 |
| Excuses ! Excuses ! Excuses ! |
 Monument commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1953 raid on Short Creek. |
For many decades, the people living in Utah and Arizona have just turned a blind eye to the abuses occurring within the secrecy and isolation of polygamy. They don't want to acknowledge it; they don't want to take any responsibility for it; they don't want to be bothered with it; they claim they can't do anything about it; or they say it is someone else's problem. The US Government continues to turn a blind eye to the situation, too. This also seems to be the attitude taken by the Canadians regarding the "Sister-sects" in British Columbia. Nobody seems to want to help the victims of polygamy! Below are some prime examples of this situation. These news articles are listed in chronological order. |
| It's A Felony, But Polygamy Isn't Prosecuted In Arizona | |
|
By Tim Molloy The Associated Press Originally published August 12, 1998 | |
| PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Jane Hull says polygamy is illegal. So does the state constitution. But that doesn't mean Mrs. Hull is doing anything to stop men from taking multiple wives in Arizona - or that she can. None of Arizona's elected officials have done much of anything about polygamy laws since 1953, when a midnight raid on the tiny polygamist community of Short Creek turned voters against Governor Howard Pyle. Arizonans were shocked at the sight of hundreds of children being taken from their families in the night and dozens of men dragged off to Kingman on charges ranging from bigamy to statutory rape. Pyle said the raid cost him his 1954 bid for re-election. Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt reopened the polygamy debate last month when he said it might be legal under the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom. He quickly backtracked from that and said that polygamy was in fact illegal but that it would be as impossible to prosecute as sodomy or cohabitation, which are also crimes in Utah and Arizona. Read more | |
| Utah Paying a High Price for Polygamy | |
|
By Julie Cart The Los Angeles Times Originally published September 9, 2001 | |
| Law: Child abuse and welfare fraud are part of plural marriage's toll. Still, there is a reluctance to pursue lawbreakers. Hildale, Utah -- A declaration of war it was not. But in Utah, where polygamy has been a persistent but submerged issue for generations, no governor had so much as whispered a public opinion on the topic before. So when Gov. Mike Leavitt asserted last May that "polygamy is against the law" and polygamist Tom Green was sentenced last month to five years in prison, it appeared to signal an unprecedented crackdown on multiple marriages. With the Winter Olympics only a few months off, image-conscious public officials are starting to talk tough about a crime that law enforcement officials have routinely ignored. But it remains to be seen if the tough talk will translate into action any time soon. Read more | |
| Canadian polygamists let off the hook — again | |
| Government says the polygamy law violates religious freedoms | |
|
By Frank Stirk Christian Week Canada Originally published March 5, 2002 | |
| VICTORIA, BC—The British Columbia government will continue a decade-old policy of not prosecuting polygamists, at least until the law forbidding multiple marriages has been reworded. An internal review completed last month re-affirmed the stance taken by the previous NDP administration that the statute—Section 239 of the Criminal Code—violates Charter protections of freedom of religion. "Faced with these legal opinions we will be seeking an amendment to the Criminal Code," Attorney-General Geoff Plant told Vancouver's The Province. To Rowenna Erickson, however, this refusal to enforce the law is "very disappointing." A co-founder of the Utah-based group Tapestry Against Polygamy (TAP), she says the province is ignoring the reality that women trapped in a polygamous "marriage" suffer appalling abuse. "Polygamists are every bit as bad as the Taliban in the way that they treat women," said Erickson in an interview from Salt Lake City. "They use them as property, they barter and trade them and they force them into marriages at very young ages." Read more | |
| Groups Airing 'Utah's Dirty Little Secret' | |
| As activists gather, they say state's inaction on the issue allows sexual assaults, child abuse, welfare fraud to go unchecked. | |
|
By Julie Cart The Los Angeles Times Originally published August 18, 2002 | |
| Zion National Park, Utah -- It's been two years since Utah's Legislature appointed a full-time investigator to root out crimes associated with polygamy. But, aside from last year's high-profile prosecution and imprisonment of polygamist Tom Green, no other cases have been brought to court. Anti-polygamy activists, who gathered here Saturday for an unprecedented meeting, charge that the state has not done enough to stamp out "Utah's dirty little secret." They say the inaction is allowing child abuse, welfare fraud and sexual assault to continue unchecked in polygamous communities. Groups from Utah, Arizona and Canada met for the first time to gather material for a report they intend to forward to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. They also have recruited former "sister wives" to help build a massive class-action suit to be filed against a polygamous religious group that arranges marriages of girls as young as 13. Activists called polygamous leaders "the American Taliban," saying women are subjugated by the practice of plural marriage. And over and over again, they said Utah's polygamy investigator has merely provided political cover for the state, which has little interest in delving into a highly sensitive issue. Read more | |
| 2 polygamous towns investigated | |
|
By Dennis Wagner and Mark Shaffer The Arizona Republic Originally published October 2, 2002 | |
| Authorities from Arizona and Utah revealed Tuesday that they have spent the past two years investigating underage marriages and other crimes in the polygamous towns of Colorado City and Hildale, although no arrests have been made to date. Dennis Burke of the Arizona Attorney General's Office said agents began a "very broad criminal investigation" after the state's top prosecutor, Janet Napolitano, learned about allegations of child abuse and teen marriages in the towns along the Arizona Strip. Colorado City and Hildale are dominated by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a sect that splintered from mainstream Mormonism after the mother church renounced polygamy more than a century ago. There are now an estimated 10,000 congregants in the fundamentalist group. Burke confirmed that agents from his office are working in concert with Ron Barton, a Utah investigator hired specifically to prosecute polygamists. Barton was responsible for the conviction of Tom Green, who was sentenced to prison in a highly publicized case, but has otherwise claimed no successes in a state with thousands of multiwife families. Leaders in Colorado City could not be reached for comment. Read more | |
| Polygamous Towns Investigated | |
| County attorney’s office to join in investigation of criminal activity | |
|
By Brian Wedemeyer Today's News-Herald - Havasu City Originally published October 3, 2002 | |
| The Mohave County Attorney’s Office is involved in a joint investigation of alleged criminal activity in polygamous towns in Arizona and Utah, County Attorney Bill Ekstrom said Wednesday. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office recently confirmed that an investigation with Utah authorities has been ongoing for the past two years. "We are making some progress," Ekstrom said. "Multiple relationships between consenting adults is not prosecutable. However, when those relationships spill over and affect children, we are concerned about it. And we are interested in developing cases if they are there." Read more | |
| Public officials defend handling of complaints about Colorado City | |
|
By Ken Hedlery Kingman Daily Miner Originally published Friday, December 20, 2002 | |
| Arizona officials from Mohave County supervisors to the attorney general have been criticized for not vigorously prosecuting criminal activity in Colorado City. Critics, led by Flora Jessop, a former resident of the polygamous community in the Arizona Strip, allege child abuse, rape, welfare fraud and other criminal activity occur there and go largely unpunished. Residents (population 3,332 according to the 2000 census) are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which split from the Mormon Church over the issue of polygamy during the 19th century. "What should be done?" District 1 Supervisor Pete Byers, whose district includes Colorado City, asked rhetorically. "It's not for me to figure out. It's up to the entities that are involved. It's up to the FBI and attorney general." Mohave County officials say they lack jurisdiction because Colorado City has its own city government and police department. Because Colorado City borders another state, they contend, investigation and prosecution are complicated. Read more | |
| Hatch pressed to take stand against polygamy | |
|
Casper Star Tribune Originally published April 18, 2003 | |
| St. George, Utah -- Sen. Orrin Hatch, attending a town meeting in southern Utah, found himself pressed by anti-polygamy activists to take a stand against the practice. Bob Curran, director of the anti-polygamy group Help the Child Brides, asked the Utah Republican on Thursday, why, only an hour away, "thugs" rape children and nothing is being done to stop it. "No one should be raping a child ... we need to protect our children," Hatch said. Curran said girls as young as 13 and 14 were forced into plural marriages with older men in the nearby twin polygamous communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. Another speaker, Sonya Blancke, said she was dismayed that polygamists were able to break the laws. Hatch said, "I wouldn't throw accusations around unless you know they're true." "I'm not here to justify polygamy," he said. "All I can say is, I know people in Hildale who are polygamists who are very fine people. Read more | |
| Ludlow's appointment before Senate | |
|
By Rachel Olsen The Spectrum Originally published Thursday, May 1, 2003 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY -- Members of the Senate Judiciary Confirmation Committee upheld their original motion to support Washington County Attorney Eric Ludlow's appointment as judge for the 5th District Court. The committee asked Ludlow additional questions Wednesday to clarify some confusion regarding the issue of polygamy, which had been brought up in the previous committee hearing April 9. People opposed to Ludlow's nomination accused him of turning a blind eye to polygamy and ignoring cases that had come across his desk alleging abuse of young women. "As a father of four daughters and a prosecutor, that is a horrible charge," Ludlow said. When directly questioned about polygamy issues, Ludlow said that never, to his knowledge, had a case come into his office that was not acted upon. Ludlow mainly referred to the case against Rodney Holm, a Hildale-area police officer charged with two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old and one count of bigamy -- charges related to his relationship with Holm's third wife, Ruth Stubbs. Ludlow said that case was being handled by the Utah Attorney General's Office -- not because his office was turning a blind eye, but because there were conflicts of interest in having Washington County prosecute the case. Other than that case, Ludlow said he knew of no case presented to his office. During the hearing, Bob Curran of Help the Child Brides said that Ludlow either had to have known about abuses in polygamist marriages and done nothing, or he didn't know, making him a "terribly inept choice." Read more | |
| Get a Grip: Polygamy again | |
|
News Column by Abbie Gripman Kingman Daily Miner Originally published Friday, May 16, 2003 | |
| Finally. The heat is rising in Colorado City and at last it’s not just due to summer. At last, the public has proof of fraud of abuse in the polygamous northern Mohave County city. Colorado City is a tiny, scenic community divided from the rest of the county by the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. The town’s isolation is deliberate. When mainstream Mormons were forced to renounce polygamy in 1890 in exchange for Utah statehood, many refused to give up the practice of taking multiple wives. Early Mormon doctrine taught that taking many wives was the only way for a man to attaint the highest reaches of heaven. In addition, women were taught that only by submitting to their husbands as multiple wives would they be eligible for salvation on their husband’s coattails. So when the church suddenly reversed itself, many fundamentalists felt abandoned. Those who continued the practice of polygamy were excommunicated. It is a handful of these outcasts who dug in at the community north of the Grand Canyon. Colorado City and adjacent Hildale, Utah, straddle the Arizona/Utah border. The confused jurisdiction is another complication for authorities trying to crack down on abuses in the community. Read more | |
| Eyes Wide Shut | |
| From Governor Janet Napolitano down, Arizona authorities have protected polygamous sexual predators with their indifference | |
|
By John Dougherty Phoenix New Times Originally published August 7, 2003 | |
| "This is laughable," scoffs Cindi Nannetti, Maricopa County's sex-crimes bureau chief, as she finishes reading a three-page report prepared by the Colorado City Police Department -- an agency controlled by fundamentalist Mormon polygamists along the Arizona-Utah border. The report briefly summarizes more than a decade of sex crimes by Dan Barlow Jr., 52, whose father, Dan Barlow Sr., is the longtime mayor and fire chief of Colorado City, a small town on the desolate Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon. Nannetti certainly isn't laughing over the criminal acts. One of the top sex-crimes prosecutors in the country, she has been directing Maricopa County's investigation into sexual misconduct by Catholic priests for years. She knows good police work, and the Colorado City police report misses the mark. Nannetti says cases with similar accusations in Maricopa County would result in stacks of evidence two feet high. Read more | |
| AZ Legislature needs to speak out on polygamy | |
|
By Al Herron Prescott Daily Courier Originally published Wednesday, September 3, 2003 | |
| We’ve shown how the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (up on the Arizona – Utah border) marries teen-age girls against their will to older men with several wives already. Also, we’ve seen how they use public assistance programs to support their huge families, and how the school district is defrauding the state’s taxpayers. They excel at "bleeding the beast." Three years ago, the Arizona Attorney General’s office began an investigation into charges of illegal marriage with underage girls, sexual assault, statutory rape, incest and other such pleasantries up in Colorado City, but so far nothing has come of it. It’s difficult to get witnesses because the Fundamentalist Mormon Church tells them it will shun them for life, and they will spend eternity in hell if they talk. Also, the Arizona Auditor General’s office has begun an investigation into the practices of the Colorado City School Board. Members routinely use the schools’ credit cards and vehicles for personal use. They spend funds extravagantly, such as buying an airplane, and then make the students raise money to go see "The Wizard of Oz." The students and teachers (none of whom are FLDS any longer) claim that the board members (who are all FLDS) are running the district primarily to benefit the private FLDS schools instead of its public schools. County school officials told state officials that the district is spending state funds improperly, but nothing more has happened. It’s an "ongoing investigation." I sure hope it gets there someday. Read more | |
| Politics Over Principle | |
| Napolitano and Goddard exhibit cowardly conduct in the polygamy probe | |
|
By Rick Barrs Phoenix New Times Originally published October 9, 2003 | |
| Imagine my shock the other Sunday when I picked up the Arizona Republic and there it was on the front page (above the fold, even): "Polygamist sect target of Arizona-Utah inquiry." Arizona's largest daily newspaper was following John Dougherty's groundbreaking New Times stories on a Mormon polygamist sect in northern Arizona and southern Utah that has forced underage girls into sexual slavery for generations (this is Islam with an X rating). The subhead read: "For decades, allegations of child abuse, forced marriage, incest and misuse of public money fell on deaf ears." Read more | |
| Polygamy? I’m awaiting answers, senator | |
|
By Al Herron Prescott Daily Courier Originally published Sunday, December 21, 2003 | |
| Thanks to Sen. Ken Bennett for replying to my requests for information about the polygamy problem in Northern Arizona. It wasn’t what I hoped to hear, but at least it was a reply. I had asked why polygamy is growing so rapidly in Colorado City (probably 10,000 polygamists in that area) while our state Constitution says "polygamy shall be forever prohibited within this state." And what is the Legislature contemplating about the welfare fraud and school fraud in Colorado City? And what about the old rumor that Mormon legislators in Arizona have ignored all this because they’re basically sympathetic to polygamist doctrine and lifestyle? (Some legislators are descendants of polygamists, so perhaps that’s understandable.) But instead of answering these questions, Sen. Bennett attacked me for being a bigot, "morally outrageous," and "the pride of Archie Bunker." This type of response seems to be standard. Read more | |
| Goddard calls for patience in polygamy case | |
|
By Robbie Sherwood The Arizona Republic Originally published February 5, 2004 | |
| Authorities are making progress in "unprecedented" efforts to crack down on child abuse and other crimes in the reclusive polygamist enclave of Colorado City, Attorney General Terry Goddard said Wednesday. Goddard wouldn't talk about any ongoing criminal investigations, but he urged patience from lawmakers and other critics who have said it's time to see results. A group of 22 House members sent Goddard a letter on Monday urging him to take action in Colorado City. "Patience pays off," Goddard said. "We learned this lesson recently after watching the safe return of the state corrections officer after 15 days being held hostage by two prisoners. We are practicing the same patience with regard to Colorado City because we can't change 50 years of mistrust overnight." Read more | |
| Handling of enclave defended | |
|
By Paul Davenport The Associated Press Originally published Thursday, February 5, 2004 | |
| PHOENIX — Attorney General Terry Goddard is defending his office's handling of allegations of child abuse and other wrongdoing in the northern Arizona polygamist enclave of Colorado City. "We're doing everything we can. It's a No. 1 priority for this office," Goddard said Wednesday during a news conference. The state's top prosecutor declined to discuss any criminal investigations and child-dependency cases now under way, but he said it remains difficult to get people to testify about "extremely disturbing" allegations. "We need facts." Goddard said state authorities nonetheless are moving quietly and diligently on many fronts to protect children from abuse. "It's probably not going to result in a big explosion today or tomorrow but I believe the truth is coming out and in fact the inquiry is at a much higher and much (more) diligent level than it's ever been," said Goddard, a Democrat who took office 13 months ago. He said he simultaneously is trying to build bridges with community members who remain deeply suspicious after a controversial state raid five decades ago. Twenty-seven Arizona state legislators — 26 Republicans and one Democrat — on Tuesday released a letter calling on Goddard to ensure the safety of young people in Colorado City and to prosecute cases of criminal activity such as bigamy, rape and incest. Read more | |
| Colorado City runaway returned home | |
| DCFS: not enough reason to withold custody | |
|
By Jane Zhang The Spectrum Originally published Saturday, February 7, 2004 | |
| ST. GEORGE -- A Colorado City girl who ran away to St. George in the aftermath of a split in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was returned home last week after two weeks in Utah and Arizona state custody. The 17-year-old girl, who left in a Chevy truck with a man on Jan. 17, was returned home on Jan. 30 after 5th District Court Judge James L. Shumate dismissed a protective order she obtained against her father. The St. George court, Shumate said, didn't have jurisdiction over an Arizona case. The Arizona Child Protective Services and Utah State Division of Child and Family Services, both of which sent representatives to Shumate's court, said they found no abuses at the girl's home. The Utah DCFS, after keeping the girl as a possible runaway for 10 days at the Youth Crisis Center at the Youth Corrections Facility, turned her over to Arizona CPS on Jan. 27. "Living in a polygamist home -- by that reason is not enough to remove a child," said Carol Sisco, spokeswoman for Utah DCFS. "That doesn't constitute abuse or neglect." Read more | |
| Lack of polygamy prosecutions explained | |
|
The Tri-State News Network Originally published Monday, February 23, 2004 | |
| KINGMAN, Ariz Why has there been little prosecution in Colorado City? TSN talked with Former Mohave County Attorney Bill Ekstrom to get his answer. "We were very concerned about allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse of young women. We investigated those with the resources we had and I know the Attorney General's office has done the same thing. And those cases just didn't happen. Essentially you have individuals who don't perceive themselves to be victims and who are unwilling to cooperate with any kind of prosecution and hence the facts never came out," he said. "Well essentially you have to have a good case and investigation, before you can prosecute. So it is very difficult, particularly in a community where there is not a lot of law enforcement resources and a lot of information coming out. Read more | |
| County presence in Colorado City delayed | |
|
e-Press The Tri-State News Network Murphy Broadcasting, Inc. Originally published Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | |
| KINGMAN, Ariz. - The completion date of a modular facility in Colorado City has been pushed back some. "It was my opinion that the building could be completed within 90 days after purchasing the place and the estimated completion date at the beginning of May. This estimate was based on my belief that there was a modular building available under state contract that could be purchased within budget. Unfortunately, this assumption was not correct forcing the county into bidding out the project," said county public works director Mike Hendrix. Director Hendrix said they have advertised the bid and a tentative completion date has been delayed until the middle of July. | |
| AG: Hildale arrests not in the cards | |
| Shurtleff says report won't lead to polygamous policemen's prosecution | |
|
Staff and wire reports The Spectrum Originally published Thursday, June 10, 2004 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY -- Attorney General Mark Shurtleff doesn't plan to prosecute the polygamist policemen in Hildale, but he would like the state to take away their law-enforcement certification. Hildale and adjacent Colorado City, Ariz., are home to the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Officers are cross-certified in the two states. Following an eight-month investigation, Shurtleff's office concluded that seven of Hildale's 13 officers were practicing polygamists, some officers turned a blind eye to crimes by fellow officers and some officers lied about completing required training hours. Shurtleff is not pursuing criminal charges on any of the accusations. "We just don't have the resources to start charging bigamy," he said. Read more | |
| Wavering on polygamy law | |
|
IN OUR VIEW Provo Daily Herald Originally published June 13, 2004 | |
| When Tom Green was tried and convicted on bigamy charges, it marked the first successful prosecution of a polygamist in Utah in a half-century. Green's case was seen as a novel attempt to prosecute a crime that has been illegal -- technically -- since Utah obtained statehood in 1896 but which has gone largely unenforced. Instead of using the anti-polygamy statutes that had proven unworkable in the past, Juab County Attorney David Leavitt, with help from BYU law professor Monte N. Stewart and the attorney general's office, used the common-law marriage statute to prosecute Green for bigamy. Anti-polygamy advocates saw his trial as opening the door for more prosecutions, while Green maintained that it was strictly a show trial to demonstrate that Utah doesn't tolerate polygamists on the eve of the 2002 Winter Olympics. "I think the reason I'm being prosecuted is because I talk to the media," Green said in a 2001 interview. It appears Green may be right. His conviction didn't throw open a floodgate of polygamy prosecutions. A drip may be more like it. Rodney Holm, a police officer in the polygamist towns of Hilldale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., was convicted of bigamy and recently completed his sentence on that crime. But Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is apparently not unleashing the prosecutorial dogs on some of Holm's fellow polygamists on the police force. Read more | |
| Cult fears ignored | |
| Decade-old polygamy warnings not acted upon | |
|
By Mike D'Amour Calgary Sun Originally published August 1, 2004 | |
| Creston, B.C. -- B.C. legislators were warned about the "serious" situation at a polygamous commune more than a decade ago, but so far have not acted on the recommendations of a top secret report obtained by the Sun. The multi-page document was compiled by the Committee on Polygamous Issues, a group comprised of former members of the polygamous community of Bountiful and other interested parties, in the early 1990s and then given to the provincial government. In it, the report stated: "The situation in the Bountiful group is becoming increasingly serious." One reason for concern was a rapidly growing population -- at the time there were only about 400 members in the commune but that number has risen to almost 1,000. The report expressed other concerns including the increasing move by sect members to become even more insulated and isolated from the outside world and patterns of abuse which were becoming more entrenched because social services were not used. Read more | |
| Attacking a cult | |
| Group of polygamists has hidden behind religion too long | |
|
By Patty Henetz The Associated Press Originally published August 4, 2004 | |
| Fall into this rabbit hole and the ordinary rules don't apply. A cult is called a church, women are chattel, children are denied education, little girls are assigned as second and third "wives" to older men, and teen boys are driven away because they represent competition for girls. That's the way things are in the twin cities of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah. Here, in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a tyrant is called prophet. He runs everybody's life and owns everything, including the keys to heaven. In his corner of Earth, he's the law. When people first learn that the Arizona-Utah line hosts the nation's largest polygamous community, they are enraged. Why doesn't the law sweep in and stop this perversion of faith and family? Read more | |
| Allegations Abound: Colorado City's polygamous community comes under increasing scrutiny | |
|
By Mark Hall Today's News-Herald - Havasu City Originally published Saturday, September 25, 2004 | |
| As allegations of abuse and fraud in the polygamist community of Colorado City become more prominent, at least one long-time critic believes federal, state and local governments haven't done enough to address the situation. What's more, he charges that officials aren't addressing the issues at hand and have no practical solutions and, at some point, should be held accountable. For seven years, District 3 Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson of Lake Havasu City has alleged abuses in the community of about 10,000, which is dominated by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is among a handful of elected officials who have tried to expose unlawful activities in the city - which sits on the Utah-Arizona border - and has specifically identified fraud and widespread child sexual abuse as the two critical issues of concern. Many of the allegations are old news to him, Johnson said. "It's just new to the media. There are so many things that were exposed when we first came out with it. There is still more stuff that we have not brought to the public, but they just won't believe it," Johnson said. Read more | |
| UTAH SHERIFF WON’T INVESTIGATE CALL FOR HELP FROM UNDERAGE BRIDE OF POLYGAMIST LEADER WARREN JEFFS | |
| Warren Jeffs, who continues to marry young girls with impunity, seems to be the beneficiary of a lack of awareness on the part of both the public and local law enforcement officers. Perhaps there would be a greater outcry over the tremendous harm Jeffs has done if instead of being characterized as a "mere" polygamist, he were more correctly described as the head of a vast criminal organization that has long engaged in widespread sexual slavery and financial fraud, and advocates hatred for non-white races. | |
|
Jon Krakauer Press Release November 14, 2004 | |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sheriff Kirk Smith of Washington County (Utah) called a halt on Friday to his department’s investigation of 17-year-old Janetta Jessop, reported missing by her sister, Suzanne Jessop Johnson. A week earlier Janetta had phoned Suzanne and begged for help from an undisclosed location in Hildale-Colorado City—the secretive polygamist stronghold, straddling the Utah-Arizona border, which is home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS). The FLDS Church is led by self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs, who is married to some 70 women and girls, and demands absolute, unquestioning obedience from his estimated 10,000 followers. Janetta abruptly vanished from her family home in Colorado City in August 2003, immediately after her 16th birthday. At that time, Suzanne believes, her sister was "taken as a plural wife" by Warren Jeffs, who was 47 at the time. At least two (and possibly three) of Janetta’s older sisters had already been taken as wives by Jeffs. The parents of Janetta and Suzanne are fervent members of the FLDS Church. Two years ago Suzanne, 26, and her husband were "cut off" from the church, after which Jeffs forbid her family from having further contact with her. Read more | |
| Police Look for Missing Polygamist Girl | |
| The Mohave County Attorney's Office in Arizona is investigating a claim that a 17-year-old girl is missing. | |
|
The Associated Press KSL NewsRadio 1160 Originally broadcast November 16, 2004 | |
| ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- The Mohave County Attorney's Office in Arizona is investigating a claim that a 17-year-old girl is missing. The girl's parents live on the Arizona side of the twin polygamist communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., but the report that she was missing occurred on the Utah side. An attorney with the Mohave County Attorney's Office said he had been authorized to look into the report. Suzanne Johnson, the sister of 17-year-old Janetta Jessop, told Washington County sheriff's officers in Utah on Thursday that her sister called Nov. 5 asking to be picked up and was never heard from again. Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith said Friday that the girl's parents told a deputy that she was fine and at home with them. Johnson said her mother came over after the Nov. 5 call and said Jessop had called her to say "never mind." "I could tell something was wrong (when Jessop called)," Johnson said. "I had a bad feeling." Sam Brower, an investigator for some disaffected members of the sect, said the sheriff should not have taken the parents' word without checking. "I don't know what everyone wants me to do.... We deal with fact, we don't deal with innuendo and I'm not (going to) allow this group to push their agenda," Smith said. Read more | |
| Little Girl, Lost | |
|
God & Consequences StoryHunters.com Originally published November 16, 2004 | |
| There's another Mormon girl gone missing, and the police don't seem to care. Janetta Jessop, 17, allegedly called her sister to come rescue her from the FLDS, a splinter Mormon sect run by Warren Jeffs, the prophet who keeps kicking members out of his tight little community for questioning him - or just because he wants their wives or property. (The FLDS is a polygamous church.) Jessop's sister, Suzanne Johnson, has been disfellowshipped by the church, which means that she's basically persona non grata as far as FLDS members are concerned. Johnson thinks that perhaps Jessop has been "given" to Warren Jeffs as another one of his brides - and she's worried, because the FLDS won't give her the time of day. And the cops? Well, they called Jessop's parents, who claimed she was "fine" - and that was apparently that. "I could tell something was wrong (when Jessop called)," Johnson said. "I had a bad feeling." Now Sam Brower, a private investigator hired to find Jeffs and who has also been helping Johnson with this incident, is upset, saying the Washington County Sheriff has failed in his oath to protect the innocent and the public because he has taken the parents' word on Jessop's whereabouts without checking. Read more | |
| The Polygamy Cults of Southern Utah | |
| Time to Rescind Utah's Statehood? | |
|
By Suzan Mazur Out of Bounds Magazine Originally published March 2, 2005 | |
|
Polygamy is illegal in Utah and forbidden by the Arizona constitution. However, law enforcement agencies in both states have decided to focus on crimes within polygamous communities that involve child abuse, domestic violence and fraud [emphasis added]. The Utah Attorney General's Office and the Arizona Attorney General's Office also worked together [with polygamy advocates] to produce "The Primer -- Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities." This manual provides basic information about various communities that will assist human services professionals, law enforcement officers and others in helping victims from these communities. The Primer will be updated regularly to reflect modifications in the law and changes in each organization's beliefs and practices . . . Office of Mark Shurtleff, Attorney General, State of Utah | |
| No General Shurtleff, polygamy cults are not okay. As Utah's Attorney General and a boy scout leader for over 20 years, you should know better than to post a statement like this, whose language serves to institutionalize crimes against humanity. These cults should not be given another day of sunlight to breathe. Beyond the Wasaatch mountains lies the real world where almost 200 countries have declared polygamy a human rights violation, including the United States, which is morally bound to the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, since the US has signed (though not yet ratified) the convention. Wellesley political science professor Katharine H.S. Moon has told me she sees CEDAW as a historic penetration of the walls of national sovereignty, making it possible for women for the first time to "bypass their governments and complain directly to the UN" about discrimination, sexual exploitation and other violations. Moreover, she says that "nationalism, national security and economic competition are not faith acts ordained by God". Utah was given an ultimatum in 1890 to abandon polygamy or lose US statehood. Utah has not held up its end of the bargain. Neither has Arizona, Montana (where the fine for polygamy is $600) and Idaho. And so it is time to seriously consider the case for rescinding statehood for perpetuating the cockroach-like infestation of such cults, which devastate lives from cradle to grave and siphon the country's treasury to do it. Read more | |
| Town hall focuses on polygamy allegations | |
|
By Joseph A. Reaves The Arizona Republic Originally published March 4, 2005 | |
| ST. GEORGE, Utah - A half century of fear and suspicion, and a world of doubt, spilled out Thursday night as the top two law enforcement officers of Arizona and Utah tried to explain to a crowded town hall meeting what they could and couldn't do about the nation's largest polygamous community. More than 300 people, at least half of them practicing polygamists, jammed a hotel ballroom for the calm, but highly charged two-hour session presided over by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and his Utah counterpart, Mark Shurtleff. The attorneys general called the meeting to discuss their handling of ongoing allegations of domestic violence and child abuse in the neighboring communities of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah - home to a breakaway religious sect known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Unlike the mainstream Mormon religion, which abandoned polygamy 115 years ago, the FLDS continues to practice plural marriage. The sect is dominated by one man, self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs, who has been in hiding since he was accused in two lawsuits of sexually abusing his nephew and covering up decades of molestation by fellow church leaders. Goddard and Shurtleff sought to keep the focus of the meeting off polygamy and on the safety of children. "We will not target any group because of their beliefs," Shurtleff said. "This is not about religion, but we certainly won't sit back and allow people to commit crimes in the name of religion." Read more | |
| An Open Letter To The Attorneys General Of Utah And Arizona | |
|
From Suzan Mazur "Scoop" Independent News - New Zealand Originally published Friday, 11 March 2005 | |
| Last week you were cited in these pages Scoop: Rescind Utah's Statehood? for refusing to dismantle the polygamy cults in your respective states, flouting federal law as well as the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which has declared polygamy a human rights violation. On closer scrutiny it now appears that your ease in embracing such sexism and a disdain for human rights may be your way of fitting neatly into the Bush fascist agenda for America. Please advise otherwise. According to reports, two-thirds of those responding at the polygamy summit you convened March 3 in St. George, Utah were opposed to your position to keep the cults alive despite the fact that about half the people in the audience were from the polygamy sects (the wives are told to "keep sweet" and silent): the Allreds, Kingstons, Jeffs (FLDS) (KSL.com News Story), Blackmores (FLDS-Canada), Harmstons. Emails I received following the March 2 story were also overwhelmingly opposed to your position. A few of the emails offer further insight into the problem: Read more | |
| Pushing for Polygamy | |
| Multiple marriage isn’t such a distant step away from gay marriage as many pretend. | |
|
By Megan Basham National Review Online Originally published April 18, 2005 | |
| Los Angeles Daily News guest editorialist Jonathan Drober recently echoed the view popular among gay-marriage proponents that polygamy is a canard of anti-gay-marriage family groups and that legal recognition of same-sex unions in no way promotes acceptance of plural matrimony. "No one is seriously posing simultaneous multiple marriages. We plan on keeping them traditionally serial — one spouse at a time," Drober wrote. Perhaps he should have mentioned that to the Arizona and Utah residents who attended a town-hall meeting concerning two communities in those states a few days later. On March 3, Utah attorney general Mark Shurtleff and Arizona attorney general Terry Goddard held a joint summit in St. George, Utah, to deal with allegations of abuse, molestation, incest, and fraud coming from within the twin border cities of Hildale and Colorado City. Approximately 10,000 members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) reside in the country's largest polygamist communities and for decades (thanks to a disastrous police raid in 1953) have remained largely beyond the short appendages of local law. The government offensive on the area that was then called Short Creek turned out to be a public-relations nightmare in which the press depicted the state as a malicious invader that ripped screaming children from the arms of their parents and separated loving husbands from their devoted wives. The event was defining enough that even 52 years later Goddard made a point of opening the conference by calling the Short Creek raid a "shameful mistake" and asking polygamists present to "let the past be the past." From that time on, both Utah and Arizona's tacit polygamy policy remained "don't ask, don't tell." Recently though, reports of child brides giving birth in county hospitals, absconders seeking legal restitution, high rates of deformity resulting from incest, and rampant welfare and tax fraud have become too great for authorities to ignore. Now, as the attorneys general's offices seek to "build bridges" that will provide victims of the polygamist system the means to report abuse, they are making it clear they have no intention of indicting an "alternative lifestyle choice" even if it is the breeding ground for all manner of crime. Read more | |
| 'Regime change' is needed in Colorado City | |
|
Opinions The Arizona Republic Originally published April 23, 2005 | |
|
I have been reading about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since I moved to Arizona more than three years ago. While it is encouraging to see some momentum developing in the effort to deal appropriately with this sect, I am astounded at the hypocrisy that surrounds the issue, the delicate dance of legislators in Arizona and Utah, and the "hands-off" attitude of the federal government despite the interstate activities of this cult. The Bush administration is a staunch advocate of family values and proper moral fiber, and a vociferous opponent of a legal union between loving partners who happen not to be heterosexual. So where is their voice when it comes to dealing with the depraved and utterly blasphemous activities taking place every day within the confines of these cult communities? We embark on a crusade to bring democracy to Iraq, yet we turn a blind eye to our own citizens being held hostage in a religious dictatorship. If there were oil deposits under the compounds in Colorado City and Hilsdale, perhaps the U.S. government would think more strongly about supporting a "regime change" to restore some basic human rights to the victims of this morally impoverished sect.
Jeffrey Luth, Scottsdale | |
| Not enough resources to fight polygamy | |
|
By Jennifer Toomer-Cook Deseret Morning News Originally published May 25, 2005 | |
| Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff believes crimes are being committed in polygamous communities on the Utah-Arizona border, but he told a national TV audience Tuesday he hasn't the resources or enough evidence to prosecute. With 30,000 to 40,000 polygamists in Utah, the state doesn't have the resources to jail so many parents and then take some 20,000 children into state custody, Shurtleff said on the "Dr. Phil" show. He also said prosecution for crimes, which he believes may range from domestic violence to child sexual abuse and forcing teenage girls to marry older men, would require someone to leave the Hildale-Colorado City community and testify against family. "It's always been very difficult with the closed nature of these groups in order to get people to come forward," Shurtleff said in an interview after the show aired. "Even with people we feel are criminals, we're not going to arrest them . . . unless we have a case we can prove without a reasonable doubt." Read more | |
| Chief cop copping out | |
|
Editorial The Spectrum Originally published Sunday, June 5, 2005 | |
| When it comes to polygamy, it appears that Utah's chief cop is copping out. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff found time in his schedule last week to appear on the "Dr. Phil" show on an episode about polygamy. He declared to a nationwide audience, "There's no way we have the resources" to prosecute polygamy in the state of Utah. Shurtleff reasoned that there are 30-40,000 polygamists in Utah, too many for him to prosecute and jail. He also claimed that 20,000 polygamist children would be left without parents. One could carry Shurtleff's reasoning further and claim that if too many people are committing any crime in Utah, the AG should just quit seeking to put them in jail. If there were 30,000 people committing robbery in Utah, Shurtleff could supposedly decide that he simply didn't have the resources to go after them. How many drug dealers would there have to be before the AG decided to call off the dogs? What's the tipping point on the number of murderers that would cause Shurtleff to throw in the towel? While Shurtleff's office deserves credit for investigating the financial dealings of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and having a trustee appointed to oversee the FLDS trust, there is still much work to be done in terms of polygamy. Illegal activity is illegal activity and Shurtleff is being paid by the taxpayers to enforce the laws. Read more | |
| Sheriff won't raid polygamist compound to arrest leader | |
|
By Erin Quinn San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published June 13, 2005 | |
| Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran said Sunday that he has no plans to raid the Eldorado compound of a polygamist sect to arrest the group's leader, Warren Jeffs, who has been indicted on sex-crime charges by Arizona police. In fact, he says he has no immediate plans to set foot on the property. "If we see the guy on a traffic stop, we'll arrest him," Doran said. "We're not going to blow this out of proportion." Doran said there's no way he can be certain that Jeffs is even on the ranch. Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has not been seen in public for months, and officials don't know for sure where he lives. "We have a lot of out-of-state warrants issued," Doran said. "We're not going to treat this one any different." The church has been under close scrutiny amid allegations of welfare fraud, sexual abuse and forced marriages. On Friday, an Arizona grand jury indicted Jeffs, 49, on charges of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. If convicted, he would face a prison sentence ranging from four months to two years. The reclusive church leader is accused of arranging the marriage of a 16-year-old girl to a 28-year-old married man, said Mohave County Attorney Matthew Smith. Officials in Utah also are looking for Jeffs so they can serve him papers related to lawsuits filed against him in that state. Read more | |
| Thy unlawful wife | |
| State must close polygamy loopholes | |
|
Opinions The Arizona Republic Originally published October 26, 2005 | |
| If you think the nest of polygamy on Arizona's northern border is a remote and self-contained problem, think again. Think of Brian David Mitchell and Stanley Rimer. Both demonstrate the very real dangers posed by those who justify their lusts by saying God commands them to take plural wives - the younger the better. Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, allegedly kidnapped 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart in 2002. She was found with the pair nine months later. Mitchell was moved by a "revelation from God" to take the child as his second wife, according to court documents reviewed by the Associated Press. He was deemed incompetent to stand trial, and he and Barzee are now in a mental hospital. The couple embraced a version of Mormon fundamentalism that calls for a return to plural marriage. The mainstream Mormon Church has forbidden polygamy since 1890, but it is part of the original teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. Read more | |
| Utah Supreme Court hears case against Steed | |
|
By Patrice St. Germain The Spectrum Originally published November 3, 2005 | |
| ST. GEORGE - Justice Court Judge Walter Steed has served the town of Hildale for the past 24 years. That may all change once the Utah Supreme Court reaches a decision - expected within the next 90 days - on whether Steed should be removed. By his own admission, Steed has three wives and 32 children. Serving the community since 1981, Steed's duties on the bench largely revolve around traffic violations and misdemeanor charges. Yet Colin Winchester, executive director of the Judicial Conduct Commission, argued during a court hearing on Wednesday that, as a judge, Steed is expected to live his life to higher standards, both personally and professionally, and multiple wives goes against the state bigamy statute. If the Supreme Court rules that Steed must be removed from the bench, it will be up to the mayor and city council of Hildale to appoint another judge. Mayor David Zitting said the council has discussed the issue and said several names have come up if Steed must be replaced. Read more | |
| Polygamous Utah judge with 32 kids fired | |
| Part-time rural justice is wed to three women, who are sisters | |
|
The Associated Press Toronto Star Originally published February 24, 2006 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY — A small-town judge with three wives was ordered removed from the bench by the Utah Supreme Court today. The court unanimously agreed with the findings of the state's Judicial Conduct Commission, which recommended the removal of Judge Walter K. Steed for violating the state's bigamy law. Steed said he was disappointed with the decision. "I had hoped that the court would see my case as an opportunity to correct the injustices that are caused by the criminalization of my religious beliefs and lifestyle," Steed said in a statement. Steed has served for 25 years on the Justice Court in the polygamist community of Hildale in southern Utah, where he ruled on misdemeanor crimes such as drunken driving and domestic violence cases. The commission last year sought his removal from the bench after a 14-month investigation determined Steed was a polygamist and had violated Utah's bigamy law. Bigamy is a third-degree felony in Utah punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. "When the law is violated or ignored by those charged by society with the fair and impartial enforcement of the law, the stability of our society is placed at undue risk," the court's ruling said. Read more | |
| Polygamist sect might be living in Black Hills | |
| Leader of group is wanted by FBI | |
|
By Nestor Ramos Argus Leader - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Originally published March 10, 2006 | |
| A 100-acre property in Pringle appears to be home to followers of Warren Jeffs, a fugitive and the leader of a polygamist sect, the FBI said Thursday. Considered a prophet by his thousands of followers, Jeffs, 51, is wanted in Arizona on charges of sexual assault against a minor. He also is wanted on a federal unlawful flight charge for fleeing prosecution. Jeffs is the leader of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, according to the FBI. The church teaches that a man must marry at least three women to enter heaven and has been labeled a hate group because of racist teachings. It has been linked to land purchases in Utah, Arizona, Texas, Colorado and British Columbia. "There hasn't been any report of criminal activity," said Robert Perry, FBI supervisor for the western part of the state, adding that he had not received reports that Jeffs was in South Dakota. "Right now, we're just aware that this organization owns property." Is the property under FBI surveillance? "I wouldn't tell you if it was," Perry said. Read more | |
| Putting polygamy in the spotlight | |
|
By Suzan Mazur The Philadelphia Inquirer Originally published April 2, 2006 | |
| Polygamy, American style. That's the theme of the new HBO series Big Love, all about a polygamist family in Utah. Big Love's executive producer is Tom Hanks, who spent a couple of his childhood years in the Mormon church. The show passes very lightly over issues of rape, child abuse and drug addiction arising in polygamist enclaves. Despite serious, front-page media coverage for most of the last decade, such human-rights abuses are going on right now in polygamist settlements throughout the country. The Department of Homeland Security knows about it. So does the FBI and the Bush administration. Polygamy continues, if not with the active assistance of government and law enforcement, then certainly with their indolence and incompetence. The U.S. Department of Justice has failed to dismantle the best-documented polygamy cults. The epicenter is well-known: the towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., both dominated by the extremist and secretive branch of Mormon known as the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS. These towns are satirized in the encampment named "Jupiter Creek" in Big Love. Read more | |
| Media get a big 'F' for stories on FLDS | |
| Many confuse splinter groups with S.L. church | |
|
By Carrie A. Moore Deseret Morning News Originally published Friday, May 12, 2006 | |
| The FBI's Ten Most Wanted listing for fugitive Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs late last week has not only turned up the heat for those pursuing him but has again created media confusion with the Salt Lake City-based LDS Church. In a news release Thursday, the LDS Church said increased media attention to polygamist groups, "particularly those living in southern Utah and Arizona," too often "refer to these groups as 'Mormons' or 'Mormon sects.' " Such references are "misleading and confusing to the vast majority of audiences who rightfully associate the term 'Mormon' with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," it said. Church spokesman Dale Bills said LDS Public Affairs has fielded "a number of questions" from media — presumably both national and international — following Jeffs' Ten Most Wanted listing along with Osama bin Laden and other high-profile fugitives. Reporters have called for the church's comment, though "there is no reason why the church would wish to comment about a legal action concerning a group with which it has no affiliation or connection," the release said. The statement cited two examples of media confusion, including a report by CNN on Tuesday that superimposed the face of Jeffs over an image of the LDS Church's Salt Lake Temple. "Again, this implies a connection between the two," the statement said. "This is not just careless editing but highly offensive to members" of the LDS Church. Read more | |
| LDS Upset With Media's Reporting Of Mormonism | |
|
Opinion: John R. Llewellyn "Scoop" Independent News - New Zealand Originally published May 15, 2006 | |
When Warren Jeffs surprisingly made the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list it galvanized a frenzy of national media attention about a man who is the leader of Utah's largest mind control cult. From Warren's point of view, he is merely doing what Mormon polygamist do - bootlegging plural marriages. On May 10th CNN's Anderson Cooper hosted a two hour special about Warren Jeffs and Mormon polygamy - one of the better documentaries. During the final minutes he conducted two important interviews with the Salt Lake LDS Temple clearly in the background. Using the LDS Temple as a backdrop caused the General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to protest. In a morning radio news report, May 12, 2006, the Church owned KSL radio station announced its objection to the use of the word "Mormon" and using the Temple as a backdrop when referring to Warren Jeffs and polygamy. The criticism that appeared in the Church owned Deseret Morning News, that same morning, was even more stern:
"Refer[ring] to these groups as 'Mormons' or 'Mormon sects' ... are "misleading and confusing to the vast majority of audiences who rightfully associate the term 'Mormon' with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."When CNN "superimposed the face of Jeffs over an image of the LDS Church's Salt Lake Temple," the Church said it "is not just careless editing but highly offensive to members of the LDS Church." Read more | |
| Most Wanted In Polygamy Coverup | |
| What Did They Know And When Did They Know It? | |
|
By Suzan Mazur "Scoop" Independent News - New Zealand Originally published May 15, 2006 | |
A voice Message from FBI in Idaho to me several weeks after contacting them regarding my front page piece just published in the Weekend Financial Times (10/28/2000), "Seven brides for one brother: Plural marriage is rife in the western United States", an article that for the first time tied together the various Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints polygamy groups, including the one in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho on the British Columbia border:
"Hello Suzan Mazur, this is Gail Gneckow with the FBI in Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho. My supervisor Bob Davis talked to you a few weeks ago and said that you had some information. . ."I returned the phone call describing my investigation for the FT. I also asked if Gneckow would be interested in hearing from others with knowledge of the problem and she indicated that she would be. However, activists told me that when they tried to inform agent Gneckow, they found the polygamy case was being closed. It will take more than Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's "mea culpa" to the Los Angeles Times to clear him and other officials who are responsible for allowing polygamy to flourish up and down the US Rocky Mountains, with Utah currently at the epicenter of sex cult activity. Why? Because America along with 182 other countries is signatory to the 1979 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women recognizing that: POLYGAMY IS A HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION. Read more | |
| It Practices What They Preach | |
| Cast into the spotlight by fugitive polygamist Prophet Warren Jeffs, the mainstream Mormon Church's trying to distance itself from its infamous cousin | |
|
By John Dougherty Phoenix New Times Originally published May 25, 2006 | |
|
And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified. -- Joseph Smith's 1831 revelation on marriage and polygamy as currently published in the mainstream Mormon Church's Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132, Verse 62. The 12 million-strong Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is desperately seeking to disassociate itself from its uncomfortable polygamist underpinnings. The mainstream Mormon church has been thrust into the spotlight worldwide because of the unlawful flight from justice of polygamist leader Warren Steed Jeffs, and church leaders in Salt Lake City are emphasizing loud and long that they have no connection to the fugitive. Earlier this month, Jeffs, 50, was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for fleeing from Arizona and Utah prosecutors who have filed criminal charges related to his performing so-called spiritual marriages of underage girls to already-married men in his fanatical sect -- the 10,000-member Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints based in Colorado City, Arizona, and adjoining Hildale, Utah. The FBI's action has generated international interest in the practice of polygamy by the fundamentalist Mormons scattered across the Rocky Mountain West, from Canada to Mexico. In one cable news report, CNN superimposed Jeffs' face in front of the LDS temple in Salt Lake City, giving viewers the impression that Jeffs is a member of the mainstream Church. Read more | |
| 'Mormon' term often misused | |
|
By Linda Thomson and Ben Winslow Deseret Morning News Originally published Thursday, August 31, 2006 | |
| It seems like just when the mainstream LDS Church gets some accurate media attention, another "Mormon" story blasts onto the scene, spawning a flurry of sound bites that often confuse those who live outside Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for years has waged a vigorous public relations battle to gets its message across with award-winning TV commercials and well-received interviews of President Gordon B. Hinckley by such television personalities as Mike Wallace, Tom Brokaw and Larry King. Then comes something like this week's arrest of Warren Jeffs, the leader of a secretive polygamist sect that in no way is connected to the LDS Church but considers itself the true standard bearer for the beliefs set forth by LDS Church founder Joseph Smith. Jeffs, who has been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, faces criminal charges in Utah and Arizona that center largely around his alleged insistence on presiding over "marriages" between underage girls and older men who practice polygamy. The LDS Church renounced polygamy in 1890 and excommunicates members who practice it. But to hear some TV and radio news, one might think the two religions are the same. And the inaccuracies have spread worldwide with wire service reports reaching across the globe. ABC-TV referred to the Jeffs arrest this way: "Excommunicated Mormon polygamist leader Warren Jeffs is behind bars.... " Other ABC newscasts describe him as "the fugitive leader of a polygamist Mormon sect." Read more | |
| US justice system tries to fight against polygamist sects | |
|
By Tangi Quemener and Paula Bustamante Agence France Presse Originally published Monday, September 4, 2006 | |
| LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Despite last week's capture of the self-named prophet of a polygamist sect who had been one of the United States' most wanted men, authorities face stiff challenges in fighting the illegal practice which is deeply entrenched in certain parts of the American West. Warren Jeffs, who leads the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), was arrested in Nevada and will be sent back in Utah, where he is facing a charge of complicity to rape. If he is found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Jeffs, 50, also faces charges of sexual assault on a minor in Arizona. The accusations against this tall, ascetic man stem from allegations that he helped arrange illegal marriages between underage girls and grown men from his sect that split from the mainstream Mormon church. Most of the 10,000 members of the FLDS live along the line between the states of Utah and Arizona. In the neighboring cities of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona, the sect owns almost all the land and controls the local government, making it very difficult to crack down on the practice of "plural marriage", says Paul Murphy, a spokesman for the Utah attorney general. "Our concern is that they have been so secretive and so isolated, they have control over the city government and the police department, that victims in that community have not been getting the same help as other people," Murphy told AFP. Although polygamy is punishable by five years in prison, Utah has declined to prosecute it when it involves consenting adults. Read more | |
| Morning File: Going together like a horse and carriage | |
| The more the marry-er | |
|
By Gary Rostein Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Originally published Tuesday, September 5, 2006 | |
| Ah, polygamy ... the very idea of it sounds like sweet nirvana for so many of us men. When one wife requests something done around the house on a Saturday, we can simply sneak the golf clubs into the car and fib: "Sorry, hon, Laura's got me booked this afternoon cleaning out the garage at her place, and after that Barb wants me taking our kids to Chuck E. Cheese. But I'll be sure and get next week to whatever it is you want me doing, don't you worry. By the way, we're still on for sex Tuesday night, right?" There is a downside to such a lifestyle, apparently, and the tensions have been explored in the HBO series "Big Love." The practice has also been in the news because last week law enforcement authorities arrested polygamist sect leader Warren Steed Jeffs of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Jeffs' sect has no tie to the mainstream Mormon church, which disavowed polygamy in 1890 and excommunicates any members who practice it. The criminal charges against Mr. Jeffs, a member of the FBI's Most Wanted list, include child sexual abuse, underage marriages and rape alleged to have occurred within his group of 10,000 members in Utah and Arizona. He has controlled whom and when women marry, with girls as young as 13 reportedly involved. Prosecutors are focusing on those charges rather than the polygamy practiced by Mr. Jeffs, who may have at least 40 wives and nearly 60 children. Read more | |
| Protect innocent polygamists | |
|
Opinion Deseret Morning News Originally published Wednesday, September 6, 2006 | |
|
While it is apparent that Warren Jeffs needed to be arrested, his actual apprehension solves one problem, yet other problems will arise.
The people of Hildale, Utah, Colorado Cty, Ariz., and the enclave at Eldorado, Texas, are not all accused of rape, conspiracy or financial improprieties. There will undoubtedly be a power shift in the FLDS leadership — but to whom ? I think the authorities would be well-served to leave the FLDS Church members alone — except for evaluating persons under scrutiny for actual crimes committed as individuals. There are millions of dollars at stake. I would hope that Utah and Arizona would seek to honorably protect the innocent FLDS faithful. I think innocent polygamists, who prove themselves to be no threat, should be allowed to breathe fresh air and live their lives in peace. James A. Marples Provo | |
| COLUMN: Polygamy should be a choice | |
|
By Jon Cox The Utah Statesman - Utah State University Originally published September 8, 2006 | |
| Police arrested Warren Jeffs nearly two weeks ago in Las Vegas. Now he's in Utah awaiting prosecution, and many in the state are downright giddy. Here, Jeffs is charged with two felony counts of rape as an accomplice. In Arizona, he faces sexual misconduct charges. The charges stem from his performance of marriage ceremonies between underage girls and older men. If convicted, Jeffs could serve life in prison. Interestingly enough, they chose to ship him to Utah rather than prosecute him in Arizona. Supposedly, they wanted to try him in the state where the most charges had been levied. But in my opinion, they also wanted to try him in the location where they are most likely to get a conviction. Many Utahns are circling the wagons, ready with their 72-hour kits of tar and feathers for the Jeffs case. Those fundamentalists have been giving us a bad name and it's about time someone put an end to it. So, we hunt down their prophet and stick him in the Purgatory Jail (now that sounds like a pleasant place). In addition we arrest his younger brother, John Jeffs, also of Colorado City, this Wednesday on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Let the witch hunt begin. According to the 2004 count, Utah is now 62.4 percent LDS. One would think that LDS members would be more sympathetic to the cause of such polygamous sects. After all, their own ancestors were persecuted for practicing the same belief. Ironically though, LDS members tend to be the most aggressive condemners of plural marriage. Many Mormons seem unsure about their church's history with plural marriage. Some try to explain it as something that was done at the time solely for the purpose of economically taking care of many underprivileged Mormon women. But if that was the case, why does the church still believe in the practice of polygamy, even today? Read more | |
| Polygamy did not originate with FLDS | |
|
Letters to the Editor The Spectrum Originally published September 11, 2006 | |
|
The Spectrum's article, "About the FLDS Church," printed Friday is misleading in that it implies that the FLDS Church "is most famous for its doctrine of men marrying multiple wives." This doctrine originated with the mainstream LDS Church and is still canonized in its scripture as Doctrine & Covenants 132.
The mainstream LDS Church instructed its members to discontinue the practice via manifestos issued in 1890 and again in 1904. The FLDS Church has continued a practice and a belief - that exaltation requires plural marriage - that was originated, but later abandoned, by the mainstream LDS Church. The practice of plural marriage did not originate with the FLDS Church, which did not exist in the mid-1800s when members of the LDS Church began to practice plural marriage. The grandfather of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley practiced plural marriage, and the family clearly has no association with the FLDS Church. (Reference www.familysearch.org.) James Sperber San Juan Capistrano, Calif. | |
| MOHAVE COUNTY BOARD of SUPERVISORS | |
|
2001 College Drive, Suite 90 Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 Telephone (928) 453-0724 Fax (928) 453-0717 johnsbd@citlink.net 1-888-735-3711 www.mohavecountynews.com | |
|
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT 3 I was saddened by the lenient sentence given in the Fischer case. This sentence set back the efforts to protect the women and children of Colorado City and Hilldale. Now with the decision to find Dan Barlow not guilty I am wondering what the level of commitment our legal system has to prosecute violent offenders. The defense that it cannot be proved where the offense occurred is ludicrous. The defense is not disputing that sex with a minor took place. The defense is that it could have taken place in any one of a few states. This defense seems to have worked once again in Mohave County. The question that needs to be answered is why our legal system is not pursuing the transportation of minors across state lines for immoral purposes. If Federal help is needed, why are we not asking for it? When the eyes of the world are on Mohave County, we are falling short on the will to end a century of abuses. | |
| A difficult situation | |
| Attorneys discuss how prosecuting polygamy differs in Utah, Arizona | |
|
By Patrice St. Germain The Spectrum Originally published September 18, 2006 | |
| HURRICANE - About three years ago, not long after he was elected into office, Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith started looking into abuses in Colorado City. Since then, there have been successes and failures in prosecuting crimes out of Colorado City, Ariz., namely underage marriages and sexual practices with girls under the age of 18 - but not polygamy. "No one can prosecute polygamy because it is not a felony or a misdemeanor. It is something that is prohibited by Arizona's Constitution, but it is not a crime, so prosecutors do not have any jurisdiction and cannot do anything about the issue of polygamy," Smith said. "That would have to be a legislative change." The situation in Utah is different. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said prosecuting polygamy is difficult for three reasons. One, the numbers are formidable. Two, these crimes are extremely difficult to prosecute. And three, is the issue of fairness and past history - the Short Creek raid in 1953 - which Shurtleff said was a colossal failure. Shurtleff said if polygamy were prosecuted, the issue would become whether there were enough prison cells for the thousands of men and homes for the thousands of women and children. Read more | |
| Mormons dropped polygamy but image problem persists | |
|
The Associated Press KVOA News 4 - Tucson Originally published September 28, 2006 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY -- Wilford Woodruff dropped to his knees in prayer. It was September 1890 and the federal government was threatening to seize church property and prosecute Mormons unless they stopped plural marriage. Woodruff, a polygamist and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a revelation and declared a manifesto: The faithful were to obey federal law and cease the practice. It was read at the church's fall conference and approved unanimously. The vote, Woodruff noted in his diary, "created a sensation throughout the whole United States." No manifestos are on the agenda this weekend - it's unlikely polygamy will even be mentioned - when 100,000 Mormons gather for their twice-a-year General Conference in Salt Lake City and millions more worldwide watch broadcasts in 85 languages. But polygamy continues to make headlines, and the church can't seem to shake perceptions that it endorses the practice, no matter what happened 116 years ago. Since 2001, several self-described Mormon fundamentalists have been charged with crimes tied to polygamy. The latest and most prominent is Warren Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who is jailed in southern Utah on charges of being an accomplice to rape by arranging the marriage of a minor to an older man. "Almost 10 years ago or so, literally, it was not a big deal," said Jan Shipps, professor emeritus of history and religious studies at Indiana University-Purdue University, who has written about Mormons. "Now it has suddenly emerged into the public domain and (the church) has to find a way to talk about it again," she said. The issue is "really aggravating" to the church, said D. Michael Quinn, former history professor at church-owned Brigham Young University. Read more | |
| Bashing of the LDS Church unfounded | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published September 28, 2006 | |
|
In Mr. Reinert's letter, he asks if Joseph Smith came back and saw the LDS Church and Warren Jeffs, which would he recognize?
First, let me repeat a comment from my previous letter: Joseph Smith was not our only prophet, nor is this his church. It's God's church, which Smith helped restore to the earth. I find it funny how so many people can accuse the LDS Church of being racist when it was one of the few that didn't segregate. Anyone was welcome, regardless of race. The only thing that was different was the priesthood, which had a whole different reason for being withheld ... It wasn't about racism. It was about God expanding the priesthood not only to blacks, but any worthy male. In regards to polygamy, the church practiced it because many of the men were being killed for their beliefs, and there were lots of women with no one to care for them during the church's difficult formation. According to church history, even Joseph Smith was reluctant to do it. When the church was completely established, and there was no more need for polygamy, the Lord commanded that plural marriage no longer be practiced. Chris Bringhurst Santa Clara | |
| Mormons do still believe in polygamy | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published October 1, 2006 | |
|
I read Chris Bringhurst's letter published Thursday supporting LDS church beliefs. In regards to his comment, "In regards to polygamy, the church practiced it to take care of lots of women:" Can't a man take care of a woman without breeding with her? Can't women take care of themselves?
Bringhurst also said, "When the church was established, there was no more need for polygamy." Isn't this the same as building up a herd of cattle? As long as Mormons are being sealed in their temple to multiple spouses, they still believe in polygamy whether in this life or the next. Good grief, give me a break! Kathy Munson Ivins | |
| Plural marriage will be in the spotlight | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published October 4, 2006 | |
|
I read with interest the shoot-outs between adversarial Spectrum letter writers over the "true nature" of polygamy in Utah.
Adversarial sound bites are titillating, but they shoot blanks on the real life issues of plural marriage in Utah. But get ready for a shoot-out with live verbal ammunition with "Scopes Trial" consequences. The FLDS Prophet, Warren Jeffs, will take the stand to defend polygamy and its life style as an eternal religious and civil right. He'll claim his fundamentalist church is the only one obeying God's "everlasting" principle and covenant of plural marriage revealed to Joseph Smith, and codified in Doctrines and Covenants 132 of today's LDS scripture reflecting the principle of celestial marriage in heaven. The church manifesto ending polygamy to protect itself from the consequences of practicing it in a federal statehood will be presented as apostasy. The LDS Church is currently committed to monogamous marriage, but faces both the LDS scripture-based elaboration on Jeffs' religious rights, and the support-in-principle by the same-sex marriage civil rights crowd. I'm not Mormon, but I'm on their side if they help clarify for all time the defensible principle of marriage, one man to one woman. Stay tuned. Ken Lawson St. George | |
| File a lawsuit to stop confusion of churches | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published November 12, 2006 | |
|
It seems to me that the tenets of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are cult oriented, and appear to bring great embarrassment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Why then doesn't The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints file a lawsuit against the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to require they stop using the name. It appears that such action would completely separate the two and save The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints any further national embarrassment. Glen Larson Santa Clara | |
| Discrimination appears to benefit polygamists | |
|
Letters to the Editor The Spectrum Originally published November 17, 2006 | |
|
If polygamists had stopped crimes against women and children in polygamous groups, it is likely that the 1953 raid would never have occurred. The Supreme Court case, Cleveland vs. The United States, 1946, was based on the "marriage" of a 14-year-old mentally handicapped girl to a married Short Creek man. During the 1953 raid, in one house the wife was just a little girl. Hammond, a recent guest editorial writer,said that we, "keep our mouths shut in order to protect our families." History reveals that silence started before, not after, 1953.
Recent court cases have been due to efforts by former victims and outsiders. Who inside polygamy reported the abuse? Former Colorado City police admitted they hid more than 25 cases from the state. Reporting abuse is a responsibility; investigatingabuse is not a civil rights violation; failure to protect based on religion is. Kentucky has three times the convictions for bigamy in a year than Utah has in 10 years; so discrimination taking place looks like it benefits polygamists. Hammond said if someone chooses a different lifestyle they say, "Go and God Bless." It isn't tolerance to state that they must go. Why not "Stay and God Bless?" That would be tolerance. Lorna Craig Perry Point, Md. | |
| LDS Church must get tough on polygamy | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published November 22, 2006 | |
|
There have been a lot of letters to the editor from LDS folks that think the world is bashing their religion; most of us are not, we really love you all. What we do not understand is how you have ignored what the FLDS Church has been getting away with for more than 100 years. As we all know polygamy is illegal, 12- and 13-year-old girls forced to marry men 30 to 40 years their age is illegal; homes being taken away because of a disagreement with some so-called prophet is illegal.
We, on the outside, compare what is happening within the Muslim religion with what is happening within the Mormon religion. Terrorism is running rampant in both situations and no one is standing up. You just can't sit back and say, "Shhh, maybe the problem will go away." Now, having said that, I know what your response will be: the FLDS Church is not now a Mormon religion. Problem is, most people the world over still think it is. Bottom line, since law enforcement and politicians continue to turn their backs, why then haven't you - members of the LDS Church - taken a much harder line on this problem? Lyle Stuart Cedar City | |
| Jeffs chose to follow his faith, not the law | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published November 29, 2006 | |
|
When I heard on the news that most Mormons (LDS) believe that Warren Jeffs (FLDS) should spend his life in prison, it made me think that the LDS must then believe that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young should also have spent their lives in prison. How can the LDS, who idolize these same founders through their statues, books, and memorabilia, be so hateful toward Warren Jeffs?
Had the federal law not allowed Utah to become a recognized state unless the practice of polygamy ceased, they all may have indeed continued to follow the practices of these founders. Warren Jeffs is really just a "true" LDS who chose to follow the faith instead of the law. All the media focus seems to be on Warren Jeffs, not the cousin who actually committed the rape of the 14-year-old and the parents who knowingly did nothing to protect their child. L. Slane St. George | |
| PBS film likely to cause debate | |
|
Douglas Daily Dispatch - Douglas, Arizona Originally published Sunday, April 8, 2007 | |
| PBS is keeping a tight lid on the forthcoming four hours of documentary television that it is calling "The Mormons" - due to air on April 30 and May 1 on the PBS network. Very few people outside of PBS itself have seen excerpts, and their reactions vary depending on what they have seen as well as their prior expectations. The documentaries - two hours on American Experience on April 30 and a further two hours the following evening on Frontline - constitute what is believed to be the most searching look at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in US television history. Award-winning television producer Helen Whitney describes it as "a complex film, a respectful film, but not an uncritical film." Among hundreds of people interviewed for the film were Church leaders, historians, academics, active members, former members and critics. They address a wide range of topics, from the foundation of the Church through to its worldwide operations today. Helen Whitney told the Deseret Morning News that one of her prime objectives was to remove stereotypes of the Church. "I hope that most of the stereotypes - ideally, all of them - will be blown away," she told the newspaper. "Because so many of them are just based on ignorance. Ignorance about Mormon history, ignorance about Mormon theology. Ignorance." Read more | |
| PBS's 'Mormons' is independent, church points out | |
|
By Scott D. Pierce Deseret Morning News Originally published Tuesday, April 10, 2007 | |
| PBS's two-part, four-hour documentary "The Mormons" doesn't air until the end of the month, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is already trying to make it clear that the church itself did not produce the film. "We simply want viewers to understand that the church is the subject of this film, not its producer," LDS Church spokesman Michael Purdy said. "This is an independent production." While the church cooperated with award-winning filmmaker Helen Whitney, it exerted no editorial control over "The Mormons" and did not help fund the project. A posting on the church's Web site, www.lds.org, warns, "PBS film likely to cause debate," and goes on to say that "a few (unidentified) scholars, including some who appear in the documentary ... raise concern about what they feel is a disproportionate amount of time given to topics that are not central to the Church's faith." While rough cuts of Part 1 have been shown to a few people, no one has yet seen a completed version of "The Mormons," which is scheduled to air April 30 and May 1 on PBS. Whitney was unavailable for comment Monday because she is still busy editing Part 2 of the four-hour documentary. The major points of contention as outlined on the LDS Church Web site are polygamy — both as practiced early in the LDS Church's history and as practiced by "present day polygamous groups that have nothing to do with today's Church" — and the Mountain Meadows massacre. Read more | |
| Novel taps into fascination with Mormonism | |
|
By Richard Helm The Edmonton Journal Originally published Wednesday, April 11, 2007 | |
| EDMONTON - In case you hadn't noticed, Mormons are very big these days. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, a Mormon, is a serious player down south in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Warren Jeffs, North America's best-known polygamist as the head of the offshoot Mormon sect, The Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, goes on trial in Utah April 23. HBO is set to roll out the second season of its topical TV drama, Big Love, about a modern-day suburban polygamist played by Bill Paxton, struggling to balance the needs of three wives, seven kids and three separate Mormon households. And opening in cinemas next month is September Dawn, a Jon Voight movie filmed last year in Alberta that re-examines one of the darkest chapters in Mormon history. The Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857 occurred in southwestern Utah on Sept. 11, of all days, when more than 100 Arkansas emigrants bound for California -- men, women and children -- were slain by Mormon militia, including some who posed as Indians. The shadow of that mass killing also haunts the pages of an impressive new novel by Toronto author Alissa York. Set in frontier Utah, Effigy (Random House, $32.95) blends fact with fiction in the story of a girl rescued from a wagon-train massacre who is now the teenaged fourth wife in a Mormon ranch household. In an interview, York said her novel had its beginnings in 2001, when she was seized by news coverage of the breakaway Mormon sect in Bountiful, just outside of Creston, B.C. She was shocked to find polygamy was occurring in Canada. Read more | |
| PBS Documentary Explores LDS Church | |
|
By Nick Newman BYU NewsNet Originally published April 17, 2007 | |
| PBS has announced they will feature a four-hour, two-part documentary on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, produced by Emmy-winning producer Helen Whitney. The film is set to air on PBS stations April 30 and May 1 at 7 p.m., and will be the first-ever co-production of the Award-winning shows, "Frontline" and "American Experience". The documentary, which took Whitney three years to put together after interviewing hundreds of people, will explore the origins and history of the church as well as the role of the church in today's society. Whitney, who has done other memorable documentaries for "Frontline" like "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero" and "John Paul II: The Millennial Pope", said her main goal for the film is to make people think about the error of old stereotypes. "I hope that most of the stereotypes - ideally, all of them - will be blown away because so many of them are just based on ignorance," Whitney said in a press release. "Ignorance about Mormon history, ignorance about Mormon theology. Ignorance." Sally Atkinson, a former BYU journalism student who now works in New York City for Newsweek, worked for Whitney for a year and a half as a researcher on the project. Because Whitney is known for spending lots of time on whatever her subject is, Atkinson said she thinks Whitney is the right one for the large task of documenting the Church. Read more | |
| Viewpoing: "Mormons' to be Enjoyed, Not Feared" | |
|
By Nick Newman BYU NewsNet Originally published April 17, 2007 | |
| Whenever a film comes out about the LDS church, it's as though someone just yelled, "FIRE!!!" in a crowded building. For members of the LDS faith, the church being in the media can be an uncomfortable occurrence. Just read the newspaper articles that have come out recently. The LDS Church has posted notices on its Web site and has basically given a disclaimer through the newspapers that they played no part in the making of the upcoming PBS documentary, "The Mormons." The article cites unnamed scholars who have seen the film. The article says 'The Mormons" will cause controversy because it focuses a disproportionate amount of time on polygamy and inaccurately portrays Brigham Young in the debacle at Mountain Meadows. Having seen the first two hours of the documentary, thanks to PBS, who allowed me to preview the film, there is nothing to fear. I don't understand what has people in Salt Lake - or wherever those unnamed scholars who saw the film are from - so nervous. Nobody needs to worry. This film exceeds expectations. Read more | |
| How Mormonism was made in America | |
|
By Nancy Dewolf Smith The Wall Street Journal via AP San Bernadina County Sun Originally published April 27, 2007 | |
| In the PBS documentary "The Mormons," the first two hours are presented as part of "The American Experience" series and the second two hours constitute a "Frontline." (Monday and Tuesday, 9-11 p.m. ET, but check local listings.) The spirit that stands out is that of the former, gentler series. In fact, "The Mormons" is such a respectful biography of a religion that when some of its officials pointed out in advance that the church did not help pay for or have editorial input into the documentary, I first assumed that they were defending themselves in advance against possible criticism that it is a puff piece. It turns out that the disclaimer was meant to assure members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that while LDS leaders cooperated with filmmaker Helen Whitney, this doesn't mean that they endorsed the producers' take on every aspect of their religion. A segment on polygamy does end with speculation that, while the church formally believes that the revelation from God which once encouraged the practice has since been divinely rescinded, many nonpolygamous Mormons secretly admire the estimated 30,000 to 60,000 practitioners who believe they are keeping true to the original commandment. Read more | |
| PBS "Mormons" documentary creating buzz | |
|
By Reed Cowan ABC 4 Originally broadcast May 2, 2007 | |
| Twenty four hours after the airing of the PBS documentary "The Mormons," commentary is streaming in to numerous web sites. Even LDS leaders are now sounding off about the documentary church authorities participated in. On the official web site for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, church leaders say some church members will feel essentials such as priesthood authority and women's experience in the church was left out in favor of "non-essentials" like polygamist leader Warren Jeffs. ABC 4 News spoke with church members outside of temple square today, who for the most part feel the documentary was mostly fair. ABC 4 News wants to know what you think. Just go to our web site to weigh in on whether or not you felt "The Mormons" painted the LDS church in a good or a bad light. If you missed it, you can watch the entire program online at http://www.pbs.org/mormons/. The documentary will also air in repeats throughout the week on Utah's local PBS stations. | |
| 'Mormons' elicits a mixed response | |
| Some praise the broadcast, others find it offensive | |
|
By Carrie A. Moore Deseret Morning News Originally published Wednesday, May 2, 2007 | |
| With few of the major issues facing the LDS Church left untouched, the final installment of the four-hour PBS documentary on "The Mormons" drew responses all across the board late Tuesday night among Utahns of different faiths — and particularly Latter-day Saints. Sacred temple rites, death, family life, intellectual dissidents, excommunication, homosexuality, blacks and the priesthood, missionary work, conversion and obedience were among the topics chronicled in Tuesday night's installment, looking at the modern church. Gold plates, angels, revelation, basic doctrine, persecution, polygamy and the Mountain Meadows massacre were covered in Monday's part one, which looked at the church's early history. The effort is believed to be the most in-depth broadcast examination to date on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both past and present. Fred Woods, a religion professor at Brigham Young University, said he doesn't think people of other faiths "would have understood Mormons by this documentary. Just as Jews understand Judaism and Muslims Islam better than outsiders, LDS people understand their faith better than someone (Helen Whitney in this case) looking from the outside in." He credited the filmmaker for the many interviews she included, though he said, "There was too much of those who did not present what Mormonism is really all about, particularly by those who had left the faith and therefore presented a tainted view." Read more | |
| Former child bride asks for LDS action | |
| Utah official says church does aid those escaping polygamy | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret Morning News Originally published Sunday, May 13, 2007 | |
| A former child bride is asking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reach out to people leaving polygamy. "They can help the victims of (Hurricane) Katrina and the Asian tsunami, and they can't help the people in their own back yard who are living that way because of foundational Mormon teachings?" ex-LeBaron wife Susan Ray Schmidt said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "I do not consider that Christian." Schmidt recently sent a letter to LDS Church leaders, asking the church to step forward and provide financial support and resources to women and children leaving polygamy. In her letter, she suggested that the LDS Church has a responsibility for an issue it created more than 100 years ago. "The Mormon Church would truly benefit if they could pass the word to the communities that they would be the safety net," Schmidt said. The LDS Church declined to comment on the issue, church spokesman Scott Trotter said Thursday. The church no longer practices polygamy and excommunicates those who do. Read more | |
| THE VENT | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published May 19, 2007 | |
| I see many comments about the "illegal immigrant" problem in this country. There has been real glee shown when a van load of would-be produce pickers, restaurant workers or housekeepers is intercepted and sent back to where they came from. That's all well and good, but I have to wonder how many of these folks who are so sure about "illegal" - meaning exactly that - have been to local stores and seen the polygamists flaunting their "illegal" activities with their distinctive clothing and hairstyles. Do they call the police immediately and demand these law-breakers be arrested? If not, why? | |
| Documentary anti-Mormon | |
|
Opinion The Herald Journal - Logan, Utah Originally published May 20, 2007 | |
|
To the editor:
I saw the second half of "The Mormons." It had a thread of negativism, politically motivated. Three lengthy presentations. 1) Polygamy — many Mormon men dressed in prison stripes. 2) Mt. Meadows Massacre, close up view of dozens of dead bodies (question your version). 3) Comments from an excommunicated church woman, of course, negative. What would one remember about the film? The viewer would be left with negative doubts in one’s mind about the church and Mitt Romney. It is very unjust and unfair. To learn about Mormons go directly to them. I have a book, "Religions of America" edited by Leo Rosten, and all 18 religions are written by their church members, not by an outsider. Fred von Niederhausern Logan | |
| 'Mormons' maker defends film | |
| And she stands by refusal to label LDS and non-LDS | |
|
By Carrie A. Moore Deseret Morning News Originally published Saturday, May 26, 2007 | |
| Responding to pointed questions about her recent PBS documentary, "The Mormons," filmmaker Helen Whitney said Friday the criticism she gets most is over her insistence not to label the people she interviewed on camera as either Mormon or not. It was a conscious choice, she said, "and I stand by it.... I wanted each of you to listen with your heart and not give anyone more or less credence because they were Mormon or not," she told hundreds of people attending the annual meetings of the Mormon History Association in the Salt Lake Hilton. Whitney said she has talked to many non-Mormon friends who watched the documentary and told her, "I wasted so much time because I didn't know whom to trust" — which she said was "precisely the point." Countering that built-in skepticism by failing to provide labels required audiences to listen carefully before making a judgment about credibility, she said, adding that she has had the same criticism from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The four-hour, two-part documentary aired nationally on PBS's "American Experience" and "Frontline" last month, generating record-breaking television ratings for KUED in Utah and substantial viewer interest across the nation because of Mitt Romney's bid for the GOP presidential nomination. Read more | |
| Mormons in the spotlight | |
|
By Jason Szep Reuters Originally published June 11, 2007 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Reuters) - After more than a century on the fringe of America's consciousness, Mormons are riding a wave of media attention and public scrutiny -- and say they welcome the chance to set a few things straight. From Mitt Romney's bid to become the first Mormon in the White House to Public Broadcasting Service's four-hour documentary on Mormonism in May and a Hollywood movie opening this month focusing on one of Mormon history's darkest episodes, the once-isolated religion is moving into the open. "We welcome it," Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, a church leadership body, said of the sudden attention. "To the extent that attention can be informative as opposed to pejorative and there's a sincere interest and honest curiosity, I think that's positive," he said. But areas the church would rather forget are sharing the limelight, including its awkward ties to nearly 40,000 fundamentalist Mormons who practice polygamy, which the church introduced before the Civil War and then banned in 1890. "Big Love," HBO's series about a fictional polygamous family headed by a Viagra-popping husband in Utah, begins its second season this month, while Mormon fundamentalist leader Warren Jeffs will keep Americans tuned in to a real-life polygamous drama at his trial in September. Read more | |
| THE VENT | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published July 28, 2007 | |
| Shocking! My great-grandfather, Sam, married Mary Elizabeth in the 1860s, but he didn’t go to prison. How come? After all, she was 10 years younger! They were married for life as were many of their contemporaries. The Spectrum & Daily News obsession with Mr. Jeffs makes me wonder how you sleep at night. Yes, there are some differences in Jeffs and my great-grandfather, but the newspaper’s pursuit of this man leaves me wondering what else it does for a hobby. | |
| Keep up reporting on 'poor' Warren Jeffs | |
|
Letters to the Editor The Spectrum Originally published July 31, 2007 | |
|
I read a letter in the Saturday vent section that I found appalling. The writer demonized The Spectrum & Daily News for picking on "poor" Warren Jeffs because it merely reported the facts of his case. The newspaper is neither persecuting or sympathizing with the man who is no more than an alleged criminal. Mr. Jeffs allegedly married off girls who were no older than 13 or 14 to men old enough to be their fathers against their will.
In case anyone isn't aware of it, people in that age group are children. As a mother and grandmother, I have no sympathy for this man and I hope The Spectrum & Daily News continues to keep the public informed about his case. Maybe people who sympathize with perverts identify with them. Notice that I have the intestinal fortitude to sign my name. Lili Landers Ivins | |
| British Columbia to Seek Supreme Court Opinion on Whether Polygamy is Constitutional | |
|
By Elizabeth O'Brien LifeSiteNews.com Originally published August 2, 2007 | |
| VANCOUVER, BC, August 2, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A private special prosecutor of the BC attorney general has requested that the top BC courts examine the constitutionality of polygamy in Canada. The decision will take into account the religious freedom and equality provisions outlined by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The request was made after BC Attorney General Wally Oppal hired Vancouver lawyer Richard Peck to investigate the community of Bountiful, a breakaway sect from Mormonism that practices polygamy. Before cracking down on the group, Oppal, who has attempted for years to bring charges against the community, wanted to see what might happen in a future court decision. Following his investigation, Peck advised that sex-abuse charges not be laid, but rather that a reference question be addressed to the BC Court of Appeal and "a probable further appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada," the Globe and Mail reports. Located in south-eastern BC, the community has flagrantly broken the Canadian anti-polygamy law of over sixty years, and there is evidence that older men have been importing wives from the US and having sex with girls who are as young as 13. In addition, when boys reach adolescence they are removed from the community to ensure less competition for the older men. Read more | |
| The Vent | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published August 4, 2007 | |
| That there is a person who believes that comparsion between their great-grandmother who married in 1860 and a young girl of the 21st century, forced to marry a man not of her choosing, is shocking. If the polygamist girl of age 21 chooses to marry an old guy, that's her business. But by the time these girls are 21, they have three or four children and can't get an education or be anything more but a mother. They marry these girls off when they are little more than children so they can't get away. Warren Jeffs and his ilk are evil men! | |
| Warren Jeffs Is Not a Mormon | |
|
Accra Daily Mail - Accra, Ghana Originally published Friday, September 28, 2007 | |
|
Many news outlets have reported on the recent arrest of fugitive polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, who is on the FBI's Most Wanted list. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church, has been pleased that major news media like CNN have so far made the distinction between the Church and Jeffs' group. They explained in their coverage that the two groups are wholly unconnected with one another. Warren Jeffs is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and never has been. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890. In 1998, Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "I wish to state categorically that this Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church. Most of them have never been members. They are in violation of the civil law. ... "If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church." The term "Mormon" is a nickname commonly applied to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no such thing as a "Mormon fundamentalist," nor are there "Mormon sects." A correct term to describe these polygamist groups is "polygamist sects." The inclusion of the word "Mormon" is misleading and inaccurate. The Associated Press Stylebook states, "The term Mormon is not properly applied to the other Latter Day Saints churches that resulted from the split after [Joseph] Smith's death." In Ghana The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has established stakes throughout the country with an imposing temple and offices on the Independence Avenu in Accra
Source: LDS | |
| Letter: Don’t call leader of sect a Mormon | |
|
Opinion The Advocate - Baton Rouge, LA Originally published October 1, 2007 | |
| After reading your article from The Associated Press on Warren Jeffs, the polygamist (Your headline: "Mormon leader convicted in rape"), I decided you needed a little Religion 101. Calling this man a Mormon is akin to saying the washing machine repairman is the equivalent of an airplane pilot. If the airlines ever make that leap, I’m giving up flying. Or let’s make it a little more pertinent: Calling Jeffs a Mormon is like calling The (Baton Rouge) Advocate a gossip tabloid. OUCH! Relax. It is because I feel you do your best to make your reports as accurate as possible I’ve called this to your attention. Sometimes the media slide by and call Jeffs a Mormon fundamentalist. Again, false. None of these polygamist sects practice Mormon doctrine; in fact, nothing they believe resembles the Mormon philosophy in the least. Read more | |
| American Lawbreaking | |
| Jurisprudence: The law, lawyers, and the court | |
|
From: Tim Wu What Is a Criminal? Slate Originally posted Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 | |
|
This is a five-part series about the laws we are allowed to break in America and why.
What group lives in the greatest defiance of American law? Criminal organizations like the Mafia or inner-city gangs come to mind. But if you account for volume and time, otherwise peaceful religious groups like the Amish or Mormon fundamentalists are certainly contenders. The Amish are, as reputed, quiet people. But they have also consistently dodged many of the U.S. laws scrupulously followed by other Americans, including labor, Social Security, and education laws. Meanwhile, Mormon fundamentalists—splinter groups from the main church—live outside the law, in some instances violating bigamy, welfare, and sometimes even statutory-rape laws. As we'll see, the fate of these two groups before the legal system after 50 years of struggle with the state is very different. The Amish have "won" in the sense that, for most of the issues they care about, American law has either changed or been left unenforced. Mormon fundamentalists, meanwhile, have settled for zoning: Polygamists are unmolested, provided they remain with certain geographic limits and stay out of public view. All this shows how America in this century has used tolerance of lawbreaking to give more room to groups that want to live differently. Read more | |
| Grant to help abuse victims in polygamy is cut | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret Morning News Originally published Friday, November 2, 2007 | |
| A federal grant that provided services for women and children dealing with abuse and neglect in closed polygamous societies has dried up. At a meeting in St. George on Thursday, advocates learned that the U.S. Justice Department would not be renewing the Safe Passage Grant to do outreach within the polygamous communities. "Too many applications and too little funding is what the letter basically said," said Judy Kasten Bell, the executive director of the Utah Domestic Violence Council, which applied for the grant alongside the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The grant would have sought hundreds of thousands of dollars to help victims of domestic violence in plural families. The Safe Passage Grant funded a number of social services, including case management, emergency housing, food, legal representation and counseling. The Utah Attorney General's Office said approximately 1,300 people have received some kind of service since the grant began three years ago. The $700,000 in federal funding ran out in June and ended the positions for case managers. "This is very discouraging," said Elaine Tyler, director of the nonprofit HOPE Organization, a southern Utah based group that helps women and children leaving polygamous communities. She said the Safe Passage Grant supplemented the work her organization did. Now, volunteers may be forced to do more with less. "We've had three new families come to us for help in the last two weeks, and we don't have the money to help them," Tyler said. "They want school tuition, they want the first and last month's rent on a house." Advocates have vowed to press forward. Read more | |
| FACTBOX: Polygamists in the United States | |
|
Reuters Originally published Tuesday, November 20, 2007 | |
|
(Reuters) - U.S. polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed "prophet" of a sect of breakaway Mormons, was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years to life in prison for having forced a 14-year-old to marry her first cousin.
Following are some facts on modern polygamists and the FLDS, the largest-known U.S. polygamist sect:
| |
| Some say Utah needs to crack down on polygamy like Texas did | |
|
Richard Piatt reporting KSL 5 TV Originally broadcast April 10, 2008 | |
| Does Utah need to do more to crack down on polygamy in this state? Tonight, Eyewitness News got a closer look at present, and possibly future, laws. Many state officials, including the attorney general, say the state is cracking down. That's why this polygamous sect moved to Texas. In Utah, polygamy is illegal by Constitution and statute, the question is: How much do we want to spend to do more? One hundred and sixteen children are now the responsibility of Texas' department of social services. It's a big case centered on a lifestyle of underage sex and physical abuse. That's the kind of case Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says he wants to take on. But taking on polygamy in general, he says, is not doable here. "As a practical matter, we just can't do that. So that's why we've said we're going to focus just on those cases of abuse, and we'll take them one victim at a time, one case at a time, one house at a time," he said. The Legislature takes on new polygamy-related bills only infrequently. This year, the House and Senate did agreed to $300,000 for the Safety Net program. It allows a person to leave polygamy with a place to go. Read more | |
| LDS again stress the difference from FLDS | |
|
By Carrie A. Moore Deseret News Originally published Saturday, April 19, 2008 | |
| For the third time in the past two weeks, leaders of the LDS Church have asked media outlets to refrain from incorrectly mistaking the Salt Lake City-based faith with a polygamous sect now under legal fire in Texas. Elder Quentin L. Cook, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, appears in a video clip posted on the church's Web site — www.newsroom.lds.org — appealing for a clear distinction between Latter-day Saints and members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church. A story accompanies the clip, lauding reporters who are making the differences clear between the two, but expressing concern about others who are "perpetuating mistruths about the church" through their reporting on the saga playing out in Eldorado, Texas. The church also has posted the video clip of Elder Cook on the popular Web site youtube.com/watch?v=uUtjsdtDOkQ. On the site, Elder Cook said "it is very confusing to the public when some media use 'Mormon"' to describe the FLDS group that is currently under investigation for possible incidents of child sexual abuse. Church officials have emphasized that Latter-day Saints "do not live in isolated compounds, arrange marriages, dress in old-fashioned clothing or wear unusual hairstyles," like FLDS members do. Read more | |
| Texas raid has opened can of worms | |
|
By Lee Benson Deseret News Originally published Sunday, April 20, 2008 | |
| The Texas polygamy raid and prosecution is full of ironies. It's ironic that the 416 confiscated children were sent to a county named Tom Green, even if it is no relation to the convicted Utah bigamist of the same name. It's ironic that some ostracized former members of the FLDS polygamous sect are exhibiting a perverse pleasure in watching families that they were once torn from being torn apart again. It's ironic that the attack on polygamous sexual practices is taking place in the same state that recently struck down laws that attacked homosexual sexual practices (Lawrence v. Texas, 2003). And it's ironic that Texas authorities are, by some, being roundly praised for taking aggressive action while Utah authorities are being characterized as Barney Fife in comparison. This last is the biggest irony of all, because Utah knows something Texas doesn't: dealing with polygamy isn't that simple. It seems like it should be. The law states that bigamy, or marrying someone else when you are already married, is illegal. It also states that underage girls cannot wed. That's straightforward enough. But add religion into the equation, and deception, and the willingness of "Big Love" advocates to live on the fringes to avoid mainstream America, and suddenly dealing with other so-called difficult societal problems — like, say, illegal immigration — looks like a walk in the park. Here in Utah, authorities have known this for decades. Despite anti-polygamy laws and despite repeated official denouncements by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — an organization that is often accused of controlling pretty much everything in Utah, including the Legislature — polygamous groups have burrowed in and, if not exactly thrived, very much survived. Read more | |
| FLDS raid is a major human-rights violation | |
|
By Ed Firmage My View Deseret News Originally published Sunday, April 20, 2008 | |
| The massive raid upon a polygamist compound in Texas is one of the major violations of human rights in this country. This atrocity, shocking in its initial sweep, hugely overbroad, of children and their parents, gets worse day by day. Now the pitiful last means of parents to communicate with their children and children with their parents by cell phones has been ended by confiscation of all phones. I do not favor polygamy. Like most of the polygamous communities I have come to know over several decades, child abuse is prohibited by their own rules. So is torture or physical abuse of any kind. When a people are driven into the desert, into retreat from a persecuting majority culture, they may remain frozen in time — just as if they were caught in ice and frozen — to appear later in a radically changed culture during some thaw. In the 19th century, and every century before that, ages of marriage were much younger than now. I offer no excuse for the patriarchal distinction between genders though, sadly, it exists in many cultures. This I have long opposed in every dimension of society, polygamous and mainstream. But these deeply held traditions die hard. The only effective and compassionate way for this to happen is over time, with an example set by leaders. Read more | |
| Rule of law is paramount | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Thursday, April 24, 2008 | |
|
I find it puzzling that someone would encourage people to avoid invoking criminal law in dealing with particular kinds of crimes and criminals (in this case polygamy and polygamists), but that's exactly what Ed Firmage does (My View, April 20). As he states, "Jesus' admonition against going to the law in all but the last, most desperate alternative is simply the recognition of the law's savagery."
Rejecting the rule of law in America because it contradicts statements by Jesus Christ or for any other reasons invites social chaos. In my view, rule of law is the only thing between us and the jungle, between order on the one hand and a maelstrom of rapidly shifting whims on the other. Mr. Firmage asks, "Have we no shame?" To that I answer, "There is no shame in enforcing the law." Chuck Tripp West Valley City | |
| Utah historian says Texas raid won't end polygamy | |
|
Reported by: Chris Vanocur ABC 4 News Originally broadcast April 24, 2008 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - One of the nation's top polygamy experts feels the situation in Texas will not mean the end of plural marriage in America. Ken Verdoia, a Utahn, was one of the main commentators in the recent PBS series, "The Mormons." Verdoia isn't necessarily surprised by the recent raid in El Dorado and feels that it's similar to the Short Creek raid in 1953 and to federal raids in Utah in the 19th century. And he also says that for the last 130 years people have been predicting the end of polygamy only to see it re-appear. "Plural marriage in the American west is treated like a childhood nursery rhyme: As I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today, I wish, I wish, he would go away," said Verdoia. This interview with Ken Verdoia will air Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on our sister station, CW 30. | |
| LDS should aid FLDS kids | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Friday, April 25, 2008 | |
|
I wonder why LDS Church leaders are being silent on the problem in Texas with the FLDS. The church is part of the problem, since the practice of polygamy goes back to the early leaders — even though the manifesto put a stop to it. I think LDS leaders should be encouraging members of the church to welcome the FLDS children into their homes during this difficult time. It's really the innocent children who are being punished by the state of Texas. It's a crime against humanity. If a state can do this to the FLDS, it can do it to any of us.
Laura Banks Salt Lake City | |
| Group protests before Game 3 of Rockets series | |
| Organizers in Salt Lake City displeased over handling of Eldorado kids | |
|
By FRAN BLINEBURY Houston Chronicle Originally published Friday, April 25, 2008 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY — A crowd of roughly 50 protesters held a rally outside EnergySolution Arena before Thursday's NBA playoff game between the Rockets and Jazz in support of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint families whose retreat in Eldorado was raided this month. Salt Lake City attorney Bob Breeze sponsored the rally with another planned before Saturday's Game 4, contending that Child Protective Services should return the children in the Texas group to their families. Breeze also called for the Rockets and Jazz to cancel the remainder of their playoff series and for FLDS supporters to also protest at the hotel rooms of Rockets players. There were no protestors seen at the hotel, only attendees of a Suburu convention, But Rockets' NBA security representative Butch Grant said that hotel security was alerted about the situation and that they "took extra precautions." The protesters, who ranged from white-haired men and women to toddlers, held signs, occasionally chanted and demonstrated peacefully. "I'm just a common person," Breeze said. "But I felt that I had to do something. We're trying to communicate with the people down in Texas, saying, 'Take good care of those kids for us.' " Read more | |
| LDS Church not the problem | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | |
|
Laura Banks (Readers' Forum, April 25) is another victim of wacko thinking in her claim that the LDS Church is part of the problem with the FLDS Church in Texas. It would be just as easy (and just as wrong) to blame the alleged child abuse on the Catholic Church. Just substitute "Catholic" and "child abuse" in the appropriate places in her letter. "The Catholic Church is part of the problem, since the practice of child abuse went on at the priesthood level — even though the church put a stop to it."
Just as the Catholic Church has nothing to do with the FLDS Church's problems, neither does the LDS Church. Her argument is very weak, shallow and wrong. Jan M. Levi Spanish Fork | |
| LDS Church has no obligation | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | |
|
As a convert to Mormonism from Protestantism, I am amazed Laura Banks (Readers' Forum, April 25) and others think the LDS Church has an "obligation" to the FLDS Church. That's exactly the same as claiming the Catholic Church has an obligation to the Protestant churches, because the Protestants (and their beliefs) emanated from the Catholics. Since the FLDS Church has been deemed the "Mormon FLDS Church" by the uninformed, the Protestant churches should be deemed the Catholic Baptists or Catholic Methodists. Just because churches started with the same scriptures more than a hundred years ago does not make them the same church.
Margie Hoyt South Jordan | |
| Feds are stymied in probes of FLDS | |
| Tolman says office needs probable cause, not rumors | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret News Originally published Friday, May 2, 2008 | |
| Federal authorities have been probing allegations of crimes involving the Fundamentalist LDS Church and its leader Warren Jeffs for years — but have been unable to develop enough probable cause to launch a full-scale investigation or bring charges. "Those cases where you hear rumor and innuendo about child brides and corruption, we have to have reasonable suspicion to open an investigation," U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman said Thursday. "Beyond that, we have to have probable cause to even get search warrants and grand jury subpoenas. That we have not been able to establish on numerous occasions." In an extensive interview with the Deseret News on Thursday, Tolman and Tim Fuhrman, the special agent-in-charge of the Salt Lake City office of the FBI, detailed their efforts to investigate crimes within the FLDS Church. They also spoke against the need for a federal task force on polygamy-related crimes, despite a push by the U.S. Senate majority leader and the Utah and Arizona attorneys general. "The crimes that are being alleged or that there is suspicion, these are predominantly state crimes," Tolman said. "I think it's a rush to judgment to think that a federal task force is the answer." Read more | |
| A controversial issue can be solved by using logic | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published May 5, 2008 | |
| Anytime a highly charged issue is being discussed or debated, our ability to remain clear-headed can be challenged. In a culture where perception is regarded as reality, our understanding is too often based upon the parroting of short, carefully selected sound bites that are spoon-fed to us via the media. The picture is seldom complete, and the conclusions we draw may or may not be valid. This is where logic can be a powerful tool to gain a perspective that isn't based on mere emotional association. Aristotle is generally credited with the invention of classical logic in his work Organon - meaning tool. He taught the importance of defining one's terms, classifying statements, syllogisms - or argument structures that by design appear to be indisputably valid, and finally, proofs by which an argument could be tested. Let's use his Square of Oppositions tool to provide a contemporary example of why logical thinking is important to the issues we discuss. We'll start with two universal statements: All members of the FLDS community are guilty of something. No members of the FLDS community are guilty of anything. Would a rational person argue that these statements of absolutes are perfectly true? Not likely. However, when we argue the statements as particular forms, they become much more plausible: Some members of the FLDS community may be guilty of something. Not all members of the FLDS community are guilty of something. Read more | |
| Why don't we enforce our laws? | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published May 8, 2008 | |
|
Why do the authorities fail to honor and enforce the laws we, the people, have established (against polygamy, child abuse, illegal immigrants, etc.)?
For decades they've turned a blind eye to such abuses, and far too many innocent victims have paid the price. In Colorado City/Hildale, the folks avoid paying property taxes by leaving their homes in constant states of construction. They take advantage of taxpayer-funded programs as they are unable to feed their assembly lines of children. These facts aren't new revelations. They are common knowledge. Everyone knows about it, but nothing is ever done. The Texas DNA data should be extended to include Utah's polygamist population, and the deadbeat parents of all those innocent children should be held accountable for the "secrets" thereby revealed. I've often wondered why we require licenses for such things as driving a car, operating heavy machinery, practicing medicine, marriage and all that other important stuff while, on the other hand, we have never cared enough to establish similar training/certification programs for would-be parents (polygamous or otherwise). Hmm, yet another law that could solve a lot of problems, but I'm sure it, too, would not be enforced. Debbie Dangerfield Mesquite | |
| Adoption of FLDS name is akin to identity theft | |
|
By Joseph A. Cannon Editorial Deseret News Originally published Sunday, May 11, 2008 | |
| In the days following the raid on the Texas polygamous compound, I took a call from a St. Louis radio host requesting one of our reporters to come on his show to "talk about the situation in Utah." Early in this cordial conversation, I informed him that this newspaper is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that I am a member of this church. After a few minutes, it became clear that he thought I was somehow affiliated with the FLDS group. I felt like an anthropology specimen. The questions were friendly and good natured, but imbedded in them was the notion that there was really no difference between the LDS Church and the FLDS group, they were simply all Mormons to him. Given the enormous national and international attention focused on the Texas raid, it has been abundantly clear that while many people understand the difference between the LDS Church and this polygamous group, unfortunately there is still substantial confusion between the two. Much of this confusion comes from misapplying the name Mormon, as in "fundamentalist Mormon" or "Mormon polygamist." The LDS Church has gone to great lengths to protect the name Mormon (note video of Elder Quentin L. Cook on YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUtjsdtDOkQ). However, much misidentification simply results from the confusion between the terms LDS and FLDS. Not only are many of the FLDS teachings in conflict with, and repugnant to, the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but, in fact, a person who believes in or practices the teachings of the fundamentalists would be excommunicated from the LDS Church. Read more | |
| How to define a Mormon | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | |
|
Mainstream Christianity does not like the LDS claiming to be Christians and presents many arguments to articulate their objections, but the LDS still want to be recognized as Christians.
It seems ironic to me that a column was published by editor Joe Cannon, a mainstream Mormon, presenting arguments to articulate why members of the FLDS are not Mormons, yet still the FLDS consider themselves Mormons. If being a Christian means being a believer in the teachings of Christ, why doesn't being a believer in the Book of Mormon make a person a Mormon? Malcolm Leitch West Jordan | |
| Protect LDS Church's name | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | |
|
In your May 11 issue, Editor Joe Cannon rightly raises the issue of copyright or trademark infringement by splinter groups that have misappropriated the name of the LDS Church to its detriment. Isn't it time for the church's legal branch to do something?
Even better: President Gordon B. Hinckley suggested during the 2002 Winter Olympics that the media refer to the church as "The Church of Jesus Christ." The only person to consistently adopt this practice was, ironically, former Mayor Rocky Anderson. When I Google "Church of Jesus Christ," the only hit I get is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." If this short version hasn't been copyrighted, it should be without delay and should begin appearing in church literature and on missionary name tags. David B. Timmins Salt Lake City | |
| The Vent | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published Saturday, May 17, 2008 | |
|
Writers Group member Brice Dixon's column about directing anger at FLDS leadership is right. Let's ask these people who are loudly protesting the taking of these children to stand by after the court's finding of abuse is finished. Why don't the protesters take in these children and help them re-adjust their lives after having been brainwashed since birth. You then would have something to crow about!
I agree with due process and constitutional rights regarding these children. But little girls and boys are not going to call or march into the sheriff's office and say, "I've been abused sexually," let alone their parents doing the same thing. If these parents truly wanted the best for their children they would have turned themselves into the law years ago. A member of the FLDS church made a visit to see President Bush at his Texas ranch to plead his case. It was interesting that President Bush would speak with him at such short notice. It was as if the president had an open door policy for all comers. After all the FLDS main tenet of the religion is polygamy, which is illegal in the United States. I remember some time ago Cindy Sheenan wanted an audience with President Bush to plead the case for the troops but never got one. Polygamy is against the law, and so is child abuse. So why does our elected Utah attorney general make such a remark in the newspaper that the state doesn't plan to raid the compound in Hildale! That is why polygamy is now such a mess. We have let these people break the law openly and reward them with welfare services. Raid the compound and free those people from the enslavement they endure! | |
| Utah AG's show of support wrong | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published Sunday, May 18, 2008 | |
|
I completely agree with gentlemen from Ivins and Cedar City who wrote in the letters to the editor that Utah's attorney general needs to take some action into investigating the abuses that allegedly occur within the FLDS community on a regular basis.
This is not just an unpopular religion, it is a group with principles that go completely against the dynamics of human nature. It promotes a misogynist culture where women are treated at best like second-class citizens. All of their compounds need to be raided, and the people need to get the help they need to be de-programmed and integrated into society. Let's pull our heads out of the proverbial sand. It is not normal or healthy for a group of people to submit to the will of another human being without question. It seems obvious that Mark Shurtleff has given his stamp of approval to polygamy. Lili Landers Ivins | |
| Utah's polygamy stance confusing | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published Monday, May 19, 2008 | |
|
I have to agree with Nancy Grace on CNN. It's so disgustingly unbelievable how Utah and Arizona are actually standing up and defending polygamy, where law enforcement officials are saying "don't worry, what happened in Texas will not happen to you here."
If that's not strange enough, they arranged a town-hall meeting here in St. George. I'm so confused. Polygamy is illegal, but there's a "support meeting" for polygamy every so often in the same city that Warren Jeffs got prosecuted in for practicing polygamy and made nationwide headlines. Tyler Haynes St. George | |
| Numbers shouldn't limit prosecution | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published Monday, May 19, 2008 | |
|
Now let me get this straight. As a resident of this state, if I want to engage in something unlawful, (according to the attorney general), all I have to do is get enough citizens to go along with my illegal activities?
That makes it expedient, and beyond reason to expect prosecution, because in the AG's point of view it has nothing to do with breaking the law if it taxes the recourses of the state. Very interesting. Now that we've all got that straight, we certainly know where Mark Shurtliff stands in job performance, and his opinions of what is unlawful and what is not. J. Calvin Dunn St. George | |
| Polygamy has no place in U.S | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published May 26, 2008 | |
|
Having just read and reread the front-page article in The Spectrum on May 9, I feel compelled to write what may be a very unpopular opinion in Utah.
I grew up there in a dedicated Mormon family, the great-granddaughter of a polygamist. I believe now as I did then that the practice of polygamy tends toward degradation of females and is an inexcusable ego boost to males. It can exist in Muslim countries and others like it where women can be denied education. It does not belong in this new country, and tying it to God and religion is evil. Yes, it was practiced in Abraham's time, but a careful perusal of biblical accounts proves it to have been a disaster even then. Doesn't anyone understand what intermarriage, as practiced in these cults, does to the gene pool? I refer to the statement make by Attorney General Shurtleff. "We don't plan to raid to end polygamy. We don't believe that is the answer." My question is: Dare he explain why? Alyce Stevens Rohrer Pasadena, Calif. | |
| 'Mormon sect' inaccurate | |
|
Opinion Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | |
|
Thankfully the Deseret News is now accepting the request of LDS Church leaders to refrain from using the term "Mormon" when referring to FLDS. That is a good step forward.
However, now referring to them as "the renegade Mormon sect" is a bit too much. It is a giant step backward. (See Deseret News, May 17, Page A2.) Daniel A. Loewen Salt Lake City | |
| Don't bash church that helps others | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | |
|
Gainsayers of some churches spend much time and money showing anti-Mormon films and passing out anti-literature at every major conference or event we hold, including 50,000 anti-DVDs in the Salt Lake area alone.
In contrast, the Latter-day Saints spent 2007 giving aid to major-earthquake victims in five countries, massive fires in six countries, hunger and famine aid in 18 countries, and flooding and storm aid in 34 countries. In total, we gave aid to 170 major events. Also, over 1 million people benefited from clean water projects in 25 countries, and 60,500 received wheelchairs in 60 nations. About 54,000 had vision assistance, and 2.8 million children received church-sponsored immunizations. Four hundred homes are being build in Peru damaged by earthquakes, and more is being done. Is there not enough evil in the world that detractors must spend their time bashing those who spend their time helping and lifting God's children? Bruce P. Ornstead St. George | |
| The Vent | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published May 31, 2008 | |
|
Cult worship is defined as a sect bound together by devotion, sacred ideology and a set of rites held to a false unorthodox cultivated worship. Several leaders have been in composition of all in the past with volatile consequences - PTL leaders, Jim Jones, Charles Manson and his followers. Warren Jeffs is really on trial for his unorthodox leadership of the FLDS sect.
Being new to the area, I want to be sure I know the rules. If I have sex with an underage person while residing in St. George, I am guilty of the crime of statutory rape and can be sent to prison. If I perform the same act while residing in Hildale, I am practicing my religious freedom and removal of my victim is a violation of my civil rights. Correct? | |
| Mueller questions need for panel on FLDS, says FBI won't take lead | |
|
By Geoffrey Fattah Deseret News Originally published Thursday, June 12, 2008 | |
|
FBI Director Robert Mueller says his agency will not take the lead in investigating polygamist groups but will rather support any local law enforcement effort if asked to. Speaking to reporters during a brief trip to the FBI's Salt Lake Field Office, Mueller said the FBI's focus remains on counterterrorism, child exploitation and financial fraud cases — but polygamy was not among those priorities. At a time when federal and state law enforcers from several states, including Utah, have converged in Las Vegas to form a task force on polygamy, Mueller on Wednesday said he did not see the need for it. "I'm not sure a task force is necessary," Mueller said. With that said, Mueller said the FBI will continue to assist state and local law enforcement in any polygamy-related investigation if asked to. When asked if the FBI has any current investigations into polygamist groups, Mueller said he could not comment on any ongoing investigations. Mueller did praise the Salt Lake Field Office for breaking up a variety of criminal enterprises, including its success in dismantling the violent street gang known at the Tiny Oriental Posse. More than 12 members of the gang recently entered guilty pleas in federal court under charges of racketeering.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com | |
| Mormons distance themselves from polygamist groups | |
|
By ERIC GORSKI The Associated Press Google News Originally published Thursday, June 26, 2008 | |
| As authorities have investigated a polygamist sect in Texas, Mormon church leaders in Salt Lake City have largely stayed on the sidelines, weighing a response. Church officials knew the sect's similar name and practice of polygamy — part of Mormon church life until it was banned more than a century ago — would cause people to confuse the two. Now the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as the Mormon church, is starting a public relations campaign that seeks a delicate balance: distinguishing itself from a small, separate group that claims some of the same history while not denigrating someone else's beliefs. It's a sensitive issue for the Mormon church, which was persecuted in its early years. The initiative begun Thursday also details how it considers its 19th century practice of polygamy different from present-day practitioners like the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "People have the right to worship as they choose, and we aren't interested in attacking someone else's beliefs," LDS church apostle Quentin Cook said in a statement. "At the same time, we have an obligation to define ourselves rather than be defined by events and incidents that have nothing to do with us." "Mormons," he said, "have nothing whatsoever to do with this polygamous sect in Texas." The LDS church has not taken a stance on the April raid of the FLDS compound in Eldorado, Texas, subsequent child-custody battle and ongoing grand jury investigation into whether FLDS members committed any crimes. "We don't know if there's abuse of children," Cook said in an interview. "We would condemn that ... We don't know all the facts." Read more | |
| What’s in a name? | |
|
Posted by Mollie GetReligion - Washington, DC Originally published Friday, June 27, 2008 | |
Back in April when Texas authorities seized children from a ranch owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints, we discussed how well the media distinguished between them and the much larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As far as media coverage went, we thought reporters handled the distinction pretty well. We definitely took issue with how well they retained their objectivity with the story. But the LDS church commissioned a survey of 1,000 Americans and found that 36 percent thought the Texas compound was part of the LDS Church or the "Mormon Church" based in Salt Lake City. According to the survey, six percent said the churches were partly related, 29 percent said the groups were not connected at all, and 29 percent weren’t sure. So the LDS decided to do a big public relations campaign and enlist religion reporters help in clarifying the distinction. Whereas Peggy Fletcher Stack of the Salt Lake Tribune ran a rather brief story, the Associated Press’ Eric Gorski used the campaign as a hook to explore the issue in greater depth:
As authorities have investigated a polygamist sect in Texas, Mormon church leaders in Salt Lake City have largely stayed on the sidelines, weighing a response.Read more | |
| Polygamist Raid is PR Nightmare for Mormons | |
|
By Howard Berkes Day to Day National Public Radio Originally broadcast June 30, 2008 | |
| Mormons want the world to know this: They're not polygamists. And the FLDS polygamists in Texas are not Mormons. A recent poll commissioned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — that's the Mormon Church — found that 91 percent of those surveyed had heard about the April raid on the Texas ranch owned by the polygamist group known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or FLDS. Thirty percent of respondents believed the FLDS were Mormons, and 36 percent said the "religious compound in Texas" is associated with the Mormon faith. This frustrates Mormon leaders, who have been trying to distance the modern practice of their faith from its polygamist roots. They note that a Mormon prophet officially dispensed with polygamy in 1890. "Mormons have nothing whatsoever to do with this polygamous sect in Texas," says Quentin Cook, an "apostle" in the Mormon Church's top, 15-man leadership. "[Polygamy] is a significant part of our distant past, not of our present." A new Mormon public relations campaign emphasizes the distinctions between Mormons and FLDS polygamists and underscores the fact that polygamy is not tolerated among Mormons today — it triggers excommunication. "We're certainly aware that there is some confusion out there," says Mike Otterson, spokesman for Mormon leaders. "But when that comes back as three out of every four people either not knowing that there is a difference [between Mormons and FLDS polygamists] or actually thinking that there is a connection, that's sobering." Read more | |
| Polygamous groups assert their Mormon heritage | |
|
By JENNIFER DOBNER The Associated Press East Valley Tribune - Mesa, Arizona Originally published July 9, 2008 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY - Polygamy-practicing fundamentalists with religious roots in early Mormon theology are rankled by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' campaign to direct the way news organizations define those sects. "We strenuously object to any efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing," the Principle Voices Coalition said in a statement issued Wednesday. "Fundamentalist Mormons have been referred to by that name since the 1930s, often by the church itself. We are proud of our Mormon heritage." Fundamentalists revere the same prophets as the mainstream Mormon church, including founder Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, both of whom practiced polygamy. They also share the mainline church's use of the Book of Mormon as a primary text, along with the Doctrine & Covenants, in which plural marriage remains part of scriptural teachings. On June 24, a Mormon church attorney sent a letter to newspaper, magazine and broadcast media outlets asking that the term "fundamentalist Mormon" be dropped from news reports. The letter is primarily aimed at drawing a hard line between the Salt Lake City-based faith and the Utah/Arizona-based Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which practices polygamy and has been prominent in news reports since authorities in April raided the sect's west Texas ranch and seized more than 400 children during an investigation of child abuse allegations. "I don't know how you can't call them fundamentalist Mormons," said John Walsh, a Mormon and religious scholar, who served as an expert witness for the state of Texas during the FLDS case. "A Mormon is someone who believes in the Book of Mormon ... who has a belief that Joseph Smith was called of God in some way." Read more | |
| Pro-polygamy coalition takes issue with LDS objection to 'fundamentalist' | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret News Originally published Wednesday, July 9, 2008 | |
| A coalition of polygamous groups is taking issue with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' objections to the term "fundamentalist Mormon." In a statement issued Wednesday, the group Principle Voices said it strenuously objects to what it calls "efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing." Last month, the LDS Church appealed to the news media and the public to make the distinction between it and the Fundamentalist LDS Church, whose YFZ Ranch in Texas has been the subject of widespread media attention. "Mormons have nothing whatsoever to do with this polygamous sect in Texas," said Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve. "The fact is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890: 118 years ago. It's a significant part of our distant past, not of our present." "People have the right to worship as they choose, and we aren't interested in attacking someone else's beliefs," Elder Cook said. "At the same time, we have an obligation to define ourselves rather than be defined by events and incidents that have nothing to do with us. It's obvious we need to do more to help people understand the enormous differences that exist between our Church which is a global faith and these small polygamous groups." Principle Voices said that the term has been used since the 1930s. "We are proud of our Mormon heritage," the group said. "Plural marriage is only one of the tenets of our religion, the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through Joseph Smith." Principle Voices is comprised of representatives of the various polygamous sects in Utah and Arizona, including the Bluffdale-based Apostolic United Brethren, the Davis County Cooperative Society, the Work of Jesus Christ in Centennial Park, Ariz., and independent groups. Read more | |
| Anniversary of LDS polygamy doctrine draws near | |
|
Reported by: Chris Vanocur ABC 4 News Originally broadcast July 10, 2008 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Saturday marks an important LDS anniversary, but the Church is not calling attention to it. On July 12th, 1843, Joseph Smith dictated the revelation which would become an important part of the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 132 deals with plural marriage. And as we near this 165th anniversary, one thing is clear: it remains a defining moment in LDS Church history. Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants reads in part: "I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant: and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." ABC 4 News asked Utah journalist and historian Verdoia, "When I say the date July 12th, 1843 to you, what do you think of?" Ken Verdoia responded, "The curtain goes up on one of the great American dramas." Ken Verdoia speaks so eloquently about polygamy, he was featured prominently in the PBS series, "The Mormons." And this revelation, Verdoia says, changed not only thousands of lives but also the future history of the LDS Church. Read more | |
| Proportion and Perspective on Polygamy Reporting | |
|
LDS Newsroom The Official Reource for News Media, Opinion Leaders and the Public The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Originally published July 10, 2008 | |
|
SALT LAKE CITY | 10 July 2008 | On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attention.
In an apparent misunderstanding of the aim of this Newsroom package, a coalition of polygamous groups expressed its opposition in a press release to what it described as the Salt Lake City-based Church’s "efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing." The general term they prefer to be known by is "Mormon fundamentalist." This is perfectly understandable from the standpoint of seeking the religious legitimacy that the word "Mormon" grants. But from the organizational, doctrinal, historical and cultural standpoint of the mainstream Church, that term has long resided, in the public’s mind, within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Distinctions matter, especially when a term like Mormon has come to mean a very specific thing to the public. Mormon is commonly used to describe a Mormon temple, Mormon missionaries or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. These images have long been ingrained in the public consciousness. But when the term Mormon is stretched out of proportion to apply to any group, however large or small, aspiring to establish a church in the tradition of Joseph Smith, only confusion ensues. Reduced to its lowest common denominator, the word Mormon loses its long-established associations among the public, rendering it unrecognizable. The coalition’s press release takes issue with a letter sent by the Church to media organizations to clarify the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a polygamous sect near San Angelo, Texas, calling itself the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." This is a matter of promoting accuracy and clarity in media reporting, not defining other people’s religious traditions. Read more | |
| LDS Church wrestling 'Mormon' with polygamist groups | |
|
Mormon Times Originally published Thursday, Jul. 10, 2008 | |
|
The LDS Church is responding to criticism from a coalition of polygamist groups that aren't happy about information the church published to distance itself from the FLDS sect in Texas. The coalition, called Principle Voices, complains its members want to use the moniker "fundamentalist Mormon" to describe themselves and their religious heritage. It believes the LDS Church is trying to deprive it of the freedom to choose its own name. Deseretnews.com: Pro-polygamy coalition takes issue with LDS objection to 'fundamentalist' The LDS Church's response, published in the newsroom section of its Web site, LDS.org, follows:
On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attention. In an apparent misunderstanding of the aim of this Newsroom package, a coalition of polygamous groups expressed its opposition in a press release to what it described as the Salt Lake City-based Church’s "efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing." The general term they prefer to be known by is "Mormon fundamentalist." Read more | |
| LDS Church emphasizes 'Mormon' distinctions | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret News Originally published Friday, July 11, 2008 | |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is again stressing the differences between its global religion and polygamous sects that it believes are being erroneously linked to it as part of an onslaught of news coverage of the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's ranch in Texas. Reacting to a pro-polygamy group's statements that criticized the LDS Church for objecting to the use of the term "fundamentalist Mormon," LDS leaders issued another statement Thursday seeking what it termed "proportion and perspective" about the name "Mormon." "Distinctions matter, especially when a term like Mormon has come to mean a very specific thing to the public. Mormon is commonly used to describe a Mormon temple, Mormon missionaries or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. These images have long been ingrained in the public consciousness," the LDS Church said in its statement. "But when the term Mormon is stretched out of proportion to apply to any group, however large or small, aspiring to establish a church in the tradition of Joseph Smith, only confusion ensues. Reduced to its lowest common denominator, the word Mormon loses its long-established associations among the public, rendering it unrecognizable." The group Principle Voices, a coalition of polygamous churches, issued a statement Wednesday objecting to what it called "efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing." Principle Voices noted that they share a common background through Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other early Mormon leaders. They also use the Book of Mormon and other scriptures espoused by the mainstream church. Read more | |
| Letter: Churches have different views on polygamy | |
|
Opinion Austin Daily Herald Originally published Saturday, July 26, 2008 | |
|
A comment was made last month that it was my misunderstanding to conclude the FLDS continue their polygamy "because of a maze of confusion" in the LDS scriptures. It’s easy for the writer to accuse me of misunderstanding, but he’s not made a good case for that charge. For instance, specifically what have I misunderstood in sharing forthrightly the varying passages? The writer never actually takes issue with the points I made. Instead he diverts the issue away from polygamy into an argument for living prophets. He states the importance of listening to and following the living prophet who receives direction from God. A legitimate question then is this: If his living prophet decreed it was once again a requirement for Mormons to practice polygamy to gain a higher level in the afterlife, would he comply? The LDS believe they have a living prophet telling them the FLDS are apostate for continuing polygamy. The FLDS believe they have a living prophet te lling them the LDS are apostate for rejecting polygamy, hence the maze of confusion. Neither the LDS nor the FLDS feel confused because each believes and obeys the pronouncements of their living prophets. Nevertheless, the conflicting scriptures and prophetic utterances indeed continue to "fan the flames" in this convoluted polygamous system. It’s resulted in two churches, both believing in Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and latter-day revelation, but having totally disparate views of 21st century polygamy. That’s their legacy.
B. Kent Larson Stewartville, Minn. | |
| FLDS: Does the media get it yet? | |
|
By Joel Campbell Mormon Times Originally published Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 | |
| It’s been a month and a half since the LDS Church asserted its right for exclusive use of the term "Mormon" and asked the media to distance it from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On July 10, a few pro-polygamy groups said they also had a historical right to use the moniker as well. The Mormon Media Observer finds out whether reporters and editors at news organizations across the world have paid any attention to the LDS request. A search of an online news database of global English publications for the term "Mormon fundamentalist," "Mormon polygamist" and similar terms only turned up 28 references in the past month. Between May and June, there were more than 200 such references. Admittedly, there was much greater coverage in May and June, but the trend appears to be toward less inaccuracy. Some of the most recent articles were Associated Press stories about the LDS Church laying claim to the term "Mormon" and fundamentalist polygamists countering that they could use the term too. At the same time, the term "polygamist sect," used when describing the FLDS, was cited in more than 280 articles. The Associated Press, which bylines most of the national coverage about the FLDS, appears to have been careful to honor the LDS request and respect its own stylebook, which says splinter groups formed after the death of Joseph Smith are not properly called "Mormons." At times, the news cooperative has used the term "self-described Mormon fundamentalist" to try to balance the usage. "Mormon polygamists" and "Mormon polygamist sect" has lessened in U.S. news, however, but other terms such as "renegade Mormon sect" and "breakaway Mormon sect" are still popular. "Mormon polygamist" or "Mormon fundamentalist" terms are more likely to turn up in newspapers and Web sites based outside the United States. There are some exceptions. Read more | |
| Polygamy prosecutions spark lively debate at University of Utah | |
|
By Ben Winslow Deseret News Originally published Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | |
| On the heels of the raid on the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch in Texas, legal scholars are debating Utah's position on polygamy prosecutions. In a spirited debate at the University of Utah's College of Law on Wednesday night, constitutional scholar Marci Hamilton of New York's Cardozo School of Law challenged chief deputy Utah Attorney General Kirk Torgensen on the state's prosecution of crimes within polygamy — while not going after plural marriage itself. "While it's undeniably true that not every case of polygamy includes sexual or physical abuse of children, the tendency is enough to make the assumption that a polygamous home is not a fit home for a child," Hamilton said, criticizing the Utah Attorney General's Office for creating a "policy of appeasement" in its lack of prosecutions that leads to the assumption that polygamy should be legalized. Assumptions are dangerous, Torgensen countered. "I have to provide evidence," he said. "Evidence that is substantial, believable to a court of law. When she says we can assume things, that all people are abusing kids because of a lifestyle they may be living, I don't believe you can do that under the Constitution." Read more | |
| Is Utah doing enough about polygamy? | |
|
United Press International Originally published October 23, 2008 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Utah should do more to clamp down on polygamy, a New York law professor said in a debate with a member of the Utah attorney general's office. Marci Hamilton of the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law praised Texas in the debate Wednesday for raiding a ranch owned by a polygamous sect and taking custody of the children there, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. She said a 1955 Utah Supreme Court ruling that polygamous homes are not fit for children gives the state the legal tool it needs. Hamilton accused Utah and Arizona of a "policy of appeasement." The polygamous community of Hildale-Colorado City sits on the state line. During the debate at the University of Utah College of Law, Chief Deputy Attorney General Kirk Torgensen said Utah pursues polygamists who force girls into plural marriages or engage in other abusive behavior. But he said the state should not be "throwing a net at a whole bunch of people because they happen to hold certain beliefs." The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that threw out sodomy laws also allows polygamists to recognize "spiritual marriages" between consenting adults, although the relationships have no legal standing. | |
| 'Boston' attacks Utah | |
|
By Scott D. Pierce Deseret News Originally published Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 | |
| Gee, David E. Kelley must have Googled polygamy. And, in the hands of the executive producer/writer of "Boston Legal," a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. In another over-the-top episode of the soon-to-be-gone ABC series, Kelley climbed back up on his soapbox last week. And made himself look like a pompous, uninformed bully. Yes, it's fiction. But it's fascinating how the same folks who would never descend to racial stereotyping have no problem with geographic or religious stereotyping. Kelley and co-writer Corinne Brinkerhoff sent the comedy team of Alan Shore (James Spader) and Denny Crane (William Shatner) to a dude ranch in Utah — because, of course, all of Utah is a rural dude ranch. And the plot descended into sexual idiocy and infidelity involving Denny. At which point he is arrested because "adultery is a crime in Utah, as is fornication out of wedlock." Something Kelley and Co. apparently ran across on the Internet. But they missed the part about those laws not being enforced. This being a Hollywood depiction of Utah, the stereotypes started flying thick and fast. Like when Alan called for the case to be moved to "any jurisdiction where the criminal justice code isn't written in the Good Book." Of course, Utah means one thing only to Kelley and his ilk — polygamy. "Utah is not the state that wants to prosecute adultery," Alan, charged as an accomplice, told the judge. "While it may technically be a crime, so is polygamy, which you don't prosecute. Read more | |
| The Vent | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published January 3, 2009 | |
| I find it odd that Utahns wage a war in another state against rights for gays, even though they are consenting adults pursuing their constitutional rights. Utahns, if they were truly concerned about morality, they'd put their efforts toward eliminating child abuses and other illegal acts existent in Utah's polygamist communities. However, since polygamy falls under that religious umbrella, Utahns seem to prefer embracing those groups. | |
| Polygamy still part of doctrine | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published January 8, 2009 | |
|
Joseph Smith introduced the practice of polygamy in the 1830s. By 1844, he had over 40 wives, as recorded in county records, his and Emma's journals, eye witnesses. Polygamy, an integral part of "exaltation," caused persecution, much of Emma's grief and the split between the Josephites and the Brighamites - with successor issues.
Politics, persecution and statehood were the motivation for the 1890 Manifesto, a so-called inspired statement like the Manifesto is not a revelatory procedure that qualifies for changing a doctrine. The "doctrine" was converted into a policy so it could be changed without problems. The actual moving away from the practice took many decades. Brethren were solemnizing plural marriages among the living in the temple into the 1930s, as testified by my own ancestors and others in the church. Today the church painstakingly separates itself from polygamy. "Smooth out" any rough edges so as to not disturb the missionary effort. Polygamy and Mormonism are inseparable. It is still promised in the afterlife. It's as much a part of the church doctrine as faith, repentance and baptism. Make the best of your beliefs. At least understand them. Craig Harrison St. George | |
| Time to write your local Canadian editor | |
|
By Joel Campbell Random observations Mormon Times - Salt Lake City, UT Originally published Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 | |
|
With the recent news of arrests of polygamist FLDS adherents in British Columbia, the media continues to get it wrong. Well, it's still in vogue for Canadian journalists to use the term "Mormon polygamists" and "fundamentalist Mormons." The Vancouver Sun, Edmonton Journal, CanWest News Service, Ottawa Citizen, Maclean's magazine and Cornwall Standard Freeholder, to name a few, used one or the other of the terms. The London-based Economist called the FLDS a "Mormon sect." While U.S. media more widely uses the terms "polygamist groups" and "polygamist sects," the Canadian scribes ought to take a look at a previous column and style requests from the LDS Church.
The U.S.-based Associated Press, which bylines most of the national coverage about the FLDS, appears to have been careful to honor the LDS request and respect its own stylebook, which says splinter groups formed after the death of Joseph Smith are not properly called "Mormons." At times, the news cooperative has used the term "self-described Mormon fundamentalist" to try to balance the usage. | |
| Reconciliation should be focus | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published April 10, 2009 | |
|
I applaud President Thomas S. Monson for telling young women at General Conference to "be chaste and virtuous, and have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness." The time has come when the First Presidency should openly speak of reuniting the congregations of the LDS Church and those of the Fundamentalist FLDS Church.
When Joseph Smith, Jr., died in 1844 the subject of scriptural guidelines for matrimony was hotly debated. Plural wives were something read about in ancient texts. In today's culture, many marriages fall apart (even monogamous ones). It seems to me that leaders need to finally acknowledge that polygamous and monogamous marriages each depend on partners being "chaste and virtuous" as Monson said. He had a golden opportunity to himself "stand firm for truth and righteousness" by praising FLDS women for embracing scriptural guidelines as old as Section 132 in the Doctrine & Covenants. Our whole American society is finally getting brave enough to again restore honorable viewpoints instead of surrendering to political-correctness. Let us hope that reconciliation will come in 2009, and worthy marriages will be sanctified and recognized by all as they were in olden times. Truth and righteousness should unite congregations, not divide them. James A. Marples Longview, Texas | |
| The Vent | |
|
The Spectrum Originally published April 11, 2009 | |
| Another conference is past, and they talked about all evils of gambling and pornography and same-sex marriage. But I heard nothing about the evils of polygamy. Is the church really against polygamy? Or is it a false front? | |
| Living with the "Mormon" nickname | |
|
By Joel Campbell Mormon Times Originally published Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2009 | |
| It seems that Latter-day Saints have learned to live with the title "Mormon" while still asking the world (and being largely ignored) to use the formal name of their church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormon Media Observer discussed the past 20 years of the official church's position in dealing with the usage of the Mormon brand during the recent "Mormonism in the Public Mind" conference held at Utah Valley University. Here is an abridged version: Latter-day Saints have been constantly reminded of obligation to use the proper name of the church. In April 1990 General Conference, Elder Russell M. Nelson, said: "This church, established under the direction of Almighty God, fulfills promises made in biblical times. It is part of the 'restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.' (Acts 3:21.) It has been restored and given a name by the Lord Himself." Six months later, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "Many of our people are disturbed by the practice of the media, and of many others, to disregard totally the true name of the Church and to use the nickname 'the Mormon church.' The Mormon church, of course, is a nickname. . . I suppose that regardless of our efforts, we may never convert the world to general use of the full and correct name of the Church. Because of the shortness of the word Mormon and the ease with which it is spoken and written, they will continue to call us the Mormons, the Mormon church, and so forth." Read more | |
| New research: media trying with LDS stories | |
|
By Joel Campbell Mormon Times - Salt Lake City, Utah Originally published Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | |
| New research on Mormons and media show that media are making attempts to distinguish between FLDS and LDS. Other research shows the polarization that often occurs in Utah media over controversial issues, in this case the cancellation of the movie "Brokeback Mountain" in some Utah theaters in 2006. A new study of newspaper coverage after the FLDS raid in Texas shows that of the 145 Spanish- and English-language articles from U.S. and international newspapers, just more than half explicitly distinguished between the LDS and FLDS, about 44 percent implicitly distinguished between the two churches and one article confused the two. Writing in Dialogue, researchers Ryan T. Cragun and Michael Nielsen conclude with this statement: "This paper detailed the two definitions of the label 'Mormon' used by the media. Until an alternative label for religions that trace their ancestry back to Joseph Smith is proposed and widely accepted, it is likely that the label 'Mormon' will continue to be used to refer to all such groups. While introducing a small amount of confusion for the uninformed reader, the use of that label does reflect the reality of a shared history and many shared beliefs. Despite the efforts of the LDS Church to claim 'Mormon' as its own, the fight over 'Mormon' will continue for the foreseeable future." Read more | |
| Mormon apologist community holds annual conference | |
|
The Associated Press KIFI Local News 8 - Idaho Falls, ID Originally published August 6, 2009 | |
| SANDY, Utah (AP) - A group that defends Mormon beliefs to church critics is gathering in Utah for a 2-day conference. The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research - or FAIR - conference will tackle a range of topics including science and the Book of Mormon, the reliability of church history and polygamy. The 11th annual event begins Thursday at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy. FAIR was organized in 1997 by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were sharing their knowledge and research on church history, doctrine and practices on Internet message boards. The group organized and launched a Web site in 1998 to provide a single resource for questions about Mormonism. FAIR is not an official arm of the Mormon church. On the Net: Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research: http://www.fairlds.org/webguide.html | |
| The Vent | |
|
Opinion The Spectrum Originally published August 8, 2009 | |
| Every time a story appears concerning the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they are referred to as a "breakaway sect" of the mainstream Mormon Church. However, it would seem to me that the FLDS members have remained faithful to the original teachings of Joseph Smith; while the mainstream church has made some major changes to some teachings. Especially concerning the practice of polygamy and the treatment of blacks within the church. They've even gone so far as to change words in The Book of Mormon from how it was originally divined to Joseph Smith. I would think that henceforth the mainstream church should be referred to as the "breakaway" group. Just because something is commercially successful doesn't mean it's right. | |
| Mormon symposium focuses on women's contributions | |
|
The Associated Press KIFI Local News 8 - Idaho Falls, Idaho Originally published August 12, 2009 | |
|
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Organizers say the contributions of Mormon women to the church and its culture will be the focus of discussions by scholars and theologians during the 2009 installment of the annual Sunstone Symposium. Sponsored by the Sunstone Education Foundation, which also produces Sunstone Magazine, the event begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday in Salt Lake City. First organized in 1979, the symposium offers an examination of Mormon beliefs and practices through presentations, panels and discussions. The 2009 seminar sessions will touch on a range of topics including Mormon blogging, Mormon-authored and themed literature and films, polygamy, church historical sites, natural childbirth and Mormon activism. Presenters include Mormon and nonMormons alike.
On the Net: Sunstone Education Foundation: http://www.sunstonemagazine.com/ | |
| Lawyer steps up for polygamist sect | |
|
Associated Press The Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sunday, October 25, 2009 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY - The lawyer who regularly stands before TV cameras to defend a polygamous sect gets some praise for speaking up for what many consider an unpopular cause. Rod Parker's critics, however, wonder how he sleeps at night. "They really needed help," Parker said of the Texas members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. "It was the kind of call you cannot say 'no' to." Authorities suspecting abuse at the sect's ranch in Eldorado took charge of more than 400 children in April. But they were returned to their parents after Texas courts said the state's child-welfare agency went too far. As the case shifted almost daily, it was Parker who shed his tie - "I didn't want to look too lawyer-ish" - and spoke for the sect, a publicity-shy group that typically avoids contact with news media. The 49-year-old Salt Lake City lawyer is a Roman Catholic who once belonged to the mainstream Mormon church, which is not affiliated with the sect. Parker worked at the U.S. Justice Department in the late 1980s before returning to Utah to specialize in family law as well as litigation and appeals. His clients have included some of the world's largest corporations. Parker became familiar with the sect while helping another lawyer and then took on more work for the group, which believes in polygamy and arranged marriage. Parker and his family have become acquainted with the sect, based in the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. His wife, Lynn Parker, a nurse, has visited the midwifery complex and quilted with some of the women. The Parker children have participated in the group's harvest festival. Read more | |
| Herald News Letters: December 16, 2009 | |
| We must separate church and state | |
|
Herald News New Jersey Herald - Woodland Park, New Jersey Originally published Wednesday, December 16, 2009 | |
|
Separation of church and state seems to be a dying right in America. Any two adults have the constitutional right to marry. Some religions attempting to stop gays from this right are the ones who have also protected pedophile priests and allowed for the marriage of men to young girls and even endorsed polygamy.
Now, these same religions are trying to prosecute us for "hate speech" against them, yet many of their own teachings have promoted hate speech that has gotten gays beaten and killed, along with atheists and other "non-believers." Why is this permitted by our government and society? Over the course of history, many are the wars that were started because of one form or another of religion-fueled hate. Today, a Catholic priest is even threatening one senator of my free government for backing abortion rights. When did this priest ever carry a baby? When these religions give up their tax-free ride, they may speak. But until then, I demand separation of church and state. Greg Baron Clifton | |
| Mormon Media Observer: Challenges, National Geographic | |
| National Geographic covers FLDS | |
|
By Joel Campbell Mormon Times Originally published Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010 | |
|
In a cover story titled "The Polygamists," National Geographic does a pretty good job covering the FLDS community in Utah. The article makes clear that the sect broke away from the "Mormons." And clearly outlines how the groups left the LDS Church. Perhaps if there is one flaw it might be the fact that the FLDS are left to interpret "historical Mormon policy" to their liking with no response from the LDS Church.
While NatGeo got it right, the British press didn't. The Daily Mirror ran an excerpt of the article and a large photo with a headline "Meet the Mormon Man with 239 grandchildren." | |
| Photojournalist Captures 'Polygamy In America' | |
|
Talk of the Nation National Public Radio Originally broadcast February 17, 2010 | |
|
Stephanie Sinclair was given rare and intimate access to the men and women of the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Sinclair's photos, taken during several periods since April of 2008, appear in National Geographic. Sinclair spent about 18 months with the group, on-and-off. She started her project in Texas right after the raid in which more than 400 children were taken from the Yearning for Zion ranch. She told host Neal Conan, "it took probably four months to really start getting access, to start convincing them that [she] wasn't out to villianize them," or make judgments. Sinclair spent time with polygamist, FLDS families in multiple communities in the U.S. and Canada.
NEAL CONAN, host: Few knew much about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until April of 2008, when Texas law enforcement officials raided an FLDS compound called the Yearning for Zion Church, or Ranch. The FLDS is a polygamist sect unconnected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Texas authorities suspected that underage girls were being married to much older men. And after what turned out to be phony 911 calls, they removed more than 400 children from the ranch. In the wall-to-wall coverage that followed, we saw pictures of women and girls in front of a Texas courthouse in pastel prairie dresses and elaborately braided hair. The Texas Appeals Court returned almost all of the children to their families within two months after finding that authorities did not have evidence to hold them. Photography - Stephanie Sinclair was granted rare and exclusive access to the FLDS communities in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. Her work appears in a series of extraordinary images featured in this month's edition of National Geographic. You can see some of those on NPR's photo blog The Picture Show at npr.org. And Stephanie Sinclair joins us here today in Studio 3A. Thanks very much for coming in. Read more | |
| Listen to this interview | |
| The Vent | |
|
The Spectrum Originally published February 27, 2010 | |
| It's fine if "conventional" marriage works for you. But when you disparage and deny other forms of marriage as "deviant," non-traditional, invalid or illegal, you go too far. Throughout world history there's been a wide variety of marriage types. For years, local religionists were quick with historic precedents for polygamy and their right to live it. Now they, and other like-minded zealots, condemn any form of alternative marriages! Go figure! | |
| Church should use its influence | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published April 6, 2010 | |
|
More than 160 years ago, the LDS Church brought polygamy from Nauvoo. Nearly 120 years ago it announced in the 1890 Manifesto to "refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land."
And yet this scourge of immorality, physical abuse, sexual abuse and haven for pedophiles remains. The LDS Church has used its significant power and resources to influence either change or status quo based on its beliefs. Whether it is liquor laws, zoning or same-sex marriage, the church gets actively involved. As recently seen in California, the LDS Church can get involved and be effective. Organizations, as well as individuals, must not only be responsible for what they create, but are also responsible for cleaning up the mess. It is time for the LDS Church to bring all of its resources - political, financial and human - to rid our land of this scourge and save generations of women and children from nothing more than slavery. What will it be? Chuck Mollenkopf Ivins | |
| VIEWPOINTS: FLDS has legal right to its beliefs, practices | |
|
Stephen Smith San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published April 7, 2010 | |
| SAN ANGELO, Texas — On Dec. 10, a story in the San Angelo Standard-Times about the trial of an FLDS member in Eldorado did not accurately reflect the views I expressed, and since then have had a few stones hurled my way. I offer this article to my fellow citizens of San Angelo in reference to that misunderstanding. What in the world were my parents thinking when they named me? I was in no position to argue when my parents tagged me with the name of Stephen. Around 30-40 A.D. another Stephen was tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy against Moses and God. The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the day. Poor guy — he probably would have preferred to go strolling with Jesus across the desert. Instead, Jesus asked him to stick around Jerusalem and keep reminding the Jews what Jesus was all about. If Stephen didn’t have rocks in his head then, he was soon to feel plenty of rocks against his head. He wanted people to hear truth they didn’t want to hear. So he was stoned to death and that was that. Nice people stoned him, some of the same such nice people who crucified Jesus. Of course (I say with tongue in cheek) San Angelo citizens certainly wouldn’t behave that way — we’re civilized, decent, caring and loving Christians. We wouldn’t dream of going against what Jesus told us to do because we are intelligent, faithful, churchgoing, God-fearing Christians. But I’m going out on a limb here, taking a stab at a sensitive subject. The First Amendment to our Constitution clearly states that Congress shall make no law that prohibits the free exercise of practicing a religion. Whether we like it and agree with it or not, there is a large and persistent group of people who call themselves the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints trying to practice what they preach in their religion. Read more | |
| A mixed bag of temple reviews in the Canadian press | |
|
By Nick Newman Mormon Times Originally published Thursday, Apr. 08, 2010 | |
|
Seeing the local press go crazy when the latest Mormon temple is ready for an open house is nothing new to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yet, it's always interesting to see what will be said about the most sacred place in all of Mormon culture.
Questions always abound: Is the press going to get it right this time? Is a prominent LDS member going to be interviewed? What kind of quotes is the opposition going to get in an article that's supposed to be about an LDS temple? A day before the Vancouver British Columbia temple is unveiled for all the public to see, a handful of media members were allowed to tour the temple and ask any questions they wanted about Mormon belief. The event received coverage in three British Columbia papers -- The Vancouver Sun, The Langley Times and the Langley Advance. Here's a reaction to what was said in each paper: The Vancouver Sun: The biggest bright side here is that the open house made the front page of the paper, and actually occupied the most prominent space on the page. There were a few related articles, a sidebar on what each room in the temple is about, and a photo gallery of pictures from to all media from the church. Other than that, it feels like the Sun attempted to be fair and balanced in its reporting, while really just letting misunderstandings run amok in the article. Read more | |
| LETTER: FLDS article was inspirational | |
|
San Angelo Standard-Times Originally published April 13, 2010 | |
|
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Jim and Nan Baker, Brady
Stephen Smith’s article in Thursday’s Viewpoints section concerning the FLDS church was beyond touching, beyond simple truth, it was divinely inspired. For two years the Standard-Times has accepted the actions of the state, defended the biases of prosecutors and bureaucrats, of judges and law enforcement personnel without a wince. Early on, a 2003 photography of Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran and Flora Jessop was published. They were sharing their thoughts. Strange they should be sharing their thoughts in 2003, five years before the raid. But there was no comment from the Standard-Times. Now the FLDS men who have given their lives to God and family are facing seven to 75 years in prison. A cry has gone up to heaven, and heaven has answered. As non-Mormon Christians, we thank you, Stephen Smith, and thank you, Standard-Times editor, for publishing the answer. | |
| Mormon apologists: Book your flight to Sandy, Utah | |
|
By Jeff Kunerth The Religion World Orlando Sentinel Originally published July 7, 2010 | |
| The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research, an organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doctrine, belief and practice, will hold its annual conference of scholars, apologists, and interested individuals on Aug. 5-6 at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah. Royal Skousen, editor of the Book of Mormon critical text project, will speak about "Restoring the Original Text of the Book of Mormon. Stephen Ricks, a professor of Hebrew and Cognate Learning at Brigham Young University, will discuss proper names in the Book of Mormon. Matthew Roper of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship will tackle the sometimes volatile subject of Book of Mormon geography. Public opinion pollster Gary Lawrence will reveal new information on "How Americans View Mormonism and What We Can Do About It." Peter Watkins, president of a local strategic communications consulting firm and former White House spokesman, will summarize his experience as a Mormon in the White House and what that means within the context of America’s political landscape. Brian C. Hales, author of "Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism: The Generations after the Manifesto," will present new evidence relating to controversies about Joseph Smith’s polygamy. Steven L. Mayfield, producer of Mormon Miscellaneous, a talk/interview/call-in radio program in Salt Lake City will discuss "Big Love: The truth, the Whole Truth and, Well, Maybe Not?" Craig L. Foster, currently co-editing a three-volume work on plural marriage, will present, "Like Two Crazy Aunts in the Attic: Latter-day Saints and Popular Polygamy Stereotypes." For event details see: http://www.fairlds.org/conf10a.html | |
| Polygamy happens, but isn't OK | |
|
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Spectrum Originally published August 2, 2010 | |
|
I've lived in SG for four years. I find it appalling the number of obviously underage women married to old men all over St. George. You can't visit Walmart without feeling sick. I'm sure this is too controversial to mention in your paper since seldom is anything reported on what is a clear violation of the law, not to mention morally wrong. I really do not get Southern Utah. How is it that people live here and tolerate child molesters walking around in public? The recent article about how money is the central issue in retrying Warren Jeffs is the last straw for me. It's time to move somewhere where people proclaim less and live like morally responsible people, where seeing a 15-year-old married to a 50-year-old will create some public outrage to create some change.
Steve Kimball St. George | |
| The Vent | |
|
The Spectrum Originally published October 2, 2010 | |
| Throughout world history there have been various marriage types. If "conventional" marriage works for you, that's great. But disparaging other forms of marriage as "deviant," non-traditional, invalid, illegal or sinful is narrow-minded and selfish. For years local religionists were quick with historic precedents for polygamy and their right to live it. Now they, and other like-minded zealots, are quick to condemn any form of alternative marriage. Learn to love and let love! | |
| The Vent | |
|
The Spectrum Originally published October 30, 2010 | |
| OK, let me get this straight. Utah has 33,000 polygamists running free. If I am not mistaken, this is illegal, Utah had to give this up to become a state back in the 1800s. The problem is, Utah law enforcement is to busy rounding up immigrants trying to make a decent living. | |
| CNN accurately explains beliefs and misconceptions of LDS Church | |
|
By Joey Ferguson Deseret News Originally published Monday, June 27, 2011 | |
| Misconceptions about Mormons were cleared up accurately, but not by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dan Gilgoff, CNN's religion editor, posted a video called "Explain it to me: Mormonism." The video covers basic Mormon beliefs, but mostly focuses on common misconceptions on topics like polygamy. "Ever since 1890, the official Mormon Church has banned polygamy," Gilgoff said. "Polygamists in the church today are actually excommunicated from the church." He goes on to explain the FLDS is a "breakaway sect that continues to practice polygamy to this day." Gilgoff runs down a list of basic LDS beliefs, including its beginnings in 1830, the translation of The Book of Mormon, the physical characteristics of God, continuing revelation and the eternal perpetuation of the family. He specifically focuses on the missionary work of the church. He points out that Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr. have served missions. "For Huntsman, he was assigned to Taiwan as a missionary, and it helped him acquire the Chinese language skills, which later helped him land the job as President Obama's ambassador to China," Gilgoff said. He claims the LDS Church has a "tradition or an image of being seen as a very white-bread church," but the church is working hard to move away from that. He references Mormon.org, the church's missionary outreach website, which shows Mormons from different ethnic backgrounds. Read more | |
| Whatever happens to Warren Jeffs -- the media Is already guilty | |
| Mike Watkiss: Confessions of an Ambulance Chaser | |
|
by Mike Watkiss azfamily.com Originally published July 31, 2011 | |
| SAN ANGELO, Texas - The story of Warren Jeffs and polygamy in America did not start when Texas Rangers raided the YFZ Ranch and it will not end with Mr. Jeffs' trial here in San Angelo. The truth is, the history is long and the stories plentiful enough to fill-up libraries. But listening to many of the talking heads on the networks and cable shows these days, you would think that they personally had just discovered this strange and secretive world through their own hard work and diligent investigation. And that's shameful. Not only does it wildly embellish their roles in this long and twisted story for their own self-aggrandizing purposes, but I believe it also sort of gives everybody else a "freepass" for having not paid attention to this chronic and systematic abuse of women and children that dates back right here in our own beloved country nearly two centuries. The culpability and dereliction of duty of dozens, if not hundreds, of Utah and Arizona cops and elected officials over the years is even greater. Their lack of involvement and action constitutes nothing short of willful ignorance and, in many cases, outright complicity. But that discussion for another day. Of course, the media has "discovered" this story periodically over the years and usually, I would argue, with negative results. The media sure did come charging in when Warren Jeffs was busted outside Las Vegas back in 2006 and then again when Texas cops raided Jeffs' 17-hundred-acre compound outside the little West Texas town of Eldorado in 2008. But after the initial "Oh My God--What is this place?--And look what cops have done" reaction; followed by the even bigger "Oh My God--look at all the kids the cops are taking out of there" response, the media then settled into it's traditional role in this story of being gullible and dumb. Read more | |
| Mormons told to reference church by formal name | |
|
JENNIFER DOBNER Associated Press San Antonio Express-News - San Antonio, Texas Originally published Sunday, October 2, 2011 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormon leaders want followers to use the church's full, but lengthy, nine-word formal name, saying Sunday that its descriptive nature is a reminder that the faith's beliefs are centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Mormon scripture states the faith's name — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — was provided to church founder Joseph Smith in a revelation from God. "This is the name by which the Lord will call us at the last day," Elder M. Russell Ballard of the faith's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said during the faith's semiannual general conference. The "Mormon" moniker is often used to describe the Utah-based church because its central text is "The Book of Mormon." Using the church's formal name also distances it from splinter groups and polygamists who also use the word "Mormon" in describing their faith, Ballard said. Polygamy in Utah and across much of the West is considered a legacy of early Mormon church teachings. The faith brought the practice to the region in the 1840s, but abandoned polygamy in 1890 as part of Utah's push for statehood. "Let me state clearly that no polygamist group, includes those calling themselves Fundamentalist Mormons or other derivatives of our name, have any affiliation whatsoever with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Ballard said emphatically. Read more | |
| 181st semi-annual LDS General Conference closes Sunday | |
|
By Carole Mikita KSL 5 TV Originally broadcast October 2, 2011 | |
|
SALT LAKE CITY -- Final sessions of General Conference for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ended today with a focus on the faith's name and overcoming trials. President Monson entered greeting colleagues and telling Church members, morality is not passe. "The Ten Commandments are just that -commandments -they are not suggestions," said President Monson. "They are as requisite today as they were when God gave them to the children of Israel." He went from serious to humorous, telling a story about his hard-earned $5 he almost lost as a child after leaving them in the pocket of his pants. His mother sent them to the launderer and when he realized it was gone he was devastated. He waited two days for them to arrive, and when they did, the $5 bill was still inside the pocked. The use of the word Mormon was central in Elder Ballard's talk. "No polygamist group, including those calling themselves Fundamentalist Mormons, or other derivatives of our name, have any affiliation whatsoever with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," Ballard said. And Elder Hales spoke of life's challenges. "Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow his son." As he left, President Monson spoke to young Church members with words of encouragement, asking church members to live their faith and be kind to one another. He bid them farewell for another six months.
Email:cmikita@ksl.com | |
| LDS Church concludes 181st Semiannual General Conference | |
|
Reported by: Noah Bond ABC 4 News Originally broadcast October 2, 2011 | |
| SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Leaders for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced six new temples, encouraged member to use the Church's full name and stated it has no affiliation with any polygamist group. The 181st General Conference came to a close October 2 after five meetings in the 21,333 seat Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Latter-day Saints leaving the Conference Center say they are comforted and have a renewed sense of hope in the future. President Thomas S. Monson announced the burned Provo Tabernacle will be rebuilt as a second temple in Provo. "I was shocked. We drive by the Tabernacle on a regular basis had no idea what they were going to do with it. When we found out it is going to be a temple, it just seemed to make sense," said Dave Salcido from Elk Ridge, Utah. Another temple was also announced for Star Valley, Wyoming. "In addition we're moving forward on our plans to build a temple in Paris, France," said President Monson. "We're happy for the announcement and we're happy to be able to work in the temple a little closer to where we live," said Michel Cadin who lives near Paris. Temples were also announced for Barranquilla, Colombia; Durban, South Africa and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more | |
| Mormons launch campaign to fight 'misconceptions' | |
|
by Marie Saavedra 3TV - Phoenix AZFamily Originally published October 3, 2011 | |
| PHOENIX -- The Mormon faith as taken several publicity hits with the conviction of self-proclaimed FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs and the hit Broadway musical "Book of Mormon." But now the religion is fighting back with a new campaign launching this month in Phoenix. From a leading candidate for president in Mitt Romney, to the Broadway smash hit 'The Book of Mormon', the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a hot topic, and the church itself is taking advantage. Jennifer Wheeler is one of the more than 190,000 members of the Church in the Valley whose faith is represented in the "I'm a Mormon" campaign. The videos show mothers, artists and families facing everyday life as Mormons. Misconceptions have dogged the faith, particularly on polygamy, which the official church banned in 1890. But with Warren Jeffs' conviction on child rape and TV shows centered on polygamist families, questions remain. "Our church hasn't practiced polygamy for years and years and there's no association with our church and Warren Jeffs whatsoever," Wheeler said. So can these videos make a difference? One public relations pro says it does make the information more accessible. Read more | |
| 'I'm a Mormon': Media campaign seeks to dispel misconceptions about LDS Church | |
|
By Magdalena Wegrzyn For the Reporter-Herald Loveland Reporter-Herald - Loveland, Colorado Originally published October 7, 2011 | |
| FIRESTONE -- As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Patty Newton has heard all kinds of rumors about her faith. Kidnapping daughters and sons to enmesh them into the church. Bizarre secret rituals in the temple. Multiple wives. "There are some people who have only been taught from hearsay. There's really a lot of ignorance because it's been passed on through word of mouth," said Newton, a Firestone resident who works as a quality control laboratory manager at a chemical company in Hudson. In an effort to correct misunderstandings about the faith, the Mormon church rolled out its "I'm a Mormon" campaign this week in 13 cities, including Denver. The campaign is scheduled to run through February. Eighteen billboards are expected to go up, mostly in the Denver area and Fort Collins, and two back-to-back 30-second commercials will air on local affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. Those and Internet banner ads will refer people to mormon.org, which provides information about the faith and features videos and searchable profiles from Mormons throughout the country. "Just because we don't smoke and drink doesn't mean we don't live," said Melissa Cannell, assistant director of media relations for the church's Longmont stake. "We're not a cult. We're not weird. We're good, decent people." Read more | |
| Read the 2005 Hinkley Journal of Politics study Child Abuse in Arizona and Utah Polygamous Families by Carly Castle starting on page 33 | |
 |
|
| For more information email: |
| "Religion" is no excuse for committing child abuse |
| Copyright © 2004-2012 The HOPE Organization |
| Site Map |