Deseret News | Woman abducted for converting to LDS Church, police say

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Woman abducted for converting to LDS Church, police say

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Anonymous | 3:56 p.m. May 11, 2009

what ever happened to freedom of religion? freedom of speech?

John Charity Spring | 4:03 p.m. May 11, 2009

This is an outrageous display of intolerance and selfishness on the part of the parents. There was a time in this Country when parents sought to teach their children the old fashioned values that made this Country great, such as freedom of religion. However, modern media continues to promote selfishness and a "me first attitude" that these parents have accepted whole heartedly, without any concern for the rights of their daughter.

I hope | 4:06 p.m. May 11, 2009

At first I thought I might remark regarding the brain washing done by the LDS church. But then I realized the girl is 19. Shes old enough to choose for her self what she wants to fill her brain with. Hope she is found soon and I hope she is found safe.

Comments continue below

Two wrongs dont make a right. | 4:22 p.m. May 11, 2009

This isnt about one being right and the other being wrong. The girl should not have joined the church and her father should have respected her choice. They are both wrong.

Chances are: | 4:23 p.m. May 11, 2009

the guy from Texas is a evangelical of some sort.

This is what the GOP right wingers think of the LDS church guys. Yet the state of Utah keeps hanging their hat on the GOP. Why?

Salt Lake City | 4:23 p.m. May 11, 2009

They purchased one way tickets to Salt Lake City? You oppose your daughter's conversion to the LDS faith, so the first thing you do is to take her to the LDS capital of the world?

Am I missing something here?

Phil | 4:28 p.m. May 11, 2009

Reminds me of my family. That hate for the LDS never did fill that hole in their souls.

Kidnapping? | 4:30 p.m. May 11, 2009

I don't think they want to face a Utah jury.

Sam | 4:31 p.m. May 11, 2009

I think the important issue is not the choice of religion but the fact that she does not feel safe with her own parents. I hope she is ok.

follow your heart | 4:32 p.m. May 11, 2009

Every family should tell their children to follow their heart, keep an open mind and read any book you can -----especially one that makes life full and abundant. Don't fear books, especially those which affect the most people.

re: Salt Lake City | 4:36 p.m. May 11, 2009

Yes you did miss something. The parents bought one way tickets to Salt Lake City to come and get their daughter that lived here. It sounds like then they rented a car and drove to the Denver airport after they had abducted her.

Mont | 4:36 p.m. May 11, 2009

It does not matter what religion this woman converted to it is still against the law to for anyone to abduct her. If her parents were worried about her they should have tried to reason with her. Abducting her will only make the matter worse and most likely they will be facing kidnapping charges and they may not be able to see the daughter. This is not a religion problem it is a family problem.

Skowronek | 4:40 p.m. May 11, 2009

Wow. A lot of intolerant people on here. Including parents. Good thing I was raised by a somewhat open minded mother. Sheesh.

Concerned | 4:41 p.m. May 11, 2009

Wow. Most of you that commented here are worthless bigots.

Brainless Minion #4837902 | 4:42 p.m. May 11, 2009

I always find it interesting when people claim that the LDS Church "brainwashes" people.

Problem: The LDS Church has a lay ministry. No one's getting rich and driving sports cars off the tithing. Virtually all of the "brainwashing" is performed by 20-year-old volunteer missionaries and unpaid local bishops and Sunday School teachers. None of the typical motivations to brainwash apply, and there's no dictatorship-like structure to accomplish it.

Are we simply to believe that the LDS Church was so ingeniously designed that's it's a self-perpetuating brainwashing machine, indoctrinating minions so thoroughly that they eventually become the brainwashers themselves--everyone in the system completely unaware of their puppetlike role?

Or are we to believe that the insidious power structure of the General Authorities is behind all this--that by merely speaking twice a year in General Conference and corresponding with Area Authorities, that they're able to perpetuate the great indoctrination machine, and that they secretly rake in the tithing for themselves, buying mansions and so cleverly perpetrating the entire conspiracy that no one has ever found out?

Cheeing on the Father?!? | 4:42 p.m. May 11, 2009

Your hatred for the Mormon church must be quite ripe to sympathize with a kidnapping by an abusive father. If the father is abusive, what do you think is happening right now?

Chachi | 4:44 p.m. May 11, 2009

4:30 pm seems to confuse the Mormon Church with the Catholic Church of several hundred years ago. Name one scientist that was killed by an inquisition of the Mormon Church.

Anonymous | 4:44 p.m. May 11, 2009

Scientists killed for doubting the church? Take your meds and cash your welfare check.

Funny... | 4:45 p.m. May 11, 2009

Normally people get abducted then convert.

Jon B. Holbrook | 4:46 p.m. May 11, 2009

Danielle Alonso is 19. She is legally-emancipated. She was perfectly within her rights to decide to convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What her parents have done in kidnapping her is inexcusable. Her parents will try to brainwash her out of her new-found faith in the Lord's Only True and Living Church. It is sad to see supposedly responsible parents in the United States using terrorist tactics against their own daughter, Pray that the parents will see the error of their ways and let thier daughter practice her new-found faith in peace.

DMH | 4:47 p.m. May 11, 2009

The girl is 19 and therefore, an adult. She is entitled to belong to any religion that she wants to, and if her parents don't like it, they can either be a part of her life anyway, or choose not to be. However, abducting her is going way over the line and is against the law. I hope that Danielle is found soon and is safe. I admire her for trying to talk to her parents about this before getting the authorities involved, but her parents have now made this decision for her and have chosen a difficult road for themselves.

John Dough | 4:48 p.m. May 11, 2009

First off look at the facts:

A 19 year old girl is able to make her own decision. She is moved out of the house and is living on her own. She can choose what she believes as an adult. So "two wrongs" and "bravo" you don't have a leg to stand on nor a brain in your head.
As for the comment from "Chances Are" on the standing of evangelicals and the GOP, LDS people know how other religions might view ours and that is their opinion. LDS in Utah would rather follow God than Liberal know-nothings any day of the week.

jdub | 4:50 p.m. May 11, 2009

To claim that brainwashing occurred without having any idea of what really happened makes you nearly as dangerous as the girls parents. I was an LDS missionary. We taught people what we believe to be the truth, then asked them to pray about it and let God tell them if it was true. That isn't remotely brainwashing--that's the same advice James gave in his New Testament epistle.

You don't have to believe in our doctrine, but YOU are either dishonest and hypocritical or completely ignorant if you claim we do anything other than what I have said. We don't. You should try really listening some time.

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. May 11, 2009

Woah. They're from Vernal and recently moved to Texas. Call it like it is -- they're Utah wingnuts...

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. May 11, 2009

Her father said her roommate was responsible for her conversion? Then it seems only natural that he would object to her joining a faith that teaches responsibility for her own actions.

DCon | 4:51 p.m. May 11, 2009

Imagine what the comments would be here if it were an LDS father kidnapping his daughter for leaving the church. Don't get any stupid ideas, people, that would be as wrong as what this father did.

And I'd like to know what scientists that person at 4:30 was referring to that were supposedly killed by the church. If you're going to make such ridiculous remarks, be prepared with some backup.

Janice | 4:51 p.m. May 11, 2009

I feel her parents did the write thing. I bet she is happy and well.

My experience | 4:53 p.m. May 11, 2009

My Texan grandparents were outraged when my family joined the LDS Church about 20 years ago. But as the years passed, they saw the good that the church brought into our lives, and they had some of their misconceptions clarified. Their hearts softened and my grandfather was recently baptized himself! I wish this girl the best. She has a tough road ahead of her. I pray that her family will recognized the joy and peace she has found.

k | 4:56 p.m. May 11, 2009

Interesting the way people react when someone chooses a lifestyle they disagree with. Everyone reacts the same. Whether it be religion, gender, etc. Truth be there is no such thing as an open minded person.

Mormon in CA | 5:00 p.m. May 11, 2009

wow, abducting your daughter who is an adult. These people are wacked. I cant believe that people harbor this much hate toward a church. You would think they would be happy that she stands for something andis attempting to live the gospel standards. This is much better than most 19 year olds I know. Social services needs to pay these people a visit, sounds like there is lots of instability.

Freedom of religion | 5:01 p.m. May 11, 2009

For all of you wondering about freedom of religion - that applies to the government. There is no violation of freedom of religion or freedom of speech because no government agent or agency is trying to interfere with this girl's religion or speech.

Her family disapproves of her choice of religion - and they have a right to do that - they do not, however, have a right to break the law to express their disapproval.

No matter what your feelings towards religion in general and/or the LDS Church in particular, what happened to this young woman is wrong. I hope she is found safe.

Re: Hey Utah! | 5:05 p.m. May 11, 2009

Dude . . . she was kidnapped. Her parents are free to have whatever opinions they want. They are also free to talk to their daughter about it until they are blue in the face. They are not, however, free to abduct her against her will. Do her rights and the rule of law go out the window simply because you hate her and her religion?

Bily Bob | 5:10 p.m. May 11, 2009

I just have one comment about this whole mess: I HATE BIGOTS!

Anonymous | 5:11 p.m. May 11, 2009

To jrdurham.

Get a life, and quite being such a bigot! You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Let's all pray | 5:14 p.m. May 11, 2009

. . . this daughter is blessed with those spiritual gifts necessary to heal the rift in her family and open her parents eyes.

Love vs Abuse | 5:15 p.m. May 11, 2009

Parnets show love in a number of ways. Concern over a child's choices, physical safety, eternal salvation. I'm sure there's a few approaches to take when your son or daughter does something that you don't agree with. You're approach would probably change as the child became an adult and began making decisions without you looking over their shoulders. I think the parents meant well, heck they came all the way from Texas to pick her up--they've had a few hours to think about this.
Where this story turns from love and concern to control and abuse is when the daughter is "kidnapped." I'm a little less concerned with her joining a church, or making a choice that her parents disagree with, and more so with her safety with an allegedly abusive father.

mytwocents | 5:16 p.m. May 11, 2009

I wonder if the LDS parents would be saying the same thing if their own son or daughter decided they were Atheist???

Utahan | 5:17 p.m. May 11, 2009

Maybe they kidnapped her to get her away from the strange Utah-Mormons.
...and the FLDS Mormons in Texas would be a much better, and less controversial choice?...

Henry Drummond | 5:29 p.m. May 11, 2009

I just don't understand how anybody could do this or be in favor of this. I can see someone objecting to an underage child being proselytized but she is 19. Give me a break. The only threat to this girl's life is her nutty controlling parents.

irony | 5:31 p.m. May 11, 2009

This father ironically will steel his daughters resolve. She will no doubt become a more stalwart member of the LDS Church. Forcing one's will on teens and young adults (or anyone) does not work.

Keith | 5:33 p.m. May 11, 2009

Mytwocents, it happens every single day, but Mormons don't kidnap their children; they let them make their own choices.

Let's All Slow Down | 5:35 p.m. May 11, 2009

There are a lot of facts that will probably come out about this. Did they truly take her against her will or did they very sternly instruct her to come with them and she did? There is a big difference between tying someone up and hauling them across state versus demanding she does and she does so. She could have ran, screemed - supposedly at many points back to Texas. I HIGHLY doubt there will be any criminal charges filed here once its all said and done. Particularly with an attorney involved I'm sure he has instructed them to tell her she is free to leave at any point.

Convert | 5:37 p.m. May 11, 2009

I joined the LDS Church when I was 18 (woulda done it sooner, except I couldn't get parental permission). Once I did it, my family life was pretty hostile to the point I had to move out. But my folks would have never kidnapped me, nor would I have feared for my physical safety with them.

I don't see this as a Mormon versus non-Mormon issue. It's about control. The girl's faith of choice is a minor secondary issue.

Even if daddy thinks the LDS faith is a load of bull, it's still the girl's choice. I hope she's OK.

gyakusatsu | 5:38 p.m. May 11, 2009

According to the report of the girl's conversation with the police before her parents came to kidnap her, she had previously been abused.

"Danielle called the sheriff's office saying she didn't feel safe due to past physical abuse, he said."

These are not simply the actions of concerned parents. (Whether or not the LDS Church is true is irrelevant.) She was worried about abuse before they got there. If she actually called the police to tell them about her father, it seems she had an inkling what she could be in for if he did show up.

To Anonymous | 4:51 | 5:39 p.m. May 11, 2009

They where anti-mormon and lived in Utah. Yes that would be the definition of a Utah wingnut all right.

Granny T. | 5:39 p.m. May 11, 2009

It appears to me that they are old fashioned parents, I'm guessing, and probably Catholic, who want their daughter to stay Catholic. They believe they have the true church. Fathers in other cultures are a force to be reckoned with. He sounds violent and is obviously very old fashioned. In the old days parents did disown their children for going against the families wishes. Wow, what a mess.

LDSin Denver | 5:42 p.m. May 11, 2009

Would I steal my son and take him home if he decided he was atheist? Of course not. He has to determine what he believes/doesn't believe.

As real to us as the consciousness of life itself is the awareness of the ability to make a choice. There exists an eternal law that each human soul shall shape its own destiny. "No one individual can make happiness or salvation for another."
(David O. Mckay May 10, 1961, BYU Speeches of the Year)

I hope the parents soon realize this is not going to help the situaiton. We can pray that our children will have the same beliefs that we do but force is not hte answer.

Cats | 5:44 p.m. May 11, 2009

These SICK parents have committed a FEDERAL crime. They will face the full force of the law.

There is NO excuse for this act either legally or morally.

I hope everyone is praying for this poor girl and I hope the FBI and other authorities catch up with them before they harm her.

Anonymous | 5:47 p.m. May 11, 2009

This isn't about whether a person joins a church. Parents don't have the right to kidnap a 19-year old adult, son or daughter. The daughter made a choice for her own life and it does not matter whether her parents approve or disapprove of it. They want to disown her, that is their choice.

It reminds me of the kidnapped bride a few years ago...

Government carpetbaggers | 5:47 p.m. May 11, 2009

This harks back to the 19th century when government officials came to Utah with a severe chip on their shoulder about the Mormons and then tried everything they could to discredit the Mormons in Washington, causing a "war" and laying the foundation for the extreme bigotry that still exists in the east towards the Mormons. Somehow it doesn't surprise that this father was another government official sent to Utah and that he still has the same sort of hatred towards the Mormons.

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