Exploring the Hidden Lives of Mormon Wives: How Devout Are They?

It’s here! Season Three of Hulu’s popular series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is finally out, filled with ten new episodes that promise more scandals, drama, and Utah’s very own MomTok rivalries. Now, I’ll be honest, reality TV isn’t typically my go-to, but this show somehow manages to keep me hooked, despite its predictable conflicts and engineered drama.

While some aspects of the show seem a bit staged and exaggerated, these women on screen are real-life Mormons grappling with various aspects of their identity within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From their matching “Utah hair” styles to their discussions about friendship that sometimes seem more like frenemy situations, these ladies raise intriguing questions about what it means to be a Mormon.

The first two seasons of “Secret Lives” explored the characters’ relationships with the LDS Church, showcasing a spectrum of perspectives ranging from critical to devout. One significant theme that emerged was the women’s struggles with sexuality, beyond the predictable cheating scandals and revealing outfits.

Take Mayci, for example, who shared her deeply personal story of adolescent grooming and sexual assault in her memoir “Told You So.” Then there’s Mikayla, who revealed surviving childhood sexual abuse that was overlooked by her LDS mother, leading to a challenging path to motherhood in her teenage years. And who could forget Layla, the late Mormon convert struggling with intimate relationships and the church’s intense focus on “sexual purity.”

Despite differing viewpoints on personal responsibility, the common thread in these stories is a sense of powerlessness around sexuality, often attributed, in part, to the teachings of the church. The series may be controversial, but it sheds light on important conversations about Mormon identity and the complexity of navigating faith and personal experiences.

Season Three of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” might be filled with drama and rivalries, but it also offers a glimpse into the lives of real women dealing with profound challenges and engaging with their Mormon identity in meaningful ways.