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Jeffs guilty — Verdict: FLDS leader facing up to life in prison

Oh, if only Brother Joseph were alive today he would tell us what to do!!! Hang on, wouldnt he be there in jail with Jeffs??? Oh, no!!

He got what he deserved. and Alan this is for you: Joseph Smith didn't force young girls to get married like Jeff Warren did, he didn't force anyone, it was a choice. You should study alot more on past LDS History before making a judgement like that. And further more the LDS Church hasn't allowed this practice for a very long time. So, why do people have to keep linking the LDS Church with this stuff of the FLDS people? And the state of UT for that matter. It's really getting OLD!

No, J.S. wouldn't be in jail with Jeffs unless to visit him and give comfort, as he would do to ANY criminal. What J.S. did was under God's direction with proper priesthood authority. What Jeffs did was NOT under God's direction, without proper authority, and the punishment goes with the crime. Let justice be served here in mortality, and then later (next life) justice and mercy will be extended where it counts.

Hopefully Jeffs won't suffer death in jail as did Joseph Smith, even though Smith was arrested many more times than Jeffs.

Mormons: how can you tolerate child rape, or polygamy?

Hide behind "religion" if you want, but those deeds are criminal.

Thank God we live in a secular republic!!

Now Now Alan...

I still can't believe that no charges have been brought up against the husband. He was the one alleged to have done the actual rape.

Lets play nice and not start a stupid debate about the differences between Jeffs and Joseph Smith. As I remember Jeffs wrote on a piece of paper that he wasnt a prophet.. That says enough about his character. The verdict is good, but wont hold because of the fact that they never prosecuted the actual rapist. But I think that he will eventually get hit with charges that stick due to his unlawful flight and such. Im glad that a big fight hasnt started yet.. That was the intent of Alan's comment. Isnt anyone going to stoop to a lower level?

Why persist with "alleged victim". Is the reporter questioning the verdict? Victim, survivor, yes, but to use the word "alleged" after the verdict is an insult to the courageous woman.

I agree with Ann!! The man broke the law and needs to pay. He is only a man not a God.

Would someone please explain to me in a couple of simple sentences WHY it was so important to force Jane Doe into a marriage she did not want so that she could most assuredly go to an eternal marriage? I understand that even young girls were illegally sent to Canada to be married to old men. You would assume there is certainly a lot of dumb people in that cult.

Polygamy is one thing. Underage is another.To Klem...I have had 2 wives for several years. Both are in their 50's. It really isn't yours or anyone elses business whan we do.

To Klem...I have 2 wives for several years now. It is none of anyone's business. Rape is one thing and polygamy is another. Learn the difference.

Klem, Mormons don't tolerate child rape, or polygamy? Jeffs is NOT a mormon!!!!! How Many times does that have to be said? Get your facts straight people, anyone practicing polygamy and sexual sins are not tolerated by the mormon religion.

Jeffs arranged marriages for his followers. He had the power to stop marriages, but he allowed young girls to marry older men, some of them blood related. He had a power and he abused it, if you have great power be ready for the responsibilities that come with it. It sounds like he is FLDS pimp, who would give young girls to people that would follow him and give the alligence to him. He got what he deserved and the whole freedom of religion thing, do think god would want a 13 year old being married to older men? No, he would want them to have a childhood, and experience life.

During Joseph's time it was legal. Many years later there came down a law which was tested and found to be constitutional. That is when the Manifesto came out and Polygamy was stopped by a Prophet of God. We obey the laws of the land...Some didn't immediately. As for Jeffs...How about the, "Sin upon the heads of the fathers". Jeffs father brought him up to believe in this...Who is the real violator???

In Joseph's day polygamy was not against the law...Many years later, a law was passed and tested and found constitutional. That is when a prophet of God wrote the manifesto banning the practice...Some didn't comply immediately...As for Jeffs, his father taught him the practice...What about the scripture, "The sins be upon the heads of the fathers". Who's guilty here.

As far as Jeffs and the FLDS goes, he should be sent away for life then the States and Feds should go and arrest the leaders. How about a little "freedom" in UT & AZ, President Bush?

And how in any stretch of the imagination is polygamy a good thing? Wonder what your wives would say if they had a choice? Polygamy is an antiquated, abusive form of female slavery and male domination that should be left behind in the dark ages where it belongs. The rest of civil society finds it abhorrent. How can you possibly admit to it and feel proud about yourself? Sorry, but it is society's business when it comes to unlawful acts

Ken Baguley,

I'm not trying to tick off this whole crowd, but...

Bigamy was against the law in Ohio and Illinois in the early 1800's. Polygamy has "technically" been against the law throughout Mormon history.

Joseph Smith and some of the early brethren did marry teenaged girls. Pressure was brought on the parents of these girls to allow the marriages to take place. This issue is addressed in Bushman's "Rough Stone Rolling." It's a difficult historical issue to address, and Elder Bushman (He is a stake patriarch and great historian) does a marvelous job. Check it out.

What I'm saying is that the comparison is apparent, those outside of the Mormon movement are bound to bring it up for teh next century or so, so educated Latter-day Saints should be prepared to discuss it rationally.

What about her "husband' committing rape?