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Trial delayed for ex-LDS official

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Too Bad! | 1:51 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Wow , this really bows me away.

LDS in Arizona | 3:59 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

This is the first time I heard about this aspect of George Lee's life. I hope and pray that he get's the emotional and spiritual help he needs to get back on track.
Many of us in my family were so happy when he was made a Seventy and heart broken when he had to be excommunicated. We lived among the Lamanites when I was a boy and we loved them.
He needs our love, our prayers and our forgiveness.
:(

Anonymous | 4:23 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

How did the church allow for this news to get out??!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 4:48 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

What do you mean "allow it"? The Deseret News is owned by the church and I have found they have given voice to many articles and opinions regardless or not of whether it was good for the church. Even so I do not understand how anyone would think this could be negative for the church that an EX member of the church has gotten in trouble with the law.

Just this guy... | 4:51 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

The church is not in the practice of covering things up. The church is small so most things never hit the mainstream media. This time we're more in the spotlight so it's now news. I wouldn't be surprised if Romney opponents grab this and run with it.

Being that he was a member of the first quarum of the 70s this is both rare and serious. I do not disagree with the excommunication sentence.

Rob H | 5:36 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Each disciplinary court is handled in private, and even in the case of a member of high profile, like Elder Lee, the church would not go into the specifics of what sins were committed.

However, since Elder Lee did break the law, this has become a matter of public record, and that is why this can be reported freely.

No one cares | 6:12 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

Where are the lamanites. Certainly not on the reservations that George Lee comes from. This was a farce.

This will not be picked up by Romney's foes because they could care less about Mormonism. The LDS church is not a big deal outside of utah and idaho. Get over yourselves.

Re: No one cares | 10:16 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

If no one cares about Mormonism, then why is it the only topic discussed about Mitt Romney? Do you watch the news? Or read the paper? If you did, you'd see why this is a "big deal" when it comes to politics.

The church is a "big deal" in every part of this country and the world. Bigger than your little mind will acknowledge, anyway.

Who are the LDS? | 11:11 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

As a person who has lived in several states, I agree that most people outside of Utah don't care about the Church. Most don't know a thing about it and don't really care to know. The media is not a representation if the average citizen.

Ken | 11:25 p.m. Dec. 3, 2007

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord's church. But the people that make up the church are not perfect. But we are trying to follow the Lord's example. Some make mistakes,but most try to a little to do a little better each day. If more people lived this way the world would be much better off

Me to | 2:14 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I also was disciplined and no one knows why but a very few priesthood members It was at a time when it was announced to the ward priesthood only. It happens and then forgotten. So if anyone wants to dig into matters like this, give it up because its none of your business anyway. I am now rebaptized and am treated fine by those who knew.

Keep our eyes on the Lord | 5:59 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This is a perfect example as to why we MUST keep our eyes on the Savior. Man is fallible. When we look to man, we WILL be let down.
However, if we keep our eyes on HIM he will never let us down.
That goes for ALL leaders in the church as well as those in our families and friends as well. President Hinckley as well as all general authorities of the church as working out their salvation with fear and trembling. If they were not they would not be among us still!
Thank God for the blessings of forgivness through the Atonement of the Son of God!!

Clint | 6:49 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Ken, Amen.

A question for you all | 7:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I was a 13 year old kid when he got excommunicated. How was his excommunication announced to the church at the time?

Anonymous | 7:17 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

The attempted sex abuse was not why Elder Lee was excommunicated. He was excommunicated in 1989 and the attempted abuse did not occur until 1994, 5 years later. The details of his disciplinary court are and will remain confidential.

Not new | 7:22 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This isn't "new" news. Lee was convicted in 1994 and was registered until 2001. Great short-term memories.

Re:Re: No one cares | 10:16 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Clearly you have never left the Utah nest. The church is NOT a big deal outside of Utah, Idaho, and maybe Arizona...I live on the east coast and nobody cares about the Mormon religon. Granted Mitt Romney has brought our religion into the spotlight, but overall people still think we are polygamists. Anyway, don't make comments that you can't support (i.e. without living outside the walls of Utah). More importantly, it is sad that someone like Mr. Lee committed such disgusting crimes, LDS or not it is disgusting. Bottom line here is that this man was a "ranking" memeber of the church at the time he comitted these crimes, so this should be reported about...plus c'mon people this is a Utah/LDS newspaper, of course this would make headlines.

Ian | 7:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

A few of you seemed to have missed a major detail. He was excommunicated before he was charged and convicted of being a sex offender - 5 years before.

Too bad? | 8:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Are you kidding? Anyone that messes with a little child should go to jail for a long long time. This kind of stuff makes me sick!

Warren | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

For those who are not politically savy, Romney is only giving this speech because he losing support to Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is a Baptist Minister, which is mainstream christianity. Much easier for evangelicals to support a man with a religion they understand. Romney is seeking to normalize his mormon status to put him back on par with Huckabee.

Janey | 9:02 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

What stands out to me is that the Mormon leaders did not try to hush-up this wrong-doing. They rightly excommunicated Lee immediately even though he was in one of the highest positions in the Church. I thought this was very brave of them. Perhaps some of our public servants could see this example and not try to protect the wrong-doings of those who are supposed to serve us.

Hawaiianchic | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

To begin I was reared in the Baptist Bible Belt of Mississippi and lived in Hawaii, Florida, and currently Texas. The truth is people are highly fascinated and taken aback that "Mormons" live among them. Those of us out of the Utah "bubble" have to rise up and show them who we are on a daily basis. Fighting amongst ourselves is just what everyone hopes for. I have been a member for 10 years and the one thing that always disappoints me is all of the infighting. Everyone's behavior makes or breaks us. The world watches for signs of crumbling. Stop giving it to them. What George Lee did was an abomination. But it is his crime not the Church's crime. The church handled it as they always will. We don't tolerate what other religions do. But remember yourselves. Support Mitt Romney he is on the firing lines for all of us. Revelation is being fulfilled. Pray for him.

Just read | 10:05 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Elder Lee was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy on October 3, 1975 at age 32. He was excomunicated September 1, 1989. This info was published in the 2001-2002 Church Almanac.

Shame | 10:13 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Well gee, This just shows me you cannot trust all Mormons.

Idaho mormon | 10:35 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Hawaiian chic--are you kidding--Romney on the firing lines for all of us" what does that mean?--"revelation being fulfilled." Are you talking about Romney running for president? C'mon! I'm as asthetic as they come, but this is ridiculous. Are you voting for Romney just because he's Mormon. Go back to Sunday school and learn your religion a little better--or a lot better. . . wolves in sheeps clothing . . .Sheesh

Insert any religion here | 10:37 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

. . . you cannor trust all [__________].

The Truth | 10:39 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

The fact that this guy was once a Mormon, and not now shouldn't even be a story. The title of your article should be "Trial delayed for SEX OFFENDER". The church did the right thing by dismissing this guy. The church has no part in this "man's" wrong doing, and as such should have no part in the title of this article.

Anonymous | 10:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Brilliant observation. Gee.

Ken | 10:51 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Let's show respect for each other.

Living | 10:56 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Sounds to me like there are about 24 of you out there who need to get a life!!! Ooops, I gues now that includes me also!

Joyce | 10:58 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

When the Savior was on the earth, people brought a woman taken in the act of adultery to him. (where was the man who was with her.) The Savior, said, Who among you who is without sin, cast the first stone." They all went away. The Savior said, Woman, where are thine acusers? "Go and sin no more."
It is possible for all of us to repent of our sins.
We are all guilty of sinning. We should leave the judging up to the judges according to their authority. People who know nothing about the Church Of Jesus Christ, should study what the Savior teaches and this church before they jump to conclusions or hearsay of others who know nothing about it. Because, as we judge, so we will be judged. The Savior said that. I believe him.

Shame????? | 10:58 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Correct me if I'm wrong... but once one is ex-communicated, they are no longer members of the church. Therefore the headlines could as easily read, "Non-Mormon on Trial."

Shame on George Lee... and it this case ONLY George Lee. (I have enough stuff of my own to work on rather than to worry too much about his)

By the way, you shouldn't trust all Mormons anymore than all Catholics, all Muslims, all Baptists, all Lutherans, all your fiends, or even all you family.

Anymore mindless generalities that we should deal with?

RE:Re:RE: No one cares | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I have to say I "one up you." I have lived in UT, as well as other western states, eastern states, and in between. I also have lived in 4 foreign countries and have traveled and worked extensively in every populated continent around the world but Australia. Having spent significant time in China, India, Latin America, Russia, and Europe, I have to tell you that yes Mormons are still relatively few in number, but they are respected, professionally sought after and well known. Your statement that ï¿½The Church is Not a big deal outside of Utahï¿½ï¿½ calls into question the circles in which you associate and your level of ï¿½life experience.ï¿½ People do admire and are naturally curious about the religion and way of life. You obviously donï¿½t read ï¿½Timeï¿½ or ï¿½Newsweekï¿½, or watch PBS. Articles and programs concerning the LDS faith have aired even prior to Romney. Lee made some mistakes. That is his business. Please don't use him, or better yet, your own individual ignorance and obvious bias to tread on a group for some publicly unknown reason. It truly shows a high level of ignorance and arrogance of which personal introspection could help identify the root cause.

Not JUST a member | 11:35 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Dude, he was a 70. That's not just a member. That's a position held in very high regard. Therefore, it's news. If it was a Catholic Priest it would be the same thing. The religion doesn't matter here, just the fact that he was a religious leader. When clergy of any faith are involved in such things it worries us all.

yeah | 11:35 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

So when its an LDS official who does this sort of sick crime, its "sad," and its "unfortunate," and we all hope he works things out. But when anyone else does the exact same thing, we all want him castrated and sent to prison to rot for the rest of their lives. And you wonder why so many people in Utah are anti-LDS..

fallibility? | 11:54 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I agree with the post above about keeping our eyes on the Lord and not man. As an active LDS man, I am concerned with the "Brethren Worship" that fills the hearts and minds of some of us. I just think we should remember and be aware that no matter what position one holds in the church , they can make bad descions.

TKC | 12:04 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I really like what you said Hawaiianchic. There is a lot of backbiting and fighting amongst ourselves and it's sad. I've grown up in Utah and think that it is commendable to any member that lives somewhere else where they are the minority. That goes for anyone who is in the minority of anything. We need to be a good example of what we believe in everywhere we go.

Romney is in quite the spotlight. More than any member of the church has probably ever been with how many people the media and technology can reach nowadays. I think he's doing a good job and has hid head on straight. I will pray for him.

I hope we can pray for everyone to be more understanding and more tolerant and more loving. I'm trying my best to do better.

LDS Man | 12:21 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Why is this story so fascinating to people? Because they perceive that LDS people are better than non-LDS people? Well let me tell you as an LDS man, members of the LDS church (Mormons) are no better than any other person and if you listen to what our church leaders say you will hear them say this time and again. In fact Elder Oaks spoke to this very thing in general Conference just two months ago.

Members of the LDS church are susceptible to committing sin just like every other man or woman, but we believe that if we do as God requires of us and try to follow Christï¿½s example that we might have the strength to resist the temptations faced by natural man and those of the adversary. Mr. Lee obviously did not do this and it lead to his down fall and he was justly and swiftly dealt with by the church. Sins of the Church member are not sins of the Church, just as sins of the father are not sins of the child. Individuals are responsible for their own actions.

I hope Mr Lee gets the help he obviously needs, and that justice is served.

re: yeah | 12:42 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I think you are wrong on all counts. It is "sad" and "unfortunate" when anyone commits these acts. But we also believe in Justice for the victim. So no matter their religion, they need to pay through prison time. But like everyone they have the right to turn their lives around, even though under these circumstances he seems pretty far from that. But these feels are for everyone. And By the way percentage wise, there really are not that many anti-LDS people, unless you have a large club we haven't heard about.

oscar | 12:50 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This ex-LDS official needs to pay for doing what he did. glad that Utah law enforcement did their job of sex offender registration.

Lee's actions are in no way a part of the LDS Church. What about the victim? Hope she/he will have hope for a solid future. Leave this ugly mess behind, and move on--learn from it and pray it dosn't occur again.

Me Thinks... | 12:57 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Joyce,

Do the scriptures not say, "but whoso shall offend one of these little ones... it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his nick, and... drowned in the depth of the sea?" do they not also say that we are given the spirit to judge rightously? Does something being withheld from parents not effect their ability to judge rightously how they are to watch their children? It is a parents right and obligation to find out and know of sex offenders live around their area and Mr. Lee took that right away by not registering as such. We therefore have the right to judge in this case, for the saftey of the children.

To RE RE RE no one cares | 12:59 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

right on!!!!

Info on Seventys and Lee | 2:05 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Just an FYI:
Being a Seventy was not all that unique until Pres Kimball made changes in 1975. Every Stake had Seventys called. My Grandfather use to be a Seventy back in the 1970's. Sounds funny to me but its true. There were old jokes about non-mormons asking for Bishopric help and calling themselves sixtys and eighties, since they knew not any better.

A little information on George Lee. He was excommunicated in 1989 for calling our Church leaders for changing their stance/support of Native Americans/Lamanites in the Church. He was the first and only high-ranking Navajo/Native American Church leader. When he was ex-commed in '89, it was done during the middle of the work day, immediately after senior leaders read an internal memorandum Lee sent them. Some say it was done with what some have called extreme prejudice. This was an un-precedented firing of an ordained Church leader.

The attempted sex abuse charges came 5 years (1994) after he was ex-commed. Some even (I doubt highly doubt it) say he was framed to discredit any lawsuits.

Just though you may want to know.

Vern | 2:31 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I remember one Stake conference when George P. Lee was chastising the women and their make-up refering to it as "warpaint". . .

Does anyone know what the sex offender charge was? I haven't been taking notes.

RE: Yeah 11:35 | 3:07 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Yeah, and many others, you need to get your facts straight. This criminal act was not done by a member of the 70, or even a member of the LDS church. Lee had not been a member of the LDS church for years at the time this act was committed. All the comparisons with priests doing similar acts and other clergy is irrelevant since the LDS church leadership had already been guided to remove Lee from membership.
Addressing Yeah's comment at 11:35, we do not wonder why many people are anti-LDS. It is very clear why, and many of those reasons are even found and prophesied in the scriptures. In this case, however, and based on your logic, you should be anti-non-LDS, since the act was not done by a member of the LDS church.

Vern's Question | 3:49 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

He plead guilty to touching the clothed breast of a minor (teenage female) for sexual gratification.

Ghandi | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

People are people so why should it be - you and I should get along so awfully?

LDS guy in Southern Cal | 3:56 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Almost anyone can fall. This includes any of the general authorities of the church, the only exception being the current prophet. Judas was one of Christ's original twelve, and he didn't didn't turn out so well in the end. I know too many LDS folks, both leaders and not, who are examples of everything good, to be disturbed by an occasional person (LDS or former LDS) who has made some bad choices in his own life.

How we love dirty laundry. Let's all try to do a little better in our own lives, regardless of our religion (or not), and try to be a little more patient and forgiving (knowing that appropriate justice has been and will be doled out by the legal system), and focus on making the world a little better each day, starting with ourselves.

Open thy eyes blind ones! | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Clearly there is a problem in Utah. You have crazy people pulling the wool over everyones eyes with the holier than thou group of people, like George P Lee, John Doyle Lee, and Warren Jeffs. These sort of people are everywhere in the world. However, it seems somehow more of them make their way into the mainstream of Mormonism. I think you people need to get real and open your foolish eyes. You are no better than anyone else!!

A Clerk | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This is for info. You are wrong. I am a personal friend of Lee's son. He was exd for sex abuse of a female child.

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