Thomas | 8:30 a.m. July 22, 2008
Star Power is at the Grand Jury today. This will be interesting.
Thomas | 8:32 a.m. July 22, 2008
A ruthless state government is targeting these people and that scares me.
Joey | 8:39 a.m. July 22, 2008
They're keeping the press far from the scene so as to shield the attrocities they are about to commit, just like Waco.
Comments continue below
FLDS | 9:40 a.m. July 22, 2008
You hand in there and don't give up.Eric.
Chuckless55 | 10:28 a.m. July 22, 2008
Abuses on both sides. This will take months of wrangling to sort it all out. The FLDS's propensity to marry off underage girls and Texas' overreaction once they got into the compound. My major concern is what it will do for all religious rights in our country, especially since there is now federal-level interest involving our do-nothing Senate.
zxcvbnm | 10:48 a.m. July 22, 2008

I bet Big Willie was pulled over and given a ticket for conspiracy to stare. Those guys have to generate revenue in some fashion to pay the "expert witness" bill.

The yellow tape bill and personal expenses for all the Rangers new white hats will be coming in soon...perhaps the state wanted to get ahead of the expenses curve. Besides...the attorney general won't be having lunch at the local burger joint or staying at the motel six.
common sense | 12:18 p.m. July 22, 2008
He was pulled over to be given the supenoa for the grand jury.
Seems to me Greg Abbott the Attorney General showing up,, could mean inditements!
Maybe they will ask Willie the thug where Merrill Jessop is?
baffled | 12:22 p.m. July 22, 2008
The investigation to see if the original phone call was a hoax has certainly taken a long time. Too bad they didn't investigate the allegations that long and so many Texans might not still be trying to wipe the egg off their faces
John Lambert | 12:27 p.m. July 22, 2008
I actually applaud Texas for going about this issue the right way these days. There is nothing wrong with a grand jury investigating violations of the law.
Re: Thomas | 12:31 p.m. July 22, 2008
You should be scared only if you choose to break the law, as these FLDS members have chosen to do so.

And, don't tell me it's their right to marry underage girls because of their religious rights. I'm all for religious rights, but religion does not give one the right to break the law or to be a pedophile. Any way you look at it, it's against the law.
re: re: Thomas | 5:27 p.m. July 22, 2008
The pedophile accusation has been tossed into the ring once again.

This has now become the flds case corollary to Godwin's Law.

I guess the discussion is over now?
G | 5:40 p.m. July 22, 2008
I'm glad Texas authorities have learned to be quieter and less sensational these days. If they arrest some actual child abusers, good for them.
wcwytom | 5:55 p.m. July 22, 2008
I wonder if the RN, Susan Barlow Draper, is the one indicted for Failure to Report? Licensed healthcare professionals are mandatory reporters along with tecahers, etc. She may be in trouble for that.

Cats | 6:47 p.m. July 22, 2008
I love the way that FLDS get on the blogs and write under different names in order to try to convince the rest of us that there is a groundswell of support in their favor. NOBODY IS FOOLED.

Warren Jeffs has publicly admitted that he is NOT a prophet, he NEVER was a prophet and he is one of the most WICKED men of this dispensation. With him out of action, the other FLDS thugs have had to take over.

I sincerely hope that the State of Texas will follow through and hold these evil men accountable for the abuse they have perpetrated for many years on so many women and children. These people really need help.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. One can only go so long flaunting the law and living a life of complete immorality before it catches up. This has been going on within the FLDS community for many years and it's now coming back.

I know that most of these people are good, although misguided. I sincerely hope they will now have a chance to be free. After all these years of total brainwashing, it's going to be very difficult.
amen to Cats | 6:55 p.m. July 22, 2008
I hope for better days for these people.
Dave | 6:58 p.m. July 22, 2008
Am I the only one who believes it's strange that our community preaches love for all God's children--except these polygamists?

We had "compassion" shoved down our throats recently because some of us wanted immigrants to go through legal channels to get here.

Using the same words in the call for compassion, there are children involved here. There are families. Let's offer kindness and brotherly love before beating these people with our quick judgement and lack of understanding.
re cats | 6:59 p.m. July 22, 2008
WELL SAID!
Indicted? | 6:59 p.m. July 22, 2008
You can indict a hamster. But it takes evidence to convict
VegasBaby | 7:14 p.m. July 22, 2008
No big surprise. That explains why Merril has been hiding for so long.
kp | 7:16 p.m. July 22, 2008
Good, this is the right way to do it. I am glad Texas figured it out! Throw the child molesters in the slammer! I didn't agree with taking the children away from their mothers, but I ABSOLUTELY agree with prosecuting the monsters who are marrying children!
REACH | 7:39 p.m. July 22, 2008
In my opinion,WARREN JEFFS is victim of JOSEPH SMITH's teaching.HE is loyal to the end in what he holds as faith to the early teachings.For him,he prefers doing GOD's laws than what he regards as man-made laws.He knows GOD do not change so as HIS teachings.Since for him JOSEPH SMITH is a prophet,he thinks he better follows the teachings till the end. He is honest in admitting that he is not a prophet.He is not that bad as a person.He is just a victim of circumstance!It's enough he has been punished for his deeds.Lets not hold hatreth towards him or FLDS anymore.Try to reach and help them through this difficult times.Maybe they want to join LDS later on,who knows?Just dont isolate them.They are also our brothers and sisters.
Cats | 7:59 p.m. July 22, 2008
I believe Warren Jeffs is a victim of his own ego. He has been dishonest for many years.

He banned television among his followers and then told them he would prophesy the weather each day for them. It turns out that his "prophesies" were exactly the same as the weather forecast on the internet. So much for his sincerity as a prophet.

I think when your chickens comes home to roost, it is proper to come clean and finally tell the truth. I think he is trying very hard to repent now that he has been caught. I'm sure that is one reason he is in such a terrible state of depression and suicidal.

I agree that these people need help and I hope they can now get it.
kg | 8:27 p.m. July 22, 2008
Dave I couldn't agree with you more. There are families and many children to consider.

I think there has been and continues to be too much rushing to judgment and too little effort to have compassion and to try to understand.

These people have rights that have been and continue to be grossly and illegally violated. The end does NOT justify the means and two wrongs don't make a right. The way Texas has gone after the FLDS is wrong in my book!
John Lambert | 8:30 p.m. July 22, 2008
To Reach,
You ignore that God speaks to every man in his own language. God's laws and goals do not change, but the methods that will bring us to those goals do change and so he alters his direction from time to time.
If one set of laws would be good for all time he could have just given every commandment all at once to one prophet.
There are many differences between Joseph Smith and Mr. Jeffs, but I think they have been pointed out sufficiently elsewhere.
I will leave to Texas and its courts the handling of affairs there. I will focus on compassion to all those around here in Michigan that I can effect in a direct way.
Blah! | 8:36 p.m. July 22, 2008
Willy Jessop and Warren Jeffs are two BIG poop poop's!
Nannie | 8:43 p.m. July 22, 2008
I really do hope that the right thing will be done for these very vulnerable children.My main wish is for these children is for them to have a choice--let them know of the many things that can and will be offered to them.They are being brainwashed wheather people will believe it or not!!Hiding your head in the sand does not make bad things go away.
Indeed | 9:16 p.m. July 22, 2008
I see that we got all the intellectuals on here tonight :o
From the Creek | 9:31 p.m. July 22, 2008
"He banned television among his followers and then told them he would prophesy the weather each day for them. It turns out that his "prophesies" were exactly the same as the weather forecast on the internet. So much for his sincerity as a prophet."
=====================
Now that's a new rumor I never heard before! We've pretty well done away with TV (anything really wrong with that? Now that's a brainwashing tool if I ever saw one), but this story of prophesying the weather? How come as an FLDS member, I never heard about it. Did I miss the memo?
uncannygunman | 9:39 p.m. July 22, 2008
They don't live like us--get'em!
Poodlewhacker | 9:45 p.m. July 22, 2008
I live close to Colorado City. I have seen what they have been doing to their wives and children and Jeffs has told them to do this as their prophet. They aren't just living polygamy. They are doing horrible things. They take their teenage boys to St. George and drop them off to fend for themselves, for heavens sake! It is morally wrong and illegal and I am glad all this shakeup is going on. It would be good if the children, especially, see that there is another way to live. Then if they WANTED to be in polygamy when they grew up it would be OK. Most of them are there because they CAN'T handle living in the outside world. They are not allowed to learn. This change is very good for these people.
Cindy | 9:47 p.m. July 22, 2008
re; John Lambert. you are always on the Polygamist blogs, so why don't you go join these insane people?
lisa mcgee | 9:57 p.m. July 22, 2008
I feel that complex's nature of living is going on ALL OVER THE PLACE but NO ONE stops to put those people on the banner advertizing such acts of immorality. If the chiurch has taken the rights of polygamy off the the record, that hsould be that and nothing more. It is nobody;s right to say the complex ought to publically flamed when the gentiles are doing this themselves but "no one knows about it". This world has gone nuts, and is part of the end of our world and God said this, both in the Book of Mormons and the Pearl of Great Price. 3 Nephi chapter 8 tells of the shaking of the earth to destroy the wicked people. As we say today, "What goes around comes around."
FLDS, LDS= ? | 10:26 p.m. July 22, 2008
Why are so many people on here so hard against the FLDS folk??? Is it because they are doing what the LDS members used to do? After all of this can anyone show me of even one conviction of child abuse by the Texas court?? Something is going on here other than what we all SEEM to see.
Steve M. | 11:08 p.m. July 22, 2008
I have never seen so many ignorant comments in all my life. OF COURSE FLDS are child abusers...DUH! Look at the picture of the little girl your so called prophet Warren Jeffs, has in his arms who he is holding and smooching on...cough,choke,cough,choke!!!

I am tired of the FLDS whining about no one is abusing theses girl. It is quit evident that they are abused and in the worst way possible.
REACH | 11:13 p.m. July 22, 2008
to JOHN LAMBERT,
sounds you know very well about MR.WARREN JEFFS.He only follows what the original teachings from the founder of the church.He trusts,honours and obidients to the man he regards as true prophet.He just trying to be faithfull to him.sadly in doing so he ruins his own life and family.lots people shun and shame him and FLDS cruelly.Here are all only victims of beliefs and faith than gone wrong.THEY cant different between correct or wrong practices.If only he knows how to think clearly,surely he wont do it.NO father will harm his own daughter as well.I hope lots people will try to help members of FLDS.dont make things worse by hatefull and hurtfull remarks.Since LDS has lots similarities,why not try to reach and take them instead.They DO need help in this trying times.i feel sad just thinking about what the children are going through.they dont know outside world,when the world is openned to them.What they get is only horror.Being shunned from the society is too much to bear.Can you imagine what kind of adults they will turn out to be?Before it is too late,Please, lets help them in whatever way.
AMISH | 11:37 p.m. July 22, 2008
DEBATER: 7/22/2008 10:36:00 PM -3

==



IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR THE FLDS TO INVOKE IN COURT FOR




THE SAME EQUAL PROTECTIONS AS THE AMISH COMMUNITIES.





KSL NEWS HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH A FEMALE ATTORNEY ABOUT THAT.




ON THE OTHER HAND,




ASK ATTORNEY RODNEY PARKER




CLAIMS AND DISCLAIMERS AS PREVIOUSLY STATED

SIGNED RECKIPS.


==
Bob | 11:56 p.m. July 22, 2008
Warren Jeffs did not marry a 12 year old Girl. She is 18. She is just Small and the records will show it. Give me a break.
awesomeron | 12:14 a.m. July 23, 2008
These People Force Marriages (Rape) on 12 year olds. Their Freedom Scares Me, They need to be in Super Max with No Contact Visits. Why don't people get that regardless of what the Law does, these are real bad people. I hope Texas Wins every case and they all go to jail for the rest of their lives. I do not understand how a people that honor purity, holiness, virtue, truth, Temple and Eternal Marriage, could even consider for a moment supporting these people. The Government is not interfering with Religion the Government is stopping Rape and trying to put in Jail those that did the acts and broke the Law. Did you see how Tiny that child bride was that Jeff�s was Tongue Kissing after their so called Wedding
Reach - With what? | 12:14 a.m. July 23, 2008
John L... God never changes... He doesn't need editing; HE is perfect the first time!
Quote,� If one set of laws would be good for all time he could have just given every commandment all at once to one prophet.�

God has given never changed one jot or tidal� ALL His word is relevant for today. YOUR god may be progressive. BUT the GOD of the bible is complete and always has been. Omnipotent, OMNISCIENCE, etc�

Progressive implies limitations. The God of the bible has NO limitations!
You know what I�m talking about, or do you need references?

The only hope FLDS members has is to turn from following JOSEPH SMITH teachings (which are false) and embrace Jesus as their Lord & Savior� and I am not speaking about the false Jesus of the Mormon faith.

God is not going to excuse the FDLS members as victims for their ignorance in following the book of Mormon.

You will embrace truth and go to heaven or you will continue to follow a 200 year old lie (book of Mormon) and end up in hell. I pray you investigate and choose truth.
me | 12:23 a.m. July 23, 2008
All of you LDS people out there that have so much to say about the FLDS need to be more Christlike!
Comments are monitored. | 12:41 a.m. July 23, 2008
Are my posts offensive to you? you must be a Mormon!
Re: me | 12:51 a.m. July 23, 2008
What do you think Christ has to say about the FLDS matters?
Do you think Christ-likes what is going on?

Well I guess the mormon Christ would approve since they FLDS are following a Prophet (SO CALLED?) of god

Bad doctrine = corupt morals, legalism, self righteous ingnorance.

not LDS
Peach | 10:23 a.m. July 23, 2008
1. No one has the right to abuse children under the 1st Amendment.
2. FLDS members have been severely brainwashed since birth.
3. Even though the eligious sect has been around since 1830, it doesn't mean it's belief systems are right.
If marry a youn girl to an older man against (especially against her wishes) is part of their 'culture' then their 'culture' is morally wrong, sick and twisted.
realitycheck | 11:14 a.m. July 23, 2008
I have to laugh at FromTheCreek. You did away with television since it's a "brainwashing tool" yet you use the internet, with is exactly the same as TV!! How convenient.

Now all your secretive abuses are coming to light. Perhaps it's time to reevaluate your belief in your flesh-and-blood leaders.
The Truth of the Matter | 10:16 p.m. July 23, 2008

The liberation the FLDS need is found in Jesus Christ, who gives freedom from sin and rest to the soul. Once that is accomplished, all other needed forms of liberation will naturally follow.

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Willie Jessop talks to the media outside the Schleicher County Memorial Building in El Dorado, Texas, Tuesday.

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