Deseret News | Leaders of polygamists are arrested in Canada

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Leaders of polygamists are arrested in Canada

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ds | 6:10 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The difference between gay marriage and polygamy is consenting adults.

gerry | 6:12 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

i sent a comment... few hrs ago ..i dont see mine??? what happen pls let me know

Stinch | 6:14 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Hey, Farley Fool,
Get a life ,man!

Comments continue below

Why polgamy needs to be stopped | 6:21 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

A lot of people say if its between concenting adults its okay. That aside let me state other objections to this practice.

They kick boys out of their homes and community as young as 13 and make them fend for themselves. This is so that the sex ratio can be skewed for those who remain, so they can have multiple women for every man.

Polygamy abuses children, it is not just between consenting adults.

Charles U. Farley | 6:46 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Re Stinch:

What is your point? Farley Fool, that was very clever, it must have taken at least 5 seconds to come up with that. Now would you like to discuss or trade insults?

Rita | 9:08 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Who gets custody of the kids when they separate?
How is child support payments determined?

Another Form of Evil | 1:31 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

The culprits that are rarely mentioned and often defended are the polygamist females who birth babies to supply the child molesting polygamist men with a new crop and then do nothing to defend them from abuse. As accomplices, these breeders are equally guilty. Possibly, the instinct to defend your own child has been bred out of these females. That is doubtful. That instinct should run so deep in a mother's DNA that nothing could prevent her from saving her own child. Clearly it is a choice to join in the evil.

Idiocy! | 8:04 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Regardless of WHAT is said, how much or how little publicity happens or what stands are taken, KNOW THIS, READERS:
YOUR tax-paying money will continue to be spent on this issue for absolutely NO reason whatsoever! Laws broken?, prosecutions fought out in court?,judges, law enforcement and ALL OTHER tax-paying activity in Utah means NOTHING!

The "history" of the COST and RESULT of the years-long Tom Green case is proof positive that regardless of what you hear, dear citizen, it is ALL a costly JOKE!

Forbidden, after extensive legal cost, to continue a multi-wife life after prison, Tom Green continues in his old lifestyle and has 2 more brand new babies this year! Openly!

What`s wrong with this picture? The LAW means NOTHING! Laws and court decisions mean NOTHING.
ABSURD!

Think!!!!!!! | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

By your own hearts do ye judge. A person, being evil in their own heart, (taking in any evil picture shows Hollywood sends out, etc. etc.) WILL JUDGE GOOD FOR EVIL because they do not feel comfortable with the good.

That said, FLDS Religion is based on a totally different kind of "love" than what the world knows "luv" as. Get your own head out of the gutter before you condemn others of sewer slurping.

To: Think!!! | 10:00 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Just by using some religious toned verbiage you think you can somehow justify or rationalize the rape of young girls and the parental neglect of the lost boys?

Shame on you! You make me sick!

Ye are lower than thy Serpant's belly! See I can do it too.

This religion has a HUGE sexual hangup lingering in its past. Time to fess up and clear out the skeletons in the closet.

To AG Shurtleff, forget about BCS antitrust for now and throw these false prophets in jail.

essay | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I'm not a supporter of polygamy, but polygamy isn't always about child explotation. Often it is between consenting adults.

And the charges were purely for polygamy, nothing about child abuse.

Which makes it incredibly ironic - Canada, which allows gays marriage, bans polygamy. Total paradox.

Anonymous | 10:12 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

the picture on here of this fat old polygamist is enough to make anyone want to vomit!

Re: Charles U. Farley | 10:23 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"If between consenting adults what is the real issue with polygamy? All religious rhetoric aside."

All religious rhetoric aside, I think one real issue with polygamy, even between consenting adults, is the environment in which the children are raised.

Not worth my time! | 10:28 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Wow, the brainwashing polygamist are in force on here, and the only ones allowed to comment today on DN with their evil, ungodly acts of adultery, fornication and child rape. What nerve you people have to say that there is any love involved in this wickedness that trashes a loving god.

Re: Think!!!!!!! | 10:35 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Think!!!!! suggests the FLDS religion is based on a "totally different kind of 'love' than what the world knows 'luv' as."

I agree. It's called "lust."

realitycheck | 10:53 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

sorry, Paul

we will NEVER go back to the old-boys agenda. get used to it. and I'd rather have one of the brothers for president than some up-tight mormon.

too much religion already - let's keep it out of Washington.

Aker | 10:53 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

How can those who defend gay marriage condemn polygamy? Child abuse is wrong no matter who does it. Forced marriages should similarly be prosecuted. What consenting adults do is their business alone regardless of how repugnant it seems as long as it doesn't negatively affect others.

As for me, I'm a straight man who has been married to the same wife for nearly 20 years. I simply find a problem with the logic used to by some who support one marriage structure and condemn another.

I haven't seen any research that documents the effects either gay marriage or polygamy have on children. I suspect they aren't much different than the society as a whole.

To Paul | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

The conservative agenda has worked so great for us the last eight years I can see your eagerness to let it continue. I say we start right away with more wars - Iran we're coming to get you! - and more debt. Let's drill for oil everywhere so we can continue to drive our cruddy U.S. built Tahoes, Suburbans, Escalades, Hummers, Expeditions and F-150s. Allies? We don't need no stinkin' allies! Our education system is fine as it is. Who cares if we can't find Iran on a map? I ain't payin' no more taxes. As a matter of fact I'm all for borrowing more money from China to fund our way of life. As long as I got my gun nobody's gonna tell me what to do!

Seriously, the article is about polygamists in Canada (that's a whole 'nuther country you know). What does this have to do with Obama?

cantslodown610 | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

the really sad thing on this whole post is that if you say that polygamy is OK (and child abuse is never OK) you must be an evil polygamist. Too many of the posts see this as too black and white and there is only their way. No one else has the right to think or say anything because they have to be right. But I am with Think here...what right do you have to say anything about someone else until you are perfect? What right to you have to label me as anything?

re- cantslodown610 | 11:36 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Maybe you shouldnï¿½t make judgments of those who know these evil polygamist men and have been abused by them. perhaps you should not be so judgmental unless you have walked the path of evil yourself.

To: cantslodown610 | 11:38 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

What right do you have to rape an innocent young girl?

What right do you have to kick out young boys to live on there own for no decent reason?

There is no excuse for this at all.

Sick people!

God would not want this to happen.

Are you so lustful you can't understand this?

cantslodown610 | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I am not making judgements but you are. I am not nor would ever consider polygamy in any form; however, I have walked a path of evil and I have been with the dregs of society but I am still tolerant enough to know that there are many different people who see things very differently from you. And the problem is that God said love the sinner not the sin. You mark everyone as evil for even believing differently from you. You are hating me for not seeing things the way you do. But There is no god or else this wouldn't even be a debate because it wouldn't happen.

Re: Convert26 | 12:20 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Your references to Joseph Smith and Brigham are without merit. First, early-19th-century women married younger than they do today. The plural marriages were certainly unusual compared to the prevailing monogamous marriages of the day, but the ages were not. Assuming our 21st century perspective of a "normal" marriage age for a husband and for a wife existed over 200 years ago ignores history. It's not the case that "if its wrong now then it was wrong back then," as you suggested.

As for the "14 year old girls married to Joe Smith," Joseph's youngest wife was 14 (which was an unusually young age, even then), but historian Todd Compton notes "there is absolutely no evidence that there was any sexuality in the marriage." So much for the "icky" and "gross" motives you ascribe to the relationship.

Your claim that Brigham Young also "had reportedly taken up child-wives" also makes for good fiction but is simply untrue.

Convert26 has provided a perfect example of a "false history alert"!

Re: cantslodown610 | 12:28 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

"What right do you have to say anything about someone else until you are perfect?"

You answered your own question when you later commented "God said love the sinner not the sin."

No one is labeling you as anything, they're labeling the sin.

Sissy | 1:27 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

If Carolyn Jessop's book was all "bull", then why was Barbara Jessop's daughter taken away from her because Barbara allowed her to be married at age 12??? This has turned into a sick and perverse religion.

gad | 2:57 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

It's aways those with the least capability that are forced to defend themselves, children. Men continue to dominate for what will be eons to comes.

gerry again | 3:21 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I FEEL FOR THE YOUNG GIRLS AND YOUNG MEN ARE BEING BRAIN WASHED OF THE WHOLE THING.. THEY ARE INNOCENT FROM BIRTH.. WE NEED TO HELP THEM AND MOVED FWD TO NEW LIVES.. PARENTS SHOULD BE PUNISHED AND END OF THIS POLYGAMOUS!!! I HOPE CANDADA CAN DO THIS BETTER THAN TEXAS!!!! WE NEED STRICT LAWS AND PROTECT THE KIDS!!!!

Then you have a problem | 5:33 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

UNIDENTIFED poster said:

"Polygamy is NOT from God. It is a man made false prophet sin created for the personal pleasure of a few."

Jacob from the old testament had four wives. From those four wives sprang the 12 tribes of Israel. From one of those tribes came Jesus Christ. That means Christ is a descendant of polygamists. Apparently God did allow polygamy either that or Jacob was a false prophet. Which one is it?

realitycheck | 5:52 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

re Then you have a problem 5:33pm

polygamy isn't the issue. the issue is the isolation and extreme indoctrination of the followers.

If these people were allowed to make informed decisions, then they probably wouldn't even practice polygamy, and the young girls would balk at arranged marriages. But since they aren't allowed to have information, tey can't make informed decisions. (You have to have information to make informed decisions).

It's a sheep problem, not a polygamy problem.

D | 7:31 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

MY Reader comments: Polygamist leader calls Canadian prosecution 'persecution'

Available at:
D | 4:33 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
D | 6:21 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

D | 7:42 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Canada/TEXAS will use the UTAH: TOM GREEN "(2001) TEST CASE."

DEBATER'S OBSERVED PRECEDENT CASE (MOMENT): Tom Green failed to produce documentary evidence of: WRITTEN PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS.

In the absence of evidence, Tom Green's Trial Court Judge declared all married BY DEFAULT as bigamists.

DEBATER SUGGESTS OR PROPOSES:

MARK WITH AN (X):

TEST CASE IN:

( ) ADMINISTRATIVE COURTS/AGENCIES
( ) CIVIL COURTS/AGENCIES
( ) CRIMINAL COURTS

GET A TRIAL JUDGE/JUSTICE ACKNOWLEDGE AND MAKE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

MODERN/NEW TEST CASE FOR: (a) LEGITIMIZATION OR (b) VALIDATION OR (c) COURT RECOGNITION OF POLYGAMIST:

(1-30 or more) WRITTEN PRENUPTIAL CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS where the parties or participants have: (a) ALL THE INCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN; yet, they ARE NOT married: (A) in the eyes of the law or (B) in the eyes of the law.

NOTICE OF OTHER CREDITS AND ATTRIBUTIONS TO DEBATER AS PREVIOUSLY STATED AS FACTS AND FICTION, QUASI-FACT AND QUASI-FICTION, AND RESERCH, IN PREVIOUS CLAIMERS AND DISCLAIMERS.

Interesting Case | 8:25 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

This should be an interesting case seeing as Canada allows gay marriage. Heterosexuals can get married and gays can get married but it is against the law for polygamists to practice their lifestyle. Sounds like a case of discrimination to me. When this finally works its way through the court system, Canada may have legalized polygamy on its books.

John Pack Lambert | 9:03 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

To the 2:31 commentator,
Actually, you can prosecute people for being married to more than one woman at the same time because there are laws that define it as a criminal offense.
Whether these laws are just, whether they should be used when being married to more than one woman is required by someones religion, or whether there is enough evidence to prosecute these men and whether they actually broke the law are open questions.
However, in every state of the United States and in Canada there are currently laws on the books making plural marriage illegal. Not only that but in Utah polygamy is specifically banned by the state constitution.
You can argue that this is not the way things ought to be, but it is the way things are, so the government can in fact prosecute a man for having more than one wife at the same time.

John Pack Lambert | 9:20 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

To the 6:10 commentator,
This case involves consenting adults. The criminal accusation is polygamy, not under-aged marrige.

Anna Karenina | 12:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Perhaps the logic here is that in having 1/3 (or 1/4 etc.) in their collective happiness is preferable to 100% of what the rest of us have- which judging from our what? at least 50% divorce rate is a sorry statement about us-Their idea of working for the betterment of the entire group rather than the traditional system, which in today's upside-down new world order, only fosters competition between men and women,children get pawned off on non-family unhappy and low-paid daycare workers- often illegals at that, and the adversarial "what's in it for me,what can I get? what % do I have to give, pay, do?" mentality. Today's society and roles are not as clear-cut as they once were, and because of rising costs,outsourcing and various other economic woes- the old nuclear family 2-parent household is often not even possible- women have been brainwashed that being 'just a mother' isn't good enough, you should pawn your kid off and make tax money for the government to then pay for the mothers that get the free programs- then it's Ok to be "just a mother".Feminism ripped us off.

THE ULTIMATE TEST CASE | 9:24 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"THE ULTIMATE TEST CASE FOR POLYGAMISTS"

NOTICE TO COPYCATS

User comments:
Canadian polygamists' future may rest on 1892 law

MY CHALLENGE IS FOR THE "ULTIMATE TEST CASE" FOR POLYGAMISTS WITH

(1-30 or more or multiple) WRITTEN PRENUPTIAL CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS

where the "polygamous parties or participants" have:

(a) ALL THE INCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN; and yet, they ARE NOT married:

(A) in the eyes of the law or (B) in the eyes of the court.

NOTICE OF OTHER CREDITS AND ATTRIBUTIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TO DEBATER AS PREVIOUSLY STATED AS FACTS AND FICTION, QUASI-FACT AND QUASI-FICTION, AND RESERCH, IN PREVIOUS CLAIMERS AND DISCLAIMERS.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Did Jacob or Abraham | 1:31 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

have a "commandment" from "God" to take more wives or was this a lifestyle they had? I think if you check it out you will find that it was a lifestyle. Now lets look at the most common places that still practice this lifestyle. Are they the more advanced countries in the world or are they 3rd world type countries? I think you will find the obvious. This is a lifestyle that does not fit into modern societies well. Of course there are exceptions, but normally they cause more of what we consider inequalities to women and young girls. Stop trying to make this lifestyle as sometimes commanded from "God". It has and will continue to cause heartache. If you think that it will someday not cause heartache or if you think that it is practiced in "heaven" please keep this to yourselves since it makes you look like you need psycholical help.

Toad Man..rebit! | 3:15 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I smell something pretty funky going on here with this old, fat, adulterer and polygamist.

Yikesters | 5:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Re: Toad man,

Ummm, I betcha anything that this polygamist man, being a toad and all, has a bad case of warts.

kev | 5:21 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

One word for polygamy and that is.....DEMENTED!!!

D | 11:55 a.m. Jan. 11, 2009

POLYGAMY TEST CASE OF THE FUTURE (NOW) WITH A NEW SOUL OR CORE EMPHASIS)

Available at:

Reader comments: Full statement from polygamist leader Winston Blackmore

D | 2:29 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
D | 9:45 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
D | 1:48 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
====================================================

BG | 2:23 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

No one has the right to break the law, including ignorant, religious driven abusers! Polygamy is socialized adultery/cohabitation, with an inbred pedophilia factor, condoned/justified by generally isolated, religious fanatics! One wife, is legal here in America/Canada - spiritual wifery, is not! Isolation is the key, for these groups - out of sight, out of mind! They socially embrace a mixed bag of debased, sexual behavior, as they deceive, indoctrinate and victimize women/children - all in the name of God! You see, God justifies their depravity/sick sense of morality! The abusers have no responsibllity/accountability, why, because God told them to abuse women/children! Many, further insult us, with the explanation that they embraced Polygamy, against their finer sensibilities, but obedience to God, trumps their conscience, and is demanded of them! How can they or anyone else question God? These same people, portray themselves as victims - how astonishing!

Women and children in a closed polygamist society, have limited options, rights and agency, to choose for themselves! It's nothing more than Theocratic Fascism! These leaders should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and their guilt! The victims need comprehensive, long-term counseling! My heart goes out to them!

To "Interesting Case" | 3:52 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

I find it "interesting" that people like you find correlations to polygamy and gay marriage. Of course, they are forms of "marriage", but what about the obvious? The problems associated are not similar at all! The polygamoous lifestyle has been accused (many times) of problems associated with underage marriages, abuse and neglect. The gay commitment issue is more closely related to heterosexual marriage in that they want to commit to ONE other person in! People need to stop putting their polygamous feelings on the same table as the gay lifestyle. It is not similar at all and is handled differently. Furthermore, it makes a person seem foolish.

Sniffer dog | 7:09 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

Polygamist men are dangerous people. The lost boys in southern Utah don't just come up missing for no reason at all. There are more women in the Polygamy cults then there are men. Something strangely and mighty fishy is going on with these men. I think they need to find the skeletons of these boys.

Big Love | 10:32 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

Yep, they are killing each other on the movie series on HBO. And they all tell one lie after another and lie to their wives. Someone had some real insight on these polygamist people with the movie series.

Anonymous | 10:58 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009

Right on BG!

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