Deseret News | Witness recounts 'complete despair,' betrayal in testimony against polygamist leader Jeffs

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Witness recounts 'complete despair,' betrayal in testimony against polygamist leader Jeffs

tsm | 2:33 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

This young woman is courageous and a just God will see that justice is carried out. I pray that her belief in God isn't forever tainted by her early introduction to a "religion" that didn't respect her as a human being.

Anonymous | 2:41 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Wow, this is a very sad, sick story, and I feel bad for this poor woman. I can only hope that sometime in life she will find happiness and peace to replace the trauma that has undoubtedly left an indelible scar. I hope she will know that this is not, nor was ever her fault. This is just another example of the sick world that we live in. There is far too much rationalization for far too many things that go on.

TD | 2:55 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Sad, sad story.

Comments continue below

BC | 2:57 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

I fear for her safety. This clan will come after her for years to come.

DEBATER | 3:20 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

encouraged or enticed

...sect leader enticed Doe....

DID THE pre-trial judge say that this Trial Case is about "SEDUCTION-TO-ILLEGAL SEX."

Read between the lines.

wow | 3:26 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

good story Deseret News ..it informs on how the thinking is please keep also in mind the Lost Boys as these are generations of people. I thought this was outlawed..very courageous people to stand against these believers..how many more are suffering at the hands of these kind of thieves right now by thieves I mean of innocense, dignity, respect all for one of the ly sins . How smooth are the words to make a wrong seem right.

AW | 3:38 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

One of the saddest things about this story is that it is happening over and over and over again to a lot of young girls. How many other children are having to live this nightmare. I think this girl should be congratulated for testifying against this terrible way of life. She is a very brave girl. I really admire her for doing this. It can't be easy for her. After reading her sad story it really makes me thankful for the life I have had. I certainly don't have any room to complain about anything! compared to her.

Zak | 4:25 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Hmmm... i wonder if Moses Mother felt complete dispair when she was married to her great nephew?

mcs | 4:44 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

As sad and despicable as this behaviour in Utah is, the same sort of thing is happening to girls and young women in Bountiful, British Columbia. And our attorney-general does nothing but appoint special prosecutor after special prosecutor to look for loopholes so the legal dithering may continue.
These girls need to be offered rescue just as abused women are, to get them away from the sect , out of harm's way, where they can lead the life of a child.

Yet another reason | 5:00 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

to let go of religion. It's toxic to a sane world.

Zak | 6:09 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Honestly do you really think this is okay? Are you that twisted?

jj | 6:14 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

This is not any religion of the God I know, it is the religion of Warren Jeffs.
I certainly feel, for the wrong that was done to this girl/woman. I can only imagine that the trauma of this kind of life will not go away any time soon. This kind of wrong can never be fixed, to as it were before (where this female is concerned). I pray that the jury is led to see the facts and that W. Jeffs serves a lifetime where he may better become acquanted with a typical jailhouse version of control. He may only then: realize what it's like to be on the RECEIVING end of such activity (against his will).

I think that something must be done in order to save the young people among the compounds. Don't these youngsters deserve the same quality of life and freedom that were intended
As I've said all along, even the Mother bird takes care of her offspring better than this.

Anonymous | 8:59 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Give me that old time religion
Tis the old time religion,
Tis the old time religion,
And it's good enough for me.

It was good for our mothers.
It was good for our mothers.
It was good for our mothers.
And it's good enough for me.

Give me that old time religion
Tis the old time religion,
Tis the old time religion,
And it's good enough for me.

Makes me love everybody.
Makes me love everybody.
Makes me love everybody.
And it's good enough for me.

Give me that old time religion
Tis the old time religion,
Tis the old time religion,
And it's good enough for me.

It has saved our fathers.
It has saved our fathers.
It has saved our fathers.
And it's good enough for me.

Give me that old time religion
Tis the old time religion,
Tis the old time religion,
And it's good enough for me.

ST | 9:00 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

The whole Mormon religion is horrible, FLDS, LDS, or CCofC. All of this was spawned by early Mormonism, it all came from hell. Very sad.

Dave | 9:36 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

ST you seem to be painting with a pretty "broad brush." What we have learned from the trial is horrible. What were her parents thinking? This is a far cry from the practice of a hundred years ago!

Liberty | 11:46 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Dave,

You better take a good look at the plural marriage of a century or more ago! The "Principle" was always practiced at the immense cost of the women involved. I can only hope that their faithful sacrifices will be recognized some day.

Denise | 11:55 p.m. Sept. 14, 2007

Rape isn't about sex, it is about power. So is this horrid manifestation of religion. It's all about power -- and not ALL religion is. I know it seems like it....

polygaymy | 12:18 a.m. Sept. 15, 2007

This case has nothing to do with polygamy. Jeffs is not chared with polygamy or marrying someone into polygamy. He's chared with "rape as an accomplice." I think it is a sick thing for him to do. Polygamy does not stand out to me in this story: mind-conditioning, oppression, and incest do.

Rumor has it! | 12:19 a.m. Sept. 15, 2007

Seeing the O'Reily Factor on FOX news tonight and polling a few contacts, a rumor exists that Judge Shumate may want to bump this case up to the U.S. Sumpreme Court. Making this a Civil Rights issue, in his instruction Tuesday to Jurors, he suggested something more! I can't imagine he made those comments on purpose, unless he is smart like a fox.

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