Attorneys general defend Texas

ST. GEORGE — The attorneys general for Utah and Arizona agreed Thursday that Texas was right in its removal of hundreds of FLDS children from the Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas, more than a month ago.

"There was one person with control over the whole structure and kids were getting hurt. I think they are rapidly coming to the conclusion that it's an inherently dangerous place and there aren't adults there who are sufficiently powerful to stand up to protect the children," Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said during a polygamy town hall meeting attended by more than 600 people in the Dixie Center.

Goddard joined Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Don Timpson of Centennial Park, a polygamous community across the Utah/Arizona border, and Arizona legislator David Lujan who drafted a child bigamy bill in that state. Deseret News reporter Ben Winslow moderated the two-hour question and answer session.

"No one expected, when we planned this meeting this year, what would happen in Texas. And yet, I ask you tonight, is anybody really surprised?" said Shurtleff, to murmurs of "no" from the audience. "Well, I'm not surprised," he agreed.

Shurtleff said the Texas raid on the FLDS people occurred because "some polygamous leaders have put their people in harm's way."

"Instead of cooperation they've engaged in manipulation, distortion and lies. It's unfortunate so few are giving a bad name to so many. We assure you we do not plan a raid (here) to end polygamy. We are not going to do that. I don't care how many talking heads on TV tell us to 'cowboy up' and be like Texas, we don't believe that's the answer."

And yet, many members in the audience, which included hundreds of people from various polygamous groups, said they were not convinced their lifestyle is safe from prosecution.

"As a defender of the faith, when you say you will not prosecute polygamy because you don't have the resources, I'm afraid one day when you do have the resources you'll come after me," said one man. "I believe what happens in one person's bedroom, as long as they are consenting adults, it's nobody's business."

Shurtleff countered that he is sworn to uphold the law in a nation of laws.

"We didn't make the law," he said. "I can't enforce that law (against polygamy) except as an additional crime with something else like child abuse. You're not protected in that. You stand up and say you're proud to be a polygamist and people look down on you. Well, you made your choice. I'm telling you it is a crime. I don't know how to answer you when you ask, what will we do when we get more resources?"