The newest and youngest wife of controversial "Three Wives, One Husband" star Abel Morrison has spoken out against the discrimination she faces due to her polygamous marriage.
Menna Barlow Morrison, 22, who grew up in a polygamist family with three wives and 40 children, now lives at Rockland Ranch, Utah, US, with her husband, Abel Morrison, his other wives Suzie, Beth, and Marina, and their 15 children.
Despite the 20-year age gap, Menna began courting Abel in 2018 when she was 18 years old after they met through their religious community.
The couple married a year and a half later, with Menna always feeling that she would one day join Abel's family. They share a son, Oliver, who was born in April 2022.
The family gained fame in the documentary "Three Wives, One Husband," which aired on Channel 4, TLC, and Netflix. The documentary did not feature Menna because she and Abel were not yet married.
Rockland Ranch is a fundamentalist Mormon community that was founded in 1977 to allow its members to practice their religion freely, which includes polygamous marriage.
Mormon Fundamentalism is an off-branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church).
Fundamentalist Mormons live by principles and practices no longer held by the LDS church, specifically, that plural marriage will help them reach the highest level of Heaven.
Menna has faced many challenges in her marriage, most notably having to share her husband with three other women.
She has also faced extreme discrimination, with people assuming that she is "stupid" and "brainwashed".
However, Menna would not change her polygamous lifestyle for anything and wishes that people would be more understanding.
Menna acknowledges that there are great challenges with living in a plural marriage.
"The greatest challenge is the most obvious: sharing your husband. It's hard to know that you're not the only woman in his life," Menna said.
Despite the obvious challenges, Menna finds great joy in her marriage.
"Life would definitely be easier with no sister-wives, but I know that this is what Heavenly Father requires," she said.
Menna has also spoken out against the cruel discrimination that she and other women like her have faced.
"Some think we're forced into this way of living, which is NOT true; no one in our circles is forced into plural marriage,” she said.
"I wish more people understood that we choose to live this way, and we are happy. We try and overcome our humanly struggles, learn to share, and have many children. Every plural marriage in our public fundamentalist circles is consensual."
Despite the discrimination that she has faced, Menna, who has 13,400 followers on TikTok, also has numerous supporters.
"I still have a few relationships with family and friends who believe differently and are still extremely supportive of the way I live because they're huge advocates of personal choice and free will," Menna said.
Menna has lost some friends due to her choice to live in plural marriage. "I have some friends that don't approve, and it's made things awkward. I've noticed that my relationships with those people are pretty much broken," she said.
Her story is one that has received attention worldwide. It has sparked debates on social media platforms, with many people expressing their opinions about the lifestyle she has chosen.
However, Menna is confident in her choices and has no plans to change her ways.
"Without plural marriage, I wouldn't have my baby boy Oliver. And I never could've married Abel, who has been a huge blessing to me. He does an excellent job of caring for his family," she said.
