Deseret News | Reader comments: LDS seminary principal is arrested in sexual abuse

Reader comments
LDS seminary principal arrested

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Anonymous | 12:01 p.m. July 10, 2009

What school did he teach at?

oh man | 12:02 p.m. July 10, 2009

How sad is that.

Oh what tangled... | 12:11 p.m. July 10, 2009

webs we weave when we first practice to deceive.

Anyone working in a position of trust should be dealt with harshly within the law.

The charges this person is facing should suffice. I'm disgusted by this. I live in the north end of the valley and am a father. This should NEVER happen.

I don't know what to think. I know this is totally opposite of what the gospel teaches. I have no pity for this man. I do have pity for the victim and both families.

How tragic. How sad. The atonement is greatly need here for all.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 12:13 p.m. July 10, 2009

Mike has been a friend for years. So sad he made these choices. Hope his wife and kids can heal.

sad | 12:15 p.m. July 10, 2009

this is a sad story. seminary teachers were always people you could look up to and I hope that this is still true. This guy does need to be punished but hopefully it does not put a bad rap on all the great seminary teachers out there.

Jared B | 12:19 p.m. July 10, 2009

This guy taught me in Seminary when he was first starting out lol. This is a far cry from him trying to tell my girlfriend to break up with me cause we shouldn't date steady in Highschool. I always respected him, but wow...really? FAIL

Emily | 12:22 p.m. July 10, 2009

No one is immune from the adversary. Satan works 24/7, and is not selective about who he corrupts, and destroys!! The more damage the better in his eyes. I hope, and pray this man, and his victim get the help they need. And may God help them both.

anonymous | 12:25 p.m. July 10, 2009

brother pratt was the most amazing man i've ever met. he was the best seminary teacher anyone ould ask for. it is so sad how a man so amazing can fall so far.

Disturbing | 12:26 p.m. July 10, 2009

I think he taught at Lone Peak. This is such disturbing news. I hold my seminary and institute teachers in the highest regard. No one is exempt from satan knowing where, when, and how to tempt us. My sympathy goes out this girl's family and to this dispicable man's wife and family.

anonymous | 12:26 p.m. July 10, 2009

brother pratt was my seminary teacher. he was the best teaher anyone ould ask for. it is so sad how someone so great could fall so far

anon | 12:29 p.m. July 10, 2009

Lone Peak... he's a good man. I don't believe any of this.

FireInside | 12:34 p.m. July 10, 2009

With so many cases along these lines popping up, I'm content to wait until things progress a bit further and it's more investigated. So far, all this is alledged, but nothing's proven. The teacher that went through all this recently and was then aquitted had his named drug through the mud because of accusations like this. I have no clue if he did or didn't do what is being said, but reserve any judgement of the man until more facts are known.

no way | 12:38 p.m. July 10, 2009

I don't believe it. This guy was the best. I really looked up to him. He was an amazing teacher and inspired everyone that met him.

Joe | 12:51 p.m. July 10, 2009

Let's all hold off on the condemnation, ok? No conviction yet.

My sympathies go out to all involved - the girl and her family especially, and this teacher if he's innocent, and his own family regardless of his guilt.

johnny no good | 12:57 p.m. July 10, 2009

all i can say is blame it on satan as there is the dark side but isn't it true that we all being given nothing more than we can handle..this state is being rocked lately with some very adverse publicity against the church so maybe the time is here of which the wise ones warned of. when one thinks they are on top ..they had better think again. I put my seminary teachers through alot but never in my wildest dreams would i ever suspect them of such an atrocity. I say hold your mantle high for the ones who do continue on in the work of the creator as this does not destroy but should strengthen everyone. When i look back , i did learn alot because they encouraged me to be a leader amongst a people who are challenged today and i remember their faith in me even if i did fall but they picked me up with the words they left embedded in my brain. Peace to these people at this time as we are all pitiful, weak as we approach the creator with humbleness for all.

Big b | 1:00 p.m. July 10, 2009

Bro. Pratt taught me in high school too. This doesn't sound like anything he would do. CRAZY!! I cant deny the facts but it just sounds so weird

IT WASN'T SATAN!!! | 1:12 p.m. July 10, 2009

I knew it had to happen, someone would blame SATAN!!!

What is this, a Dana Carvey SNL skit? Please!

Only in this state do I ever hear of Satan being the cause of all things evil. Drop the bible thumping and BLAME THE PERP, not Satan!

Satan is the go to guy to blame for everything, that way we can offer forgiveness to whomever did the deed. It is an excuse to NOT punish the perp, instead offering kindness to those that deserve it not.

It is this foolishness that for years made rape victims the cause of rape, not the rapist, because the rape victim "must have deserved it" by the way they would walk, talk, dress, and so on. It was Satan that told the victim to be that way, and Satan told the rapist to rape them for it.

Lets get this foolish and silly Satan talk out of crime, and start punishing the perp.

If you want to get into biblical philosophy, I can beat you over the head with Satan and still be the one who beat you and for some reason, Satan never ends up in prison. WEIRD!

Very Weird indeed.

Quieting the Mob | 1:12 p.m. July 10, 2009

You may want to wait for a conviction before burning this guy at the stake. Set your pitchforks down and wait until a full and accurate account of what happened is available.

Non-LDS son in class 1 semester | 1:16 p.m. July 10, 2009

Gimme a break! People he has been ACCUSSED of this. That is all. Let the truth come out and if he did commit these acts, he will pay a tremendous price, as will the young lady. The girl will be able to move forward one would hope and lead a "normal" life.

Unfortunately, if this is not true, Mr. Pratt is in a terrible spot and will have to leave the area to ever recover. Regardless of his conviction status, his life here is ruined because of people like the above posters who jump to conviction.

Don't get me wrong, what he has ALLEGEDLY done is horrible. IF he has done them, he will pay a price that you and I cannot comprehend.

For the record, Pratt made my non-LDS son feel welcome and he enjoyed his class for the 1 semester he chose to attend LDS semenary.

betty | 1:17 p.m. July 10, 2009

gross

Jonny | 1:17 p.m. July 10, 2009

i'm blown away by this... Pratt was my seminary teacher about 8 years back or so and he was great, he tried so hard to help kid choose the right. Seemingly weak flaxen cord becomes strong as it multiplies.

i believe the article but await further information as well.

Lets... | 1:23 p.m. July 10, 2009

wait and see how this turns out.

Believe | 1:33 p.m. July 10, 2009

I don't believe it. This guy saved me.

Satan can wait | 1:34 p.m. July 10, 2009

Geez, no one is saying that blaming Satan will get you off. Even in Utah, that doesn't fly far with a judge and jury or the police.

Of course the girl is a victim. It doesn't matter how willing she was. She is under 18 and that makes the teacher (if guilty) a felon. Add that to the fact that he is (was) in a position of trust. I feel for the girl, her family and the teacher's family.

Quick To Judge | 1:40 p.m. July 10, 2009

It's easy for all of you to sit back in your chairs and judge. You are reading a newspaper report and don't have all of the information. You are entitled to your opinion but atleast wait for further info than an initial report. If he is guilty then I hope he is dealt with accordingly but atleast allow for the process to take its proper course.

Sounds like hes gone to court!!! | 1:40 p.m. July 10, 2009

Innocent until proven guilty

Anonymous | 1:42 p.m. July 10, 2009

Anyone who has known Mike would describe him as an "amazing" person! That's what makes this SO hard to deal with. No other word describes him better...obviously, or people wouldn't be using it! Everyone that KNOWS him wishes and hopes this isn't true...no judging yet.

my heart goes out the the family | 1:51 p.m. July 10, 2009

Mike has only been accussed not convicted! He is a great man and those of you who do not know him and just attomatically believe everything is true.....then shame on you too! If you did not personnally know Mike Pratt then you have no room to talk at all. Your accusations just make you sound dumb! No one yet knows the whole truth just accusations...I am sure eveyne has been accused of something, sometime which was riddiculous. Give him a chance before you stone him to death. Mikeis a great person and will get through this. My prayers are with his wonderful wife and awesome kids!!

Anonymous | 1:51 p.m. July 10, 2009

I agree remember you judging people in this great country you are innocent until proven guilty! Not guilty until proven innocent remember that!

anonymous | 1:56 p.m. July 10, 2009

Just curious...is he still employed by the Church, or is there enough evidence that he has been terminated? If terminated, that should tell you something. The Church wouldn't terminate him just on hear-say.

Sorry | 2:05 p.m. July 10, 2009

Sorry to disappoint the friends of "mike", but nobody is so great that they can't do terrible things. Wise up. To claim that unless one knows him they don't have room to talk is foolishness. Any DA, criminal investigator, etc. will tell you that people who commit a crime don't have to be gargoyles at their core. They are often decent, sometimes even great people who did really awful things and didn't think about what they were doing until it was far too late.

Re: It wasn't satan | 2:08 p.m. July 10, 2009

You need to understand Mormon culture. Mormons aren't blaming Satan for the crime. They blame Satan for tempting a person who then chooses to commit a crime of their own volition. Semantics, I know, but you can't just run around calling people weird because you don't understand the cultural and theological nuances of what they're talking about. From an anthropological perspective, you're showing a lack of cultural understanding.

Um, as for Satan - | 2:12 p.m. July 10, 2009

He is real and yes, he is the Father of all Lies. His job is to tempt and corrupt. The thing he does best is break up families and he doesn't care whatsoever about children. He uses them to hurt others. You'll see some day.

I am sorry for this girl, because either way, if it happened or didn't, she is messed!

Anonymous | 2:15 p.m. July 10, 2009

Being an amazing teacher and and amazing man does not preclude someone from being a predator!

Shocking | 2:21 p.m. July 10, 2009

My husband is a seminary teacher and this news has completely shocked us both. All the CES teachers I have been priviledged to know have worked hard to foster an environment where kids can come to get away from the smutt and sleeze of the world and feel the Spirit and feel SAFE. I hope LPHS Seminary can recover from this and that the kids can still feel safe there.

anonymous | 2:27 p.m. July 10, 2009

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Come on people...

Wondering | 2:28 p.m. July 10, 2009

Did anyone read the part at the bottom of the story when it says

"Pratt was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated kidnapping, unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old, aggravated forcible sex abuse, forcible sodomy, object rape, lewdness, burglary, criminal trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and enticing a minor."

I think that with Aggravated kidnapping, Forcible sex abuse, Forcible Sodomy, and Object rape, there is more to the story than we are getting. Otherwise wouldn't it be just sodomy and why would they have kidnapping on there. Am I reading that wrong? It seems to be more to it than we are getting at the moment.

who are you to judge? | 2:30 p.m. July 10, 2009

Last time i checked the only person that has the power to judge us is Jesus Christ!

Anonymous | 2:32 p.m. July 10, 2009

The church would fire someone based on hearsay :)

Anonymous | 2:35 p.m. July 10, 2009

If you aren't part of LDS culture. You hear "calling" in Mormon's lexicon. This creates a impression that god called these people to serve in these positions. If this were the case, I'm to believe, god called a pedophile to work with children?

JohnnyLingo62 | 2:46 p.m. July 10, 2009

I would be interested to know "who pressed charges"? Did the girl come forward? Did the parents see the text messages on her phone? Did Pratt's wife see text messages on his phone? Did one of the girl's friends know this was going on? From the report, it sounds like there were A LOT of rendezvous in some distant areas that you can't just "get away to during a 50 minute class" and return to school. I guess we'll see the facts sooner or later.

Quick to Judge | 2:49 p.m. July 10, 2009

So many are saying that he was a great man and a great influence, while others are saying he has been a creep all along.

As a teacher, I've heard details from similar stories that aren't always publicized. In most cases, as I suspect in this case, the offender didn't have some plan to seduce a teenager and throw away his (or her) life, family, and career. The offender isn't always some pedophile waiting for the right person or moment, and in fact, there is often very little risk of a repeat offense.

Generally, what happens is they talk a bit (about the school subject or a related problem), more talking leads to comfort and an inappropriate level of familiarity. That in turn leads to more and more until the two parties find themselves involved in something that both would have shuddered at in the beginning.

It is a really easy path to start down and that is why people in positions of trust, such as this, need to be extra careful to make sure established boundaries and rules are observed.

Again, more likely than not... good guy slips up real bad.

To Anonymous 2:35 | 2:51 p.m. July 10, 2009

In Utah, Seminary teachers go to school and choose it for a career. They are carefully selected to a part of the program; not just anyone can become a seminary teacher.

Outside of Utah, Seminary teachers are "called" to teach early morning seminary, and they have other jobs the rest of the time.

Lame | 2:55 p.m. July 10, 2009

I find it interesting how our culture has a total disregard for "innocent until proven guilty". He must be guilty because a newspaper reports it or the police say it is so. Police and newspapers never exaggerate the story. Teenage kids that are disciplined never seek revenge. He is guilty, guilty, guilty! Forget the trial, lock him up and throw away the keys, or better yet bring back the law of Moses!

Anonymous | 2:58 p.m. July 10, 2009

We need to wait for the facts to become clear. Nothing the article said was for sure -- even the text messages. They have to have a warrant before they can check to see if they really did say those things.

RE: Anonymous | 3:05 p.m. July 10, 2009

Why all these posts?

Why are you trying to stir people up, be a contentious spirit?

What is wrong with you?

Anyone can allege anything they want. Let the sytem work and find out if any of this is true.

Whst is odd is not too long ago people 15 or 16 were considerd adult and mature enough to get married.

What changed in the last century that made these young men and women more immature and less adult?

AS a side question to ponder, IF only Christ has the power to Judge, then they why do we have judges in our courts?

Mikes Friend | 3:05 p.m. July 10, 2009

I am saddened to see so many people ready to cast stones at Brother Pratt. The time will come for everyone to be judged before God and at that time these same stone throwers who are so quick to judge and condem Michael now will all cry and beg God for mercy and the atonement to be applied to their sins so as to cover them. And they will need the atonement just as much as Mike will need it and just as much as I will need it too. Mike, my prayers are with you and your family. My heart aches for what they will be going through.

Anonymous | 3:05 p.m. July 10, 2009

Full-time Seminary and Institute personnel are not "called" to their position. They are hired and can be fired in the same way.

Anonymous | 3:06 p.m. July 10, 2009

Regardless of what he did.... (if the article is all true) he saved many, many people. He changed so many peoples lives. Everyone makes mistakes and obviously some are worse than others. He was my teacher at one point in life... I was young, but he made me feel important and that I mattered. I was in shock when i read this article. Its a bitter pill to swallow when someone you looked up to for so long does something like this. I would ask all of you to pray for everyone who was apart of this.

Stand Up | 3:07 p.m. July 10, 2009

After reading this I can't say I know the entire story, and I can't say I know how those involved are feeling. But I do know this: No body should ever judge such a situation. And wether or not he committed these horrible crimes does not discredit those in his similar positions of power. Sad stories such as these simply show that every human being is subject to their worst sides. There is a line between good and bad and no man is immune from crossing that line and not following what is right. Its time for everyone to stand up. There are no fence sitters and if we remember what we stand for then maybe situations like these can help teach us to be even stronger and maybe more of us can use our beliefs and the support of others so we do not fall as someone has here. Everyone be strong, My love goes out to the families, we pray you make it through.

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