Deseret News | LDS seminary principal is arrested in sexual abuse

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LDS seminary principal is arrested in sexual abuse

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we looked up to you bro. Pratt! | 4:04 p.m. July 11, 2009

wow!! he lied to so many!!!!!!

RE: Lone Peak Student | 4:05 p.m. July 11, 2009

1. He was flirty.
2. A lot of girls were always in his office.
3. If he shut the door to talk to girls to help them with their problems he was breaking a major CES rule! For that alone he could have been fired.
4. He knew the rules and he violated them openly.

5. Young Women..stay OUT of the office ALONE and out of harms way when you are at church or any man, and do not ride home alone with any male adult for babysitting, home from church or anywhere else. If a Seminary teacher takes you home without his wife there he can and will loose his job for that too. It's not harsh, they are the rules. Keep the Rules.
This is a wakeup call people.

Dooku | 4:06 p.m. July 11, 2009

"Anonymous | 5:51 a.m. July 11, 2009
Have to watch out for those heterosexuals and their agenda as they go after children!!!"

Get a life, this is not the time and place to share your sexual political agenda.

My heart goes out to the people affected by this incident.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 4:07 p.m. July 11, 2009

he was a great man and i had him last year for a seminary teacher! he told us alot of stories. especially how he loved his wife sooo much!! wow! i cant explain how hurt i am!

RNS | 4:10 p.m. July 11, 2009

wow! i cant believe this! he was a great man and no one expected this. he told us stories and said he loved his wife so much! he lied i guess!! he is some one people looked up to! its amazing how some one can fall so low!

Do not defend these actions | 4:16 p.m. July 11, 2009

because you knew him
or knew of his talent as your teacher.
Remember that a 16 year old is at a vulnerable stage
of life that is more easily manipulated than
when they are older. Think of her as if she
were your daughter. He knew well the state
mind of a 16 year old.
Think of the enormous damage, that will never, ever
be repaired to his wife, children, the family
of the 16 year old, and the Church.
To those who say we should not judge; there are
times when we are allowed and must and this
is one of those. How else do we protect our
selves and our loved ones from predators.
Do not be confused by the good feelings you had for
this man, let the punishment fit the crime.
Would a less charasmatic man be given the
same deference you want to extend to this man
now?

To Crazy 2:02 p.m. post | 4:19 p.m. July 11, 2009

So you "knew him well" and "if you can't trust this person, who can you trust? - Nobody!" Wow!!!!! This man is not the Messiah. He is not a prophet. He is not even a leader who holds priesthood keys. He was a seminary teacher/principal. You asked "Who can you trust?" I'll tell you: You can trust just about ever seminary teacher the LDS church has now or has ever had. You can trust just about any priesthood leader the LDS church has ever had. You can trust just about any parent/s young people have. You can trust just about any school teacher, counselor, administrator. You can trust just about... Get my point, most people in positions of trust or authority you can trust. There are "wolf's in sheep's clothing" in almost any orginization. But they are few and far between. Just because this one man, who has without question, created an element of deceit as far as trust issues are concerned; doesn't mean any of us should quit trusting in those things and people we need to in order to live peacefully in our society.

to Kelob re: | 3:15 p.m. July 11 | 4:19 p.m. July 11, 2009

You obviously don't KNOW what you are talking about. You are relying on inuendo, rumor, etc. I have sat in on far too many training sessions regarding even the suspicion of this type of crime to believe a thing that you say. If people have any doubts, they should talk to their bishops and ask what the protocol is.

Not Shocking at all | 4:26 p.m. July 11, 2009

I guess this one will top the next edition of "this week in holy crimes" list of the dirty deeds committed by America's religious rotten.

Arm of flesh | 4:32 p.m. July 11, 2009

Just because someone looks nice and puts on a front as being righteous person doesn't make them so. I have learned through the years being LDS that many active members aren't religious at all. They are living what they were brought up to live, and sometimes just doing things out of tradition and not religion.

Grover | 4:32 p.m. July 11, 2009

Almost 300 posts and no one has accused him of being a liberal or a socialist! Progress? The prosecutor must be a recent law school grad trying to get practice in charging offenders. He has been charged with everything under the sun save polygamy and trying to steal Cosmo! Let time sort this one out instead of trying to convict him in this comment board.

just me | 4:37 p.m. July 11, 2009

In all honesty i am shocked by this story. and i am shocked by alot of the comments.
dont you people have nothing better to do than judge this man!? or even the girl.
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone"
When all is said and done... Only 3 people truely know the truth in this. Thats Bro P, The Girl and Our heavenly Father.
the rest of you are pretty much clueless.

Anonymous | 4:54 p.m. July 11, 2009

All of the church quotes about pornography are getting old. A majority of men look at porn, and most of them never have affairs with underage girls. Blaming Bro. Pratt's poor decision making on porn--we don't even know if he looked at it--is fairly ridiculous. I know plenty of non-mormon men that view porn and they don't cheat on their wives or seduce young girls. There are probably tons of factors that contributed to Pratt's bad choices--maybe porn contributed, maybe not--but trying to blame it on anyone thing is silly. It sounds like Bro. Pratt had a positive impact on hundreds of students; the good he's done isn't undone because of his affair. He deserves the legal punishment he's bound to get, but the over-the-top slandering and arm-chair analysis is lame and unhelpful.

Observer | 5:07 p.m. July 11, 2009

Lone Peak Student | 12:38 p.m. July 11, 2009
"Bro Pratt helped me so much. He is friends with my aunt and uncle, he made me feel like i was the best person ever. BUT i CAN see him doing this. So many girls in his office ALL the time.. And he was flirty. My prayers go out to his family.."

No one can stress enough, why emotional attachment to the students should be a no no. Also make sure that another adult is on hand to be with you when there are students talking to you in your office. Also, I have no idea why Lone Peak High allowed someone to check out a student without the parents permission. Time to reveal that policy Lone Peak.

are ye without sin? | 5:11 p.m. July 11, 2009

He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone...

Shadow hunter | 5:14 p.m. July 11, 2009

This guy helped me fix my life. if he did do this,everything he helped and taught me is probably all a lie. Hes the only reason im in the church,theres no way this could have happened with the spirit he had, and taught with...I Still wish he was my seminary teacher, he was a great friend.

The Family | 5:49 p.m. July 11, 2009

The father of one of my friends was convicted of sexually abusing a 13 year old girl -- when he was about 75 -- and went to prison.

I went with my friend to visit her father in prison -- a horrible place. Separated from family, not many friends left. Family can visit, but he couldn't leave and visit them.

His wife and daughter were totally ostracized in their California Ward -- as if it was their fault. Here they were heart broken, deceived and let down by their husband and father, and just when they needed love and understanding and friendship and support, they got none, and their world was upside down.

How much a person in such a situation must struggle to understand, long for some normalcy, ache for love and support.

I hope people don't whisper behind this man's family's back. I hope they teach their children not to gossip. I hope, if he goes to prison, that people reach out to his family and treat them like normal people.

The family part two | 5:51 p.m. July 11, 2009

I hope people only to talk with the family about his WHEN AND IF the family broaches the subject, but otherwise just engage in normal activity. The family will NEED moments of normalcy.

They won't need constant sympathy, they won't need constant scrutiny, they will need normalcy, unless and until they trust one or two people enough to confide in them, and the who those people are is the family's choice.

AB | 5:54 p.m. July 11, 2009

I hope these kids can use the good they have gotten from this man and the good things he taught them, and relize that we are all capable of sin. Obviously what he has chosen to do is pretty serious stuff, however the atonement can heal all who has been involved in this situation. It does not mean that there may not be justice. I am sure there will be much tears and sorrow, and even then some.

I have a 16 year old and I could not imagine the anger and pain her family must be going through. I also hurt for his wife and children. It is if they will have the letter A printed on their foreheads. The lord Jesus Christ can heal this if they turn to him for healing and comfort. He can heal anything even without a scar. he is God.

John Pack Lambert | 5:56 p.m. July 11, 2009

To the 3:41 commentator,
So are you suggesting that any person over the age of 8 is guilty if they are involved in sexual relations? That is both scary and wrong.
You are also ignoring the position of authority issue. Here in Michigan in general the age of consent is 17, however sexual relations between a student in high school and a teacher are illegal, no matter the age of the student.

Anonymous | 6:09 p.m. July 11, 2009

You've blamed the girl

You've blamed pornography.

Why don't you put the blame squarely where it belongs-Brother Pratt.

He knew that this relationship was wrong. He knew it was against the law. He knew that he was cheating on his wife.

He did it anyway.

@Without sin | 6:11 p.m. July 11, 2009

Yes, I can honestly say i've never violated the trust of parents that put their children under my care!

mikes former student | 6:17 p.m. July 11, 2009

the reason the church fired him immediatley is because they cannot be associated with this kind of negatative news. that does NOT mean hes guilty. this guy was my teacher for both semesters of my senior year at high school. I dont know if he did these things or not but for all of you that have commented about how you 'cant really voice your opinion about this because you dont know all the facts', go to the fourth judicial disrict court on monday morning at 8:30 to find the facts. of course most of you wont go there because you dont really care about the guy and just wanted to join in the local gossip. but for those of you who actually do care i encourage you to come and hear all of the facts.

TO POST 3:28 p.m | 6:20 p.m. July 11, 2009

He is a 37 year old man & she is 16. Yes to some degree she knew what she was doing. However a 37 year old man that has been a seminary teacher/principal about as long as she has been alive. Please....Really now. There is way more of an issue with his part in it. I am sick of listening to people like you defend him. The guy gets talked about on this post like he is a hero. Read the article again & pay attention to the details of what the police have found. Wow...get your head out of the clouds people. If it was your 16 year old you would freak out & want him to get life in prison.

Jane | 6:27 p.m. July 11, 2009

I agree that we should be careful about judging too quickly, but I do think it's hypocritical to reserve judgement in this case, but throw ourselves into a tailspin regarding the gay men arrested at temple square. Most posts here are supportive of this man, yet the posts regarding the gay men are vindictive, judgemental, and self-righteous.

awsomeron | 6:31 p.m. July 11, 2009

He was put in a Position Of Trust. He violated that Trust apparently many times.

He is Married ad has kids. This will most likely destroy his family and some others who will use his failure as an excuse for their own failure.

According to the law, Youth is to be wasted among the young. 18 is the legal limit for being able to say yes with out an age spread coming into the picture.

The Victim, and we must call her that. Was to young to say Yes. The Male was by far Old enough to know better.

The checking her out of school thing is just plain weird. If I where the Parent I would be looking closely into that.

He is charged with some pretty heady stuff, so he had to get that from somewhere. Plus the desire for it at the cost of his Job, Family and Life as he knows it.

If she was 18, he would have done nothing illegal or against the law as the world sees. The big thing would be the violation of Trust and fooling around on his wife. Two years makes a big difference.

However No One Died.

please wait for the FACTS | 6:40 p.m. July 11, 2009

There is a HUGE difference between evidence presented in a court of law and speculation reported in a newspaper. Wait until the FACTS are in before you condemn someone who just might be innocent. A good friends husband was falsely accused by a student because she was mad at him. He was eventually totally cleared. Charges should never have been filed, but a witch hunt was underway and he got caught in the crossfire. When the entire story was very carefully analyzed, it was obvious she was lying and the truth came out. It was a horrific time for his wife, but she stood by him, thankfully.

me | 6:46 p.m. July 11, 2009

I was never a student of Brother Pratt's, but I did go to Lone Peak seminary. I would always see him walking through the hall with a big smile on his face, and wonderful countenance. I find it so hard to believe that this could be true. I hope and pray that he is innocent. Don't judge him if you don't know him. HAVE YOU SEEN THE EVIDENCE??? He and his family are in my prayers, as well as the victim and her family

skeptical | 6:46 p.m. July 11, 2009

I don't know anyone involved, but am somewhat skeptical. Sex in an abandoned mine? In a ravine behind her house? Awaiting a warrant to see exactly what the text messages say. What school allows some random adult to check a student out of school without parental permission?
I'll wait until the FACTS are presented in a court of law before I will condemn someone for terrible behavior.
Think about his wife and kids. They are most definitely innocent and seeing the mob mentality attacking their loved one without the benefit of sworn testimony is doing them a great disservice. They need lots of love and support whether he is guilty or not. IMO they're the real victims here. She was 16, not 6. Apparently she hadn't been paying much attention in seminary about what is right and what is wrong.

Mike H. | 6:53 p.m. July 11, 2009

We do need to see the evidence as it comes out in the Legal system.

If Michael Pratt is found guilt, he might get placed on the Sex Offender Registry, preventing any kind of careers around youth. If guilt, the time in prison could also be a lot.

If he confesses to it, or is found guilty, he will very likely loose his LDS Membership. What more do any of you want from the LDS? Burning at the stake? Hanging? Pres. James E. Faust said plainly those who use an LDS position of Leadership to abuse youth were never to work with youth again, unless they get First Presidency express permission, something not likely to happen.

anonymous | 6:54 p.m. July 11, 2009

I had Bro Pratt as a seminary teacher only two years ago. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. He helped me when I had problems just like he has done for many others. I personally do not see how he could do something like this. But if he did I will still love him. My prayers go out to him and his family along with the girl and her family

larry | 7:03 p.m. July 11, 2009

It's amazing how many people think he was a great guy because of his charisma and personality. Hopefully this will be a wakeup call to look beyond the talk & charm and realize that many people of wonderful character are hidden behind a bland personality. The devil would present himself as the sweetest, smartest, most caring, thoughtful & helpful guy in the world then move in for the kill.
The damage Brother Pratt has done to the faith & trust of our youth is immeasurable. If he was going to behave like trash, it would have been better if he had presented himself as such.

westg323 | 7:38 p.m. July 11, 2009

Convicted by the media. I hope not. Let's not call out the lynch mobs yet.
However, If it is true it is a stunning betrayal of his church and his position as teacher. I feel sorry for the damage done to the girl first of all, and to the families involved. This is an extremely isolated incident at most. I'm sure anti-Mormons will have a field day. They will try to say many seminary teachers do it.It is a wake up call for all parents.

feelbad | 7:52 p.m. July 11, 2009

This all started with one bad choice, I am embarrassed for his wife and family. I hope that they don't blame themselves and get the help they will need to get back the their self respect. I am very ashamed of this behavior from someone who works with young people. They should know better.

I was sixteen once | 8:01 p.m. July 11, 2009

(not LDS) and I was also in a serious love relationship that included being sexually active. Although my partner was 7 years older than I, there was NO WAY that I was a victim, just because I was sixteen! I made the choices that I wanted to make with no undue pressure from anyone. I was completing my senior year in high school and had also attended a two year college at the time.

In fact, just a generation or two ago, many girls were married at 16 and were considered old enough to be fully employed, be wives and mothers.

This is completely apart from this particular story, which, so sadly, concerns a married person in a position of trust. I am not in any way defending his actions if they are as reported and I have great sympathy for his wife and children who are truly the completely innocent victims in this case.

But I am rather tired of considering 16 year old young men and women to be "children". For goodness sake, when are we going to allow them to grow up--when they are 35?

Re: Student of Pratt | 8:05 p.m. July 11, 2009

You in some way have a twisted valid point. She trusted him and maybe thought she loved him because think about it, you love people you trust. However, do you remember how it was to be 16 (assuming you are older)? 16 year old kids are easily swayed whether they realize they are or not. They can be easily swayed into love, I mean think of all the cliche high school romances "I love the captain of the football team" but those romances are quick lived. She may not realize that she was taken advantage of which is obvious since she is admitting to it being "consensual' but she will most likely come to that hard realization. This is just a sad situation all around. I liked Bro. Pratt I never had him as a teacher but he taught at my school and everyone including me liked and respected him. My heart and prayers go out to all involved.

Why? | 8:22 p.m. July 11, 2009

I had Brother Pratt 2 years ago at Orem Jr. High. He was the most incredible man I have ever met. Everyone loved and looked up to this man. It's amazing how someone so great could fall like this. Prayers to the victim, her family, and Brother Pratt's family who I got the opportunity to meet when he was my teacher. Why Bro. Pratt? Why?

hmm... | 8:23 p.m. July 11, 2009

I know what he did was wrong, however we need to be careful about judging before the facts. Not from Lone peak but all my seminary teachers were great people from what I saw. We all have our personal demons, his just happened to be a big one. I realize that he is no where near a level of a Michael Jackson, or a Steve McNair on the fame scale. But they, like us, are on the same scale of imperfect and needing the Lord's Atonement. I understand the arrest and losing of job, because he did violate trust (as well as other things). If you were in his spot, you'd probably need more love than hate. So let's live the Golden Rule of the prophets. But at the same time, justice must be met, once the facts are figured out. my 2 cents anyways

Anonymous | 8:31 p.m. July 11, 2009

If I was the leader of an army, and this guy was on the opposing side, I would definitely want to have him taken out!

Perhaps because he did so much good, more effort was put into taking him down...not that he couldn't have stayed clear of this, but my life isn't over and I've already done things I wouldn't like to have published, so I don't want to be harsh.

If we try to imagine, "if this was my son..." or in the case of the young woman, "if this was my daughter" then we might get more of an idea of how Heavenly Father is viewing this, and an idea of how we should view this and what each of us could do about it.

Certainly this should serve as a warning to all of us that no matter how much talent we have or how much good we do, we are not invulnerable to temptation. Maybe at this moment others are being tempted similarly. We might all be more careful for ourselves, and in this way perhaps his misdeeds could save some more souls.

Ky | 8:44 p.m. July 11, 2009

Brother Pratt is a great teacher and from what I saw a great Dad! The mistakes he made were immense and terrible. But I learned so much from him and he has helped me make some good decisions in my life. They were both at wrong and they can both recover from this terrible time in their lives. Please pray for all those involved. My love and fast goes to the Brother Pratt's Family. (Such great Kids)

Clear territory | 8:50 p.m. July 11, 2009

I wonder sometimes if too many seminary teachers try a little too hard to be close to their students and sometimes in their efforts, they walk in grey territory that isn't very safe. It is in that grey territory that good people fall. No teenage girl needs to be emotionally close to an older man/teacher. What she needs is a teacher who will lead the way spiritually - such as obeying firm limits in how a married man should behave around young women. That would be something she would always remember. Seminary teachers shouldn't get involved in popularity contests. Then they have left the leadership role and become similar to an adolescent themselves.

Supporting your LDS Guy | 8:54 p.m. July 11, 2009

I agree, wait and see how it pans out, thats the way these cases should ALWAYS be treated according to our constitution, but be honest with yourselves, if this was a blue-collar non-mormon with a lds girl you would all be calling for his head!

Anonymous | 9:04 p.m. July 11, 2009

All of you that are repetedly saying, "don't be the first to judge," and "quit pointing fingers," have obviously not been reading the comments. They are overwhelmingly in support of the man. If this was not an LDS man you would all be crying for him to be burned at the stake and you know it.

Next time a non-member is accused, maybe you could be so kind to remember this lesson but I seriously doubt it. You are just as judgemental as anyone else, probably more so. Just protecting one of your own here. Now to show this kind of love for a non-mormon would be truely christ-like.

Lettie | 9:26 p.m. July 11, 2009

Why is it that when the hero falls down, from a pedestal that we put him on, he's automatically a bad guy?

What about the girl? 16 year old girls can be vulnerable, but they can also be manipulative.

Remember that the law states innocent until proven guilty, and most of us are not involved in this case, why are we convicting him without a trial?

I feel for the victim and I feel for the families. And I feel for the guy, who, being human, and erroneously convicted before a trial.

Remember this moment, and remember how it feels... because when the dust settles, and the smoke clears, and everyone makes it thru this, because they will, hope and pray that if we ever make any sort of human error, be it large, like this, or small and "unimportant", that those who were in positions like this, will be as kind and loving as we are supposed to be.
All that anyone can do right now is pray for the truth to come out, and that justice be done.

Anonymous | 9:44 p.m. July 11, 2009

All Men and Women in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVED GUILTY. Anybody can make an alligation against you. If the news media puts it it the newspaper does that mean you committed the Crime?

Sarah Nichole | 9:57 p.m. July 11, 2009

It certainly sounds as if Brother Pratt is guilty of this crime, with the large amount of evidence involved, and if he is he should pay the full price for it. If he's not, that will come out in due time.

But to those of you who say that Seminary teachers should keep the kids at arm's length and not get involved with them, you're missing a huge point. If a Seminary teacher is any good, he or she WILL get involved with the students-not romantically speaking, but with their lives and interests. Haven't you seen all of these posts by people who say this man touched their life and helped them through dificult times?

If students are active in Seminary-and by that I mean not just attending because their parents make them, but actively take part in the discussions, ask questions, make comments, etc.-then they WILL form a bond with their teacher. There's no possible way to avoid it. That's why you see so many teachers attending mission farewells and wedding receptions.

This man apparently crossed a line he shouldn't have crossed, but teachers are there to help.

Anonymous | 9:57 p.m. July 11, 2009

I have posted two comments now that are not being printed. And everyone wonders why L.D.S marriages struggle as much as the "world" does. Mormons do not want to understand the truth.

hey you guys | 10:05 p.m. July 11, 2009

I also have posted comments upon comments that have not been posted supporting relationships that are consensual. There is no magical mature age. Anyway this probably wont get posted either

Yawn | 10:12 p.m. July 11, 2009

You people all drive me crazy. "He was such a good man." PLEASE, he's still a good man. He's allegedly done some crazy stuff, but look at our own history people, there were some leaders of our church who dated girls much younger.

I sure hope none of you make any mistakes or all of your peers will string you up too.

It's sad that he allegedly got caught up in this situation, but mostly sad that all of his peers (you) will never forgive him.

RE: Anonymous @ 9:57 | 10:20 p.m. July 11, 2009

Oh, please. Mormons understand "the truth" just fine. Believe it or not, we aren't idiots who can't read and process information or think for ourselves.

While LDS marriages that are not performed in the temple have about the same divorce rates as everybody else, LDS temple marriages have a 6-9% divorce rate, depending on the study. That's considerably lower than the "world."

So what, exactly, is your point?

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