Monday, April 28, 2008

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"

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I've just run across your blog. Thank you for publishing it and your perspective on this whole raid debacle.

I too feel and hear the bitterness of the few who left their FLDS upbringing that are "speaking out." All along I have felt there is another side to their stories that we never hear.

You said: "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."

I just want to relate my personal observations after hearing these women's stories, and ask a couple of questions.

My first observation is that often what cames out of their mouths purports to paint the whole FLDS with a broad brush; that their experience should be generalized to mean the whole membership experiences very much the same. I just cannot bring myself to believe that.

While I can't fault them for their feelings, their interpretation of their experience, nor their freedom of speech, it is just that and not to be construed as something that happens across the entire FLDS spectrum and experience. That seems only logical to me.

But one question comes up for me to which I hope you can give a clear answer from your standpoint. I've never seen it addressed anywhere else.

What are the options for a married-with-children FLDS woman. Can she freely leave with her children?

Also I wonder, about the following scenario. Let's say, there are some mothers (particularly plural wives) with children presently in Texas foster care who decide they want to leave the faith with their children (assuming they are released from foster care to their mothers).

If they did that, how would they be treated by the rest of the FLDS and especially their husbands?

I hope that last one makes sense. Perhaps I'll have other questions as I read through your blog. In any case, I look forward to your perspective.

Pliggy said...

For the first question, the answer is yes. She can leave, but just as in any other family in America, the custody of the children may be disputed. The FLDS people love their children and would rather not have them raised outside the church. But mothers have left with their children many times. There have also been instances where a mother left her children in the church and left. One that I know has done this and visits once in a while.

Secondly, If they left the faith and their husbands they would be mourned, and treated kindly, and the father would want to protect the children. If you are wondering if they would be scorned, the answer is No. If you are wondering if they would be hunted, the answer is No. They would be missed, and the father would try to support the children and encourage the mother however he could. Everyone is not the same, but this is what I saw from the cases I witnessed.

On captivefldschildren, there is a questions and answers section where this is answered also.
LINK

Pliggy said...

While I do not doubt some of their experiences, I know that they are lying about most of them.

Really, they claim girls are forced to get married, boys and unwanted wives are dumped on the street, beating children is common, children can't get more than an eighth grade education, children are practically drowned to stop them from crying, children are practically starved to death while fasting, etc. They even say pathetic things like handicapped children are "disposed of", girls as young as 8 are assaulted, and "blood atonement" is performed. ALL of that is just plain pathetic, I feel sorry for them, or anyone who listens to that and believes it.

I dare you to go ask one of them: "I heard that half the children are partially blind from being forced to eat green eggs on Sunday" and see if they would not agree wholeheartedly.

The reason most people believe them, is most people already hate polygny, and the "prophet" doctrine. These women are just giving them what they are eager for, and what "we" WANT to believe about "them".

Anonymous said...

This Kathy Jo. I just read your comments about Flora, Caroline and myself. Some of the information about me is true and some of it is not. I would like to speak with you to find out who I tried to save and who my friends are. I believe I know who this. No one has referred to my mom as Aunt Kathy in a long time. It also sounds like you have information about my brother's death. I'm trying to come to peace with this. Can you let me know what you know. Please contact me at outofpolygamy@aol.com

Pliggy said...

Please, tell me what is not, right here for all to see!

If you want to name names, my email is pligchild@gmail.com or you could post here and I will edit out the names.

Anonymous said...

What about Laurene Jessops situation? She shared quite a bit of information relating to the FLDS.

Was it valid information?

Pliggy said...

Laurene has had a tough go of it. She was molested as a girl by her father who was excommunicated and put in prison. Then her husband didn't always treat her well. He was disfellowshipped from the church also.

I do hope the best for her. I don't know her personally, but if she is associating with Flora, thats where she is getting many of her "facts". If she is saying "all the women", "they force" or "they hate" than you have to realize where it's coming from.

Where is the info found?

Anonymous said...

Laurene went back to her husband and the family has moved about quite alot. There is a arrest warrant out for Laurene right now, I think it was because she did not show up for a court date. She must be living in fear daily.

Anonymous said...

Why would a member of the FLDS be disfellowshipped?

Pliggy said...

D&C 121-
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

Not obeying the Ten Commandments, and the Laws given by Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Anonymous said...

Is it possible for a person, who has been disfellowshipped, to gain forgiveness and be able to return. Are there certain tasks that must be accomplished? In the case of -, he is a good man and no one can see any fault in him. Can he be forgiven and return?

Pliggy said...

Yes it is possible and there have been men who have returned.

Repentance is not an act, it is a condition.
Re- again
Pent (penitence)- humble prayer and obedience
Ance- continuously

All sin is forgiven with faith on the blood of Jesus Christ. But trust is not the same as forgiveness. Jesus' atonement will give us all the ressurection, but not all the highest heaven. Trustworthiness is much more than forgiveness. Atonement is repentance unto trustworthiness.

Some sins cannot be atoned for in this life, and no matter how repentant you are you cannot force others to trust you, especially the innocent. It must be done with great patience and care.

Although I know the man you speak of, and I do not look for or know his faults either; I can say that God knows his heart and mine and that is good enough for me.

"Search your hearts and see if you are like God, I have searched mine and feel to repent of all my sins"
-Joseph Smith