassion for the people of their former religions is an example to me. Today I hope to walk with an open heart and less judgement. Thank you for these beautiful stories!

Poor Melissa 😔. You freed your Dad, gave him the courage to finally voice his feelings. Please John, get her back sometime!!

I was able to keep my tears at bay when he started to tear up, but when Sam said he felt like he was too stupid to learn, and talking about the lost boys, I started to tear up. As a mom, I just can't imagine my child being out there alone feeling that way.

My heart breaks for all the Lost boy's. He is so brave to leave. We had a large polygamist family in our neighborhood and my friends Mom befriended on of the boys. She was a teacher and she taught him how to read. He was 16 and didn't know how. I was 10 and didn't realize he didn't know how to read because reading is freedom. The sin of keeping people ignorant is the worst thing they do.

I left church life about 20 years ago. Living in the South, having a different faith practice, is definitely not the norm. Although not Mormon, I can relate to what is being said. I find our common ground is questioning things and searching for truth. Kudos to anyone that questions everything!

I loved this interview so much, I only wish we could've heard more on Melissa's story! She does such a good job interviewing Sam on their channel, it was nice to hear her being interviewed for a change!

What an amazing, thoughtful and intelligent couple! Best interviews yet!

I was crying along with Sam when he spoke about the family who helped him. 😭 This is one of my favourite interviews. Such a nice couple …

Go Sam!!!! Real men cry in public when they feel the feels!!!! Seriously, my admiration for you hass just grown big time.

These two are so well put together and well spoken. What a power couple.

Possibly my fav Mormon Stories episode. These two are so sincere, and I love stuff about Southern Utah.

I grew up LDS (pioneer heritage) and left in my 30s. I’m pretty sure I share ancestors with many of the FLDS families and learning about its origins fascinates me. I think I’ve watched most of the videos on Sam and Melissa’s channel. One thing I respect about them is how respectful they are of both the LDS and the FLDS people and their beliefs but sometimes I feel like they candy coat issues and I really just want them to say what they really think. This interview made me feel like I know them so much better now and I loved it. I could listen to them all day. The love between them is palpable.

Amanda Rae and her brother would be a good guest to have she was in “The Order” or the Kingston Clan in Salt Lake City. Especially having a young woman’s perspective from a polygamist group and her brother became LDS.

I just want to say how much I appreciate this mini-series, Mormon Stories in general, and John. John is so good at these interviews. I love how he asks seemingly obvious questions that end up having non-obvious or, at least, really profound answers. He elicits all the information and facilitates all the stories in such remarkable way. John, you really have such a gift.

This was my favorite interview yet! I love everything about this couple! Their love and mutual respect for each other is beautiful. Their ability to factually and succinctly tell their stories, but in a way that draws their audience in - wanting to know more and how things turned out. They didn't interrupt each other. They affirmed each other. They shared their truth without disparaging others. Truly one of the most interesting, uplifting interviews I've heard!

WOW just wow, I have been a subscriber to Sam and Melissa for ages, but this interview was so in depth, inspiring, emotional and thought provoking. Thanks John and Jenn

When I was having the discusions prior to being baptised into the Main LDS church, in the early 80's, I asked about polygamy and was told ' it only happened because women had to be married to be able to join the trek to Utah' mmmm 'Lying for the Lord'

Sam sure is a strong person. It shows that regardless of your faith, how LOVE is what truly matters and makes a difference. It is because people showed him love that he was able to believe he wasn’t stupid and that he could do things in life. Love is all we need.

I left the LDS church at 18 as soon as I could move out of my parent's home and was inactive for 15 years. Then after my divorce, I came back into activity for about 3 years starting only when Covid created the need for home church. It felt so wonderful to talk about Christ and feel the spirit just with my family who lived nearby and who were being so emotionally supportive of me after leaving my abusive relationship. But then after about a year or so of being back to normal in person church and really diving into Come Follow Me, I started to deconstruct my faith. Its been good for me during this time where I am trying to navigate what I believe and how I want to raise my son, to hear other's stories and I am so glad after following Sam & Melissa to find Mormon Stories. Thank you for this beautiful mini series! I am excited to dive into more of your content.

Jen adds such a beautifully empathetic but also analytical perspective to the show, I love when she rides sidecar

I’d love to be able to hear his sister’s story about marrying Rulon Jeffs

What a wonderful young man. Incredible trials that he overcame. Wow.

Thanks for this interview - such fascinating stories. Your talking about how dark the toxic side of eternal families can be reminds me of the first time I encountered a Mormon missionary - I was 16 and running away from a pretty awful/abusive family situation and wanted nothing further to do with my family when a very wholesome looking young American came up to me and asked "what if I told you there was a religion that allowed families to be together in this life and for all eternity?" He had such an earnest/hopeful look and I opened my mouth to politely brush him off. What came out was "that sounds like hell to me. I never want to see anyone I'm related to again, much less spend forever with them." It was the truth, but I still remember how crushed/shocked he looked and I feel bad for bursting his all families are happy/good bubble.

This was a great miniseries- I would love to see Sam & Melissa back, or maybe even Melissa & her dad? Would be fascinating to hear his perspective as a convert who lost his faith and then watched his daughter go through the same thing

Okay you have got to have Melissa back going to tell her whole story, Cuz when she spoke about the part where she met her parents and her father revealed that he didn't believe a temple marriage is necessary or that if he even believed in God, I felt every emotion that Melissa was feeling, I was in tears, Not in tears because how sad that her father believed this but in tears that it almost was his release for him and Melissa to say that they're okay just the way they are

I actually found Mormon Stories through Growing up in Polygamy, so glad to see them coming together. I would love to hear more of Melissa's story, I feel like I got so much just from the little she was able to share. Would also just like to say I love to see how you both support one another in telling your stories and are so clearly affected by how the experiences your partner went through affected them with such empathy.

I just got into Melissa’s part after she sat basically in silence for so many hours of an amazing story. Now I’m so hooked on her story, but I have tickets to Top Gun 2 and I don’t wanna stop her story 😬😃😎

Hearing about their second first date was so cute. When Melissa said “we went to the fanciest place in St. George” I immediately thought “anasazi” and then she said it. This was just such a good interview. The whole thing. Sams story and Melissa’s story. John and Jenn are pros. 💜

It's almost 11 PM o'clock (got it right this time😊) in The Netherlands and I've finished most of the work (I make sculptures whilst listening and reacting) and I'm in for a second round! It will be late into the night when I'll go to bed, probably around 3 or 4 AM... LOVE IT THOUGH!

I began watching Mormon Stories at podcast #1 a couple of years ago. I have listened to each and every one up until 1617-1618. If I were to begin writing my thoughts and observations, I would likely spend the rest of the day and night expressing the consonance with the concepts, principles and axioms that have been verbalized in these two podcasts. John, I bet you wish you had another few hours with these people. Suffice it to say that I would vote these two episodes as the best of all the rest of which there have been some profound and wise episodes for sure. The paths of the lives of these two wonderful authentic people felt like reading the history of Carolyn Jessop. Thank you all for presenting this splendid experience with us all. I send un abrazo grande to all.

Sam: "I think people underestimate the power of the mind..." Holy cow! I am 50 and am just learning that! Sam and Melissa, you are both so loving and so wise! On another note: I am Addictions counselor. Who knew a young man raised FLDS would get things figured out long before a lot of others "figure it out." Wow. And the mind IS the spirit. And the heart. Reasoning is spiritual but enough of the philosophical stuff. Love Sam and Melissa!

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy this channel. I’m an ex-pentecostal (UPCI) and your content has really helped me along my deconstruction. Thank you

I’ve been watching Sam and Melissa for a while now and they are an amazing couple.

I love the story about Sam taking on the Wyson name. I think it's such an utterly beautiful tribute.

Lovely, Jen. Leaving the bubble of my own abusive family, where Dad was god, was so painful but so worth it for my own freedom and joy. But I have to be tender with my siblings who live in the bubble still.

At 1:17, I was in tears with everyone else. Regardless of faith it's a beautiful moment in describing a truly good family and two really good 18 yr old boys! ❤️ Cant' say I can relate to the circumstances, BUT THIS IS TRUE CHRISTIAN LOVE RIGHT HERE! P.S. LDS are NOT the only knew who will say that emotions like this are confirmation of spiritual and eternal principles. Such a beautiful moment! I have an 18 yr old son. I personally am so grateful this family was there for Sam!!!! Sam , you are a very unique and special person!!!

Please, please have them back!! I love their channel but I would love to hear Melissa’s full story in your setting! You guys are so inspiring!

Great interview! Sam voiced something that I've been thinking about for a long time and that is that high-demand religions / cults co-opt the feeling of LOVE.

Contagious cryer here…when Melissa started to cry alittle about her parents, I was crying as well.

What an amazing couple. This really shows how respectful and loving they are to each other. It also shows such a deep love for their children that they would question their beliefs for their children’s sakes.

I was never involved in the LDS church but in Christianity and my awakening moment was also learning about other religions & how much conviction people had for them. I’m honestly so proud of Sam for growing through all the indoctrination. He turned his situation into something so powerful, about finding truth no matter where that takes you, Melissa was so brave to really do the research that guided their journey. So happy for them. 💛

I freaking LOVE Melissa’s commentary in all of this

Wow I love Melissa’s honesty. Such an interesting story. I only wish it could be more long form and detailed!

Really enjoyed these interviews. Thank you John, Jen, Sam and Melissa.

I love love love love Melissa and Sam. I love their channel. And I love their vulnerability and honesty. Talking about hard things is such a struggle and they open the door for these Harrs things.

Oh those poor sweet babies 🥹 I just wanna hug y’all so hard ❤ with all the loves

All other amazing stuff aside, is it inane to compliment Sam on his diction? He does such an awesome job articulating/enunciating his words!

It's so interesting to see how the similarities in different Religious groups. I was raised in a very conservative church. So many similarities but just not quite as controlling. Also, many similarities between the LDS and FLDS groups and they don't see it. Once you step away is when you can see it. ( Can't see the forest because of the trees) I feel for people stuck there and for the ones leaving. I remember I cried every Sunday after leaving the group I was raised in. I kept praying to God that I didn't want to go to Hell and if leaving was gonna send me to Hell, please stop me. He just kept giving me peace. I have the most peace that I've ever had.

What a beautiful couple. I’m a year late to this podcast but there is a lot to get through as a never Mormon but I had huge exposure growing up in Australia and then my move to the U.K. with JW’s ,Mormons and Pentecostal Christianity. And an interest in cults and hight demand religions due to this exposure as a child and teen and into my twenties. I’m so pleased you are speaking out and continuing to keep the pod casts as you do. Huge love to you all. And I love how connected you two are as a couple xxx

Lovely couple and great informative interview. You are so kind and understanding.

I could listen to another 4 hours!!!! Awesome episode!!!! Such lovely people! ♥️

This has been probably my favorite Mormon stories interview. Thank you Sam and Melissa for sharing your story. ❤️ Love your channel as well!

I love this interview- really inspiring how Sam found his way in a world where so much was new to him!! And Melissa is so beautiful and intelligent!

What’s so great about the channel Growing Up in Polygamy is showing how we are all the same people. It is so sad that people are still victims of Warren Jeffs. I used to go to Utah a couple times a year and we would visit relatives all over this area. I love seeing the beautiful scenery when you showed us around. Absolutely recall seeing the mountains in the dark as we made our way to relatives homes. Passing through Las Vegas back in the 1970’s was another event. The St. George Temple is my favorite.

Love this interview. Would love to see Melissa back for her own full interview. She speaks so passionately and clearly.

I hope that they chose to surprise her dad, even with a simple beach or garden wedding and let him give her away. Pictures and memory making is worth it.

Shunning is such a destructive practice.. My granny hasn't talked to her youngest son in thirty years. She's starting to get dementia and I'm not even sure she remembers that she had three kids. My sister and I have both left the religion and I asked my dad how it could be paradise for him without us and he couldn't answer me.

What a great interview! Mormon Stories seems to have an endless supply of people with such interesting backgrounds and struggles in life. What's impressive is the courage to do the right thing, because truth matters. Sam's aha moment when he realized that there are people all over the world belonging to various religions who also "feel" the truth of their faith, just like Mormons, was also my experience as a Christian but not Mormon. This is an age-old human experience provided by all religions. One reaction is to conclude that the experience must be delusional because the religions are obviously different. Another conclusion could be that the various religions have unique messages intended for a particular time or culture, just as teachers in school adapt lessons to the age levels they're teaching. One teacher is not superior to another just because she teaches a higher level of math than previous teachers. This way of examining religions allows all of them to be true, but not the only truth, and not the last truth, but the best form of the truth for a particular people. The social laws for marriage and diet may change, but the admonitions to truthfulness, honesty, compassion, love, forgiveness, etc. are the same in all religions. The evidence is in the cultures growing from each religion. Those who follow the moral and ethical laws of their religion are good people, whatever they may call themselves.

I'm so glad this interview exists. It sheds a much better light on the FLDS church than the media does. Before the more recent major corruption, it seemed more like an Amish community in a lot of ways.

As I listened further to this Conversation I believe it sounds like a Story of 'Eternal Progression. My own experience has been that I came to a Better Understanding of God and been able to have a Personal Relationship with God came AFTER I stepped away from the LDS Church. Good Luck to you young people on your Journey...

It was super interesting to learn more about Melissa! Thanks for the past few episodes. I came to your channel because so many people mentioned Sam and Melissa would be on during a live stream on Eskel Grant’s channel…now I’ll be binging old episodes.

What a heartbreaking and bittersweet journey for these lovely people. Such a powerful episode.

Love my new 🏡 Family! 🎈🎉🎉 ExJW (Jehovah's Witness) Solidarity! 💚💜

Beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking, heartwarming stories.❤😊

I am an ex Mormon convert. When I was in the church I never , ever, at any time heard anything about polygamy or the FLDS. Now it is fascinating to me and I’m loving learning everything about it from Sam. I’m even reading some books about it. Your mother should be so proud of raising you to be the fine man you are. I hope sometime in the future she will know Melissa and your darling children. Aren’t you glad you moved back to St. George and met Sam !

I’m thankful that my relationship with Jesus Christ is about believing in Him, inviting Him into my heart (life) and asking forgiveness for my sin. Jesus fills the vacuum in my soul rather relying on works. Jesus loves me so much that He died for me and I have certainty of my future in Heaven when I die. ✝️

Stories of Courage. Thank You for Sharing.

Brilliant interview John you did a fantastic job. Sam and Melissa, I thought I had a mountain of admiration for you guys from watching your channel, already. This interview has upped that admiration about a thousand percent. Thank you for telling your story.

Wow! What an impressive, intelligent, delightful couple.

I have enjoyed watching your channel Sam and Melissa. I'm first Baptist and have really been interested in knowing about how other religions were formed and their beliefs. I pray God continues to bless your family. My heart hurt when you both were raw with your feelings. I too have gone thru a faith journey not being in a religious family but knowing that someone was helping me navigate my life. I had an uncle that the Lds took in and he was handy caped and slow. They were very good to him. I know that the God I feel loves all and has made all man in his image. So why can't we all be loved equally by him. So I'm sending all of you my love and hugs. We need to hear your words before we judge others we need to walk a mile in their shoes. Thank you Mormon podcast and Sam and Melissa for allowing me into the world you were taught to believe. I also will pray that those who seek a way out can find the comfort in these examples

“ I didn’t think women had money.” Lol that’s a good one.

LOVE Melissa & Sam and now Mormon Stories! Thank you for an amazing interview and transparent talk.

Canadian here. Winston Blackmore's group is based in Bountiful, British Columbia (Canada's western-most province) north of Montana and Washington state.

This was a great interview. I really admire Sam and Melissa -- they are such good people. I think that sometimes when we feel the Spirit really strong in our lives, it is a confirmation that the Lord knows us and loves us. I have felt the Spirit very strong shortly before a tragedy struck my family, and I interpret it to mean that the Lord is very much aware of my situation.

This was very interesting. I learned a lot and I have to say I take my hat off to this young couple for being so brave.

What a story. I love this couple and am so happy they found each other. I am a recovering Catholic so had a great deal of my own baggage to shed. All these “holier than thou” religions are crippling and cause much damage. Even now at my late age I am wary when meeting people that have strong faith in anything. Fear is what I feel knowing that at any moment they will turn their backs if they know you’re a non believer or won’t join their church. I’m going over now to follow Sam and Melissa. They are so refreshing.

What awesome couple! I've been subscribed on their channel since the beginning but this interview covered up a lot of new stuff that really impressed me. Double like!! Please John, get them back!!

I am so impressed by the ability of this young couple to speak the truth. It's heartbreaking and hard to believe how people can grow up in complete fear of religion. If we teach our children anything we need to teach them to seek the truth and trust their feelings.

Sometimes, it takes years before you can honor the man/woman/family who actually was a parent to you -- When I was divorced after 20 years of marriage I asked my stepfather -- who was the only man who ever WAS my father -- if I could have his name. He cried, I cried, I'm a Fox now ♥

Loved these interviews with Sam and Melissa!!

I loved these so much. I would love to hear more about Melissa's story too!

I have never understood this religion, because I’m aware of the shunning if you leave or kicked out among other things, like child abuse. My heart hurts wishing I could do something to help ones who decide to leave. They need more love & support, so they don’t feel that guilt and move to self destruction. Denying access to your family because you believe in something different is next level evil!! If someone keeps you away because they don’t want you to teach something else, it’s because it’s lies, you don’t have to be afraid of anything if it’s the truth. I just want to give you all a big hug.

GREAT couple. GREAT insight. GREAT story. Thanks for putting me onto their channel Mormon stories!!!

To make such changes takes an enormous strength of spirit. Hats off to both Of you. My wish for you is to keep growing……bless you both .

Incredible interview. Thanks to all involved.

I saw Elissa's interview before I watched this one. The most striking thing to me was how many similarities they have with the LDS church and how much (at least where I grew up) they were demonized by LDS members to distance ourselves from them. While they have many differences as well, they were/are just following what they believe exactly like TBMs do. I'm glad he got out & these two found each other.

Thank you for sharing Sam and Melissa! Both of your life stories are inspirational and needed today!

The power of their beliefs is real. My son in law is considered an apostate along with his brothers. He has a relationship with his parents, but anything related churchwise he is not allowed. He wasn't allowed to his grandmothers funeral just recently. It took them 3 yrs to meet my daughter. It's a learning curve for everyone.

Amazing interview. Sam and Melissa have so much grace and love.

Wow listening to their stories was like binge watching the Netflix documentary! So much good information. Thank you for sharing your stories!

This was so amazing … they are genuinely such a wonderful couple and their children are so blessed to have them as parents … to go thru the indoctrination, the complete loss of freedom , of choice , the loss of of identity only to regain it as an adult is so powerful . If anything their story , love is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit . Thank you for this open and truthful conversation .

Oh my goodness! My favorite couple!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Hello from Australia! So pleased you’re on Mormon Stories Podcast!!!!

I'm not Mormon, but truly enjoy your videos. I'm so captivated.

Definitely my favorite episode. Felt like listening to a the script of a movie about an amazing love story. Loved listening to both these beautiful people. Glad they have a RU-vid channel because if not I'd be begging for a book.

I relate to this episode so much! I really appreciate all of your stories and sharing your heart. I completely understand Jen’s tug of war of wanting to tell your loved ones the truth but at the same time not wanting to cause them the Earth shattering pain that comes with finding out the truth. Lots of love to everyone, whatever path you are on 💛

I live in San Francisco and can tell you that the former neighborhood where Jim Jones had his People’s Temple is still impacted. They split up this area by putting a freeway like boulevard that divided the community after they deported the Japanese during WWll. After Guyana They tore the temple down and built a post office. It’s located next to The Fillmore (everybody should go to The Fillmore once in their lives). I heard about the mass killing while getting ready for seminary and listening to the radio

Wow, Melissa & Sam… I’ve watched your channel since the beginning. This had me in tears. I would consider myself agnostic. My personal belief is that 100% the universe connected you both. It was so amazing to hear a lot of Melissa’s story which is just as gut wrenching. I cannot wait for the next interview and I’ll be exploring this channel too. Religion has always intrigued me. You two are just such a beautifully intelligent and spiritual couple. ✨

At about 3h 10m into the episode Sam was talking about an infamous cult. John thought he was referring to Jim Jones (i.e. People's Temple). I think Sam may have been referring to Marshall Applewhite & Bonne Nettles (i.e. Heaven's Gate). Especially since Sam was referring to the cult members' testimonies of the truthfulness of Heaven's Gate.

I listen to both podcasts all the time, but I learned so much from this series!