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Warren Jeffs' influence evident in FLDS hearings

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Upset | 10:53 a.m. May 20, 2008
If my kids were taken away and there were no pending charges against me or my wife for a crime of child abuse I would flip a freaking bird. The FLDS church is playing super nice in this case(s). The state of Texas will lose this one, I bet on it. Just because your neighbor or religious leader commits a horrific sexual act on a 14 year old, that doesn't make the whole community guilty.
How many of us live with a drug dealer/user in our community? Does that make us guilt of dealing/using drugs when we do not call the police? I think not. Try again Texas.
Marylee | 10:54 a.m. May 20, 2008
For those that are sooo uninformed, a number of LDS qualified foster parents HAVE notified CPS they are more than willing to accept the FLDS children into their homes. A person cannot just call up CPS and say "Hey, I got a spare bedroom - give me a kid". Foster parents still have to be checked out by the State and approved. LDS (regular Mormons) who are foster parents have already contacted the state.

The Mainstream LDS church cannot jump into this - what do you want them to do, also call CPS and say "Hey, we have members who would LOVE to take these kids" - same issues - foster families are PRE-APPROVED.
Adults | 10:55 a.m. May 20, 2008
I don't agree with the FLDS religion however, I don't think an entire community should lose their children over the criminal acts of a few people. Just like I don't believe every Catholic in the world should lose their kids to the state due to the criminal acts of priests and bishops.
Comments continue below
Another Point | 11:00 a.m. May 20, 2008
It is very un-American to try an entire group of people. Each person should be granted a fair and individual trial. I see the state of Texas moving on a group of people much like the German Nazi's. You can't tell me that every single person is guilty of a crime in that community.
Why involve the LDS leadaership? | 11:00 a.m. May 20, 2008
Saying the LDS Church leadership should step in makes about as much sense as inferring the Pope should make decisions about members of a Protestant church. A similarity in name and the use of a common book of scripture doesn't make them the same. This issue is about trampled constitutional rights and interpretation of laws in TX. Parents who have not been specifically accused or found guilty of neglect or abuse shouldn't be forced to sign on any "plan" just so they can see their children.
Joshua M. | 11:02 a.m. May 20, 2008
Lock up the FLDS men first and then send the kids back to the YFZ ranch, along with their mothers. The men are the perpetrators. These men need to be readjusted in their thinking. The FLDS men need to gain some moral structure and learn to respect womankind instead of just respecting the bedroom life and pleasures woman can bring to them. Looking at woman as sex objects and baby machines... is very ungodly! Women are as well mans equal in every way.
To Salt Lake LDS MOM | 11:04 a.m. May 20, 2008
Some of the rest of us from long polygamous lines don't have sad stories to tell. We have stories of our family helping, loving and working together to get through hard times. They were living with Indian and outlaw troubles. The sad stories don't represent all of us. All families were not and are not alike. The women were not 13 or 14 in our families. They were much older, 26 to 41 when married. As for the FLDS I am confident that all of their families don't match the ones in the books that are being sold by the thousands. One commenter in Texas said to watch the money trail and see who is making the most from these raids. Not to say that all of the FLDS people are perfect, but I am saying not all are abusive or even living in a Polygamous situation. Some of the Lost Boys said that they were never abused. Also in the Dallas News, there are articles right now about the projected MILLIONS of dollars that these CPS .rescues (?) .are costing Texas tax payers. Some Texans want to bill the FLDS. Now there is a novel idea.
Anonymous | 11:15 a.m. May 20, 2008
Why is it flds women look pure, holy, cover their bodies and obey the Book of Mormon which specificially states to our women not to adorn their bodies. Muslim women cover their bodies. No wonder muslims hate america and call us the great "satan" Now look at baptist, methodist, episcopal, catholic and LDS WOMEN: EVEN OUR OWN LDS MORMON TAB CHOIR, THEY LOOK LIKE HOOKERS ALL PAINTED UP....I am LDS, but stand with the flds, all the way, if abuse occured, prosecute, and it looks like it may take a year to get children back. the boys homes will make sure the flds boys will not be a threat to anyone, after they sodomize them, how many of these precious children will be able to function with women at all? I know exactly what I speak of, but God's grace help me triumph..RETURN THE CHILDREN TO THE MOTHERS NOW...
Not a welfare state | 11:17 a.m. May 20, 2008
To: Reality check

What he said: The FLDS are not on welfare.

What he meant: The FLDS [in Texas] are not on welfare. Since Arizona and Utah have been so generous in providing welfare payments to the FLDS in Hilldale and Colorado City, the good FLDS people there generously helped us buy, build and support this beautiful ranch, so we didn't need to raid the Texas coffers.
Chris | 11:22 a.m. May 20, 2008
I think that the state of Texas is doing right by the children. They need to be put somewhere that they will be safe.
To FLDS Hating Biggots | 11:26 a.m. May 20, 2008
What if the FLDS refuse to give up polygamy like you want ?.. even though it is none of your #@$% business to begin with.
What if the FLDS women refuse to sit around for FIVE years after puberty waiting until YOU give them permission to use THEIR uterus ?

What then ? should they all just be killed ? Do you want to see their communities cluster bombed ? Do you want to see the ground littered with corpses in long dresses ? would that improve your lives ? Make you happy ?
I bet you would say it was for their own good if this happened.

You don't care about "child abuse". You all look the other way when other religions mutilate their children's genitals. What is your problem ? Jealousy ? Misplaced aggression ? You sure don't care about the "law" unless it is a law being used to persecute the people you hate. What did the FLDS women and children every do to YOU to deserve such hatred ??????
Ekim | 11:27 a.m. May 20, 2008
Go Texas!!!
former FLDS | 11:29 a.m. May 20, 2008
Not that it matters, FYI in the 19 years I lived in Hildale Utah, My fathers family never was on any wefare or government assisctance of any kind, and the only clames of abuse, I read in the papers, never witnessed any abuse of effects of abuse in my 19 years. Why did I leave? cuz I made some bad choices, and didnt want my little brothers to turnout like me. and no I did not take DF money and clam myself a Lost Boy, cuz im NOT!!
to: agnostic mother of 3 | 11:30 a.m. May 20, 2008
My grandmother was not a cave woman, but was married at 14. She's what you city folk might call "rural."

It's the place where there are more trees that light poles.
Anonymous | 11:32 a.m. May 20, 2008
FLDS and LDS people are all messed up emotionally! A rotten sick culture! Go get some Prozac--you wackos!
Hello? | 11:34 a.m. May 20, 2008
By the way, NONE of the people on the ranch were receiving welfare!!! Hello?
ugh welfare | 11:34 a.m. May 20, 2008
Follow the news and you will realize that the FLDS group has a government contract in which they receive over a million dollars annually...on just that ONE contract. Gary Engels is NOT relevant to the case since this is TX and not UT. In TX, not a single person received welfare. Odd that there is the claim of rape yet CPS doesn't even suggest as much. Repeating it loudly and often doesn't change the fact pattern. I think anybody that posts anti-constitution comments must belong to a cult. That is about equally as logical.

There is no proof of abuse, the removal of children was religious bias and the very reason the Book of Mormon was removed from children. But you likely don't see that as a Constitutional issue either.
I would not put my child in the YFZ ranch, or any other home that believes in a "big man in the sky." I find them all equally abusive to women. I just find it amusing that you are so willing to throw people that believe so similarly under the bus. The issue at hand is not the FLDS, but Constitutional protection especially given lies based on cultural difference.
freethinker | 11:40 a.m. May 20, 2008
Why is it that the Corporate LDS, who plan to live polygamy in the next life have not come to the support of the FLDS? They must be trying to lay low in controversial issues to be in a good position politically to give Mitt Romney a better chance in the next presidential election. If the members of the LDS would study their own Historical Doctrine they would see the importance of the Higher Principles as GIVEN BY GOD to their Founding Prophet. Think beyond the present doctrine which has been so watered down for various reasons that the Mormon doctrine now is hardly distinguishable from any other religion.
SJORDAN-LADY | 11:42 a.m. May 20, 2008
You know, there are many reasons why people think
that LDS very similar to FLDS, and that is simply
not the case.
Yes people way back in the 1800's married at a young
age, but that's because most people didnt live past
their 40's or 50's. So people were married younger.
Not the case anymore.
Yes, for a shortwhile, the LDS church did allow
polygamy but not for the reasons that most people think. Those were trying times, and due to the long
pioneer trek diseases, war, there were many widows
left to care for there many children in somecases
all on their own. Polygamy allowed the widows and
children to have a chance to make it in this world.
After we were settled, there was no need for it anymore and therefore discontinued.
People practice canabilism in some religions,
but we dont make it okay to kill people for the sake
of what they believe, nor should it be okay for
these innocent children be subjected to these
horrific lifestyles they have been forced to live.
realitycheck | 11:42 a.m. May 20, 2008
just read an article on thespectrum - very well written - thought I'd share:
"FLDS faithful will tell you that they are free to leave at anytime, which is tantamount to saying that they are free to suffer eternal damnation for defying the prophet and, by extension, God. That's some freedom."

"But the question looms: When does the state get to decide that your God is wrong? Whether it's the arranged marriages of children, the replacing of medical care with prayer or the gender discrimination pervasive in many faiths, this event highlights two things: the gray area that exists between the laws established by the state and the laws commanded by God, and the tremendous power wielded, and sometimes harmful consequences justified, under the auspices of "God tells us so."

My opinion - People know right from wrong, but sometimes religion clouds their minds. Women are equal to men, and neither they nor children are property. If your religion tells you otherwise, it is because men wrote your book with bad intentions. That's not a religion, that's involuntary servitude brought on by years of deception by your (male) leaders.
Sharon | 11:44 a.m. May 20, 2008
response to Agnostic Mother of 3

Betty 9:39am... post is a reasonable explanation as to why...Betty went back.
IF and thats a BIG.."IF" Carolyn Jessop's book is fiction...than why hasnt Merrill Jessop come forwards and discredit it ? I'll tell ya why !!...cause he cant !

Your answer to why 100 children having no parents that will claim them...I just had to shake my head in disbelief over your answer. ANY normal LOVING parent who has a child missing, "for what has it been now...2 months"..will do all in their power,no matter what it takes to find that child. From what you are saying, Agnostic mother of 3 ...its up to the CPS to figure out who these children belong to....Whats wrong with that picture???? geeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz
YFZ ranch not on welfare | 11:44 a.m. May 20, 2008
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has reported that none of the families who are members of the west Texas FLDS sect targeted by child protective services were on welfare.

Also the Houston Chronicle has reported that "not one of the nearly 3,000 residents of Schleicher County, where the Yearning for Zion Ranch is located, is receiving state assistance."

This does not mean that all polygamist sects are not on welfare, just that the YFZ ranch is not.
to Upset | 11:48 a.m. May 20, 2008
This was one big household in Texas. There was only one address - only one ranch.

If you lived on a ranch with a guesthouse, would you expect CPS to just go to the front house and leave the guest house alone? It's just one ranch, not a community.

The search warrant only had one address on it. They got a report of abuse, and they took the children from that address. No other addresses were searched.
not so fast | 11:49 a.m. May 20, 2008
several times now I have read these articles and seen people claim that 14-15 year old marriages never were commonplace...but you may be looking too far back...young brides were extremely common in the early to mid 20th century in certain parts of the country. Lots of dustbowl refugees were 15 year old brides. And Seattle mom is right, polygamy and young marriage is still very common world wide...in fact it is a fairly serious problem with a lot of the families that happen to be the other cause celebre these days...the illegal immigrants. Look around at how many of them are marrying their 15 year olds off to get them to a better financial situation...of course you might not see that if you just take the word of advocates...so go underground and talk to the kids themselves like I do!
To Freddie (10:03) | 11:52 a.m. May 20, 2008
Ah, I re-read your comment. I apologize for being a jerk.
Texas Baptist Dad | 11:51 a.m. May 20, 2008
I'm so glad that evil Books of Mormon were taken away from those poor abused and misled kids. If you just get rid of the evil influence of the Book of Mormon, maybe those kids can learn to praise Jesus and be saved. Look at the life choices of these poor kids' parents: long-sleeve shirts and long dresses in 100 degree weather, no TV, no cussing, no football ... it's obvious these people have no devotion to God whatsoever. I am grateful for the courage of Judge Walter. Now she just needs to go after the mainstream Mormons; we all know they brainwash their kids too. Since mainstream Mormons think Satan is Jesus's brother, the Grace of Our Lord will not extend to their children unless they are taken away.

OK, OK.

Here's the story. I'm not really a Texas Baptist, although I am a Dad. This is merely my response to the post by Seattle LDS Mom. I call baloney. I also apologize to any and all Texas Baptists who don't believe the Book of Mormon is evil and/or who believe Grace can extend to Latter Day Saints the same as it extends to any other denomination.
realitycheck | 11:53 a.m. May 20, 2008
I keep seeing these posts about how an entire community was taken ("Adults" and "Another Point" posts). An entire community certainly was NOT taken.

CPS got a report of abuse at an address. They got a warrant for that address and that address only. There appreared to be abuse at the address. So they took the children from the address. No other addresses were searched. No children were taken from any other address.

What don't you get?
Mandy | 11:53 a.m. May 20, 2008
I come from many LDS pioneer polygamist families. The woman were not happy woman in those relationships. I'm so tired of everyone (MAINLY MEN) leading others in the church to believe that everything was fine and dandy back in those days. It's all a lie!! THE WOMEN SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY!!
Motherhood | 12:06 p.m. May 20, 2008
Making these women go to vocational training, what an insult.

Many have had vocational training and chose motherhood. What a slap to all of us who chose motherhood above careers.

Maybe they can get jobs with CPS, then they can visit their children more often.
Wake up | 12:08 p.m. May 20, 2008
Stop reading this Post and go out and fight for your Rights while you still can, ---out
realitycheck | 12:12 p.m. May 20, 2008
to - To FLDS Hating Bigots:

No one really cares about polygamy. You should have already figured that out by now.

No one wants the women to wait 5 years to have children. We want them to at least be old enough to make an intelligent choice.

And therein lies the problem. These women and children are given no choices. Not when they are indoctrinated from birth. How about you lunatics release your stranglehold on these women and children, quit telling them everyone is evil, and let them live a life of their choosing - without threat of banishment?

"What did the women and children ever do to you to deserve such hatred???" I don't know - why don't you tell us. What did they ever do to deserve to have their whole future be preordained and have no choices in life? What did they ever do to make it so they are terrified of everything and everyone? What did they ever do to become slaves to a group of men?

When you stop choosing your religion over your family, then we will stop bothering you.
to Hello? | 12:14 p.m. May 20, 2008
none of the people on the ranch were on welfare because the Utah clan was sending their welfare money to Texas. It's still welfare. what don't you get?
To: Anonymous | 11:32 a.m. | 12:17 p.m. May 20, 2008
Religious bigotry at it's ugliest.

You need some serious help. Is this what they teach in your Sunday School class?
Earl | 12:17 p.m. May 20, 2008
"foster families are PRE-APPROVED."

Is that possibly why there is so much crime associated with foster parents??
Sexual assult, Rape, Murder, Slavery, Cages, ALL in foster care. Do you read the Papers??

True, there are SOME good foster homes but they are few and far between.
To: ...Hating... | 11:26 a. | 12:21 p.m. May 20, 2008
Most normal people despise child abuse; apparently you do not.

Consider the category that would place you in.
PLEASE ! PLEASE! | 12:23 p.m. May 20, 2008
PLEASE!-- tell me why there are still snakes in the southwest deserts, like Warren Jeffs, who are still allowed to roam the countryside? This is a great concern for me and my family meaning we were planning on traveling the southwest this summer.
Utah Mother | 12:30 p.m. May 20, 2008
The officials in this case are so worried about the influence of Warren Jeffs, because he has broken the law. But every single solitary parent who practices polgamy in the FLDS (or any other) community has ALSO broken the law! They are all criminals, SIMPLY by participating in a practice that is AGAINST U.S. LAW. Freedom of religion cannot be allowed to be an excuse to break the law. The first and formost stipulation that should be included in these "Family Plans" is the requirement that the parents become (and remain!) law-abiding citizens. If they don't choose to follow the laws of the United States, they can either LEAVE, or they can suffer the consequences of breaking the law. Yes, that includes losing custody of their children.
maklelan | 12:32 p.m. May 20, 2008
To Susan"

"And, not surprisingly, the FLDS are all about lying to protect themselves from prosecution. That's why they perform "spiritual" marriages, so they can't be prosecuted for practicing polygamy."

And you drive the speed limit so you can't be prosecuted for speeding. What a horrible example.
to - To:Anonymous | 12:36 p.m. May 20, 2008
not everyone goes to Sunday school - some people understand that you don't need some old man to tell you how to live your life. (But for the record, the original post by Anonymous was stupid, childish, and just plain rude - you should just ignore people like that.)
Anonymous | 12:37 p.m. May 20, 2008
Until the members of the Mormon church stops defending these child molesters, brainwashers, people like Mitt Romney will never be taken seriuosly as a presidential candidate.

Almost all people outside of Utah and Arizona know these polygamists are nut jobs.
New to Utah | 12:43 p.m. May 20, 2008
This reminds me of when the Japanese-Americans were ripped from their homes and businesses during WWII on the SUSPICION that they might become a threat to the USA. They were persecuted for their beliefs (as well as for their religion).

Oh, and they practiced arranged marriages as a matter of course.

I'm appalled at the way the Texas government is acting. The FLDS have had their constitutional rights trampled and stomped upon.

Has anyone heard anything further on Rozita? She's kind of "off the radar"... or is that "protected".
Bruce | 12:52 p.m. May 20, 2008
The removal of copies of the Book of Mormon is barbaric. The only excuse presented is that some copies had pictures/teachings of Warren Jeffs...he is a convicted felon...so that somehow justifies removal.
Jesus was convicted of a capital crime. Does that mean CPS can remove all bibles because they have his teachings in them? What a crock.
Bad guy | 12:57 p.m. May 20, 2008
I think they need to hang Warren Jeffs by his tippy toes and whip the socks off that old man. How dare Warren brainwash all those little girls. The guy is numskull! He certainly is NOT by any means a man of GOD.
Why Should LDS Help? | 1:11 p.m. May 20, 2008
The FLDS church is a separate church/religion, so why should the LDS church help? You don't see the LDS church "helping" catholics when catholic priests are accused of molesting children. Same situation here.

Not only that, but the LDS church never sends aid unless the group/country in need of the aid agrees to it. Something tells me the FLDS wouldn't look kindly to aid from the LDS church. But I could be wrong. Maybe those on here wondering why the LDS church isn't helping are actually FLDS members.
Re: Eric | 1:14 p.m. May 20, 2008
No, Eric, the LDS are not next. The LDS abide by the law.
JND | 1:21 p.m. May 20, 2008
Dear To FLDS Hating Biggots,

Nah, I just hate people who defend FLDS.

Have a nice day!
Thank Uncle Warren | 1:22 p.m. May 20, 2008
Instead of looking outward to find blame, the FLDS should be looking squarely inward to see the real source for their troubles, Warren Jeffs ,and the FLDS patriarchs who have lead their people astray with their forced teen marriages, bleeding the beast, thinning the herd policies.

If they stopped the child abuse, the welfare fraud, kicking the "excess" boys out of their community, and their mind-contolling denial of freedom of choice to join or leave the group as people choose, the FLDS could go back to quietly practicing their polygamous lifestyle, just as thousands of other polygamists throughout the western US and Canada do.

Most people wouldn't want to see taxpayer dollars wasted trying to enforce the unenforceable, anti-polygamy laws.
to - New to Utah | 1:22 p.m. May 20, 2008
It should remind you of when the Japanese were ripped from their homes. We were at war with the Japanese back then - just as we are now at war with those that would abuse and subjegate women and children.
Anonymous | 1:23 p.m. May 20, 2008
On one hand, CPS is out of their minds if they think they can prohibit people from talking about Warren Jeffs. The buy is the biological father of some of the people in custody, Even if he is a convicted sex offender, other sex offenders'children get to talk about their fathers. Why wouldn't FLDS children have the same rights? I would think competent counselors would WANT children to be able to speak about what's on their minds.

On the other hand, I would definitely work some comparative religions into the children's home-schooling currculum. THis is nto because children have to beliee other doctrinces but as a way of illuntrating different things that happen to people! Hiding away from the world is one way to deal with SOME of teh BAD STUFF that happens in the worl. However, that does not develop skills for dealing with BAD STUFF. I defeinitely do not believe all teh fog thown up by CPS but I do think there is probably some BAD STUFF (financial abuse, psychological problems...) going in in the YFZ community.
chemist | 1:25 p.m. May 20, 2008
Utah Mother has it exactly right. A basic stipulation for the flds parents to get their children back must be that they will obey the law. Polygamy is illegal. Give up the deliberate violation of known laws or your parental rights will be terminated. The CPS would not release children back into a crack house, meth lab. or illegal gambling operation; why should they release them back into an atmosphere where law breaking will be continued. Short answer, they should not and I truly hope they will not even consider it.

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Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

Members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church arrive at the Tom Green County Courthouse in San Angelo, Texas, on Monday for hearings on what they must do to regain custody of their children.

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