Reader comments
Search: Were beds in temple used for teen sex?
170 comments | Read story
- Page:
- < Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
LegalizePolygamy | 3:41 p.m. April 12, 2008
I ain't got no problem with consenting adults practicing polygamy. If YOU
do, then don't enter a polygamous relationship. Otherwise, what the heck
do you care for? Statutory rape is wrong, welfare fraud is wrong, child abuse
is wrong. Anyone practicing those crimes should be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law. But if seven adult women want to marry the same man so he
can be exalted and get them all to the highest glory of heaven, then let'm.
For their sake I hope it works.
Anonymous | 4:00 p.m. April 12, 2008
I can show you where all the Polygamist live in Utah County...it's really
not that hard to pick them out when they live in oversized houses with 20 cars
parked outside, but to say that these people are practicing Mormons is just flat
out wrong. These polygamist could NEVER hide their lifestyle from the Mormon
Church, not with visiting teachers and home teachers constantly knocking on
their door. Also, the Bishop is very aware of what is going on with families in
his ward. If he knew someone was practicing polygamy they would be
excommunicated on the spot.
Anon | 4:35 p.m. April 12, 2008
Shame on the LDS Church for looking the other way.
Shame on the people who in any way try to justify children being raped. That's what it is folks.
Plain and simple. They've been brainwashed and those in power are abusive.
Shame on the people who in any way try to justify children being raped. That's what it is folks.
Plain and simple. They've been brainwashed and those in power are abusive.
Comments continue below
kelliebelle | 4:46 p.m. April 12, 2008
In response to the people who wonder why Utah does not aggressively prosecute
polygamists: first of all we do aggressively prosecute any cases of child abuse
and child rape by polygamists and non-polygamists alike. Secondly, how can we
prosecute a man or a woman for having more than one spouse in this climate of
immorality we live with today where people are unfaithful to spouses or just
plain sexually promiscuous? There several "morality laws" on the
books that are completely ignored dealing with adultery, sodomy, etc.
Let's not forget that Utah has successfully prosecuted several polygamists
and is raising awareness of the nature of this crime and the harm it does to
society. Part of the reason this FLDS group moved to Texas is because of the
crack down in Utah. (I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.)
Jamesss | 5:04 p.m. April 12, 2008
Does the LDS church condone polygamy? I heard that they do and that some active
members sneak in a wife or two, and quietly. They need go in and clean those
guys up too. How come these LDS do everything sneaky? Even Joseph Smith was a
sneak. Emma didn't know anything he did with other woman until after the
fact.
mike | 6:16 p.m. April 12, 2008
Regarding beds in the Temple. When the open house for the New Zealand Temple
and church college was held in Hamilton NZ, some bright spark thought it would
be a good idea to store the matresses that were awaiting deployment in the
college dorms against the walls within the temple.
Similar speculation to what we are now seeing in Texas was rampant throughout the NZ press and the local community. And rightly so.
What an stupid, unprofessional, nonsensical thing to do. But it made no difference to the fact that sex of any variety did NOT occur in the NZ temple.
I await the FLDS excuse for fully made-up bedding in their temple with interest.
As for the damage done to the church's image by all this, the church is made up of people, and some of them have no idea about the wider world and its expectations. I remeber a GA saying at a stake conference once that his non-member friends wouldn't join the church because their standards were higher than the local church members that they knew. There was a gasp in the congregation, but on reflection we could see that it was true.
Read and weep, Utah.
Similar speculation to what we are now seeing in Texas was rampant throughout the NZ press and the local community. And rightly so.
What an stupid, unprofessional, nonsensical thing to do. But it made no difference to the fact that sex of any variety did NOT occur in the NZ temple.
I await the FLDS excuse for fully made-up bedding in their temple with interest.
As for the damage done to the church's image by all this, the church is made up of people, and some of them have no idea about the wider world and its expectations. I remeber a GA saying at a stake conference once that his non-member friends wouldn't join the church because their standards were higher than the local church members that they knew. There was a gasp in the congregation, but on reflection we could see that it was true.
Read and weep, Utah.
Michigan | 7:29 p.m. April 12, 2008
To Anon at 4:35 - the LDS church didn't look the other way. All they can
do is excommunicate - which they did. Law enforcement officials in Arizona have
looked the other way for many years - point at them. Don't point fingers
unless you understand what you're talking about.
Parallells | 12:08 a.m. April 13, 2008
Funny that society supports Hugh Heffner (Playboy) for having several 19 year
old live in wives (they even have a reality TV show about this) and having had
sex with thousands of women more than 60 years his junior. Does that mean they
are going to throw him and all the playmates in the slammer also?
Seems like anyone living with more than one woman in this country would have to be prosecuted under these same guidelines if they are going to start going after these polygamist families. Yes, all those not wanting to be there anymore should be allowed to leave, but I worry about splitting up each and every family regardless off those that may be very close, cohesive and happy family units. Splitting every last child up from their parents and throwing them in a foster home regardless of their family situation is downright inhumane. Again, if they go that far, is the morality police far around the corner for Hugh Heffner and the many other Hollywood actors that are truely immoral!
Seems like anyone living with more than one woman in this country would have to be prosecuted under these same guidelines if they are going to start going after these polygamist families. Yes, all those not wanting to be there anymore should be allowed to leave, but I worry about splitting up each and every family regardless off those that may be very close, cohesive and happy family units. Splitting every last child up from their parents and throwing them in a foster home regardless of their family situation is downright inhumane. Again, if they go that far, is the morality police far around the corner for Hugh Heffner and the many other Hollywood actors that are truely immoral!
Zink | 2:26 a.m. April 13, 2008
Why is Texas looking for proof after the fact. They stormed the
"compound" on a call from a 16 year old female who has yet to
materialize. If I'm reading this right, warrents are being written after
the fact to justify what's going on. What about due process? At least
this time the brave folks in Texas havn't burned something to the ground.
kelliebelle | 5:29 p.m. April 13, 2008
I feel the need to comment again after reading further comments from people who
continue to display their ignorance about Utah and the LDS people. To Jamesss
who "heard" that the LDS church condones polygamy. Hearing unfounded
gossip and allegations does not make it true. Let's make it clear once and
for all. Members of the LDS Church do not practice polygamy. Anyone who did so
would be immediately excommunicated from the church. The 11th Article of Faith
states that we believe in "obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."
My husband and I have worked in leadership positions in the church and know
that any type of serious issue such as child abuse or spousal infidelity must be
taken care of immediately. Any leader aware of any type of abuse, sexual or
otherwise, must report it to authorities. There is no "shield of the
confessional."
Just because people are religious does not make them backward. The population of Utah is one of the most highly educated and accomplished in the United States. Our state and local governments were recently given the highest score in the nation for the way our governments function by honestly and effectively serving the people.
Just because people are religious does not make them backward. The population of Utah is one of the most highly educated and accomplished in the United States. Our state and local governments were recently given the highest score in the nation for the way our governments function by honestly and effectively serving the people.
Mykanna | 9:25 p.m. April 13, 2008
I have been reading so amny things about this on abcnews.com and allowed to post
there also. I have lived in Texas nearly 16 years and I know from what I have
seen and read that Texas officials are the worst criminals than the criminal.
They lie to get by with all the illegal things they do and it is true in this
case as well. THERE IS NO 16 Year OLD GIRL!!! They lied and some hot headed cop
who wants to show that he is BOSS! Waco is a prime example and the FEDS were
definatley involved in Waco and are responsible for 86 deaths of women and
children. Sorry people but I wouldn't believe a Texas law enforcement
officer of any kind if they told me it was snowing outside and I lived in
Alaska!! They are liars and when the truth all comes out everyone will see what
I have seen. All that has come out of this so far is children and women being
mentally tortured by the hands of Texas.
Incognito | 3:37 a.m. April 16, 2008
Finding a hair in a bed and someone automatically thinks 'sex rituals were
performed here!' or something to that effect. And why is it that when a man
claims the several women hes been sealed to is he considered immoral and a
sicko, but its perfectly alright for someone not affiliated with the sect to
sleep around? and gay marriages?
The Texas 'compound' was not a compound, it was a quaint town, just because it has a wall doesnt mean its a prison camp!
The Texas 'compound' was not a compound, it was a quaint town, just because it has a wall doesnt mean its a prison camp!
Jessica G. | 11:49 a.m. April 17, 2008
The thing that bothers me the most is that the women COMPLETELY dodge any and
all questions directed at them about their living situation. They WON'T
tell you whether underage women have ever gotten married there (on Larry King
Live they said "Not that I have seen")...makes you wonder, huh? They
WON'T reveal the age they got married (probably because they were
underage). They WON'T tell you where their "husbands" are (maybe
because they don't know). I watched them on Larry King Live last night and
what I saw was truly horrific. These women KNOW that what they are doing is
wrong, that's why they dodge questions and focus your attention at their
children (I heard "Our children need us" about 50 times last night).
It's sickening that these women are "married" to men who have
several other wives just as much as sleeping around and having multiple partners
(as in Hugh Hefner, The Bachelor(ette), etc).
I hope and pray that the State of Texas can provide an appropriate decision at the hearing today.
I hope and pray that the State of Texas can provide an appropriate decision at the hearing today.
Sickened | 2:41 p.m. April 17, 2008
It's WRONG and it's SICK. The under-age marriage, the under-age sex,
the incest and the mental/physical abuse of the children and wives is absolutely
horrific. It's clearly going on, no 'IF's'. Who gives a damn
if the initial phone call by the '16 year old girl with an 8 month old
baby' was a hoax?? Not I! It's brought this sick 'religion'
to everyone's attention and people are finally doing something about it
instead of sticking heads in the sand. They did the absolute right thing
removing the children and putting them under state protection. It might be
unsettling but no more unsettling than being touched up by your
'father' who doesnt know your name and then married off at 13 and a
mother by 14. The people who are suggesting that is cruel to remove the children
are clearly missing the point...it's cruel to strip a child of their
childhood, their virginity and their innocence. I hope something good can come
out of this.
Troy Evitt | 8:30 a.m. April 18, 2008
Did you see the one mother that went on national news? Have they never heard of
"Tweezers" or is the Unibrow some divine mark of obedience?
Tricia | 4:14 a.m. April 20, 2008
I guess no one is getting the biggest point....men are having sex with underage
girls while their mothers (or could be sisters) are okay with this. Herein lies
the problem. Also that since outsiders aren't allowed in to cohabitate
with them - then who do you think they are eventually cohabitating with.
Therein lies the problem - outside of the inappropriate age and breaking the
law. If they are allowed to break these laws, then at that point every
pedophile's attorney in the country will be screaming the same thing.
SOMEBODY HAS TO HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE...THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION.
THIS IS ILLEGAL AND PROBABLY A LOT OF INCESTUAL SEX.
Tricia | 4:21 a.m. April 20, 2008
It's entered, just wanted to add the email address
Tricia | 4:26 a.m. April 20, 2008
Again, the writing is on the wall and the attorneys for YFZ women already know
this....IF any part of these proceedings are now reversed, then YFZ will sue
TEXAS for a zillion dollars. This will make history and the biggest shame will
be that children will be in bigger danger of molesters and pedophiles thinking
they can get away with having sex with young children if they come up with an
illusion of respectability...you know, it's all in the name of RELIGION.
The women and men who allowed underage children to have sex and have babies
surely are going to be prosecuted from this. Otherwise, what will the message
be.
Charlie | 3:16 p.m. April 20, 2008
Whether polygamy is illegal or not shouldn't really be the issue here.
Whatever consenting "adults" do is their business...protecting the
children should be our main concern.
These little girls have no choie. The secret life they live tells them no different. So very sad! Perhaps the 16 yr. old caller will never be found. It shouldn't matter now...if these men have been taking advantage of children, they should be punished along with the parents who handed them over for "marriage."
Let the kids grow in body and mind before making the decision "for themselves" to marry and produce children.
The secrecy of the sect really bothers me. They don't even wave to their neighbors, that tells me either they are brain washed or they are hiding something....
And...how does a self-sufficient, agrarian society earn enough money to build the multi-million dollar structures they have been erecting??
Whether the Texas government was wrong or right by raiding the YFZ is moot...it's done..now, our concern should be with the alleged abuse of the children, particularly the young girls.
I hope the truth is found...I'm praying for all involved.
These little girls have no choie. The secret life they live tells them no different. So very sad! Perhaps the 16 yr. old caller will never be found. It shouldn't matter now...if these men have been taking advantage of children, they should be punished along with the parents who handed them over for "marriage."
Let the kids grow in body and mind before making the decision "for themselves" to marry and produce children.
The secrecy of the sect really bothers me. They don't even wave to their neighbors, that tells me either they are brain washed or they are hiding something....
And...how does a self-sufficient, agrarian society earn enough money to build the multi-million dollar structures they have been erecting??
Whether the Texas government was wrong or right by raiding the YFZ is moot...it's done..now, our concern should be with the alleged abuse of the children, particularly the young girls.
I hope the truth is found...I'm praying for all involved.
Cheryl | 2:10 p.m. April 22, 2008
I believe that "Sarah" does exist; However, I'm sure that the
caller created "Sarah" from several different people that reside with
her in the compound and several different situations that have occured within
the compound - rape, domestic violence, etc. She did manage to get
someone's attention.
Now, on the flip side, I'm sure that authorities have been watching for a very long time judging these people and condeming their way of living. It probably didn't take much for them to "storm" the compound.
I'm certainly not condoning abuse of anyone - especially women and childen- but we always want people to live by our rules.
God's in charge.
Now, on the flip side, I'm sure that authorities have been watching for a very long time judging these people and condeming their way of living. It probably didn't take much for them to "storm" the compound.
I'm certainly not condoning abuse of anyone - especially women and childen- but we always want people to live by our rules.
God's in charge.
- Page:
- < Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Newly unsealed portions of a search warrant have provided a glimpse of some of what officers saw at the FLDS ranch, including inside the temple.
Related content
- Kentucky cruises to victory 10:00 p.m.
- Turner considers County Council run 9:58 p.m.
- Valentine not joining race in 2010 9:58 p.m.
- Clinton class sweet on candy 9:55 p.m.
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore 9:48 p.m.
- Penguins snap lengthy skid 9:45 p.m.
- USU's Turbin wins WAC accolades 9:43 p.m.
- Prep basketball ready for change 9:42 p.m.
- Preps of the Week 9:40 p.m.
- Grid Picks winners 9:38 p.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Boy shot following traffic stop
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- U. eyes bowl for redemption
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime481
- Max Hall issues apology377
- Hall reprimanded by MWC361
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal307
- Utes won't respond to Hall250
- BYU is champion of the state140
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies121
- Cave to be sealed with body inside119
- Religion in politics is tiresome107
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Latest comments
Just get them off Saturday television. It's Navy, the UConn, then some other...
The region 2 coaches got together and voted on the team for Region 2. We...
GO WASATCH!!!
An apology for comments that were premeditated? I think NOT. These comments...
so are we really believing that this is the Jazz team that will play...
I think we, the self-righteous and perfect people who write on this comment...
Hall's comments, strictly at face value, are not that big of a deal and would...
Deseret News, would you please post the boys' basketball all-state 2008-09...
I hope the judge and the grand jury do what the public has been demanding for...
If the PC politicians don't want to fight wars to win, then lets just get the...
Advertisements