Deseret News | No longer performing child-bride marriages?

Reader comments
No longer performing child-bride marriages?

Anonymous | 5:23 a.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Had the polygomist in the office and didn't do a thing. They should have arrested them right there.

Laytonian | 10:07 a.m. Sept. 9, 2007

So our AG believes them, when they say they're not doing anything illegal?

That's the extent of investigation, in Utah?

Attention, all criminals: just say "I'm not doing anything wrong" and our AG will believe you.

Utahn who escaped | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 9, 2007

I call BS! My best friend dissapeared at the age of 14, was brainwashed, and "Married" when she was 15. She gave birth to the son of a polygamist cult leader in a foster home. She was not given a real choice, and has never been the same. There should be more strict laws against this.

Comments continue below

observer | 11:27 a.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Utahn who escaped...you should get your info to the appropriate authorities.

Annon | 1:54 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Sounds like they are trying to convince themselves they are doing the right thing. It's against the law, that's it. Now one should be doing it, if so they should be punished. I agree with the comments made above, you had a law breaker with you and you did nothing about it, that makes you as bad as they are.

Laytonian | 4:33 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Nothing's going to change, until the political leadership of this state changes.

No one's going to rock the boat, no one's going to stand up for what's right, and no one's going to admit who's ALL involved.

If you believe it's right in heaven, you can't believe it's wrong on earth.

Rich | 4:53 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

WOW.....I so can't wait to move to Utah.....

Carl | 6:57 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Laytonian:

You've got it right! They can't have it both ways!!

Carl | 8:33 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Would anyone dare bring up the fact that Joseph Smith married several teenagers in polygamy?

John | 8:49 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Being an ancestor of polygamy(as most utahn's are)all I got out of it is being related to most of you here in utah. Some pretty famous ones at that.

Is it political? | 9:00 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Does this have anything to do with the association the rest of the country has with Mitt Romney. Outside of Utah, there are still many who think that all Mormons are into polygamy.That idea is hard to change, when the going age for marriage is 19.
I was a child involved in the 1950's round up and consequent banishment of polygamous fathers. I would have been much better off had the law not gone after my biological father. Just what type of men do you think date and go after single, naive, vulnerable ex-polygamy wives with small children? Women who are taught to bow to the male authority. Do you just suppose there are dozens of nice concerned men waiting to re-marry them in high and holy buildings? WRONG. In my case, and sadly in the case of so many children like myself, pedophiles step in and give us a horrific life which was so much worse than if the law had just left us alone. So all of you who think it is best to just bust them up, and jail the Fathers, think about the children who are left. Think about the rest of a person's life and how it will turn out. .If you must go on a rampage, then how about starting within the walls of the 'perfect families' and start seeing what is happening to so many Utah children. Leave the polygamous families to practice the religion they have sworn to alone...Because the children are the ones who will really suffer.

former St. George resident | 9:22 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

One of the most disturbing things about living in St. George was the Polygs! The women make no eye contact, your heart breaks for them, you want to yell "RUN" and the men have their "boys" with them on the job at VERY young ages and the whole thing is illegal and a mess. Glad to get out of St. George! Only in Utah!

Sarah Kimball? | 9:28 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Age 14 I believe!

In Utah with parents consent at 16? Wynn Jessop gave Warren Jeffs a new carpet, for Nichole Knudson and father Paul consented. It is not just for a child when the father too is a plig. I trade your daughter for one of mine!

Age of consent was 16, it applies to the first wife, not as a 2nd or 3rd wife. The male "actor" or counterpart can only be 10 years the girls senior, under the law. Mr. Shurtleff, tell me that is correct?

With the organized or fringe fundamentalist, rules don't apply, you always ignore what they say and do the math. Age of mother and age of child, if no records exist, there can be only one reason!

If it quacks, its a duck!

See Ben W., still have one hand in the opinion game.

Michelle | 9:49 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

First of all, Joseph Smith's marriages were over 200 years.

Second, polygamy was declared null and void by the church when it became illegal in Utah and the United States.

Third, polygamists are NOT Mormons!

Last, regarding their statements of no more child brides - Yeah, right!

Anonymous | 10:13 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

I fully support the prosecution and incarceration of those who commit incest, child abuse, and sexual abuse. But consenting adults entering polygamy - that's another thing. You've got my support, Mr. Shurtleff. Don't be afraid to go after the abusers, and you will have the support of the "polygamists."

Utahkeith | 10:22 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Why so much bigotry? Look at some of these comments, not even an attempt at understanding or reconciling, just finger-pointing and blame, prejudice and discontent. Everyone loves to jab at the "Mormons", yet we just sit back and take it, and continue to love and accept and feel sorry for those who lack fortitude to try to understand or have any feelings for others. Some things need attention, and are getting it, but some of you are a sad lot. Carl, who are the "teenage girls", names and the names of the children they bore him please? Nobody doubts the marriages, I question the morality you seem to question so quickly. Shame on humanity, at least those without the decency to honor the right of others ability to worship as they see fit (LDS Faith) without criticizing it. May God Bless you.

Man of God | 10:42 p.m. Sept. 9, 2007

Since when does the word of God tell a man to force people to do things? Many things are done "in the name of" God which shall be condemned by Him. We forgot the greatest commandment God gave to each one of us, "Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength." and # 2 "Love your nieghbor as yourself." Amen.

mieoux | 2:28 p.m. Sept. 11, 2007

The sole purpose of any religion is to control other people. It was invented by human beings who wanted to control others. Yes, your God is an invention of another person and your heaven and hell are a figment of the imaginations of the people who wrote the books you follow blindly. There is no hell, there is not God and religious people are all stupid sheep who can't think for themselves. Abuse happens everywhere but religion allows people to justify and institutionalize the bad things they want to do to others. I think all religion should be banned, it not only breeds monsters but it further dulls the minds of the already dull masses.

jj | 1:51 a.m. Sept. 15, 2007

Hello, this isn't about religion, be it lds or Flds. This isn't about being obedient or loosing your place in some celestial kingdom. It is about the mere acts of sex upon minors. It's about children being robbed of their youth, virginity, and self-esteem. Children are not intended to be baby making machines for a bunch of rickedy old men. I do feel that something has to be done in order to stop this demented mentality where the prophets are concerned. Since the LDS groups no longer practice poly. Then why don't the LDSers become wiser in fixing the problem that looms right in their back yard??? It's quiet apparent that it isn't best for federal level to assist, and it's quiet apparent that state level/law enforcement isn't helping??? (like we don't know why-yea).
So, my idea of help would be for the LDS to work with a 3rd party (non-biased) outside professional mediation service who's able to hear the pros & cons from both sides and make a binding decision (that no one has paid off).
I think if one isn't part of helping this problem, then one is probably part of the problem. I think it's time that LDSers step up to the plate on this one. They certainly have enough missionaries to go around the world several times. But meanwhile, look at what's going on in the backyard???

I am not blaming the LDS for anything, I am only trying to find a solution that would better assist the youth that are stuck in these various situations and feel that there is no way out. Allow the poly world to revolve with adults. But please do something about incest & minors.

Azael | 10:39 p.m. Sept. 29, 2007

If the law would recognize and legalize polygamy as the civil rights issue among consenting adults of legal age that it is and if the Mormon Church would likewise recognize that, despite the 1890 Manifesto, polygamy is still a doctrine of the Church and still found in Section 132 of the Doctrine & Covenants, which doctrine has never been rescinded or stripped from that book of claimed "revelations," then polygamy among consenting adults of legal age would no longer be criminalized and those guilty of sexual abuse in such communities would no longer have a place of refuge in which to hide and perpetrate their crimes with impunity. It's not polygamy among consenting adults that is the problem, but instead sexual abuse by those hiding in their midst. Legalize polygamy and the abusers lose the insulating protection of their communities as victims would then have no fear of prosecution of themselves or their families and friends in reporting to the authorities the abuses and crimes suffered.

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