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Ex-seminary principal waiting for evidence

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High Five | 11:54 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009
"He would give me a high five and say 'you're so righteous!'"

Nice...
John Charity Spring | 11:59 a.m. Aug. 18, 2009
This is an outrageous case of how modern technology is being used to facilitate criminal behavior. This seminary teacher has obviously fallen for the message of modern society that not only are immorality, dishonesty, and immediate self-gratification acceptable, they are desirable. If anyone should have been, this seminary teacher should have been the one to uphold the standard of chastity, morality, and respect for others that made this Country great. Instead, he misused modern technology to engage in conduct that was not only immoral, it was illegal.
Superdell's taxpayer paid lawyer | 12:01 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Still no wife at these hearings? She must be humiliated.
Comments continue below
Richard | 12:04 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I think he is innocent until proven guilty. With that said, I have seen many instances where, when proven guilty, the guilty are still praised in church and the victim and victims family left behind to be humiliated by the love and adoration some people still have for a convicted sex offender.

If he is guilty, he needs to be severely punished and dealt with as any pedophile. Lets admit it. God wouldn't call a pedophile to be a seminary principal. Merely mortals called him to that position of trust and, if guilty, he betrayed that trust. For the victim and the family he needs punished (if guilty)
Following the Story | 12:08 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I spoke to a student at Lone Peak. She said she never liked this guy--never got why everybody was so in to him. She thought his stories were over the top--didn't think they were exactly true. She thought he was creepy in how he tried to be everybody's fav.

Students need to remember that if a teacher acts as though he is still a kid, and wants to be "in" with the kids--he might just have issues.
Re JJJS | 12:10 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
LDS policy is to terminate when accusations surface, not necessarily when they have made any determination of guilt. The courts are quite capabale and the only ones who can responsibly determine guilt or innocence relative to the laws of the land. Maybe we should wait and see.
James O | 12:17 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I don't understand why he was fired. He has not been found guilty of his charges yet.
Poor wife, kids, students | 12:20 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Even if the man did nothing, it would still be horrible for all the people affected to have to go through this. I hope his family is doing well and his previous students are dealing with it respectfully and without confused feelings.

The girl's father seems very concerned with all those affected as well which shows great character. I hope the girl is being honest. I only say this because today we see so many people lie to this extent, even to get others hurt. For his sake, I hope it isn't true. For her sake, I hope it is.

I have known girls and older men who have lied about rape and other things like it and the saddest part is that it seems that justice is hardly ever met.

Only until the courts on high will rule in the end can we wait for any kind of rest from these troubles.
sickness | 12:22 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
21 felonies and not a wife in sight...what to do he definitly was framed and will be telling his new cell mate that very soon. And all his supporters will shun his victum in the most righteous way. But if there is true justice it will done , should have never got involved the parents are right and caught the thing. Gave him a warning should have stayed home , so now he has a new home for sure.
Its almost over.... | 12:23 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Pratt is just playing his legal cards. He has never denied the allegations, only saying that the full truth will come out at the right time. He will take a plea bargain once he sees all the cards the prosecution holds. He just doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in prison for a consensual relationship that was inappropriate. He will apologize to the victim next month and move on with rebuilding his life. People make mistakes. I believe most of his "Supporters" know he is guilty but they are supporting him for the good he has done in his life.
Ugh! | 12:27 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
This is why the LDS Church should get rid of professional seminary teachers. The program should be phased out. These individuals are looked at as professional clergy by students. Much better having volunteers as is done outside of our sheltered Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

He might be innocent until proven guilty, but the LDS Church has already axed the guy's job. Does that say something? If he were man enough he would accept his guilty and avoid a trial, embarrassing his friends and family even more.
Anonymous | 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Why were the police able to know about all the phone calls etc. and yet it is taking so long to have these records released? Doesn't add up.
wallofvoodoo | 12:31 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Whether he molested the girl or not, he did check her out of school. That right there & the contact with her outside school, especially when her parents had asked him to stop, would be enough to fire him.
oh cry a river | 12:44 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
he got fired and they knew he was a libilty now the rest of you need to find out where you stand also!
Anonymous | 12:49 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
To: It's almost over ... consensual sex is sex between two adults ... it is not sex between a teacher and student or a 16 year old and a 36 year old!
Ugh!2 | 12:50 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
"This is why the LDS Church should get rid of professional seminary teachers."

Thank you! I agree.

Also:

"She said she never liked this guy--never got why everybody was so in to him. She thought his stories were over the top--didn't think they were exactly true. She thought he was creepy in how he tried to be everybody's fav."

Glad to see there is SOMEONE who sees through this guy.

Give him credit, though. It looks like he's having a good experience in court. Give him a black rock.
Sex or Sexual Acts? | 12:54 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
The guy messed up and deserves the heartache that he will face by loosing his job, his family, and any respect he once had in the community. What type of sentence does someone get that performes sexual acts, not sex, with a minor?
Anon | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
It's about time the DN actually write an unbiased account of this hearing. I am interested to see what the truth holds. I hope that we will learn these things from the proceedings in court not the one sided account we have already heard from DN "reporting".
There are always two sides to a story and that needs to be remembered. The teachers from Bountiful Junior High made mistakes but no one seems to be condemning the child who courted them.
He has manipulated many teachers, who if they fall are locked up, but he has yet to be given counseling.
Were they wrong in sleeping with a child? ABSOLUTELY! Does he need help as well? ABSOLUTELY.
We don't know the whole story yet so let's wait before throwing stones at the poor guy!
Me | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
To:Ugh!

I am a seminary teacher and just want to say that we are warned against all of the things that Bro. Pratt did. His behavior is not an indictment against all seminary teachers. I know from many years of experience that the seminary program blesses students, families, wards, the teachers themselves, and communiies... and has for many years. We are always only one generation away from losing everything and so the church invests a lot of money in the youth. Very wise.

Like David of old we can be called to great positions of responsibility, but if we choose to disregard counsel and follow the temptations of the flesh, anyone can fall.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. I feel bad for Bro. Pratt. His small bad choices led to his downfall just as David's did. The church took immediate action and we will go on.

Thanks for your time.
Creeping me out... | 1:01 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
"And no matter what happens, guilty or not, the students said they will still love and support Pratt."

No matter what happens isn't what I want for my children to think. If he is guilty then he deserves everything the law can throw at him. If not, then still I wouldn't trust him with my children.

What Evidence? | 1:03 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Once upon a time, there were 200 explicit e-mails and text messages. Now there may be a dozen. Hmmmm -- And if you read the story (now) The girl told a story to her parents who told a story to Michael's employer, who told the story to the police . . . Can anyone guess to what power the story has been escalated?

And to dear lie-detector JJJS --I know one of those students who took time out of their day and traveled the distance in support of their teacher. Their body language was an indication of how scary it was for them to be in a courtroom; how sad they were for their friend facing the destruction of his life; and how unsure they were that their frined would even see them, or acknowledge them. It was nervousness for hope. They believe him to be innocent, but either way, they want to pay him back for how he helped them in their lives.

Looks to me like JJJS is just a little jealous that he (she, it?) doesn't have the kinds of friends that would be there for him in his most desperate hour.
Sad | 1:06 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
What a tragedy all the way around. No matter what the final outcome is. As far as professional seminary teachers go, our kids are much safer with them than they are with amatuers. The professional seminary teachers are some of the most closely watched members of the LDS Church and are subjected to far more scrutiny than almost any other position. As far as the phone records go, I'm sure they simply looked at her phone and maybe his initially. But they need the official records from the phone companies for court, because things can be errased from the phones.
To James O | 1:09 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
You don't understand? You are not too swift.
Can you imagine what would happen to the lds church if, after accusations of this behavior surfaced, and they did nothing, and he did it again to someone else?
They were absolutely correct in getting rid of him.
Tonto
utah citizen | 1:14 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Mr Pratt ctr.........he choose the right!
re: Anon @ 12:30 | 1:22 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Think of it like the difference between a copy of your report cart and a certified transcript of your grades. With many cell plans you can print off a call history from the internet or have the bills. I'd imagine the courts want something a little more official than that as evidence so they have the companies give them an official record.
Student Support | 1:28 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
how are you going to be there for him when he's in prison? Who's supporting the girl who was dooped into a perverted and illegal relationship?
Religous? | 1:30 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Perverts will be perverts. Religion or no religion they are all the same.. Just perverts.
What? | 1:42 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
To "Me."

Uh..."small bad choices?" I think the choices were anything but small if true. Not good for you, of all people, to come out and say, "small bad choices." THEY WERE HUGE BAD CHOICES, buck-o!
AF Police | 1:45 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Depends on who was investigating this in AF, but they do have a record of jumping to false conclusions, stating more facts exist than really do, and often trying to coerce a "confession" when there was no guilt. They like to use public forums to chalk up the win instead of the courts.

This may be the case why the news knew of supposed text message while the defense team is still waiting to see what actually exists. Did AF police jump the gun on what is real vs. what is alledged?
Wyldman | 1:47 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I knew Mike in High School. He was an awesome guy and really was as nice as he seemed. He had no guile in him. I don't know whether he is guilty or not, but I do know that if he is he is allready punishing himself.
He would never have been fake with his students, he didn't have to be, he really meant the things he said. He wanted the best for everyone.
As for my opinion of Mike Pratt, all I can think, is if he can fall I better examine my own life and look for weaknesses I can fix because he was one of the best men I knew in High School.
I never would have believed it was possible for this to happen to Mike.
Once again, it is just proof we all need to watch ourselves closer.
Anonymous | 1:49 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Some of you need to get a life! This guy needs to be locked up for good.
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt | 1:51 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
The LDS Church conducted interviews before terminating him. Try to keep up on the story. This guy is in big trouble.
And | 2:35 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
in Utah County.
anon | 2:37 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
To JJJS:
Please sight your source that said there was an interview before he was terminated, because I don't believe that has come out in the media or anywhere else.
the ship is sinking | 2:44 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
yes not as many pro-seminary teacher comments, so there is a semblance of looking through the mess or facade. now he will pay dearly and thank your lucky stars we all have choices to make.
Former CES Guy | 3:05 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
As a former CES guy that left for higher pay and more opporunities, I can tell you that no group is examined at a higher level of scrutiny. The mistake of one doesn't illustrate the faults of many. This guy if proven guilty should be punished to the full extent of the law. My heart aches for the families of both the victim and the accused! What a horrible experience. During my CES time I saw allegations made and proven false... and tragically some proven true. The fact they removed him is prudent and illustrates the committment the LDS Church has to protecting children. I had more training on how to avoid this type of problem than I did on teaching methodology in my decade of service.
where's the love?? | 3:09 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I think the fact that Pratt's wife has not shown up once in court is significant. His students may support him, but the person who knows him best is not.
Observer | 3:12 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I'd say he measures out to about a size 16 millstone for around his neck!
Innocent Miss | 3:15 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
2 of my 4 seminary teachers creeped me out from years ago. They disturbed me so much I don't allow my two daughters to attend seminary at their high school.
Robert | 3:23 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Regardless of how this turns out, I have to say that I wish his wife and family well. They must feel much angst and humiliation and are truly in need of lots of understanding and sympathy from those closest to them.

Although I do not live near Orem and don't know them or Bro. Pratt, I wish them all the best.
Re: What? | 3:36 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
You jumped on the seminary teacher's phrase "small bad choices", and seemed to think the author was suggesting that Mike Pratt's choices were "small" in their weight.

You missed his point completely. He was making the point that "small bad choices" often precede great falls. He used the example of King David to show that a series of "small bad choices" ultimately led to his demise. (see 2 Samuel 10:1-27)

David's problems began when he was not where he was supposed to be, leading his troops into battle. Secondly, David saw a woman bathing herself, instead of looking away, he lusted long enough to determine that she was very beautiful to look upon. Next, instead of letting it go, he inquired who she was. Next, instead of being a faithful husband, he sent for her. Next, instead of sending her away, he committed adultery. Next, instead of repenting and moving forward, he had her husband killed.

A person doesn't fall out of bed unless they are near the edge. A series of "small bad choices" often lead to painful outcomes. A mindful lesson for each of us.
He'd better be found guilty | 3:56 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Otherwise, alot of people -- including the LDS Church -- are going to look stupid after some of their comments here.

Remember, everyone -- the cops, the prosecutors, the Media, the university faculty -- thought the Duke lacrosse players were all guilty, too.
Anonymous | 4:03 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Not from Utah, don't know him or his students....seems like he's been accused, tried, judged, found guilty and sentenced by most people.
Mormons can't spell | 4:30 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
Please "sight" your sources.

"Dooped" .....On and on

If you want bad spelling, bad grammar, horrid syntax and usage, the Des News forums are the place for you.

Ray
A Call to Fellow LDS | 4:32 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I read the comments of other seminary teachers coming to defend their profession (priestcraft) against the guilt-by-association with Pratt... and I almost puke.

I went through the seminary program. I was the president of the seminary at my high school. I learned more nonsense, false doctrine, and twisted reasoning from seminary teachers than anywhere else (perhaps with the exception of religion courses at BYU)!

These people are little more than egocentric entertainers, religious zealots, and cheerleaders. Pratt is classic in this regard. That is why he worked his way up to being a principal.

I agree with the comment that said the Church should get rid of Seminary. I will throw in Institute as well. They do more harm than good. The focus should be on learning the scriptures and doctrines at HOME and at CHURCH.

Seminary and Institute teachers are nobody. They have NO Church authority at all. They are not called nor sustained in the same way as ALL other callings in the Church! Yet they play such a mythical but influential role in the lives of our youth. That is VERY dangerous. Pratt's case proves it!

Boycott seminary and maybe change will happen!
Skippy | 4:32 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
I am glad I don't have to be the judge in this circumstance. Think how is life has changed.
Anonymous | 4:37 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
If the girl was 21 years or older, it just would have been considered an affair. I know.
To "Sad" @ 1:06 pm | 4:44 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
"As far as professional seminary teachers go, our kids are much safer with them than they are with amatuers." Are you implying that the LDS church should also have a paid professional clergy? How many non-professional seminary teachers do you know? I know dozens, and have taught with some of the best. In my experience these men and women are of the highest caliber and can withstand any level of scrutiny. They teach in the early morning hours, then going on to their full-time jobs, and in the evenings prepare for the next morning. I think you know not of what you speak.
Anonymous | 4:45 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
For all people of all religions and all backgrounds, let us wait and have "innocence until proven guilty."

This needs to be the law of the land and it includes all entities that have attornies (city, state, federal).

CougarKeith | 4:49 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009
PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES, People learn from those mistakes! "Know thou my son, that All These things shall give thee Experience and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath decended below them ALL. Art though greater than he?" Don't go throwing stones at glass houses my friends, you all have made mistakes too, and we don't have "ALL" the facts of the case as of yet. I find it amazing how everyone stands there ready to stone him, or put him away! What would the Savior say, perhaps something like, "Let He who is without sin cast the first stone." As if you have never done anything wrong in your life? I know in my case I have! This man has done much good in his life as well, and from what I hear is a good man. Shall the law overlook this? Of course not, should we the public judge him? The answer is a resounding "NO!" Then again that is my opinion. If we were living the Law of Moses, he should be stoned for ADULTRY if there are two or more witnesses, but they must be eye witnesses!

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Former LDS seminary principal Michael Jay Pratt, center, walks past supporters Tuesday.

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