Reader comments
Hatch: Polygamy not merely a 'Utah problem'

This is a good idea to set up funds to help those who want to leave. I don't see how polygamy can be prosecuted if the people are over 18...but the men should be required to have the means to support the wives without going on welfare, and never should a new bride be underage. Never.

Not a problem exclusive to Utah, but a problem Utah made.

I am NOT a fan of polygamy...BUT, I really am against any law that singles out polygamous husbands and leaves ANY deadbeat father and/or husband to be uneffected.
Fathers and husbands who are NOT married are no less evil than fathers who are polygamous.
No breaks for deadbeats!

Polygamy may not be only a Utah problem, but Utah is the hub of the problem. The other states are merely satellites branches.

While I agree that FLDS members should speak, I also think Rod Parker should speak, because he is in the unique position of looking in from the outside and finding that life is not as bad as the rest of us think. Of course, he is paid to do that.

I agree that we should help people escape polygamy, but the barriers are more than economic, they are psychological as well. By telling people inside the FLDS that the outside world is evil and undesirable as reported by the children while in state custody, FLDS members who do not know better assume that they have the best option available on earth. The walls have been raised by the FLDS leadership, so that these people can't experience the outside world for themselves. So, the offer of assistance to people who wish to escape may not work as well as one would hope.

Since when is polygamy (between adults) a "problem"?

From what kernel did the progeny of polygamy emerge sprout and flourish?

I wonder if they will consider the beginnings of this problem and the theology that keeps it alive as part of the investigation?

After reading Carolyn Jessup's story it seems to me that some of the women are OK with this life style. They have made a safe place for their children to grow up, but after they are teenagers, watch out! Girls are married off against their will and young men are booted out for normal physio/emotional changes... because of course if they weren't excommunicated there would be fewer young women for the dirty old men to marry. Religion or not, it is wrong for this to take place. It was wrong in the Old Testament, though it took place and it is wrong for families today! God allowed it, but was not pleased and look what happened to Solomon or any other man who takes large numbers of wives. Looking into the Mormon religion, I think you'd have to have a screw loose to believe their doctrines which have undergone huge changes and contradictions sanctioned by Mormon "spiritual" leaders over the last 100+ years. The blinders need to come off and we need to see past the "happy family" ads. What is this really all about, certainly not God's Word.

Senator Orrin Hatch, St. George UT. April 2003

"I'm not here to justify polygamy," Hatch said. "All I can say is, I know people in Hildale who are polygamists who are very fine people. You come and show me evidence of children being abused there and I'll get involved. Bring the evidence to me."