Wilford Black, Two-Year-Old Criminal of Polygamy
The tiny 20 by 20 foot sandstone colored house with a 6 foot chain link fence around it was a curiosity to me. Not only because of the rare tall fence, but because of the quiet man who walked for hours on end from one corner to the next on the spotless dirt ground. The yards around had a few weeds here and there but not that one. I asked my tour guide, who is that man? “Oh”, she said, “that is Wilford, he never recovered.”
In October 1953 Judge David F. Anderson, Juvenile Court Judge from St George Utah went to the home of FLDS members Leonard and Vera Black in Short Creek Utah. He had previously conversed with the Arizona prosecuting attorneys who 3 months before were involved with a massive raid on the people in the sister town of the same name just over the border. They wrote to him: “…inasmuch as the juvenile order sticks it will be much more effective than any criminal proceedings would ever be. In addition we would not be up against a situation of convincing the jury that young girls in their early twenties are guilty.” Anderson wrote back that he would “take all possible steps to protect the children from growing up to be polygamists”
After the interview with the Black family it was obvious to the judge that:
“These families are extremely opposite of the ordinary family that is broken up by Juvenile court order. It is plainly evident that there would be no hope of getting the cooperation or understanding of either parents or the children in making a foster or adoptive home placement” He goes on:
“Because family ties are so strong, it looks to me that it would be virtually impossible for most of these children to make a satisfactory adjustment in other homes… I can’t escape the feeling that going ahead with these cases will do more harm than good to the children, and will amount to punishing the parents through the children.”
This turned out to be prophetic in the case of one two year old little boy; yet it was never mentioned again.
Anderson was summoned to the Capital in Salt Lake City, Utah where a Public Welfare Commission decided that he would insist that if the parents wanted to keep custody of their children they must “refrain from teaching the children anti-social behavior such as to inculcate the idea that the religious tenants of the organization are more binding than the law of the land”
So in December 1953 Judge Anderson filed twenty separate court petitions alleging that the children were neglected in the sense that their parents had failed to teach them proper moral principles and persisted in teaching the doctrine of plural marriage. Anderson decided to punish two year old Wilford and his mother Vera Black along with her other children, for polygamy.
Juvenile Probation officer Jay R. Huntsman filed a petition that Vera’s eight children were:
“…dependant, neglected children, in three respects: that the parents provided inadequate clothing, food, and medical care; that the parents taught the children that polygamous relationships were proper even though illegal; and that the parents actually lived in a polygamous marriage”
The first one was a straw-man argument they knew was false but Judge Anderson, in the hearing on the case, truly believed that: “The only way that the children of these families can be prevented from going into polygamy is by permanently separating them from their parents at a fairly early age, so that they will not be exposed to the fanatic religious teachings” and he concluded that the Black home was an “immoral environment for the rearing of the children”
Jay Huntsman arrived at Vera Black’s door early in the morning of June 4 1954 to take the children. Petite, yet feisty, Vera refused to let her children go alone and rode with them to Cedar City, 50 miles from home, where she was finally ousted from the vehicle.
Vera and her husband Leonard sued for a writ of habeas corpus and Justice William Stanley Dunforth of the fourth district court soon ruled that Judge Anderson’s initial judgment violated the freedom of religion and freedom of speech clauses of the United States Constitution. He ordered the children returned to their home. Little Wilford and his brothers and sisters were returned to their mother within a week.
But life was only good for little Wilford for a few months, for on December 30, 1954 the Utah Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Juvenile court. Justice George M Worthen railing in his report that plural marriage “trapped children in a condition of perpetual immorality and was inexcusable for the parents to hide behind religious cover”
Thus the two year old Wilford, who came into the world to parents who planned for him, wanted him, adored him, and cared dearly for him, but who lived an unpopular religion that gave him his family; was torn from his mother’s arms again.
Famous LDS Historian Juanita Brooks, who was with Vera both times they took her children, encouraging her to fight, wrote to the Utah County welfare office:
“You may remember me as the woman who talked to you in St. George the day the Black children were taken first in 1954. You will recall that my chief concern was for the one child, Wilford, because I had observed him the day before and sensed his mortal terror. Only a mother who has nursed along such a frail, sensitive child, could realize what that experience did to Wilford, and how deeply and irreparably his is being injured by this one… I pray you not separate this child from either his older brother, Orson, or his younger one, Francis, with whom he has slept every night as long as he can remember… To me, no teaching of children under the age of ten can justify tearing them out of a home where they have love and security to scatter them and make them public charges”
No testimony offered in any of the court cases either asserted or established that Vera Black was an unfit mother in any way except for her religious beliefs. The court left room for only one option of negotiation. If the Blacks would only denounce their lifestyle and religion, the court would recognize the gap between legal technicalities and social realities and return the children to their parents.
After the children had been taken away, the Blacks traveled the next day to Salt Lake City to appeal personally to Governor Lee for intervention on their behalf. They failed. Vera Black finally realized that she had absolutely no recourse but sign.
Vera read this statement to the media when they came to take her children for the second time:
“Ours is a nation of equal rights before the law. Why should I be required to sign an Unconstitutional loyalty pledge or any other oath of any kind in order to keep the children I have honorably born unless all mothers in our state are required to do the same?
I will gladly sign an oath to support and sustain the Constitution of the United States, and obey the laws of the state of Utah which conform to the spirit of that great document.
I am ever willing to teach my children the laws of Utah concerning marriage when they grow old enough to understand such laws”
But the Black family had no choice but to surrender, Vera and her children were not reunited until June 1956 after agreeing to sign an oath renouncing her belief in polygamy. She and Leonard appeared before the court and testified that they had not lived together as man and wife since the 1953 raid and that they would teach their children to obey the laws of the land. Vera burst out crying when the court asked her if she would be happy to reunite with her children. “Oh, Of course I would!” The reunion two days later was very emotional.
Vera continued to feel that justice had not been served and she returned to life in plural marriage. To the fundamentalists the case Black vs. State of Utah is proof of the lowness to which the government would go to persecute their religion, and the willingness it had to destroy their families. They have been wary ever since.
Wilford is 55 now, but he never fully recovered from the shock of being torn from his mothers arms not once, but twice. He became severely introverted; not leaving his mothers side for years. He never could communicate with anyone well. Today he does not even feed and dress himself. He just pulls weeds.
With several of the FLDS children in Texas in the hospital, underweight from shock and lethargy this very day, history may be repeating itself.
(Most of the information in this article was taken from the book “Kidnapped From that Land”, by Martha Sonntag Bradley)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Why the FLDS live Polygny
Joseph F Smith (founders nephew and future President of LDS church) JD 20:28 -
“When that principle was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he very naturally shrank, in his feelings, from the responsibilities thereby imposed upon him; foreseeing, as he did in part, the apparently insurmountable difficulties in the way of establishing it, in the face of popular opinion, the traditions and customs of many generations, the frowns, ridicule, slander, opposition and persecution of the world. Yes, this man of God, who dared to meet the opposition of the whole world with bold and fearless front, who dared to dispute the religious authority and accumulated learning and wisdom of the age - who dared everything for the truth, and shrank not even from the sacrifice of his own life in testimony of his divine mission, shrank, in his feelings, from the weight of the responsibility of inaugurating and establishing this new innovation upon the established customs of the world. But he did not falter, although it was not until an angel of God, with a drawn sword, stood before him and commanded that he should enter into the practice of that principle, or he should be utterly destroyed, or rejected, that he moved forward to reveal and establish that doctrine.”
Founder Joseph Smith (Contributor 5:259) -
“They accuse me of Polygamy, and being a false prophet, and many other things which I do not now remember; but I am no false prophet; I am no imposter; I have had no dark revelations; I have had no revelations of the devil; I made no revelations; I have got nothing up of myself. The same God that has thus far dictated me and directed me and strengthened me in this work, gave me this revelation and commandment on celestial and plural marriage, and the same God commanded me to obey it. He said to me that unless I accepted it, and introduced it, and practiced it, I, together with my people, would be damned and cut off from this time henceforth. And they say if I do so, they will kill me! Oh, what shall I do? If I do not practice it, I shall be damned with my people. If I do teach it, and practice it, and urge it, they say they will kill me, and I know they will. But said He, we have got to observe it. It is an eternal principle and was given by way of commandment and not by way of instruction.”
Heber C. Kimball, one of the original 12 Apostles and First Councilor to Brigham Young(10/12/1856 JD 5:203) -
“You might as well deny “Mormonism” and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose that doctrine, and the whole of them would be damned.”
Joseph F Smith (JD 20:28 7/7/1878) -
"Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity or non-essential to the salvation of mankind. In other words, some of the saints have said and believe that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for time and all eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could with more than one. I wish here to enter my solemn protest against this idea for I know it is false…. The marriage of one woman to a man for time and eternity by the sealing power, according to the law of God is a fulfillment of the Celestial law in part… But this is only the beginning of the law, and not the whole of it. Therefore, whoever has imagined that he could obtain the fullness of the blessing pertaining to the Celestial Law, by complying with only a portion of its conditions has deceived himself He cannot do it…. I understand the law of Celestial marriage to mean that every man in this church who has the ability to obey and practice it in righteousness, and will not, shall be damned. I say I understand it to mean this and nothing less, and I testify in the name of Jesus that it does mean that.”
John Taylor Third Prophet and President of the Church (2/1/1885 JD 26:152)-
"I would like to obey and place myself in subjection to every law of man. What then? Am I to disobey the law of God? Has any man a right to control my conscience, or your conscience, or to tell me I shall believe this or believe the other, or reject this or reject the other? No man has a right to do it. These principles are sacred, and the forefathers of this nation felt so and so proclaimed it in the Constitution of the United States, and said "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Now, I believe they have violated that, and have violated their oaths, those that have engaged in these things and passed that law, and those that are seeking to carry it out. Congress and the President of the United States and the Judiciary, and all administrators of the law are as much bound by that instrument as I am and as you are, and have sworn to maintain it inviolate. It is for them to settle these matters between themselves and their God. That is my faith in relation to this matter. Yet by their action they are interfering with my rights, my liberty and my religion, and with those sacred principles that bind me to my God, to my family, to my wives and my children; and shall I be recreant to all these noble principles that ought to guide and govern men? No, Never! No, NEVER! NO, NEVER! I can endure more than I have done, and all that God will enable me to endure, I can die for the truth; but I cannot as an honorable man disobey my God at their behest, forsake my wives and my children, and trample these holy and eternal obligations under foot, that God has given me to keep, and which reach into the eternities that are to come. I won't do it, so help me, God."
John Taylor, from Wilford Woodruff's diary (Life of Wilford Woodruff pg.542) -
“If we do not embrace that principle soon, the keys will be turned against us. If we do not keep the same law that our Heavenly Father kept (Celestial and Plural marriage) WE CANNOT GO WITH HIM. A man obeying a lower law is not qualified to preside over those who keep a higher law.”
Shortly before his death, while he was in hiding from the Federal government John Taylor recorded a revelation from God. Dated September 26, 1886, In it says:
“All those who would enter into My glory must and shall obey My law. And have I not commanded men that if they were Abraham’s seed and would enter into my glory, they must do the works of Abraham. I HAVE NOT REVOKED THIS LAW NOR WILL I, it is everlasting, and those who will enter into my glory MUST obey the conditions thereof.”
Esther E. E. Morrison (my great grandmother) -
"At the time the manifesto was signed, I was staying with Mary [her older sister] I remember so vividly when the word came about this, as father, mother, Charlie’s father, and mother were in Mary’s home. Everything was so quiet, and it seemed as though there was a feeling of some terrible happening taking place. It was felt in the home and outside even in my young years, about 8 or 9 years old, and not understanding the great significance of what happened, I felt the dreadful impact of it.
Years later, about 1925, I attended Daughters of the Pioneers meeting held at the home of Mrs. Joseph J Danes, on Fifth east, who was a daughter of President Wilford Woodruff. Also another daughter, Mrs. Beatty was there. She spoke on the Manifesto. During her talk she said:
“The day father signed the manifesto I was in the front room when he came home. I shall never forget his face. He moaned, and said “O God what have I done?” He immediately went upstairs to his room. He remained there for a whole week, never speaking to any of us. When he came down and joined the family he looked awful. The ravages of sickness could never have made him look worse. It was awful.”
As a note here, my children, I desire to leave this to you. I know the law of plural marriage to be a heaven truth. Your father was an issue of that great law. You have a righteous heritage. Don’t trample on it, but treasure it, and accept the pattern given to you.”
If you want to read an interesting history of Mormon Polygny
READ THIS
The most interesting note in there is this:
1897 Sept, Wilford Woodruff, married 6th wife, Lydia Mountford. (President of the church, married Lydia a year before he died) This was 7 years AFTER he wrote the "Manifesto" ending polygamy.
“When that principle was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he very naturally shrank, in his feelings, from the responsibilities thereby imposed upon him; foreseeing, as he did in part, the apparently insurmountable difficulties in the way of establishing it, in the face of popular opinion, the traditions and customs of many generations, the frowns, ridicule, slander, opposition and persecution of the world. Yes, this man of God, who dared to meet the opposition of the whole world with bold and fearless front, who dared to dispute the religious authority and accumulated learning and wisdom of the age - who dared everything for the truth, and shrank not even from the sacrifice of his own life in testimony of his divine mission, shrank, in his feelings, from the weight of the responsibility of inaugurating and establishing this new innovation upon the established customs of the world. But he did not falter, although it was not until an angel of God, with a drawn sword, stood before him and commanded that he should enter into the practice of that principle, or he should be utterly destroyed, or rejected, that he moved forward to reveal and establish that doctrine.”
Founder Joseph Smith (Contributor 5:259) -
“They accuse me of Polygamy, and being a false prophet, and many other things which I do not now remember; but I am no false prophet; I am no imposter; I have had no dark revelations; I have had no revelations of the devil; I made no revelations; I have got nothing up of myself. The same God that has thus far dictated me and directed me and strengthened me in this work, gave me this revelation and commandment on celestial and plural marriage, and the same God commanded me to obey it. He said to me that unless I accepted it, and introduced it, and practiced it, I, together with my people, would be damned and cut off from this time henceforth. And they say if I do so, they will kill me! Oh, what shall I do? If I do not practice it, I shall be damned with my people. If I do teach it, and practice it, and urge it, they say they will kill me, and I know they will. But said He, we have got to observe it. It is an eternal principle and was given by way of commandment and not by way of instruction.”
Heber C. Kimball, one of the original 12 Apostles and First Councilor to Brigham Young(10/12/1856 JD 5:203) -
“You might as well deny “Mormonism” and turn away from it, as to oppose the plurality of wives. Let the Presidency of this Church, and the twelve Apostles, and all the authorities unite and say with one voice that they will oppose that doctrine, and the whole of them would be damned.”
Joseph F Smith (JD 20:28 7/7/1878) -
"Some people have supposed that the doctrine of plural marriage was a sort of superfluity or non-essential to the salvation of mankind. In other words, some of the saints have said and believe that a man with one wife, sealed to him by the authority of the Priesthood for time and all eternity, will receive an exaltation as great and glorious, if he is faithful, as he possibly could with more than one. I wish here to enter my solemn protest against this idea for I know it is false…. The marriage of one woman to a man for time and eternity by the sealing power, according to the law of God is a fulfillment of the Celestial law in part… But this is only the beginning of the law, and not the whole of it. Therefore, whoever has imagined that he could obtain the fullness of the blessing pertaining to the Celestial Law, by complying with only a portion of its conditions has deceived himself He cannot do it…. I understand the law of Celestial marriage to mean that every man in this church who has the ability to obey and practice it in righteousness, and will not, shall be damned. I say I understand it to mean this and nothing less, and I testify in the name of Jesus that it does mean that.”
John Taylor Third Prophet and President of the Church (2/1/1885 JD 26:152)-
"I would like to obey and place myself in subjection to every law of man. What then? Am I to disobey the law of God? Has any man a right to control my conscience, or your conscience, or to tell me I shall believe this or believe the other, or reject this or reject the other? No man has a right to do it. These principles are sacred, and the forefathers of this nation felt so and so proclaimed it in the Constitution of the United States, and said "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Now, I believe they have violated that, and have violated their oaths, those that have engaged in these things and passed that law, and those that are seeking to carry it out. Congress and the President of the United States and the Judiciary, and all administrators of the law are as much bound by that instrument as I am and as you are, and have sworn to maintain it inviolate. It is for them to settle these matters between themselves and their God. That is my faith in relation to this matter. Yet by their action they are interfering with my rights, my liberty and my religion, and with those sacred principles that bind me to my God, to my family, to my wives and my children; and shall I be recreant to all these noble principles that ought to guide and govern men? No, Never! No, NEVER! NO, NEVER! I can endure more than I have done, and all that God will enable me to endure, I can die for the truth; but I cannot as an honorable man disobey my God at their behest, forsake my wives and my children, and trample these holy and eternal obligations under foot, that God has given me to keep, and which reach into the eternities that are to come. I won't do it, so help me, God."
John Taylor, from Wilford Woodruff's diary (Life of Wilford Woodruff pg.542) -
“If we do not embrace that principle soon, the keys will be turned against us. If we do not keep the same law that our Heavenly Father kept (Celestial and Plural marriage) WE CANNOT GO WITH HIM. A man obeying a lower law is not qualified to preside over those who keep a higher law.”
Shortly before his death, while he was in hiding from the Federal government John Taylor recorded a revelation from God. Dated September 26, 1886, In it says:
“All those who would enter into My glory must and shall obey My law. And have I not commanded men that if they were Abraham’s seed and would enter into my glory, they must do the works of Abraham. I HAVE NOT REVOKED THIS LAW NOR WILL I, it is everlasting, and those who will enter into my glory MUST obey the conditions thereof.”
Esther E. E. Morrison (my great grandmother) -
"At the time the manifesto was signed, I was staying with Mary [her older sister] I remember so vividly when the word came about this, as father, mother, Charlie’s father, and mother were in Mary’s home. Everything was so quiet, and it seemed as though there was a feeling of some terrible happening taking place. It was felt in the home and outside even in my young years, about 8 or 9 years old, and not understanding the great significance of what happened, I felt the dreadful impact of it.
Years later, about 1925, I attended Daughters of the Pioneers meeting held at the home of Mrs. Joseph J Danes, on Fifth east, who was a daughter of President Wilford Woodruff. Also another daughter, Mrs. Beatty was there. She spoke on the Manifesto. During her talk she said:
“The day father signed the manifesto I was in the front room when he came home. I shall never forget his face. He moaned, and said “O God what have I done?” He immediately went upstairs to his room. He remained there for a whole week, never speaking to any of us. When he came down and joined the family he looked awful. The ravages of sickness could never have made him look worse. It was awful.”
As a note here, my children, I desire to leave this to you. I know the law of plural marriage to be a heaven truth. Your father was an issue of that great law. You have a righteous heritage. Don’t trample on it, but treasure it, and accept the pattern given to you.”
If you want to read an interesting history of Mormon Polygny
READ THIS
The most interesting note in there is this:
1897 Sept, Wilford Woodruff, married 6th wife, Lydia Mountford. (President of the church, married Lydia a year before he died) This was 7 years AFTER he wrote the "Manifesto" ending polygamy.
Heaven and hell
What is Hell? What does it mean to be damned? Is it a lake of lava, with pitchforks and a big red guy with horns making everyone there shovel coal? NO!
Let me explain what it is, according to Mormon Theology. From The D&C 19:10-12-
“For, behold the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from My hands is endless punishment, for Endless is My name. Wherefore- Eternal Punishment is Gods punishment. Endless punishment is Gods punishment.”
This means that the punishment we receive after this life is owned by God. HE decides. It implies that at some point in time He will stop the punishment. OK so what is the punishment? Horsewhipping? Solitary confinement? Ugly people? No, the punishment is the exquisite pain of soul that is called “Disappointment”. As in OOOPS. I KNOW what this is.
Joseph Smith said (Teachings of the Prophet page 356-357)-
“I have a declaration to make as to the provisions which God hath made to suit the conditions of man- made before the foundation of the world. What has Jesus said? All sin, and all blasphemies, and every transgression, except one, that man can be guilty of, may be forgiven; and there is a salvation for all men, either in this world or the world to come, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, there being a provision either in this world or the world of spirits. Hence God hath made a provision that every spirit in the eternal world can be ferreted out and saved unless he has committed the unpardonable sin which cannot be remitted to him either in this world or the world of spirits. God has wrought out a salvation for all men, unless they have committed a certain sin; and every man who has a friend in the eternal world can save him, unless he has committed the unpardonable sin. And so you can see how far you can be a savior. …Knowledge saves a man; and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge. So long as a man will not give heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation. If a man has knowledge, he can be saved; although, if he is guilty of great sins, he will be punished for them. But when he consents to obey the Gospel, whether here or in the world of spirits, he is saved.A man is his own tormenter and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man.”
In Mormon theology eternal punishment is “exquisite disappointment because of sins, until we repent and God decides Himself to forgives us” So the next time you here the preacher yell “REPENT OR YOU WILL GO TO HELL AND FACE ETERNAL DAMNATION IN THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE!!” Just realize that God is in doing good, according to what He as shown you, through that still, small, quiet voice; and you won't be punished for not living someone else’s religion.
The point I am making is that we believe that hell is just the same kind of life that we experience here, it is actually just as heavenly as life is here. Damnation is the pain of KNOWING you did not live up to what you were taught. You won't be different after you die than you are before you die, and you will associate with those who you are most like in the heaven you earn. But no matter where you were born here, if you do the best you know how, you will have the option of learning more and participating more in God's kingdom in the next life. Repentance is continually doing better, and changing your ways includes restitution, and punishment for sin, also called atonement.
Let me explain what it is, according to Mormon Theology. From The D&C 19:10-12-
“For, behold the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from My hands is endless punishment, for Endless is My name. Wherefore- Eternal Punishment is Gods punishment. Endless punishment is Gods punishment.”
This means that the punishment we receive after this life is owned by God. HE decides. It implies that at some point in time He will stop the punishment. OK so what is the punishment? Horsewhipping? Solitary confinement? Ugly people? No, the punishment is the exquisite pain of soul that is called “Disappointment”. As in OOOPS. I KNOW what this is.
Joseph Smith said (Teachings of the Prophet page 356-357)-
“I have a declaration to make as to the provisions which God hath made to suit the conditions of man- made before the foundation of the world. What has Jesus said? All sin, and all blasphemies, and every transgression, except one, that man can be guilty of, may be forgiven; and there is a salvation for all men, either in this world or the world to come, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, there being a provision either in this world or the world of spirits. Hence God hath made a provision that every spirit in the eternal world can be ferreted out and saved unless he has committed the unpardonable sin which cannot be remitted to him either in this world or the world of spirits. God has wrought out a salvation for all men, unless they have committed a certain sin; and every man who has a friend in the eternal world can save him, unless he has committed the unpardonable sin. And so you can see how far you can be a savior. …Knowledge saves a man; and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge. So long as a man will not give heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation. If a man has knowledge, he can be saved; although, if he is guilty of great sins, he will be punished for them. But when he consents to obey the Gospel, whether here or in the world of spirits, he is saved.A man is his own tormenter and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man.”
In Mormon theology eternal punishment is “exquisite disappointment because of sins, until we repent and God decides Himself to forgives us” So the next time you here the preacher yell “REPENT OR YOU WILL GO TO HELL AND FACE ETERNAL DAMNATION IN THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE!!” Just realize that God is in doing good, according to what He as shown you, through that still, small, quiet voice; and you won't be punished for not living someone else’s religion.
The point I am making is that we believe that hell is just the same kind of life that we experience here, it is actually just as heavenly as life is here. Damnation is the pain of KNOWING you did not live up to what you were taught. You won't be different after you die than you are before you die, and you will associate with those who you are most like in the heaven you earn. But no matter where you were born here, if you do the best you know how, you will have the option of learning more and participating more in God's kingdom in the next life. Repentance is continually doing better, and changing your ways includes restitution, and punishment for sin, also called atonement.
Monday, April 28, 2008
My sister Fawn
Fawn Holm is my little sister, she was born on my fourteenth birthday. She has 12 older sisters married in the FLDS church, and not one of them was married under 18. My sisters had to twist my fathers arm behind his back to get him to “turn them in” to get married.
Fawn “escaped” when she was sixteen. When her twenty-year-old boyfriend and our nineteen-year-old brother moved to the “lost boy” party house in Hurricane Utah, she decided she wanted to go live with them. Her mother threw a conniption and said, No Way! Several times the Hurricane police were called to that "lost boy" house for the parties they threw, and Fawn had several fines for truancy, and underage drinking. I went there twice to pick her and some of my nephews up.
She was determined to go and that is when she called Flora Jessop. When Fawn went missing overnight, her mother was frantic. She even called my eldest brother Carl who lives in Salt Lake. He told her that he saw Fawn on the news! With two TV crews in tow (including her lapdog Mike Watkis) Flora Jessop kidnapped my sister. She knew it and concocted a great big story about imminent forced marriage, abuse by her father, and blood atonement. She had the two Fawns write these stories in an affidavit. It was either play the abuse card, or go home.
Sexual assault and child abuse charges were filed against my father and the Arizona CPS came and inspected his home and interviewed all of the children left in the home. Soon charges were dropped, and custody returned to our parents, but Flora kept Fawn hiding from her mother. It was rather hard on her as Fawn was her youngest child. My father’s lawyer suggested he press charges of kidnapping against Flora and anyone else involved, but he was free to forgive. He just wanted Fawn to be safe. He knew Fawn wanted to leave.
When custody was restored to Fawns parents, Flora then helped her ditch the CPS in Phoenix and held a press conference with my brother Carl’s wife Joni claiming the state would not "protect" Fawn from polygamists and did not know where she was. Fawn turned up at Joni's house in Sandy, Utah a few weeks later.
It was arranged for Fawn to live with Carl and Joni (which could have happened without the fanfare) BUT Fawn didn't like the rules there either. She wanted to live with her boyfriend and brother who now moved their "lost boy" party house to St George. The news media made a big deal about her going back to Polygamy when she turned 18. She moved in with her 19 year old niece who left the FLDS to marry the 40 year old man running the "lost boy" safe (party) house.
Fawn went to a "deprogramming" school in Boston paid for by the Dr. Phil show. She was having trouble seeing how much better it is to live outside the church. She has had a few life altering experiences and now has moved back to Utah with her boyfriend from Boston. I love Fawn very much, and I have no desire for her except for her every dream to come true. God bless her forever!
Fawn “escaped” when she was sixteen. When her twenty-year-old boyfriend and our nineteen-year-old brother moved to the “lost boy” party house in Hurricane Utah, she decided she wanted to go live with them. Her mother threw a conniption and said, No Way! Several times the Hurricane police were called to that "lost boy" house for the parties they threw, and Fawn had several fines for truancy, and underage drinking. I went there twice to pick her and some of my nephews up.
She was determined to go and that is when she called Flora Jessop. When Fawn went missing overnight, her mother was frantic. She even called my eldest brother Carl who lives in Salt Lake. He told her that he saw Fawn on the news! With two TV crews in tow (including her lapdog Mike Watkis) Flora Jessop kidnapped my sister. She knew it and concocted a great big story about imminent forced marriage, abuse by her father, and blood atonement. She had the two Fawns write these stories in an affidavit. It was either play the abuse card, or go home.
Sexual assault and child abuse charges were filed against my father and the Arizona CPS came and inspected his home and interviewed all of the children left in the home. Soon charges were dropped, and custody returned to our parents, but Flora kept Fawn hiding from her mother. It was rather hard on her as Fawn was her youngest child. My father’s lawyer suggested he press charges of kidnapping against Flora and anyone else involved, but he was free to forgive. He just wanted Fawn to be safe. He knew Fawn wanted to leave.
When custody was restored to Fawns parents, Flora then helped her ditch the CPS in Phoenix and held a press conference with my brother Carl’s wife Joni claiming the state would not "protect" Fawn from polygamists and did not know where she was. Fawn turned up at Joni's house in Sandy, Utah a few weeks later.
It was arranged for Fawn to live with Carl and Joni (which could have happened without the fanfare) BUT Fawn didn't like the rules there either. She wanted to live with her boyfriend and brother who now moved their "lost boy" party house to St George. The news media made a big deal about her going back to Polygamy when she turned 18. She moved in with her 19 year old niece who left the FLDS to marry the 40 year old man running the "lost boy" safe (party) house.
Fawn went to a "deprogramming" school in Boston paid for by the Dr. Phil show. She was having trouble seeing how much better it is to live outside the church. She has had a few life altering experiences and now has moved back to Utah with her boyfriend from Boston. I love Fawn very much, and I have no desire for her except for her every dream to come true. God bless her forever!
Expert's
It gives me no pleasure to write what I am about to write, because I believe wholeheartedly in the admonition of Jesus Christ to turn the other cheek; but when children and their families are being literally ripped apart by the state of Texas on the advise of those who hate them the very most, to me makes it absolutely necessary to call out the very ones who make the ridiculously sickening allegations against the FLDS religion.
I am going to tell you the truth about three of those who you see on the news as experts; those women who once were members, but made the decision to leave. Not satisfied with that, they have become incensed that everyone else does not leave the church with them. There is no lie they will not tell, and no abuse that you could invent in your head that they would not agree with, when it comes to the FLDS.
Here are the true stories of three of the "experts":
Flora Jessop
From a relative of Flora: "Flora got in trouble when she was 13 with a boy who was 15, it was by her own choosing not by force. It might interest you to know that immoral activity is not accepted in our society. They are offered repentance and she was. But she soon made her choice she ran off with her cousin at age 16. They got married and 2weeks later she left him. She has worked at some of the grossest places in Vegas. Flora in my mind has only told on her self."
Flora got caught when she was in 9th grade with a Barlow boy, a note was found by her schoolteacher revealing the graphic details. Just after she turned 16 she left with her cousin Philip, they ran off to Las Vegas to get married. But 2 weeks later she left him, and came back. She called the Bishop, her uncle Fred Jessop to come and get her, which he did. There was an article in the St George newspaper detailing how “activists” tried to “rescue” her, but they could do nothing because she wanted to go home. In a short time, she left again. She became a bar dancer and she had a daughter by one of her customers. But that didn't pay as good as what she does now; telling whoppers.
HERE is a more accurate and complete story of Flora
Carolyn Blackmore (Carolyn Jessop)
From a relative: "Carolyn lied to her children and went about it in a very deceitful manner when she left. She told the children “we are going to do a job for father”, she drove to Salt Lake and then she turned on them and was very cruel to them because they wanted to go home to father because they loved him. The children on their own would bum a ride down to see their father to escape her abusive manner. Her daughter when she got to be 18 moved back in with her father because he is so very loving and kind to all of his children. The fact of the matter is she didn't escape in the middle of the night, she went to a dentist appointment and took all her children with her, she left in broad daylight.”
I considered getting Carolyn's book to do a book report. But I am sure she is selling enough of them by getting on TV as an "expert". I heard she has some pretty big whoppers in there. Something about torturing babies to subdue them, etc. (I remember when Flora told that story to the newspapers, I guess Carolyn liked it) I saw a video clip of Carolyn explaining how Warren Jeffs twisted his wife Annette's braid in front of the high school and told the boys something to the effect of "This is how you subdue your wives, boys" I was there personally when that happened (Carolyn wasn't, she heard it from Dan Fischer's daughter on the news). It was in our Chorus and Home Entertainment Class and they were doing a skit about two children on the playground. He pulled her braid and she slapped his face as hard as she could, and they both had to go see the "principal". It was very funny then, but it sure sounds sinister now. He may have hurt her head, but I think he got the worst of it, that hand print on his face lasted quite a while.
Kathy Jo Nicholson
Kathy got in "trouble" with one of the Draper boys when she was 18 and he was 23. They went together and confessed to Rulon Jeffs and asked to be married by him. He told them that he would not marry them until they settled down and waited for a year. They didn’t last that long, both giving up on returning to the church, and both running in different directions. I knew them some, Kathy was very good friends with two of my sisters.
She became an "activist" a few years ago and came to "rescue" my happily married sister who was her friend. When my sister told her to go away, she told the news that my sister was married at sixteen (she was 19) and had called her to tell her about being abused.
What is really sad is Kathy has made some horrid claims on national television that her brother John was “blood atoned”. He was my younger brothers’ good friend and he died a few years ago when he fell off of a cliff while rock climbing. Their mother, aunt Kathy, never has gotten over it. She left her husband and moved in with Kathy Jo. I sure hope the best for her.
We believe in always being the first to forgive and leave judgment to God, We believe that to criticize even those who hate us is wrong. I hold no grudge against these women, and hope they repent. May they be "cursed" with honesty!
'edit'- My mother sent this text message to me: "Follow our prophets example and not hold feelings toward those who are testing us, be prayerful and careful not to be deceived by the adversary [meaning the devil] and forgive"
I am going to tell you the truth about three of those who you see on the news as experts; those women who once were members, but made the decision to leave. Not satisfied with that, they have become incensed that everyone else does not leave the church with them. There is no lie they will not tell, and no abuse that you could invent in your head that they would not agree with, when it comes to the FLDS.
Here are the true stories of three of the "experts":
Flora Jessop
From a relative of Flora: "Flora got in trouble when she was 13 with a boy who was 15, it was by her own choosing not by force. It might interest you to know that immoral activity is not accepted in our society. They are offered repentance and she was. But she soon made her choice she ran off with her cousin at age 16. They got married and 2weeks later she left him. She has worked at some of the grossest places in Vegas. Flora in my mind has only told on her self."
Flora got caught when she was in 9th grade with a Barlow boy, a note was found by her schoolteacher revealing the graphic details. Just after she turned 16 she left with her cousin Philip, they ran off to Las Vegas to get married. But 2 weeks later she left him, and came back. She called the Bishop, her uncle Fred Jessop to come and get her, which he did. There was an article in the St George newspaper detailing how “activists” tried to “rescue” her, but they could do nothing because she wanted to go home. In a short time, she left again. She became a bar dancer and she had a daughter by one of her customers. But that didn't pay as good as what she does now; telling whoppers.
HERE is a more accurate and complete story of Flora
Carolyn Blackmore (Carolyn Jessop)
From a relative: "Carolyn lied to her children and went about it in a very deceitful manner when she left. She told the children “we are going to do a job for father”, she drove to Salt Lake and then she turned on them and was very cruel to them because they wanted to go home to father because they loved him. The children on their own would bum a ride down to see their father to escape her abusive manner. Her daughter when she got to be 18 moved back in with her father because he is so very loving and kind to all of his children. The fact of the matter is she didn't escape in the middle of the night, she went to a dentist appointment and took all her children with her, she left in broad daylight.”
I considered getting Carolyn's book to do a book report. But I am sure she is selling enough of them by getting on TV as an "expert". I heard she has some pretty big whoppers in there. Something about torturing babies to subdue them, etc. (I remember when Flora told that story to the newspapers, I guess Carolyn liked it) I saw a video clip of Carolyn explaining how Warren Jeffs twisted his wife Annette's braid in front of the high school and told the boys something to the effect of "This is how you subdue your wives, boys" I was there personally when that happened (Carolyn wasn't, she heard it from Dan Fischer's daughter on the news). It was in our Chorus and Home Entertainment Class and they were doing a skit about two children on the playground. He pulled her braid and she slapped his face as hard as she could, and they both had to go see the "principal". It was very funny then, but it sure sounds sinister now. He may have hurt her head, but I think he got the worst of it, that hand print on his face lasted quite a while.
Kathy Jo Nicholson
Kathy got in "trouble" with one of the Draper boys when she was 18 and he was 23. They went together and confessed to Rulon Jeffs and asked to be married by him. He told them that he would not marry them until they settled down and waited for a year. They didn’t last that long, both giving up on returning to the church, and both running in different directions. I knew them some, Kathy was very good friends with two of my sisters.
She became an "activist" a few years ago and came to "rescue" my happily married sister who was her friend. When my sister told her to go away, she told the news that my sister was married at sixteen (she was 19) and had called her to tell her about being abused.
What is really sad is Kathy has made some horrid claims on national television that her brother John was “blood atoned”. He was my younger brothers’ good friend and he died a few years ago when he fell off of a cliff while rock climbing. Their mother, aunt Kathy, never has gotten over it. She left her husband and moved in with Kathy Jo. I sure hope the best for her.
We believe in always being the first to forgive and leave judgment to God, We believe that to criticize even those who hate us is wrong. I hold no grudge against these women, and hope they repent. May they be "cursed" with honesty!
'edit'- My mother sent this text message to me: "Follow our prophets example and not hold feelings toward those who are testing us, be prayerful and careful not to be deceived by the adversary [meaning the devil] and forgive"
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Cultural Awareness Guide
I found a copy of the "Cultural Awareness Guide" that the state has passed out to the those running the shelters that they have taken their little prisoners to. And I want to point out each of the things that they obviously got from "escapees" (or those who have become very bitter) and are bigoted lies.
1-The very first thing under "Culture" is just plain bunk. "Have a deep instilled fear of the outside world" That is just not true whatsoever. Most fear is a result of hatred, and they are taught to love and forgive all. To avoid association with those with lower standards is not because of fear.
2-"Males dominate Females" I don't think these people have met my mother. If the man is the head of the family, does he dominate? "No power or influence can, or aught to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood. Only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (I just typed that off the top of my head from being REQUIRED to memorize it).
3- "Distrust all outsiders" I am sure those who have interviewed the children could bunk this one. But to trust after being told your mother is just going for a minute? Why should they trust them?
4- "Electronics are prohibited" TV, and modern music yes. Computers, cell phones, i-pods are very common and have never been prohibited.
5- "Children, while in care, especially young boys, have made derogatory remarks to staff of color" I am sure some have made derogatory remarks to all of the staff, they are children, and they have been kidnapped. They are not taught to be bigots, but to be respectful.
6- "Children in care were initially extremely compliant, but are beginning to “act out” after separation from parents" Well duh!
7-"Children are socialized to believe that sexual activity with adults is positive" Now this one, this one is so sick minded that I would rather not even mention it, but there it is in black and white. Why is bigotry is considered common sense to these people?
8- "No pork" I better stop eating hot dogs!
9- "Occasional fasting for 1-3 days" This came directly from bitterness. Children are never included in fasting unless they want to. Fasting is an extension of prayer, and is referred to as "rejoicing and prayer" You can't fast and be grumpy about it, you might as well eat.
10-"Some children may not have education beyond the 8th grade." This one may be true, but it made me laugh. I bet not one of those six-year-olds have more than an 8th grade education!
11-"Since 4/4/08 children are playing with cars, battery operated toys, riding tricycles, and enjoying other more mainstream toys" The only toys that are discouraged are talking animals, and action figures.
12- "Children do not know the correct names for body parts and are not familiar with the terms “intercourse”, “sexual intercourse,” or “sexual relations”. GOOD GRIEF! Are you people telling me that YOUR children understand these terms?
13- "Clarifier: At this time, it is difficult to determine many of the religious beliefs of this particular community due to their isolation from mainstream society." That is because they are treating mothers like third class animals who are too stupid to tell them. What an insult.
14- "...and discourages the use of conventional medicine." Since when? Sure home remedies are great, but everything is given to man from God, even all of the modern medicines.
15-"They believe personal revelation can come in the form of a strong impression, dream, voice, vision, or “burning of the bosom.” The still, small, voice. A burning peace. I am curious, is this meant to be an insult? The way it is written it seems to be because it has absolutely no bearing on how to treat children.
16-"If children do not conform to high standards set by the parents, they often feel they are failures, and parents may take extreme disciplinary measures to force obedience." Good heavens, I hope that they are not believing this garbage.
17-"Intercourse is referred to as “heavenly relations”, or “marriage relations” Intercourse is not even referred to at all with children under marriageable age.
18- Some of the glossary is really stupid and irrelevant. Not one of those children will know what you are talking about when you say "Lost Boys", or "Poofers". And I have never heard of the "True order of Prayer" garbage myself. This is obviously information attempting to prejudice the workers against these children's parents.
The only thing they are "rescuing" these children from, is believing the gospel of their parents
1-The very first thing under "Culture" is just plain bunk. "Have a deep instilled fear of the outside world" That is just not true whatsoever. Most fear is a result of hatred, and they are taught to love and forgive all. To avoid association with those with lower standards is not because of fear.
2-"Males dominate Females" I don't think these people have met my mother. If the man is the head of the family, does he dominate? "No power or influence can, or aught to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood. Only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (I just typed that off the top of my head from being REQUIRED to memorize it).
3- "Distrust all outsiders" I am sure those who have interviewed the children could bunk this one. But to trust after being told your mother is just going for a minute? Why should they trust them?
4- "Electronics are prohibited" TV, and modern music yes. Computers, cell phones, i-pods are very common and have never been prohibited.
5- "Children, while in care, especially young boys, have made derogatory remarks to staff of color" I am sure some have made derogatory remarks to all of the staff, they are children, and they have been kidnapped. They are not taught to be bigots, but to be respectful.
6- "Children in care were initially extremely compliant, but are beginning to “act out” after separation from parents" Well duh!
7-"Children are socialized to believe that sexual activity with adults is positive" Now this one, this one is so sick minded that I would rather not even mention it, but there it is in black and white. Why is bigotry is considered common sense to these people?
8- "No pork" I better stop eating hot dogs!
9- "Occasional fasting for 1-3 days" This came directly from bitterness. Children are never included in fasting unless they want to. Fasting is an extension of prayer, and is referred to as "rejoicing and prayer" You can't fast and be grumpy about it, you might as well eat.
10-"Some children may not have education beyond the 8th grade." This one may be true, but it made me laugh. I bet not one of those six-year-olds have more than an 8th grade education!
11-"Since 4/4/08 children are playing with cars, battery operated toys, riding tricycles, and enjoying other more mainstream toys" The only toys that are discouraged are talking animals, and action figures.
12- "Children do not know the correct names for body parts and are not familiar with the terms “intercourse”, “sexual intercourse,” or “sexual relations”. GOOD GRIEF! Are you people telling me that YOUR children understand these terms?
13- "Clarifier: At this time, it is difficult to determine many of the religious beliefs of this particular community due to their isolation from mainstream society." That is because they are treating mothers like third class animals who are too stupid to tell them. What an insult.
14- "...and discourages the use of conventional medicine." Since when? Sure home remedies are great, but everything is given to man from God, even all of the modern medicines.
15-"They believe personal revelation can come in the form of a strong impression, dream, voice, vision, or “burning of the bosom.” The still, small, voice. A burning peace. I am curious, is this meant to be an insult? The way it is written it seems to be because it has absolutely no bearing on how to treat children.
16-"If children do not conform to high standards set by the parents, they often feel they are failures, and parents may take extreme disciplinary measures to force obedience." Good heavens, I hope that they are not believing this garbage.
17-"Intercourse is referred to as “heavenly relations”, or “marriage relations” Intercourse is not even referred to at all with children under marriageable age.
18- Some of the glossary is really stupid and irrelevant. Not one of those children will know what you are talking about when you say "Lost Boys", or "Poofers". And I have never heard of the "True order of Prayer" garbage myself. This is obviously information attempting to prejudice the workers against these children's parents.
The only thing they are "rescuing" these children from, is believing the gospel of their parents
Bitter ex-members "guiding" the State
It is sad that bigotry can be so blinding. Yes polygamy is different, but to assume that all families are the same, or that all men, or women, or children have the same experience within the lifestyle is absurd. That is like showing a picture of a woman who was abused by her husband, and happen to be monogamist, that it is because of monogamy.
The FLDS women are the most disrespected citizens in America. Most outside the religion think that they are all idiots who are brain dead zombies who cannot think for themselves. They think that the only "smart" ones are those who leave the church. Well, I beg to differ. My mother is smarter than yours.
To "Escape" the FLDS church is to walk away. Not one man or woman is ever forced to stay except through their own feelings. If they believe that the church is wrong, why would they feel guilty for leaving? The only "escape" that any of those women who have left is to escape their testimony. That is the ONLY thing that they flee, and the ONLY thing that chases them to come back. Of course those within the church believe that it is the true church, and they don't want anyone to leave. But I witnessed only sadness for those who left; not hatred, but pity.
The FLDS women are the most disrespected citizens in America. Most outside the religion think that they are all idiots who are brain dead zombies who cannot think for themselves. They think that the only "smart" ones are those who leave the church. Well, I beg to differ. My mother is smarter than yours.
To "Escape" the FLDS church is to walk away. Not one man or woman is ever forced to stay except through their own feelings. If they believe that the church is wrong, why would they feel guilty for leaving? The only "escape" that any of those women who have left is to escape their testimony. That is the ONLY thing that they flee, and the ONLY thing that chases them to come back. Of course those within the church believe that it is the true church, and they don't want anyone to leave. But I witnessed only sadness for those who left; not hatred, but pity.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Call
I am sure that it is pretty much common knowledge now that Rozita Swinton of Colorado Springs, Colorado made the phone calls to the Texas Child Protective Services. She claimed to be a 16 year old girl named Sarah who had a child and was pregnant with another. She told authorities that she was being beaten and raped by her 5o year old husband while her sister wife held her baby.
While I do not blame the CPS for wanting to investigate such an allegation, I am completely disgusted that they would believe anyone would protect a man who would do such a thing. I knew it was a hoax immediately after hearing about it, just because the allegation included the claim that her sister wife held her baby and knew it was happening. But I don't blame them for investigating.
What I want to know is why Flora Jessop did not report her "abuse" to authorities before. Flora Mae claims she has over 40 hours (I repeat, 40 HOURS) of recordings she got from this lady. After she was traced back to Colorado Springs, Colorado, then Flora comes out with the story of having known all along. On one clip from CNN it even seemed that Flora was coaching her what to say. "Remember you told me that your dad hits your mom too?" she asks the "girl" on the phone.
Flora Jessop does not tell the truth. Her own personal story was a work in progress every time she was interviewed on televison. Many times she claimed to have run away from being married to a 5o year old man when she was 16. But she now at least uses the boy she ran away with as her "forced" husband. I honestly have no resentment toward her, but I have alot of resentment toward what she has lied about. "O well", they say; because of her "good cause" her lies are looked past, and the fact that she kidnapped Fawn Holm and Fawn Broadbent, with two TV crews in tow, is completely forgotten about.
While I do not blame the CPS for wanting to investigate such an allegation, I am completely disgusted that they would believe anyone would protect a man who would do such a thing. I knew it was a hoax immediately after hearing about it, just because the allegation included the claim that her sister wife held her baby and knew it was happening. But I don't blame them for investigating.
What I want to know is why Flora Jessop did not report her "abuse" to authorities before. Flora Mae claims she has over 40 hours (I repeat, 40 HOURS) of recordings she got from this lady. After she was traced back to Colorado Springs, Colorado, then Flora comes out with the story of having known all along. On one clip from CNN it even seemed that Flora was coaching her what to say. "Remember you told me that your dad hits your mom too?" she asks the "girl" on the phone.
Flora Jessop does not tell the truth. Her own personal story was a work in progress every time she was interviewed on televison. Many times she claimed to have run away from being married to a 5o year old man when she was 16. But she now at least uses the boy she ran away with as her "forced" husband. I honestly have no resentment toward her, but I have alot of resentment toward what she has lied about. "O well", they say; because of her "good cause" her lies are looked past, and the fact that she kidnapped Fawn Holm and Fawn Broadbent, with two TV crews in tow, is completely forgotten about.
Where to begin?
I am writing this blog for a place for the truth to be explained in plain view to all who want to know about the beliefs of the FLDS without the bitter prejudice from very bitter ex-members.
Although I am not currently a member of the FLDS, I was born and raised FLDS and I do believe the doctrine and have known, and respect greatly the leaders. I know Warren Jeffs and went to the school that he ran in Sandy, Utah from 6th to 12th grade, where I graduated.
I do have a different prospective from many of the FLDS because I grew up in Salt Lake City and went to a public school until sixth grade. I did not even know any other FLDS families in the Salt Lake area until I started going to Alta Academy, my friends (other than my brothers) were 'gentiles', many of them minorities.
I wrote a blog with the same name over a year ago, but took it down after only a month or so. The reason I did so was my brother convinced me that it was not a good idea. To learn and understand the religion, he said, requires that you must live it. If you don't there is a curse associated with not living up to what you are taught. In effect, it is for your own good that you don't know because "Where much is given, much is required".
I feel compelled to write it up again, in hope that there are fair minded people who will read it, and ask honest questions without prejudice, or to undo some of the prejudice you may have been willing to believe because that is the only information you have been given. I do not, however, want to get into an argument with anyone over whether our religion is true or false or better or worse than yours. I want to explain it, and hopefully help soothe the public mind about it.
Of course the massive raid of the Yearning For Zion ranch near El Dorado Texas where little children have been quite literally ripped from their mothers arms, has broadcast to the world a view of the people that has never been seen before. Having little children kidnapped from them has brought normally passive, and private mothers to invite the mass media in to hopefully stem the tide of a public opinion severely prejudiced by ex members who have become extremely bitter. The blatant lies that they have expressed as prevalent truth definitely warrants a reply. We have been taught, quite literally, to turn the other cheek. To follow the beatitudes of Christ: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mat 5:11-12)
This blog is for the sole purpose of speeding the return of innocent children to their loving mothers. The raid details are documented very well by the mothers on this website http://www.captivefldschildren.org/
Although I am not currently a member of the FLDS, I was born and raised FLDS and I do believe the doctrine and have known, and respect greatly the leaders. I know Warren Jeffs and went to the school that he ran in Sandy, Utah from 6th to 12th grade, where I graduated.
I do have a different prospective from many of the FLDS because I grew up in Salt Lake City and went to a public school until sixth grade. I did not even know any other FLDS families in the Salt Lake area until I started going to Alta Academy, my friends (other than my brothers) were 'gentiles', many of them minorities.
I wrote a blog with the same name over a year ago, but took it down after only a month or so. The reason I did so was my brother convinced me that it was not a good idea. To learn and understand the religion, he said, requires that you must live it. If you don't there is a curse associated with not living up to what you are taught. In effect, it is for your own good that you don't know because "Where much is given, much is required".
I feel compelled to write it up again, in hope that there are fair minded people who will read it, and ask honest questions without prejudice, or to undo some of the prejudice you may have been willing to believe because that is the only information you have been given. I do not, however, want to get into an argument with anyone over whether our religion is true or false or better or worse than yours. I want to explain it, and hopefully help soothe the public mind about it.
Of course the massive raid of the Yearning For Zion ranch near El Dorado Texas where little children have been quite literally ripped from their mothers arms, has broadcast to the world a view of the people that has never been seen before. Having little children kidnapped from them has brought normally passive, and private mothers to invite the mass media in to hopefully stem the tide of a public opinion severely prejudiced by ex members who have become extremely bitter. The blatant lies that they have expressed as prevalent truth definitely warrants a reply. We have been taught, quite literally, to turn the other cheek. To follow the beatitudes of Christ: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mat 5:11-12)
This blog is for the sole purpose of speeding the return of innocent children to their loving mothers. The raid details are documented very well by the mothers on this website http://www.captivefldschildren.org/
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