From Deseret News archives:
LDS help sought for victims of polygamy
Accompanied by a pair of Christian community pastors, Susan Ray Schmidt met Friday with LDS Family Services commissioner Fred Riley and Dana Templeman, the director of the LDS Church's International Adoption Development. She described the meeting as "warm and accommodating."
"They listened to my story and showed sincere understanding," Schmidt said in an interview Monday with the Deseret Morning News. "I feel very much like it was an issue that needed to be brought to their attention."
LDS Church officials confirmed the meeting but declined to say what, if any, type of support would be offered.
"We met together to discuss areas of common interest," church spokesman Scott Trotter said.
Schmidt was uncertain what support the church would offer, but she saw the meeting as a positive first step.
One group that could benefit is the HOPE Organization, a southern Utah-based nonprofit, provides resources and support primarily to people leaving polygamous enclaves on the Utah-Arizona border.
"If any of the churches want to help us, that would be great," said Elaine Tyler, director of the HOPE Organization.
In recent months, Tyler said her organization has been seeing an increase in young women, ages 19 and 20, leaving the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz.
"Some were forced into marriages. Some left and have now hooked up with some of the boys that have left," she said.
In May, Schmidt sent a letter to the church asking it to provide financial resources and support to women and children leaving polygamy.
She contends the LDS Church bears some responsibility for the problem. The LDS Church no longer practices polygamy and excommunicates those who do.
Schmidt made her request public during an interview last month with the Deseret Morning News while she was in southern Utah promoting her book, "His Favorite Wife: Trapped in Polygamy." The book details her life as a member of the LeBaron polygamous group.
As a teenager, Schmidt was told she would marry polygamist leader Ervil LeBaron but was married off to his brother Verlan. She was 15 years old at the time, he was 38.
In the 1970s, Ervil LeBaron ordered the assassinations of rival polygamous leaders. Schmidt went into hiding when the murders started. In 1975, she left her husband and took their five children with her. She now lives in Idaho and has since remarried.
The LDS Church's level of support for people leaving abusive situations in polygamy was publicly questioned during an April town hall meeting in St. George. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff defended the church, saying it has provided help in the past but has chosen to do it "quietly."
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Comments
- $25K reward offered in slaying 6:21 p.m.
- Salem step-father arrested in abuse 6:16 p.m.
- S.L. Dems appoint exec. director 6:15 p.m.
- Animal-rights protest issues resolved 6:12 p.m.
- Ex-legislators call for ethics reform 6:06 p.m.
- S.L. will light up for the holidays 6:00 p.m.
- Getting serious about seat belts 5:55 p.m.
- Driver who died in accident identified 5:47 p.m.
- Woman describes stabbing, killing 5:43 p.m.
- Ogden postmaster retires 5:41 p.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- Boys basketball rankings
- Utes' Wynn in for awakening
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
222 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
221 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
179 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
177 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
135 - BYU records with win
132 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
111 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
104
People Eating Tasty Animals!!!!!!
I caught that as well,they can't afford the cost of extra law enforcement but...
I agree- it would be great to have the boys' basketball 2008-09 all-state...
I am a supporter, not a hater but if this is the best team in the MLS, how...
So many of the conservatives posting here in support of Palin are just so...
We have a president who was elected without significant credentials or...
Go Cats!!! Congratulations to Z. Burton & the team
on the field. Leave the play there, and root for your team. Keep your hands...
Mini Pizza Stone to use for everything in the toaster oven! Couldnt do...
A couple things straights should know about LGBT pride marches and festivals,...




You can be the first to comment on this story.