Betty Jessop and Maggie

In reading Brooke Adams story in the Salt Lake Tribune about Betty Jessop, daughter of Carolyn Blackmore, writer of the book "Escape"

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_11559735

I didn't want the comments underneath the article by Maggie to be missed. If you haven't read them, they are interesting. First in how genuine and intelligent she shows to be, and second in how she reacts to such bitterness from the other comments. I can learn a lesson! I have come to the conclusion that those people actually do believe the ridiculous stories from Flora and Carolyn, and WANT their imaginary tales to be true. Here is what Maggie had to say, but if you want to read the others, you have to go to the article. *The Comments are here

(*you may have to click the words "show negative comments" under the title, they don't favor comments that are not disparaging the FLDS people)


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 10:30:00 PM
"I know Betty Jane very well. She happens to be my sister. She has done an outstanding job on her book, especially for one so young. I have enjoyed helping her write her experiences that have served to strengthen her faith and determination, and in doing so, it has strengthened mine as well.
I noticed that several commentators seemed to have misunderstood the quote in this article where I said that our Father, Merril Jessop, instructed us in the rules for Betty's book. Actually, if you knew my father, you would know that he is a lover of freedom, and he expects his children to choose the right and stand up for truth. He encourages people to think and feel with their hearts and not be swayed by public opinion or fear of the majority ruling. A more accurate way to describe my father's request for me to help Betty with her book would be to say that he gave us several suggestions. You bet I am going to listen to him because I have no reason not to. When people have good and wise parents, they sure ought to be able to get good advice from them and be benefited thereby. No one is so smart that they cannot use a little advice from their honorable father or mother. Merril Jessop has always given me wise counsel and expects me to speak the truth without fear. I feel it a privilege to assist Betty in presenting her side of the story by abiding by our father's suggestions to only speak the pure truth and not slam Carolyn. Truth will speak for itself. Time is a friend to the innocent, and in time, the truth shall be known by all. From one who personally knows Merril Jessop, I have never heard him express a single negative comment against Carolyn for her colorful tales. Not ever."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 10:54:00 PM
"40,
Actually, I have written several articles about my experiences during the YFZ Raid. They are found on Truth Will Prevail, the FLDS site. Yes, I am a very real person, and I have very real feelings. What I experienced in having my children taken from me is almost indescribable. Yet, I know that all experience will contribute to a deeper and wiser character, and I really appreciate that. How thankful I am for the gift of forgiveness the Lord has freely given to me. In addition to the awful pain I felt at the hurt and sorrow that was inflicted on innocent children, I used to feel hot and indignant when I would read about how they considered the FLDS women as brainless twits. But now, I just laugh. When you know your own innocence, you are able to be silent and just smile. I have found in my experience that when people are loud and verbose about their supposed injuries, they are hiding something, generally a guilty conscience. Truth really doesn't need a lot of defense, but error has to continually be defending itself in order to convince everyone. It is interesting to see how many people are so easily convinced that error is truth."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:14:00 PM
"Thank you, Prof, 40, Katch, and Poly for your thoughtful comments. Yes, it is past my bedtime, but how can I go to bed when there are such nice people to speak to? My children are doing quite well, as long as they don't see any police officers, guns, buses, or really chubby people. It takes a lot of time and love to heal from an experience like that, but the Lord is willing and able to do it for us, so we just take it one day at a time.
Some are back at the Ranch; some are not. Some attorneys say it is dangerous to go back; others say they wouldn't ever try anything so foolish again. We just do the best we can until we find something better.
I have been treated quite well, I think. It is not the same living away from the Ranch. We were so spoiled there, so well taken care of. We didn't know how we actually lived with the "luxuries of life" so much. This whole thing has been turned into a positive experience for us because when one realizes how blessed one is, they can't help but increase in gratitude. Once in a while, someone out here in the city says something rude or accuses us of evils they have heard we are guilty of, but they seem to calm down a bit after they get used to having us for neighbors and realize that we are very harmless people and would rather give them a fresh loaf of bread than quarrel. Life is very good to us. I am happy, and I expect tomorrow to be better than today."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:24:00 PM
"Katch,
I think it isn't so much someone's heftiness that is appalling to our children, but more when they let their bulges exceed the scanty confines of inadequate clothing. For the children to see flabby flesh oozing from t-shirts and shorts was like seeing a UFO, I suppose. Oh, well, what's done is done. It won't do any good to feel bad about it. We just want to go forward. But thank-you, Katch, for your concern for the children."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:32:00 PM
"Thanks Poly for the reminders. I do have a lot of duties, and I find them very pleasant. I do know a wee babe named Merril, and he sometimes needs a fixin', but I guess I'll just let his mother take care of that."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:38:00 PM
"40, I am aware that often people are mistaken for their true thoughts and intentions. I really appreciate my experiences because it has taught me to be careful in judging others, for it may just be misunderstanding. I would rather think well of people and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Poly, I guess I don't know what you mean by drone, but I had a chuckle when you wondered if I am a guy pretending to be a woman. Actually, it would be very difficult, I think, for a guy to pretend to be me. It would probably be easier for me to pretend to be a guy. Regardless of what it may appear, I am Maggie, and I am a gal."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:50:00 PM
"Blackbird,
You are mistaken, but that's all right. I am not out to prove you wrong. If you are comfortable with that, it's up to you.
Poly,
I don't really spend time worrying about the indictments. People aren't bad just because others say they are bad. The Savior was accused by the Jews of all manner of evil, and they even killed Him, but that didn't change the fact of His innocence. I am sure that if you really knew the men who have been indicted, you would feel differently. But if you didn't, that really doesn't matter.
Katch,
I understand that a dame and a broad are terms more appropriate for those who choose to use raw language and frequent inappropriate residences or businesses. I prefer to think of myself as a gal, a girl, a woman, a lady. I like to think of things that bring me self-respect.
40,
Have a wonderful night's rest."


Maggie Jessop: 1/26/2009 11:59:00 PM
"Poly, Katch, Philo, you are mistaken, but that's all right. I do wish you might know the truth, but it is evident by your tone of voice, you don't appear to be interested in it. I am not interested in quarreling, and I don't feel too bad about you thinking what you do. It has always intrigued me how some people are so incredibly wise as to have deep opinions about something they know nothing about. Maybe you should go to bed and you'll feel better in the morning. Have a wonderful night's rest."