Comments about ‘Former polygamist bishop convicted of performing illegal wedding ceremony’

Just as it was with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, polygamous 'marriages' are still illegal. Too bad these mormons who follow their teachings don't get the message. You are not free to practice your religion, Government knows best.

I don't care what "religion" you follow, a 12 year old girl marrying a 50 year old man is wrong.

When Joseph Smith and Brigham Young started plural marriages is wasn't illegal, the government made it illegal after they started the practice. personally i think is was unconstitutional for the Government to come in and make a part of someones religion regarding marriage illegal. if they hadn't you would not have these secret polygamous groups doing underage marriages!

Actually in the 1960s the leaders of the group that was the predecessors to the FLDS were trying to convince men and women in the group to not marry until they were at least 18. In 1984 there was a break in the group, Jeffs father was among those who went with Johnson and Jessup, and they kicked out those who had supported higher ages at marriage and created a system that was controlled by one man.

Many of the irregularities since than, such as marriages involving minor females who are too young to marry legally in any state (New Hampshire allows marriage with parental consent at age 13) can be blamed on the system of one man essentially ruling the FLDS alone.

This is a slightly easier case than Utah's accesory to rape. Of course, the accesory to rape case lacked as clear documentation of the ceremony itself. It also lacked the unquestioned age differences.