Whitney Rose Attributes Mormon Upbringing to Guilt, Shame, Fear About Ending Marriage

Whitney Rose, a star of *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City*, has shared how her upbringing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shaped her views on marriage and family. Speaking exclusively to *Us* on October 15, Rose reflected on the lasting influence of her Mormon faith, even after she left the church in her early 20s. She described internalizing messages that emphasized the sanctity of the family unit and the idea of an “eternal companion,” a term used within the church to describe marriages sealed in temples for eternity.

Rose explained that despite no longer identifying with the church, she still grapples with the emotional weight of teachings she absorbed as a child. “The good thing about Mormonism that I’m taking is our family unit,” she said. “Justin and I are focused on coparenting and keeping the family unit healthy and intact, but I have to go all the way back to this program.” She acknowledged that the guilt, shame, and fear instilled by the church’s teachings still affect her, even as she distances herself from its practices.

The former couple, who have been married for 16 years, announced their separation in July. Rose revealed that they share custody of their two children, daughter Bobbie, 16, and son Brooks, 13, and rotate between their homes to ensure the children never have to leave their “primary home.” However, a definitive break came on October 6, when Rose filed for divorce in Utah. She submitted a parenting plan to the court for approval, marking a formal step in the dissolution of their marriage.

Rose also discussed the church’s concept of an “eternal companion,” which teaches that marriages sealed in temples are meant to last beyond this life. She described how this idea was introduced to children as young as three, with songs and lessons reinforcing the notion that marriage is a spiritual bond that endures forever. “So if you really understand,” she said, “at 3 years old, they start reciting, ‘I’m gonna get married for all time and eternity.’ At 3 years old, every Sunday, we sing songs about it [and] read lessons about it.”

The impact of these teachings, she said, has lingered in her mind, influencing her understanding of relationships and family. “Part of me wanting to be alone is to go all the way back and heal that, too,” she added. Her comments highlight the complex ways in which religious upbringing can shape personal beliefs and decisions, even long after leaving the faith.

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