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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School has a problem | 10:21 p.m. July 11, 2009

Since when did a high school allow a seminary teacher to check a student out of school?

Legally-speaking, a seminary teacher is a teacher at a private school. A teacher at a private school may NOT check a student out during the time that student should be in public school. They only have supervisory authority during the time that the student is "released" to attend their private school. That is why it is called "released-time" seminary. ONLY a legal guardian can check a student out of school during the time that student should be attending class in a public school. If the school did release the student into the custody of the seminary teacher, the school has possible legal problems.

I am a proud exMormon | 10:29 p.m. July 11, 2009

I makes me scared to live in Utah reading all of the comments supporting this guy. And yet the Mormons are angry over the gay couple that kissed on temple square the other day. What truly twisted and disturbing morals God fearing people have.

Dru | 10:30 p.m. July 11, 2009

He is not the first nor the last seminary teacher to do something like this. I even saw this sort of this happen out side of happy valley Utah. From many of the comments above it sounds as if he is alreadt proven innocent by just being a nice guy. I feel for the family on both sides. As this goes to trial the hardship will fall hard on the victim and this guys poor wife who has to face family and friends. One bright light in this is the LDS church will have couseling for both the family and victim for the rest of thier lives.

Comments continue below

anonymous | 10:32 p.m. July 11, 2009

Brother Pratt made a big influence on my decision to serve a mission. I'm grateful for that and I know that he is a great man. I know that we all fall at times but I guess that this is just an example to show that no one is immune to Satan's temptations. I pray for him and especially his family and for anyone else involved.

Anonymous | 10:37 p.m. July 11, 2009

I understand that. My "point" was not printed. I tried to say that a marriage is an equal partnership. that is, a mans failure is part his wifes failure. But nobody has printed or said anything about this

Jared Bodine | 11:02 p.m. July 11, 2009

Brother Pratt is the best man I've ever met! For those of you who don't know him...I wish you all the best, however, this man has changed my families lives and it is not our place to condemn him. His choices were wrong however, I pray that we look to the good he has done and remember it. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and am so grateful that through his atonement, Brother Pratt can come back into the fold.

Gus | 11:09 p.m. July 11, 2009

Ok, I'm interested to see how this guy's punishment compares to the punishment given to the two female teachers in Davis county who are guilty of the same crime. The first female teacher appears to be getting off easy.

Thinking Twice . . . is Good | 11:30 p.m. July 11, 2009

I heard about this and it made my heart ache. I ache for Pratt because of the hurt this story has caused him and his family, and the girl along with her family too. True or not, I do not judge him, nor her, it is not my place. People make mistakes and they need love and support not mean comments. Everyone one involved is affected and it takes a higher power to help forgive the deed. We are all equal and are no better, so it is better to have compassion instead of judgment. Leave it to God. He makes the rules, we don't. Keep that in mind. It will be a long road back when the hurt has passed and behind them; "even though the sin be as scarlet. . . ." It will take a bigger person to stand by his side and walk through it with him for US to understand no one is perfect and He who was perfect died for all of us. Don't forget that Pratt's innocent until proven otherwise.

Matt | 11:32 p.m. July 11, 2009

It's sad, but if these allegations are true, all the good that Pratt may have done in his career, and his life, for that matter, while not erased, is completely outweighed by these despicable actions. Make no mistake, while the girl involved may have known to some degree what she was doing, this man is far more responsible.

Finally!!! | 11:36 p.m. July 11, 2009

News Flash...I absolutely agree!

Sounds Familiar | 11:38 p.m. July 11, 2009

We had a seminary teacher who taught for years in the (out of state) seminary program. He was practically worshiped by the kids in his classes, and was so spiritual and yada yada yada.

However, he became enamored with my sister, and through (quote) spiritual couseling, crossed the line. He said a few things she thought were weird, but she shrugged them off because her inexperienced teenage mind didn't realize the meaning behind 'I wish my wife were more like you.' He made physical contact a few times, nothing overtly sexual, but definitely over the line of propriety.

Looking back she realizes what he was doing, and sees how far it COULD have gotten out of hand, had she responded to his advances.

This story does not shock me one ioda. Sad, but true. Who can you trust, if not the seminary principle? I am just glad I am not the mother reading the explicit text messages sent between the two. Sad, sad, sad.

Serious Charges Filed | 12:03 a.m. July 12, 2009

These are serious charges that police/prosecutors have filed. This isn't just a rumor being passed around a neighborhood. Yes, innocent until proven guilty, nevertheless, charged with so many unimaginable crimes for someone in a religious position of trust with impressionable youth.

Witch-Hunt | 12:21 a.m. July 12, 2009

Welcome to Salem, feel free to point out any witches...
I echo the previous cries for reason. The article's languages is slightly preemptive, which may account for the need for so many "guilty until innocent" comments. I greatly respect Michael, and consider him a good friend. No news would be more surprising than to find that there was actual evidence supporting these accusations. However, I don't find it surprising that a student accused a teacher of this act - This same scene happened twice in my junior high, and it was later shown that the student's derision of the teacher was the basis of the accusations.

Objective Mother | 12:22 a.m. July 12, 2009

Observed skinny dipping and hundreds of texts some sexually explicit....For those who doubt the possibility of Bro. Pratt and such actions, reread the article. He is innocent until proven guilty, but he is charged, and people who aren't suspects, aren't charged, there is too much liability for police/prosecutores to charge people frivilously.

I'm glad he helped many people, and if you are one of them, his alleged acts with this girl don't have to diminish the help he was to you. His help for you was real. And like his help for you, this seems to be real or charges wouldn't be filed. I feel very sad that this is so traumatic for so many people.

To judge or not to judge | 12:23 a.m. July 12, 2009

God is not the only one that can judge. A judge is going to judge what his punishment is going to be based on the facts. There would be a big problem if we had no judges in a courtroom to judge this sort of problem. It is an illusion to think that man are going to make no judgments at all. Go back and read the post at 4:16 p.m. July 11. Part of it says the following:

"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?"

This individual has it right on. EVERY PERSON on this post is making a judgment one way or another.

Sounds very familiar | 12:46 a.m. July 12, 2009

I believe something similar happened in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It's interesting that a society can be turned on its own head by a bunch of students squirming around a shouting, "Witch! Witch!"
Due process anyone?

Not Blinded Blair | 2:15 a.m. July 12, 2009

Why is everyone so quick to convict a man off of allegations with out any proof yet. Is his word really not worth anything. I am sure, for anyone who knows Mike, they will agree that as shameful as this seems, until with out a shadow of a doubt he is innocent until proven guilty. He deserves the benefit of the doubt that this little girl could possibly be trying to get attention or have some other motive. Treat him as you would like to be treated and let the judicial system find the truth!!

"The Girl's" Dad | 8:52 a.m. July 12, 2009

Everyone is talking about that which they do not know. The article included a briefing of evidence compiled and presented to authorities, and included in the "Probable Cause" document presented to the judge by the DA. "Grooming" was used in the article, this is a professional term used to describe how victims are brought to this point. There is so much more evidence that my wife and I gathered as we became suspicious and worked to get proof, but because this is a legal matter, I cannot disclose this information on this posting. For the record, it is our understanding that he checked her out of school by saying on the phone that he was her dad.

We did not want this to be public, but the media made it so. My heart aches for his sweet wife and their children, but it is breaking for my daughter. Please, please, please, for the sake of his family and my daughter,stop the postings, and move on to something else.

DON'T ATTACK US!!! | 10:18 a.m. July 12, 2009

For all of you who decide to find the excuse to attack the church for this please don't. Bad things happen in every religion, every race, every culture. Yes, something very wrong MAY have just happened, but that doesn't make it the Church's fault. Hate never solves anything.

stay strong! | 10:18 a.m. July 12, 2009

Now we all have learned that no matter where we are at and what we are doing in our lives, anything can happen to us. We need to stay strong and always stand in holy places. Satans real and we need to stay strong!! Even the best fall down sometime! But dont let it happen to you!

Universal | 10:45 a.m. July 12, 2009

There are many supportive comments towards this man.

Yet when looking around at other stories on this website, many of the comments are often snippy and disrespectful.

The sign of a true Christlike person is one that has a compassionate and forgiving attitude towards all, not just those in his/her inner circle.

The Dad | 11:08 a.m. July 12, 2009

What has been written is only a summary of some of the evidence that has been compiled. The media only has what was presented in a one page Probable Cause statement. "Groomed" as used in the article is a professional term describing how victims are over time manipulated to engage in activity they otherwise wouldn't. There is much more evidence that has been accumulated, and will become public as the case unfolds. Our heart aches for his sweet wife and children, and our hearts are broken for our daughter. Please for everyone's sake, stop the postings.

The Dad | 11:10 a.m. July 12, 2009

For the record, in the Alpine school district, anyone that represents they are the parent, apparently can check your child out of school over the phone. We thought she was at school when much of this was going on.

Consensual? | 11:16 a.m. July 12, 2009

I've only skimmed the comments so I don't know if anyone had addressed this issue. The article reports that the sheriff's sergeant said the acts were consensual. No. It doesn't matter what the circumstances were, as long as she is under age, the young woman is a victim and anyone who says otherwise should be disciplined. That sergeant was way out of line for saying such a thing to the media.

Re: I am a proud exMormon | 12:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

We aren't saying he's just a great guy and that's it. We are also very saddened and shocked about what he did. People are just trying to be positive and not be judging. They are just trying to remember all the good things he's done. That's all. They aren't defending him by any means, they are simply staying positive but are VERY SAD about what happened to their once good friend Brother Pratt.

My feelings of Brother Pratt. He was a great friend to me personally. I was a senior last year @ Lone Peak High School and I never had him for seminary, but I remember going into seminary one day and he stopped me in the hall and complimented me just out of the blue! I've never uttered a word to the guy and he was telling me what a good person I was. That made me feel special from that moment on. He also taught me a lot about the church and a lot about how to prepare for a mission. I will be forever grateful for his influence. Prayers go out to him and his family at this time.

rachael | 2:06 p.m. July 12, 2009

wow.. this guy ... i can't believe that. THis last year i was in his office multiple times talking with him. But i always sensed there was something not right with him. He seemed fake. This is sad. I pray for his wife and kids that they will heal from this.

God Bless Us Everyone | 2:30 p.m. July 12, 2009

Mike, we love you and are praying for you, your family, and the accuser & her family. Keep the faith brother, keep the faith!

I'm reminded of your great-great grandfather, Parley, and the times he was put in prison falsely and he became a better disciple of Christ through those experiences. I don't know if these are false accusation or not, but either way, we love you and appreciate the wonderful things you have done with your life so far and the positive impact you have been able to make on the lives of so many, and the many wonderful things you will yet do with your life after this challenge has passed. The Son of Man hath descended below them all, art thou greater than He?

Mason | 2:40 p.m. July 12, 2009

how does all this commenting actually help anything?

Rediculous... | 2:57 p.m. July 12, 2009

I'm a student at lone peak and attended seminary where he was principle. I honestly don't know what to think. Brother pratt was always the one person everyone told all their problems and everything to. I really want to think that this is all just a scam but I doubt that it is. I guess that this just shows that NO ONE is exempt to craziness and disfunction. If the one person that so many people@lp looked up to is no longer an example and now more of an embarassment it seriously makes me wonder who you can trust. If all the allegations prove to be true it would seriously make me consider un-enrolling out of seminary for the up coming school year...

Re: Rediculous... 2:57 post | 3:29 p.m. July 12, 2009

Your comment is a perfect example why none of us can build ourselves and the foundation of our lives on anyone or anything, save Jesus Christ (Hel. 5:12). Everyone and everything else has the capacity to fall, and when we are built on these foundations we will, unintentionally, fall also. Don't give up on Seminary if this man is found guilt of the charges that he's accused of. Trust me, there are reasons for you to keep strong and doing what you know to be true that so far transcend this ugly and unfortunate event. You build on Christ and no matter what happens to you in your life you will be just fine. In fact better than fine, you will be better for having whethered the storm. Hence, no one is now, ever has been, nor ever will be genuinely happy who trust's deeply in the arm of flesh. But just the opposite is true when we trust completely in God and his Holy Son. Hang in there, better time are ahead for all.

Lone Peak Student | 3:38 p.m. July 12, 2009

My parents totally got after me for sluffing seminary, obvious I knew what I was doing....

A Viewpoint from South Provo 1 | 4:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

A tough allegation, but none of us really know what happened here.

CHECKING HER OUT OF SCHOOL UNLIKELY:

Checking her out of school is a longshot because that alone is enough to have all kinds of attention drawn to him. His signature would be on the LP release form and that would be tough for him to explain and could lead to possible disciplinary action from CES. Checking someone out of school goes beyond a text message, an on-site interview, or a phone call. Seems unlikely that a man of Pratt's stature/reputation would be that bold and brazen. Not sure if I buy it, unless there was a death in the girls family but that would likely go through the family and the school, not the seminary.

NO CHARGES FILED UPON ARREST:

I find it interesting to note that arrested him and are holding him and have yet to officially charge him with anything. In other words, he was arrested for suspicion but nothing more. $20,000 bail for what the Sheriff says could amount to over 20 felonies? If the judge had a pile of evidence from the District Attorney's Office (Please keep reading)

A Viewpoint from South Provo 2 | 4:19 p.m. July 12, 2009

(read above) bail would have been at least $250,000 for the felonies that have been alleged. $20,000 is the sign of a judge may lack sufficient evidence to hold a person, combined with trying to stay out of the press him/herself by not putting the bail amount too low. Upon Pratt's arrest, the DA had very little on this guy. If they did, the judge would have known and set the bail amount hire, charges would have been immediately and officially filed, and the media would have been fed with a mountain of evidence. None of that happened surrounding the suspect's arrest.

NO STRONG WITNESSES

The Sheriff has released that someone saw the alleged victim and suspect skinny dipping in south Utah County. If this witness was strong and absolutely certain that it was the girl and Pratt, the Sheriff would have likely made more of a case of it. Furthermore, skinny-dipping is a nighttime activity, and allegedly all of these activities occurred during the day. I can't picture my seminary teacher taking me skinny dipping during school hours no matter how hot I was. (continued below)

A viewpoint from South Provo 4 | 4:30 p.m. July 12, 2009

(read from above) The likelihood of Pratt being able to 'cover up' his apparently brazen activities with the girl for so long is unlikely. Another student, faculty member, or CES employee would likely have taken action against Pratt long before he had a dozen daylight/school-time liasons with the girl.

I myself was falsely accused by two girls when I was in high school, both felonious allegations, neither of which were even close to the truth. As a juvenile, bail does not exist so I was held for 18 days on one of the charges before the girl changed her story and I was released. I can tell you from personal experience that the unthinkable does happen. And none of us really know the story on what happened here with Pratt. Let's leave it to due process of law, and more importantly, to God.

Caligirl19 | 5:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

That is not right....seminary teachers should be people that youc an go to to get help. and they shouldnt be txting them. that is not right. What girl in her right mind would do that.... That isnt a smart thing

Interesting to note that: | 5:20 p.m. July 12, 2009

South Provo is not a lawyer and knows little about this case. He has seen no evidence except what has been presented here in this Court of Newspaper babel.

I'm sure that there is strong evidence for this case. But let's let the real experts handle the case and let us wanna-be's just read about it.

Just wondering... | 5:25 p.m. July 12, 2009

After reading so many comments from former students I am left wondering if they still teach spelling and grammar in the schools.

Nancy | 5:30 p.m. July 12, 2009

If true. This just shows how no one is immune from Satans Temptations. You are never so good that you can step into Satans territory without getting hurt and hurting so many others along the way. May God have mercy on His soul.

Victim? | 5:42 p.m. July 12, 2009

I would like to see all these young juveniles who are condemning this teenage girl in 20 years to ask them how they would like a 37 year old man hitting on their 16 year old daughter. Would you then condemn your daughter and slap this good ol' boy on the back?

anonymous | 5:42 p.m. July 12, 2009

im really glad that i didnt have him as a teacher. the other teachers are so much better.

Love when times are hard | 6:00 p.m. July 12, 2009

This world would be such a better place if we could show more love to one another, especially when times get tough. Brother Pratt was my favorite seminary teacher by far back when he was first getting started. Everyone loved him and I'd go back and visit even after I graduated and he was always there to help out and make sure you were doing what was right. Nobody is perfect and if he is guilty or not, he will remain my fav. It is just so sad that this had to happen and so many people have to suffer, especially Bro Pratt, but that's what the Atonement is for and Christ did it out of love and we should continue to love for we all make mistakes.

a parent that knows | 6:18 p.m. July 12, 2009

All that is required to check a student out of school in the Alpine School District is a phone call from someone purporting to be one of the parents. There is no verification. I have found that my son's friends have checked him out of school saying they are me. It is easily done, and the parents have no clue.

a friend | 6:30 p.m. July 12, 2009

Brother Pratt you will always remain my favorite seminary teacher!!! You were a friend through it all, even after I graduated. I know we all make mistakes for no one is perfect and that's why we have the Atonement. There is so much love and so many prayers out there for you and your family and all involved. I hope and pray this passes quickly for everyone. Good luck and know people will always love you no matter what happens for you have done a lot of good out there!

kez | 6:34 p.m. July 12, 2009

brother pratt is a good man. he was a good man and he still is. its saddening that everyone slips up... but you know what? that's life. I don't think anyone should be condemning him based on what they don't know... actually we shouldn't condemn him period. All I know is that he helped me in so many ways, and I respect him just as much today as i did months ago.

Don't buy it | 7:07 p.m. July 12, 2009

Hey good morman folks, just some random thoughts from a gentile.

1. The guy is a HYPOCRITE.
2. He should be in jail
3. I hope his wife takes him to the cleaners.
4. Sure Satan was involved but he still had the opportunity to say no. He failed bigtime.
5. This guy didn't just have a crush on a student, he checked her out of school! What?

There is no satan made me do it, he did it of his own accord.

later

Anonymous | 7:08 p.m. July 12, 2009

SHAME ON LDS for taking sides with a pervert. SHAME ON THE CHURCH! YOU PEOPLE ARE IN THE HANDS OF SATAN! SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!

Can't believe it | 7:26 p.m. July 12, 2009

This is a disgusting piece of modern Mormon history. I cannot believe what i am reading here. Don't any of you people have any sense of compassion for this young girl? LDS people are truly lacking morals in every which way. I will never come back on Deseret News on seeking knowledge of the LDS faith for i see exactly how your culture thinks--you are not a religious group by any means. And you LDS are no one i would ever choose to associate with.

Matt | 7:39 p.m. July 12, 2009

Don't buy it-this Mormon, and many others like me totally agree with you when you say that (making the assumption that he's guilty) Mr. Pratt "still had the opportunity to say no to Satan". This man was not forced or coerced to make these choices, he made them himself. Also, I'm sorry, but if Pratt did these things, I don't see how anyone could say that he's currently a "good man". He may well have been at some point, and he may have made a positive impact on peoples' lives, but not all sin is created equal. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past, if you cheat on your wife, betray your position of trust and allow an opening for enemies of your church, I think it's safe to say that you've crossed the line from a good person who did bad things to a bad person who did good things. Until and unless Pratt pays his debt to society, to his family, to the people he's hurt and disillusioned and most importantly to his God, please stop the "He's still a good man" nonsense.

No one immune | 7:40 p.m. July 12, 2009

Whether or not this man is guilty remains to be seen. Many people seem to be saying the allegations are surely a lie because he is a "great guy", "spiritual guy", etc.

Anyone remember Ted Haggard (A leader of an evangelical movement in Colorado Springs who was busted three years back after hiring a gay prostitute), how about Governor Sanford in South Carolina, Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, or countless others. No one is immune.

Perhaps some would say that the above people aren't "Mormons" and that only Mormons are immune. Anyone ever heard of John C. Bennett? He was a very close associate of Joseph Smith and deceived brother Joseph for several years before he was found to be a terrible fornicator and adulterer. In the early LDS church, almost every member of the first presidency and most members of the Quorum of the Twelve apostatized at some point - many did come back and for most it wasn't sexual sin. No one is immune from Satan.

I wouldn't trust a seminary teacher, home teacher, Bishop, Stake president, Rabbi, Pastor, Ayatollah, President of the U.S.A., Priest, Archbishop, Pope, with my children

we all make mistakes | 8:02 p.m. July 12, 2009

"he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone"

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