Where I live, there is no reaction because no TBMs know about the essay or care to acknowledge it. They have more important things to do. But, if I were to make a list of their likely reactions based on past behavior, it would look like this:

-- We can't know everything about what happened back then, so we have no right to judge.
-- God picked JS, so that makes it OK.
-- The church is twoo...
-- Look! They're being open and honest about the issues! Sorry you have a problem with that.
-- It'll all work out in the CK.
-- We don't have to understand God's ways -- just obey.
-- JS was a man. He wasn't perfect. So what?
-- Essay? Don't have time to read it.
-- It's fake.
-- Not gonna read it. I already have a testimony.
-- Yeah, so?
-- Polygamy? Sounds good to me!
-- Oh, I already knew all that. It doesn't matter.

I think they put the essay out there, knowing almost no members would actually read it, much less think about the contents. Now they can say they are being open and honest about tough issues (even though they really aren't), and inoculate the brainwashed sheeple.

I'm glad you posted this, I was thinking the same thing. My TBM DH doesn't have a clue about any of the essays and I don't think he would even bat an eye at them.

Believers are gonna think they believe no matter what. It is very sad-wake up sheeple!

This is my TBM spouse to a t. Would never read anything and wouldn't believe it if he did?