From Deseret News archives:

'Cultural guide' helps Texans understand FLDS children

Published: Saturday, May 3, 2008 12:19 a.m. MDT
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"(FLDS) families are upset because many of these guidelines come from dissidents and the parents have been excluded from the process," he said. "When it comes right down to it, this whole situation is about Texas acting on the basis of anti-FLDS propaganda."

Parker said he didn't know of any insensitive remarks from children, but he questioned the motive of Texas reporting such statements. "To characterize the remarks of a child as derogatory remarks is inherently culturally insensitive," he said.

One of the cultural tips incorrectly lists April 6 as Joseph Smith's birthday, indicating it is the sect's only significant holiday.

Jessop said FLDS members celebrate the birth and resurrection of Christ on that date. "That's also when God's New Year begins," she said. Growing up, she said they also celebrated Pioneer Day on July 24, held a "harvest festival" in the fall, and they used to celebrate Thanksgiving, but "Warren took that away, too."

The guide also indicates the children have minimal contact with media, including "books with fictitious characters."

"Even 'Little House on the Prairie' is out," Jessop said.

She was devastated when her collection of 300 books in her Arizona home was destroyed after Jeffs announced he was banning all literature.

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The color red is "not acceptable for clothing" for boys or girls, the guide states. Black Nikes and Crocs shoes of all colors are preferred for girls, except for red Crocs. The guide also indicates FLDS children do not play with red toys.

The red edict also stems from Jeffs, who banned the color after announcing it was reserved for Christ, who would return wearing a crimson robe. "To wear that color before he returned was mocking Christ," she explained.

People reacted differently to Jeffs' red announcement, Jessop said. Some women continued to wear red but didn't replace the clothing with that color once it was worn out, while others immediately threw away all red items, including one woman who ripped out the red rose bushes in her yard and changed them to pink roses.

The guide spells out the unique food preferences of the children, including non-pasteurized milk, whole grain breads, fresh fruit and vegetables, brown rice, no processed foods and snacks and no pork. Beef, chicken and fish are OK, the guide states. "Yogurt, cheese, molasses and almonds (are) used in baby formula," it states.

As for health care, the guide indicates the children have had no immunizations. Jessop said that is based on a conspiracy theory that the government wants to poison the population and make them sterile.

"To the FLDS, that's a huge thing," she said, adding that this is another idea that has changed since she was growing up. "I was immunized," she said. "It's like death not to, with so many children around."

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