here it goes...

My heart aches when I read stories like this and I always feel sorry for polygamist wives whether they are Muslim or rogue mormons.
To me it is just open adultery. It is not a lifestyle I could ever respect or ever be a part of.
As a Mormon myself, I never understood why the Mormon church ever started the practise in the 1800's but I think it was a bad idea from the beginning and only served to satisfy the men. Clearly, people are still feeling the negative effects of this lifestyle today.
I would be curious to find out what the Mormon church is saying about all this. The truth of the matter is, the mormons do not practise polygamy simply because it is illegal, not because it is immoral- according to church leadership, which is made up of men. You will never hear a male mormon complaining about the idea or practise of polygamy, just the women. Believe me when I say that mormon women around the world do not like this lifestyle at all.I think that says it all.

Question... why have more than one wife if they all look and dress alike?  LOL... don't mean to belittle this group.  But, that's what struck me as this picture came up.  I mean, ya know... have a little variety in your life, huh?

Seriously, I feel for these women who's children have been seperated from them.  It's got to be hard for them, because I would imagine that's the only reason they put up with this crap!  The threat of having your children kept from you, you would do anything to avoid that!  Huh?  Wouldn't you think so, ladies?  Yet, why would you let yourself get into something like this to begin with?  Most likely, most of these women were born into this... but, couldn't they leave once they got old enough to understand their situation?  Are they brain-washed?  There's so many questions I have about this group, that I probably would bore you to death with them.  This would become a novel!!

Personally, I don't understand much about the Mormon religion, and really don't care!  Well, maybe "not caring" would be the wrong thing to say... let's say, I'm not interested judging from what little I do know.  I do know I couldn't live like this!

I wonder what draws women into these groups.  From my perspective, the women do not seem to be valued as individuals, but I may be missing something...

I don't think I will ever understand the polygamist way of life, but I have always been interested in history and looking at how these ladies are dressed, reminds me of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. Amazing!

Man! If you're going to take the time to have eight or ten wives, you would think that at least one of them would be nice looking.

Look at the really drab one. The one with the boring swoop haircut, the one with the solid, button up, collared dress with the poofy shoulders, the one not wearing any make up,.....wait.........

The men should never see the light of day again...and get those ladies a beer.  

That's a man, baby.

"talk about their 11-day experience"  ??  What the?    What about their 40-year experience living with those knuckleheads?

The funny thing is when one lady was interviewed she wouldn’t say when she married and another wouldn’t say if she shared her husband with many wives...lol...but I would like to know how they get their hair to stay so perfectly on their heads with out all that extra product...that’s where the real story is...*sippin on a coconut libation*...anybody want one...lol

Wow....

Birth control hair!!!

thank you nice picture..

Well I could talk about the anthropological record as a way to diminish the significance of polygamy, and then go into a diatribe of why do we really care so much, but alas I'm just not up to it right now. The real thing I see is this, Okay so lets say in the community the male to female ratio is 960 males to 991 females (from 2000 census). That’s an extremely even spit! So it would have to follow that a significant portion of the male population would have to remain single in order for the system to work! So who are those guys dating...I wonder. However, it seems from the news stories I've heard, the major problem of this ranch wasn't so much the polygamy, by the fact that some of these girls were just exactly that...girls were talking like 14 years old! We’ve gotta’ word for that in America, it's called pedophilia!

Talk about brain washing!!!

Robert- they have those things because they are shunned by normal society.  They have to go away from prying eyes and main stream morality to practice their deviant lifestyle.

There is so much about this religion and way of life that make absolutely no sense to me,but I feel for these women having their children taken from them.
I had no idea how on the money "Big Love" really was.

Another issue with such "sects" is the gene pool eventually becomes a puddle.

And I hate to sound catty but, just who is their hair stylist anyway???

MT--Exactly!!  The authorities say they will do dna testing to determine who is the father of each child, but with the "sharing" that has gone on, how definite will the results be??

AAAHHHHH......HOT HOT HOT, HOT......STUUUUUUUUFF; HOT HOT HOT HOT...

The extra men that gabrielheaven refers to are called "lost boys" who are literally kicked out of these compounds/ "cults" because they can't have two many men running around wanting to marry a woman.  They are ostracized by their families who care "so much" for them and 98% of the lost boys end up addicted to alcohol and/ or drugs with no family or home.  So, the men are suffering from this religion as well, just not the old, perverted, pedophiles who are in charge.  This lifestyle is so oppressive to so many people and I can't imagine why these men haven't been publicly stoned for crying out loud.  Someone please get these women and children away from the brain-washing pedophiles who run these cults, and yes they are cults.  Any religion founded on the basis of a man finding magical stones in a building in the 1800s is a joke at best and to call a building with "sex beds" in it a temple is asinine.  I am so disgusted that this is allowed to happen in our country, but gays still can't legally marry in most states.  All I can say is this world is a crazy, backwards place if it holds true that you can marry a 14 year old and start a family with that child, but two consenting adults of the same sex are forbidden to do the same.  Is anyone else asking "WTF?"

Sadly, this is the fall-out from the legacy that Joseph Smith and his "religion" has left this country with.  I will never understand why people continue to follow his pediphiliac teachings, and the incredibly debatable revalations that continue to plague this organization and its followers to this day. Wake-Up!  Question, authority.  Feel sorry for the women? A bit, but how can intelligient beings with a mind and thoughts of their own stand by and watch their children be abused in so many ways, other than just the sexual and physical abuse by these horid men.  The pyschological snapping that occurs in this cult is very real and damanging. The Mormon men are some of the worlds most selfish and narcissistic beings with incredible ego's.  They are task driven and believe that if they live the prinicipal the way Joseph Smith gave it to them, that they will one day themselves, become god's, no wonder they look at women and children as nothing more than chattle and a way to gain wealth and good standing in a cult where cash is king and any man can be a god if they just buckle down and reproduce and run a muck sexually.
I myself am a survivor of the Mormon cult, I escaped the confounds of this cult when I was 15, however, it has taken a life time to try and heal the scars that have been left, and I was not even a member of the fundamentalist group, just the every day group, can you imagine the healing that needs to take place in this compound.  Incredible and sad, why is it allowed to perpetuate?

The focus needs to remain on the children as the purpose of removing them was to protect them from further abuse.  The adults are free to live the way they want as long as they aren't harming anyone.  The men involved with children need to be in prison.  While I think this sect is way, way off base, do we really want children removed from homes just due to a "deviant lifestyle".  I mean, deviant by whose definition? There are a lot more lifestyles out there that many would consider deviant.  Do the authorities remove children from them next?

While the women were extremely sheltered and may have never known any other life, they are adults and should not be criticized for staying there, except, again--for putting their children in danger.

And what's with placing the children in regular foster homes, some in group homes?? It seems to me that this almost assuredly will cause them harm considering what they will be exposed to after being so sheltered.  CPS should have made arrangements for them to be cared for in another setting and together, especially if this whole thing was for their welfare. And don't flame me for this statement--I was a foster mom in Texas for 12 years and my home was a good one, but I know there are abusive homes out there.  

This story just tears at my heartstrings.  There are over 400 children whose lives are so uncertain.  How will all of them find decent, permanent homes?  These women might seem ignorant, but they don't know anything else.  They still have to be heartbroken to have their "babies" taken away from them.  I just will never understand extreme religious sects.

Mitt Romney for VP!

To all of the above, "Ditto".

Wouldn't something in their gut tell them this is wrong?

It is so disturbing to watch/see these women. They are so brainwashed its not even funny. One video showed them being asked if there was any abuse going on and of course they said no..if that is how you have been raised and you have been exposed to this abuse all your life, it is all you know and of course you won't think of it as abuse. it would be life.
I feel so bad for the children that are involved because they didn't have a choice in the matter. they were born into the lifestyle and have had no way to get out.
This whole thing is a really jacked up situation...

I prefer origamist ranches, farms, compounds, and retreats.  Unfortunately, they fold under pressure.

There is another group that practices control over their women and children in the way that all the members live IE No TV, no cutting hair, women can't have pants, no mixed swimming, no theatre, etc... Yet many in this organization swear that it is the only true belief and all non believers are going to go to hell. The UPCI (United Pentecostal Church International) needs to be looked at as well.

While I can sympathize with these women's heartbreak because their babies are being taken from them, were they also heartbroken when the men came for their daughters to rape them at age 14 years old?  Where were their protective mother's instincts at that time?

Jordan:  rotflmao

Lunchbox, I am now putting duck tape over my eyes!

Hugo, I was thinking that too, but then if all the kids running in the room can't stop you no hairstyle will either!

On the sober side, there are no "winners" in a scenario such as this.  Scars can heal but few vanish completely.  Check the third lady.  The look in her eyes shows no concern for public exposure, judgment, or ridicule.  Only the focus of a mother's love for the child she cannot embrace.

Society in order to survive needs laws & order, otherwise most would do what they felt was good....for them.  This nation is built upon the correct principle of freedom according to law, & those laws must be obeyed, or suffer the consequences.  It is always sad to see individuals destroy their lives, (& the lives of others) by their choices to break the law & then have to suffer the consequences as is happening here, but if law is not imposed, then society begins to decay.   I feel terribly sad for these families, & hate the jokes about their appearance written obviously by insensitive spiritual pigmies.  These families have been taught from childhood and believe, that the life they lead is not only proper, but absolutley necessary for their salvation.  Could it be possible that even a good part of the men believe that, and are not all sensual whoremongers as has so often been implied?  None of this is to suggest that the law has not been broken or that there should be no punishment, but lets be careful not to belittle or mock or even think badly of these people, for we are all on trial as to how we judge them.


 

Society in order to survive needs laws & order, otherwise most would do what they felt was good....for them.  This nation is built upon the correct principle of freedom according to law, & those laws must be obeyed, or suffer the consequences.  It is always sad to see individuals destroy their lives, (& the lives of others) by their choices to break the law & then have to suffer the consequences as is happening here, but if law is not imposed, then society begins to decay.   I feel terribly sad for these families, & hate the jokes about their appearance written obviously by insensitive spiritual pigmies.  These families have been taught from childhood and believe, that the life they lead is not only proper, but absolutley necessary for their salvation.  Could it be possible that even a good part of the men believe that, and are not all sensual whoremongers as has so often been implied?  None of this is to suggest that the law has not been broken or that there should be no punishment, but lets be careful not to belittle or mock or even think badly of these people, for we are all on trial as to how we judge them.


 

In order to get the hair to stand up like that, a woman wears a hair rat and combs her hair over it.  She made the hair rat by collecting the hair from her brush over years and rolling it together.  The scary thing is going into the bathroom to brush your teeth and finding a hair rat sitting like a dead animal on the bathroom counter.  For the husband of several women, it has to be like a colony of lab animals all dead at once.

For all of you that are so upset with the polygamous lifestyle. Let me remind you that 'fundamentalist' means to adhear to orginal doctrine. For us that includes the Old Testament. I know polygamy scares many people. But I know many of the people at the FYZ ranch and even if they have young women having families, they are doing so by choice. Every community in this country has girls who choose to become young mothers. They have rights and so do these young mothers. THEY ARE NOT BEING FORCED! And has anyone proved they were raped by 'old men' as everyone seems to be saying? Get over it America! What you don't understand is that I saw my husband's grandchild begging for her children to be returned. I know 'Nancy.' She chose to be married to her husband. She loved him when she married him. I married a 'much older man' when I was 16. I have the right to marry the man who will be the best provider and love me. It's too bad for everyone who wants to judge me for it. But I am telling you that I always knew I could choose my own husband and I'm glad I married my husband. He's a good man.

Naomi--In Texas (and many/most other states), sex with a minor is against the law--statuatory rape. It doesn't matter if the minor is willing or not, if they "choose" to or not, a minor is considered unable to make those decisions for themselves.  Their parents/guardians are supposed to protect them and make decisions for them until they reach maturity.

These woman seem very brainwashed to me. They were interviewed on the Today show today, and each one spoke in a peculiar high pitched voice. They were also very evasive when asked about how young children could be "allowed" to make a decision as to when to marry. I don't feel sorry for these mothers at all. If they did not protect their kids from pedophiles then the kids should be taken from them.

These women are an embarrassment for all women. In no place in decent society can parents legally allow their young underage daughters to be married to and impregnated by horny, opportunistic, unconscionable older perverts pretending to be God-loving. If I allowed a man to do this to my daughter, I would be all over the news. If you did it, so would you - and rightfully so! There is no sane legal reasoning whatsoever. I really WISH all these weak minded women would move to Saudi Arabia where women have no rights, no legal recourse and expect to be treated this way. In this country, women have worked too long and hard to be set back by fools like this. I have no sympathy for religions and customs where polygamy is practiced. There is no reason any woman in the United States should be looking to a man to provide for her anyway. In this country independence means we are FREE to work to support ourselves. It’s just pure laziness to do otherwise.

Uh oh, Naomi. You're just throwing fuel on the fire saying that in a family blog room like this one. Hope you got a nice, big shovel.

If you were not raised in this society then you will never be able to understand why they think the way they do. To these women rape and abuse are meaningless terms. They are their husband's property both physically and sexually. If their husband forces them to have sex this is not rape, it is his right has their husband. This cult believes that the only way for a women to get into heaven is though her husband, therefor to these women, many of who were born into this world and do not know anything different, it is a blessing to be allowed to marry and have a family. These women are probably terrified that if their children are taken from them they will not be allowed to return to their husbands and they will go to hell!

The faces have no emotion the eyes are stone cold they are like robots. I dont belive they can think very well for themselves. These women have been told to respond the way they are responding.What a shame and I pray for all of them.

I don't usually comment on this, but felt compelled to say that in regards to this situation I am sickened by this whole situation.  The fact that this cult uses the name (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) of my Lord and Savior, Jesus but appears to not follow his teachings is detestable.  Polygamy was very much practiced in the Old Testament, however that still does not mean that it was right.  I try not to pass judgement on these women, but if they were born into this cult, and know the horrors of rape at a young age, how do you stand by and let your child(ren) go through that horror as well?  I am thankful that I can pray for these people and that I do not have to judge them.  I do not kow their hearts, but Jesus does-He is right and just.

Naomi, you are most probably correct in that they may not be forced, but they are brainwashed.  

It is very sad really.  

And... the Old Testament comment... it is a history.  Not everything in it can be taken literally.  

ANY WOMAN WHO WOULD ALLOW A CHILD OF 14 AND POSSIBLY YOUNGER TO BE SEXUALLY ABUSE COULD NOT BE CALLED A MOTHER. I DON'T "FEEL SORRY" FOR ANY OF THESE BRAIN WASHED SICK PERVERTED WOMEN. I PRAY THEY NEVER GET THE CHILDREN BACK! I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT 99.9% OF THE POPULATION FEEL THE SAME WAY.

I feel something crawling down my back ...

I feel something crawling down my spine ...

Thank goodness we live in such a free country where we are given individual freedom and liberty to live our lives according to our beliefs, many others across the world do not have such a benefit...no matter how you choose to live your life you must realize one thing...this country was built upon the premise of liberty and freedom but with laws to govern each state so that total chaos would not prevail...
no matter your personal beliefs, everyone sees something or someone as an "authority". Like it or not, your personal liberties and freedoms do not give you license to supercede laws that have been put into place for the protection of others. (example: minor girls and marriage) The true victims here are the children born into this without a choice and those ones that had to sacrifice their health? What about the 30 or so that have chicken pox and were not getting treated?? What other medical problems can their be that have yet to be announced? Research will also show if you look closely at the Amish lifestyle, that staying so close genetically can be devastating, they are experiencing great amounts of health problems now that are difficult to treat. So, believe what you will and live your live as you want, but just remember that with your liberty and freedom comes the responsibility to adhere to the laws of the land, if you do not there are prices to pay and just remember you made your choice, all choices have their consequences.

Was there a slight glitch in the cloning machine?  There seems to be just a hint of difference here.

OregonPeople please! Get your religions straight! These people are NOT Mormons! They are NOT members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! They broke away from the LDS church over 100 years ago because the church no longer condoned polygamy. This is NOT the legacy Joseph Smith left for our country. It is ignorant people like you that make uneducated comments like that, that breed bigotry and intolerance in the country. The people of the LDS faith are kind people. The LDS church donates millions every year to aid in under developed countries. They sent millions of dollars in supplies and volunteers to aid with the hurricane Katrina disaster. Do your research, find out what the LDS people believe and live their lives by. Is it so wrong to not drink alcohol, smoke, do drugs, or have sex before your married?? Look at the news these days. Jamie Lynn Spears, Ashley Simpson, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, these are just a few people that would have been better off staying away from alcohol keeping their pants on. I am in no way condoning the actions of the FLDS. Those poor girls and those poor kids need to taken far away from those disgusting pedophiles. But please understand they are in no way connected to the LDS church or the Mormons.  

Ed- LMAO! a hair rat... that's priceless

I only have two ears. How could I possibly have time for more than one wife?

retract the claws, I'm only kidding. My wife is awesome

Naomi, if those women had been brought up in that community, sent to college ANYPLACE ELSE BUT THERE and then given the choice, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't choose to be the 12th wife of some fat, ugly, old guy.  And I'm sure that upon her first menstruation, the little girls don't clap and say, "Yay, now I get to marry old man Withers and have sex with him!"

The women "have a choice" only in that they don't go screaming and running to the authorities.  But if that's the only world they're shown, what choice do they really have?

These men aren't following some deeply-felt religious belief... they're gross old men who are deathly afraid of a woman who speaks her own mind and is strong mentally, a woman who would and could easily kick the hell out of them if they tried that crap out here in the real world.

What are these women on - cause I want some!  They just smile and talk in monotones - no emotion at all!  If someone took my children you wouldn't catch me "smiling" at the camera and evading questions that could/would get them back!  Why should we be surprised?  This is the same religion that ambushed and slaughtered their own people - right Naomi?

What are these women on - cause I want some!  They just smile and talk in monotones - no emotion at all!  If someone took my children you wouldn't catch me "smiling" at the camera and evading questions that could/would get them back!  Why should we be surprised?  This is the same religion that ambushed and slaughtered their own people - right Naomi?

If the Great Whore of Bablylon has legs these are it.

CASTRATE those old perverts!!!!!!

For the love of Pete....please unbutton those top buttons.  I'm suffocating just looking at them.  Ladies....despite what you've been told, you will not burst into flames for undoint the top button!!  Where's my inhaler....

I'm here to tell you that polygamy is not all it's cracked up to be.  You know me, I got my own polygamous thing going on in myspace.  Nothing but beautiful babes all over the place; people like Krista, Southernland, Oregongirl.
It's just more than I can handle.  earl, ray, join up.  Maybe you can help me out.

DNA testing for ALL!!! Throw the book at the men! All should be in jail till DNA tests come back. Of course they are all probably related!!! Fathers with daughters, cousins with cousins?
ROBOTIC soul-less women!!! I saw part of the interview on the Today show today, and each one spoke in a monotone voice-same pitch, same tempo, same hesitation for ALL. They hesitated forever before answering as if to process the question. Are they doped up or on drugs? Can they not understand simple questions. When the answers finally came, they were simplistic, generic, evasive, with no detail given. None of the answers were to the point, none responded to the question directly. None showed any emotion, any hand, head, or body movement while talking! Now I believe the incidents mentioned where the baby is put under the faucet to make it stop crying! Unconditional brainwashing! They were probably raised like that too. Not a single brain process that is theirs. They might not think that sex with a minor is wrong, but they live in the US and they should know the law. STUPIDITY does not exempt them from not following the laws. They did not protect their children, instead gave them willingly to the men, possibly the child's own father.IT'S CALLED PEDOPHILIA! No proof? 13 and 14 yr olds pregnant is enough proof! DNA TESTIMG!!! These mothers should be charged with Child Endangerment at least! I don't feel sorry for these mothers at all. If they did not protect their kids from pedophiles then the kids should be taken from them.

where the heaven's are we going to keep our cases of AquaNet, Prudence?

Uh oh Ed, bikerlady found one of the hair rats

Adding wives, Multiplies in-laws...

First, I have to say that I love this site! SouthernLady, Kajun, Bull, Ed, and all the other regulars - you make my day!!
As far as the photo...I'm sad that sooo many women and children have come to accept this as a way of life. I watched the women on The Today Show and they looked like sheep. They are all taught and brought up the same way, to act the same, dress the same, and the hair!! OMG! If they view that as normal, wait until they are shoved out into the 'real' (normal?) world. Did anyone at the ranch have an inkling of an idea that what is happening there is just wrong?

Bull: LMAO

If you post more than once are you a blogamist?

Wow
I was wondering what happened to Val Kilmer after his movie career.

Val...erie?  Hmmmm

Again the need to clarify Mormon Doctrine!  As a life long Mormon I am disturbed that my faith has been mistakenly associated with this cult in Texas. Ignorance is the only excuse for this confusion. Mormons ceased Polygamy in 1890. Any found practicing polygamy in the church are excommunicated (that's the harshest penalty a church can exercise.) While it is true this cult is an off-shoot of the Mormon church, that should be no more surprising than other cults that are off-shoots of any other religion. Any religion of substance has had cults deviate from it. For clarification, Mormon Doctrine is absolute abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity after marriage. I know of no minimum age requirement for getting married, but all are counseled to follow the laws of the land and to be of sufficient wisdom and means to care for a family.  I have never heard of anyone in the church being encouraged to marry prior to high school graduation, and there is constant preaching to young men and young women to be morally clean and not be like so many of their peers who are children having children. Mormon marriages are typically very strong. My wife and I have been married twenty years and she is the only woman I have ever been with. My parents have been married over 50 years, hers over 40 years.  This is the strength of the Mormon chuech, not that mess in Texas that so many intentionally an unintentionally classify as mormons. visit mormon.com or lds.org especially look at the "Proclamation on the Family" issued about 10 years ago.

Ray....
Thank you giving me the platform to stand and admit my uncontrollable obsession with blogamy.  It's all I've known my whole adult life and in my family, blogamy is a way of life and not considered "unnatural".  *sniff*

And I'd just like to add that if blog is to blogamy like polyg is to polygamy, then what exactly is a polyg?  It's a discombobulation conspiracy.

Jamieslc...You are wrong about this not being Joseph Smith's legacy.  That's exactly waht this is.  He, himself at multiple wives, some where his "friends" wives, and some where children.  I was Mormon for 18 years and know all about the spin they put on things to keep their questioning followers obedient.  The only reason the Mormon church no longer practices poligamy is because it was outlawed and only then was there a "revelation" from God that the practice was to be discontinued.  I know how hard it is to get away from such a confining religion.  It is your whole community, your life.  I can only imagine how hard it is for the fundamentalist.  I hope these women are receiving council on what the real world is like....freedom to think and act for yourself.  Freedom to be an individual. Freedom to choose your husband instead of being told who to marry....all foreign concepts for these women as well as most LDS women

Right or wrong, the fact is that the state of Texas broke the law here.  Polygamy is illegal, so they had the right to arrest the men, NOT to separate children from their mothers.

I don't care what you think about their practices, and I don't care what you think about the women's hair.  What you all SHOULD be caring about is the fact that if the constitution means nothing for these people then it means nothing for you.

There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever watching the video's, listening to these women and seeing the pics that these women have truly been Brainwashed by the "Men" (and I use that term very loosely) who contol them. I'm all for the DNA tests and yes young ladies being raped and pregnant at the ages discussed is purely criminal. Look at these women, they all dress alike , hair is pretty much the same, and their attitudes mirror each other. They are Human robots. If you condone these actions, then you are truly a sick individual.

Ed....you chat with other ladies beside me?.

Bull,
It was worth reading the first 62 comments to get to yours.
Freakin' hilarious!

Ed..Come to think of it..Did christa just have a Birthday?..HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY KRISTA!!

Cult of Personality

Hitler
Karesh
Manson
Jeffs

If I had married my 'choice' in men at age 16, I'd be stuck with some dumb jock from the football team.

You need to question any book that tells you your best bet in this life is to 'marry' some old guy.

I am glad that the children in this cult are being protected, however imperfectly.  I do hope that those involved are doing the best they can to help the children feel at ease.  

As seen on this forum, it's tough for some to understand that these people are not Mormons.  They may use the name in part of their cult's label, but they are not Mormons.  You can type "polygamy" in the search box on lds.org if you're wanting to know what the view/history is of real Mormons and polygamy.  

Also, contrary to Oregon's claims, Mormons believe that only together can a husband and wife become perfected - through mutual love, support, and the everyday growth that comes with marriage.  

Men can be egotistical, no matter what their religion - and so can women.  I would hardly judge a religion by the imperfections of its members.  Look at the doctrine and the results of that religion (by their fruits ye shall know them) and decide from that. Doing that, it's easy to see how horribly wrong the cult in this story/picture is.  

Amen to JamieSLC--People should do their homework before making comments about the Mormon church.  This group is in no way connected to the Mormon Church.

The sad thing is, we are helping pay for this, people.  Most of these women are drawing welfare.  So, not only do we have to swallow this perversion, we get to help pay for it. Any woman who would allow their children to be treated like this shold NEVER get custody back.  Letting your daughters be married off at 13 or 14 or worse, how about the boys that are discarded as they become teenagers?  They are sent out virtually illiterate and penniless.  

MT-Sharp! I laughed so hard! Actually, there's nothing wrong with dressing modestly(if a TAD)outdated, and sheltering your kids from the violence and immorality of TV and movies.  But the polygamy thingie...slightly cracked up!  They look nd  sound brainwashec and drugged up!

hey everybody--I did not know that you all were on myspace :)

I love all your comments, but please everyone, write to the Texas officials and let them know we support their decision to save these children.  These ladies on TV did not answer about the underage marriages and would not give their name as they were told not to. And if you will listen to most of them, they have boys,not girls.  They were warned what to say and not what to say. This was not freedom of speech.  I am sure that everyone of them knows a hundred little 12, 13, 14 year old girls that have been dressed by their mother, walked to their temple, pushed inside to have the spiritual ceremony, then minutes later, taken to a room inside the temple where there is a bed, stripped of her clothing and forced to have sex with a much much older man, probably related to her grandfather or greatgrandfather.  The fright in this poor child's mind, the breaking of her spirit, the damage to her body. She is only 13 years of age, a meer child.  This is done  repeatedly until she is with child, if not by this man, then another who can get her pregnant as her duty to this lifestyle is to bear children.  If she balks, she is beaten to pure submission.  Think about this and write, email, phone, leave messages for the Texas officials to please please save the children.
We save children around the world from hunger, ignorance, poverty, but in our own backyard, we are letting them become slaves to these men and oh yes, the women.   Please please again, let Texas CPS and the governor know we support them.   Don't give the children back.

I don't believe that this sect of mormons, which is not main stream
mormon, is by any means ok in there practices. However, I think that this use of force by the authorities was very unnecessary and an abuse of power.

I agree completely with angryinmemphis.  The mothers need to be made accountable too.  My biggest question though is why aren't the men being made to leave?  And has any one done a background check on the men?  I'm sure there are a few that weren't born and bred there that are considered sexual offenders.  Take out the religion, you can never talk about it in mixed company without someone getting ticked.  Take out their looks, I've seen freakier people teaching my children.  Keep the children in their homes and send people in to watch over them.  But get the pedophiles out!

things they have in common: same hairstyle, same clothes & same husband :) ... but their kids ought to grow up in an environment where they have a choice

I have a question, where in the Pearl of Great Price or Book of Mormon is polygamy denounced?

Naomi - Monogamy is upheld as the model in the OT, Gen. 2:24. CHRIST reaffirms it in Matt. 19:4-6, whose name your church uses. In Scripture the singular "wife" is used in regards to marrying, not the plural. Polygamy was allowed but Gen.16 and 1 Samuel 1 (and 2 Samuel)are honest enough to tell us the inherent problems with it. As are the recounts of David and Solomon whose resulting mixed family struggles ultimately lead to the death of David's son and the maybe even the fall of the nation of Israel. The polygamist model always has been shown to fail in Scripture.
Polygamy is NOT doctrine, never has been. If "...the two are to become ONE flesh", then a man has no room to make anymore "flesh", for he has already made one. Genesis 2:24

From what I understand, many of these women would not even tell the authorities which children belonged to them. Many of the children's names and birth dates had been changed repeatedly, and now it looks like it was a forthright scheme hatched long ago for just such a set of circumstances.

Bull is giving me great laughter lately....so is Ray.





oregongirl secretly worries about the score.

This could be made as a spinoff of the movie "The Stepford Wives."

Hips don't lie.

EUREKA!  We've found the mute button!

Conspiracy- Origamist? That was some funny s**t.
Bull and Ray...ditto.

Oh my Gosh!!!!  We're all blogamists!  The shame, the shame... I ... can't ... go ... on ... (spoken in a monotone voice, giggle!)

Ray... that was hysterical!

Here-here, AP! (your 4/16 post)

faithbeyondclouds... come join us on MySpace...

oregon, that may be so... but you and the other ladies here are giving them "what for!"  (ya know, i always hear that statement from the british - now don't get up in arms over this all ye who may be british - but, what the heck does 'whatfor' mean? LOL!)

I lived in Utah, until September of last year (2007) just "up the road" from the "community" in Colorado City, AZ.  I also had a job that took me INTO the area 3 times a week.  I saw first hand the way these people live.......I would describe the Hildale, UT Colorado City, AZ & Centennial Park, AZ areas as "LIVING GHOST TOWNS" where "OUTSIDERS" are definitely SHUNNED by the residents, there were many half-finished homes (I was told "for tax reasons") as well as ABANDONED homes.  The majority of the residents are apparently taught to FEAR and RUN from outsiders......as it would be common to see the street quickly become void of any activity when you drove down them.   NO ONE in the town(s) have mailboxes, they all have PO Boxes, there are VERY FEW street signs (most maps are useless) and even fewer HOUSES WITH NUMBERS on them......clearly these people don't want to be found..... Gee, I wonder WHY????  I never personally witnessed any abuse however, I can attest to the fact that MOST of the women I encountered DID NOT LOOK OR ACT VERY HAPPY.....I did have an occasion I had to actually WALK INTO A POLYGAMIST HOUSEHOLD and the "atmosphere" and what I saw made my skin CRAWL..........I just wanted to GET OUT AS FAST AS I COULD......I could NEVER LIVE THIS KIND OF LIFESTYLE........IT'S UNNATURAL........This experience is one I won't soon forget and definitely DO NOT CARE TO REPEAT---------EVER.

I haven't read all your comments, but are you aware that this compound is supported by welfare.  Yes you and I are paying for this instead of the so called religious men who force themselves on young girls.  Every baby they are forced to have, which to my understanding is once a year, I am told we are paying for.  GET ANGRY AMERICA.  We can joke about the unattractiveness of these ladies, but lets keep the focus on what matters, the abused children and the fact that all of the hard working AMERICANS are paying for it.

This Fundamentalist Mormon Church was originally started by Joseph Smith before it split off.  Joseph Smith was a polygamist and so was Brigham Young.  The main stream Mormon Church in Salt Lake City stopped their polygamist ways because the then President of the United State told them that, if they didn't stop, that the Utah Territory would Not become a state.  The main stream Mormon church is actually a big business under the guise of RELIGION so they don't have to pay any kind of taxes.  Joseph Smith was kicked out of the state of New York for tax evasion.  He was, by no means, this holy religious person.  He made up alot of stuff in this church and copied some others.  The Mormon church is NOT the TRUE church, it is a BIG LIE.

I don't have a bit of mercy for these women. It's bad enough that put their children in harms way with the elderly man of this cult - ick!, but let's face it Poligamy in this country is illegal - plan a simple. Why have the authorities allowed this practice to continue for so long. Come on, you got to know they've been marrying off their young girls for years. Also, I say throw the whole bunch of them in the slammer. It's bad enough these women have been claiming themselves as "single mothers" picking up food stamps and relief checks on our dime.

These poor women are all inbred.  They are not taught anything about the outside world.  The men are nothing but perverts.

okay, I would like to speak with the seamtress on this compound and find out her secret in making every woman look the same, remarkable!

i don't think polygamy is the problem here... the problem is sexual abuse of women and children.  very sad, these ladies don't know the difference.

Who is the seamtress on the compound, I would like to thank her for making all the women look alike. REMARKABLE.

The look on the old woman face comes from bitterness, she is bitter that she ain't getting none, none of the men want her for sex beacause they have all those little, innocent fresh ones running around.  GOD HELP THESE PEOPLE!

Wake up Mormons! I hear you all defending your religion, but I know as a former Mormon raised in the church that these are the responses you are taught to say your whole life, and if you say any different you are told you will spend eternity in hell. Do some REAL fact checking and you will find Joseph Smith was a sick, practicing polygamist that used his position as "prophet" to justify these sick relationships and multiple marriages. It is fact, evidenced by his own writings, where he claimed God commanded this behavoir. These girls are NOT old enough to make these life-altering decisions, and ANY where else in the US this would be rape, PERIOD! And I agreed with the writer earlier who said how can this be their choice if they are given no other option??!! Let's put an end to this NOW!!

I feel for all these women and children. For most of them this is all they know. There are multiple generations in these compounds with no outside contact. Do I think these children should be returned to their mothers, absolutely not. Not until these women are taught the difference from right and wrong. Teach them the laws of the state. If most of these women get money from the state to fund their 20 children, the state should be monitoring these mothers. And if they are in deed getting money from the state, why aren't the fathers paying child support back to the state to help pay for them. I don't believe or support in polgymist upbringings and I feel it is my right as a tax paying individual to say no way should these religions get support for popping out babies to collect money. Any one under the age of eighteen should not be involved in any kind of forced marriage or sexual contact of any sorts. They are taught this is ok. By law it is not. Also by law living in a polgymist way is illegal. Why are we allowing this. They say we had no reason to check up on this community until the 16year old came forward to speak abuse, isn't breaking the law by living in this style reason enough. What about these men? I sure hope that every last one of them get punished. I understand that they also were probably taught this was ok. But someone is liable. If they want their children back, I feel that they all should be assigned a social worker or outside teacher, to help them understand and learn right from wrong. And these men should be the financial backing for such program. As should the men have to attend these lessons of law. Religion is a choice everyone has the right to make in their life, but there are rules and laws that also need to be followed to be a resident of a State in the United States. And what about the incest?? Illegal!!!  Do these children have the right to make their own decisions when they become the age of eighteen and by state are emacipated? Or are they forced by their religion to abide these so called husbands?

Ultimately our judgement about this situation and these people is pointless.  

We will all stand in judgement of God.  He will settle all and for that I am profoundly grateful.

God Bless all even those who are misguided and lost.

Sad for me to watch these women and knowing our govt will take those kids away. personally I dont think its fair. And I dont understand why anyone should care how they live their life. They have been living it like that for years and were born into it and raised that way. Who are they hurting?  The amish also marry young  are we gonna raid them next? Do these people in any way hurt you? Is there lifestyle affecting you? I doubt it. Live and let live and let God decide whats right and wrong. And by the way.. some of those women are beautiful. they just dont have makeup on. half of our women would be ugly dogs as well without the makeup. How superficial our society is.  I dont  agree with their lifestyle however to each his own.

Mom- Thank you for saying it for me.  We did a study on different religions and a few now ex-mormons showed a video tape of what goes on in their "temple".  Scary.  I will give them this though.  I admire their determination pounding the sidewalks to spread their word. Bad thing though, instead of spreading "their" word, they should be spreading the word of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amylosjojo:
Perhaps I could...er..."counsel" you and several of your wayward sisters. Just step into my den of...
"antiquities"

Oh and bring some grape cool aid.

Hairdresser must be named deKooning.

You know, the FLDS "church" is to the LDS "Mormon" church what Al Quaeda is to the Muslim faith.  How fair is it to say that every Muslim is a terrorist, or that Catholics and Opus Dei are one in the same?  Every established religion has branches that claim to be following the teachings of the religion, but in fact are very, very radical and have no legitimate ties to the parent religion. Yes, Joseph Smith instituted polygamy as a potential answer to the growing number of widowed women with children, trying to go west.  These women needed a man to support them and care for them and their children rather than having the entire burden fall on the struggling church.  Not a great solution, but a solution.  As soon as the Mormons were established in Salt Lake City, polygamy was outlawed, and has not been practiced in over 150 years.  Any member of the Mormon church that practices polygamy excommunicated.  It is sad when a group of men use the umbrella of religion to defend their own perverted and deviant behavior, and prey on women and girls.

It is so important that society seperate the pure religions from the freaks that branch off.  Remember all the fall-out the Cathollic church suffered when the DaVinci Code came out?

"...Congress shall make no law prohibiting the establishment of any religion or the practice thereof..."(First Admendment)
Polygamy is not a new ideal,especially in religion, or limited to the FLDS (check your Old Testament).
All this started over some 16 yr old that "claims" she was abused - who they can't even find now. The state of Texas has every right to investigate that claim, THAT claim only and NOT accuse the entire FLDS of abuse.
Religious practices and freedoms are protected under the First Admendment and the state of Texas is clearing showing it does not respect that right.  After this I guess we will be going after world religions that don't match the beliefs of the United States, or rather, meet Texas standards.
To separate some 416 children from their parents from 1 complaint is not justified. CPS can not logically claim that all these children (families) were at immediate risk of abuse. As far as their religious practices and lifestyle; the state has no juridiction in interfering with the practice thereof. Next, they will be rading Bingo Night for gambling.

In this country, which was founded on religious freedom by the way, polygomy is unlawful. It against the law. So is underage marriages. The mere fact that these marriages are not even recgonized by the state should be enough to get these poor children out of their. In this country we have freedom of choice, speech and religion. If you don't like the rules here you are free to go. Are these children free, no, not by a long shot. This group has been shunned by the "normal" Morman church. Either play by the rules of the country you live in or please feel free to leave.

Are you kidding me..."Poor women?" where in the world were these "poor Women" when their girls were being raped and who knows what else? The kids should be taken away and given to families who who raise them with LOVE, GRACE, FAITH and that will teach them that when you give yourself to someone it should be out of pure LOVE and for the Glory of GOD! What a shame that this world has so many corrupt organizations! Just a shame!

In regards to the comment, "This is the same religion that slaughtered their own people..." I am very concerned by that comment.  I am a "Mormon" or Latter Day Saint. If this fundamentalist group has been like that, then that is their history.  It's like arresting a serial killer who happens to be Catholic and saying that Catholics are serial killers.  It's completely wrong.  We had a few people who turned against their Mormon beliefs and joined the mobs, but a great majority were anti Mormon through and through from the start. If anything, I have ancestors who were Mormons who were killed by mobs, mobs made up of people who were against Mormons, and they didn't care if they killed children, raped women, etc.  In trying to escape from these mobs, I had other ancestors who died while attempting to cross the plains in the dead of winter.  The Mormon plight is much like what the Native Americans have had to go through.  This country was founded on the basis of having religious freedom, and yet....is that really the case anymore.  Our religion states that "We claim the priviledge of worshipping Almighty God according to the dicates of our own consience and allow all men everywhere the same priviledge; let them worship how, where, or what they may."(artilces of faith). I feel sorry for aweful things that do go on in this fundamentalist group.  There is all sorts of abuse.  I have friends who have left these groups and aren't allowed to ever go back and visit their families once they leave, etc. That right there is a form of abuse as well.  I'm sure there are also many in this group who are wonderful hardworking, kind good people. It's unfortunate that there are extremists who impose and enforce abuse, and ruin safety for everyone in that regard.  Please do not confuse us with them.  That is not a fair generalization.  

I just have to sit back and laugh at the sad state our world is in.  Attacking others for their beliefs, because you don't understand them, or because you have had your opinion schewed by incorrect information.  Children should not be forced into marriage, I agree.  A child is precious to God and should be protected.  As a practising "Mormon" I have been taught right from wrong.  I have lived a happy and fulfilling life.  I have a choice, and I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true!  I have been taught, and spread the word of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  The incorrect information spewed on this blog is offensive, and shows a lack of education.  Don't take a bitter person's word on what a church believes, find out for yourself.  That is the only way to find the truth!

Southern-Would love to join you all on Myspace, having a time finding some of you though....

Also, the polygamist ways of the original church in the 1800s were not at all the ways of this fundamentalist church.  They have made up a lot of their own practices such as being forced to marry after a girl hits puberty, being ostracized from your community if you ever leave it, etc, etc, etc.  Also, believe it or not, only 3 percent of the entire Mormon church back then practiced polygamy, and it was not even close to the polygamy practices that are practiced today.  They do their own thing altogether.  Before making assumptions, all I would ask is for people to research real facts.  They are available.  You can also research and ask more questions at www.lds.org, and www.mormon.org. We all deserve the benefit of the doubt with things.  After all, what is the saying, "love God, love your neighbor as yourselves." And that includes people that we might view as "Samaritans."

It is an irony to me that in a country where prostitution and sodomy as a lifestyle is openly defended and embraced, where no regard for the rights for the unborn are recognized, where homosexuality is rampant, the supposed moral authority of the supposed christians  has the annabashed hypocrisy to condemn a people who at least have the decency to commit to the ones they have children with, this persecution is not because they have more than one, it is because they have the decency to marry, so the rights of the unborn are not violated, it is a long tale and a very sad one, see the fate of other persecutors, namely governor Pyle, governor Boggs, and governor Ford of Illinois, and countless others whose names live in infamy.

The thing that I noticed some people missing, is that these children weren't taken because their 'parents' practiced poligamy. They were taken because they allowed young girls, probably younger than 13 or 14. I started my period when I was 10, so some girls could easily have been younger. It is not their lifestyle choice, although illegal in the US, but I think they can be exempt if they claim it is their 'religion'. What some people should be asking is do these older men continue to have sex with their older wives? I would bet NO and only live this way to have sex with young girls. Like others have said the majority are probably SICK individuals. They should not get their children back because they will continue to allow this to happen because it is what they believe. Not only the young girls being forced into marriage and sex but the young boys being discarded with no hope of a future. Their entire lifestyle doesn't seem to be fair to anyone. They children are the ones who ultimately lose.

Read the book "Under the Banner of Heaven".  FLDS is just staying true to the teachings of Joseph Smith.  His revelation of Plural Marriage (I believe) is still in the D & C.  Moms comments were right on!  

Kyla--- I am surprised you say all that about polygamy. Obviously this is a principle you have a hard time understanding. I will admit I have a hard time understanding also but it does not affect my faith in God or my religion. I am LDS (not FLDS) and know that sometimes God gives commandments we dont understand but it is all a test of faith. I dont understand why our church was once required to do that but it doesn't matter. I do know that God loves us all equal and would not command women to be given out just to "satisfy the men". I know a loving God would not do that. And I know that the men in this church (LDS) have never been or ever will be allowed to be corrupt and still lead this church. So the commandment was not made up by mere men for the pleasure of the men. And just because we, in our finite minds cant understand Gods infinite purpose does not mean that we should not have faith in his plan for us.

The FLDS people have every right to practice their religion and not be judged but when abuse or the removal of agency (being forced into a young marriage) is concerned that is when it is wrong.
Who are we to guess that they actually do all those things? We don't even know for sure, so why are we all saying they are bad, insane people? And that doesn't mean they aren't to blame, maybe they should be more open, and willing to connect with people. But why in this world are we repeating the same sad pattern of being scared of people or cultures we dont understand? Why doesn't someone just talk to or try to understand these human beings? Maybe they are acutally good people that are misunderstood

These women want their children back!  They stand a good chance of loosing the welfare and government aid they are getting unless the children are in their homes.  Where are the fathers.  Why isn't it just as important to them to get their children back?  They aren't going to show up because they know they are going to jail!  These women have been raised to think like 8 year olds.  I don't think they are compedent to raise children.  Teaching a girl that once she has her period she will be of age to marry is sick. I had a crush on one of my classmates when I was 14 and the thought that someone would come to me and tell me I had to marry some guy who already had one or more wives would have made depressed. I would have ran away from home.  

They are using these women as breeding stock.  I bet they are really unhappy when a boy baby is born.  What happens if they have too many boys born?    

I think that this whole thing is very sad. What we are looking at is a whole group of sexual abuse victims and victims in training.  The mothers were at one time the young wife trained to "ok" with something that in the beginning probably did not feel like the right thing to do... Have a physical relationship and be under the order of some sick demented wicked old man manipulating God's Word.  These women are now moms raising other children to accept the abuse as normal. This is not God's plan at all. Actually God is very angered by people that hurt children, says it is better to have a millstone around their neck and be thrown into the sea than deal with me if anyone should hurt one of these little ones.
I hope that they can separate the mothers with the children from the abusing husbands and then mandate them into some kind of therapy to help them with the abuse and also understand balance, they can love God and still be honored and respected. God's value of women and children is very high. He highly regards them and loves them. There are many amazing and powerful women in the Bible, they helped shape and in some cases save the family and people. In this picture the mothers don't look like they have ever seen outside of a manipulation box or spoken up for themselves in their life. There is nothing that real that needs to be manipulated. They should be allowed to understand the freedom found in Christ not be brainwashed into bondage for a man's personal gain. The men in this and other cult sects behind this do not represent God at all. They are simply manipulating the Word, but their  puppet master, being driven by pain and insecurity, giving in to evil and a wicked drive for power: hate for themselves, women  children and God.

Poligamy is illegal, sex with a minor is illegal, Welfare fraud is illegal. If it took removing these children from their homes to bring these practices to the attention of all of us, then God bless that 16 year old girl and the authorities who believed her enough to step into that world. Now that we are aware, we should not let all of the above continue to happen. Now the authorities need to make the men accountable for their chosen actions, and the women as well. Maybe this is all they know, but that doesn't make any of it right or acceptable. This is 2008 not 1890.

One point I haven't seen mentioned during all the time since this first broke loose when Warren Jeffs was accused of, fled prosecution and eventually caught(lounging poolside @ a Las Vegas Hotel with a cocktail in his hand)and convicted, is that during his trial and subsequent conviction in St George, UT.......one of the women who had herself escaped from Colorado City, AZ "community" and was watching the proceedings, spoke with the press outside the courthouse where Jeffs was being tried, told of how the ABUSE was also perpetrated on the "WIFE" by the OTHER "SISTER-WIVES" and that if  you were NOT "THE FAVORITE WIFE" (a "privilege" that allowed you EXTRA "time" with your "husband"), your life was a living HE** ranging from verbal  up to and including PHYSICAL ABUSE........I have no doubt that the "men" of these polygamist households are guilty of abuse of minors forced (or otherwise) into "marriages" with them however, it would appear that the "sister-wives" are guilty of the same abuse directed @ which ever "wife" is their chosen target..............a concept that is not only SICK but down right TERRIFYING.........

It is sad to see these young women (mothers) who have been separated from their children. The religion appears to put a mental block on them. The way they talk is a distress signal to the outside world, something they are not allowed to come in touch with. As far the children, they need to be released into a true society, away from the mothers where they can be educated instead of given a directive that
is insulting. No girl, under the age of 18, should be forced to marry someone unless they give the consent as well as from a parent. All they have in this compound is a mother who takes care of them. The pictures that I have seen so far of these mothers are sickening. I wish that the kids can come to a real society and learn what is going on in this world. Look at the picture of the women in this blog they are mentally blocked out and have no other thoughts of life. Free them all from these men who are driving them to nowhere.

The situation is sad but the children are the victims.  The small children and the generations of children who have no idea that this is wrong.  We are to be taught by the generation before us but if all they knew was viewed as negative.  How would they know?

These leaders did these illegal activities in the name of God and religion.  There are good and bad in every faith.  The most holy church may have a skunk hiding in the pew but in crisis all you see is the skunk.  To say all Mormons are like this sect is wrong.  To pinpoint other faiths because of how they conduct themselves or dress is wrong.  What about Amish people, Mennonites are they going to be condemned by the way they dress.  Freedom of religion is a law.  Freedom to be a pervert is illegal.

The lawyers have a huge job.  How do you determine what is willful neglect and truly, inncently, not knowing that this isn't the way it should be?

I grew up in an abusive situation. I thought that there was no way out. The State came in several times,but had no evidence If I ever said anything everyone else in the house would deny it out of fear. My mother was brain washed and beaten down. That is the same behavior I see here. I am glad someone is doing something about it. When you isolate someone from the rest of the world they loose track of what reality is. Those poor girls. I prayed for someone to come in and save me. How can people just say. Leave them alone to do what ever they want. those girls don't have a choice. The mothers have been treated that way since they were young girls. They probably do not know any better. They shoul be given a chance to see their children, but not keep them in that situation.

We should pray for God's presence in the midst of the decisions made about the future of these children and the adults involved in their lives.  With many sides to this situation, there is right and wrong on all sides.  Fundamentalists of different faiths - Baptist, Mormon, Pentacostal, even the FLDS - for the most part are good, law abiding people.  It's just as wrong to judge all for the actions of a few, as it is to condemn the few unless you personally know about those few.  The outcome of the events of the last two weeks will affect the lives of many people for years to come.  Even as observers, you cannot escape being affected by it.  While we're praying for the people involved at the core of this issue, let's remember to pray for ourselves - for wisdom and discernment when dealing with others whose beliefs are different from our own.  

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF SEX WITH A 13, 14, 15 YEAR OLD WETHER THEY CONSENT OR NOT. IT IS ILLEGAL! SO YES IT IS RAPE AND CHILD MOLESTATION. WHAT DOES A 13 YEAR OLD KNOW ABOUT SEX? THEY ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY TO DECIDE TO HAVE SEX. AND WHERE WERE THESE SO CALLED HEARTBROKEN MOTHERS WHO SHOULD'VE BEEN PROTECTING THEIR CHILD WHICH IS THEIR DUTY AS A MOTHER. WHY DON'T WE JUST SET FREE EVERY CHILD MOLESTOR THAT'S IN PRISON AND JUST USE THE EXCUSE HE DID IT CAUSE IT WAS HIS RELIGION!

To get a good insight into the polygamist lifestyle, read the book ESCAPE by Carolyn Jessop.  Carolyn escaped the polygamist group with all of her children just before the group moved into the Texas compound.  Her husband was the Jessop who is now in charge of that compound.  Very informative!  

TO EVERYONE HERE THIS FLDS CHURCH IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE LDS CHURCH MITT ROMNEY BELONGS TO. ALSO JOSEPH SMITH WAS THE FIRST PROPHET OF THE LDS CHURCH- NOT FLDS. PLEASE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

This is to you jean... how can you say let them go, so you are condoning the molestation and rape of poor innocent children. i guess you arent a mother...cause if some nasty old man put his hands on my daughter he wouldnt walk again let alone turn my back and just say let them live like they want. It is our jobs as parents to teach right and wrong... i have taught my daughter if any person touches you in places they arent suppose to or that you dont want them to she is to get help. That is what is what is right. These young girls havent had the change to be taught the proper way so for someone to think like you it is a darn fricken shame!!! It also really makes me angry that you compared this to an amish community. I grew up in a amish community and have many amish friends, that is like comparing apples to oranges... check your facts!!! They do not make their children marry or stay in the religion, they have a period before adulthood to decide if they even want to be amish or not. So if you are going to compare something make sure you have all your facts straight. After saying all that i do agree with you on one thing this country is very superficial and peoples remarks on the way they are dressed and their hair just shows the level of maturity.  

Thank you, God, for NOT making me polygamous!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

(One is PLENTY enough wives for me!)

Okay, I knew from the moment I saw this picture that there would be Anti-Mormon slanderous things that are simply untrue… and I was more than correct.  Now I am more than prepared to dish out a number of slued comments and strongly worded blogs to a number of you (I have my list of names) but where would that get me?

All I can say is that if any of you really want to learn FROM THE SOURCE about the LDS Church not the “FLDS  Sect” (Please get your acronyms straight people, its really quite embarrassing) you can look at this website, and read and learn to your hearts content and if you are still interested in learning more about my Church there is a contact number and we will be more than happy to answer your questions… and questions are a good thing it’s the people who don’t ask questions and assume and spout off things that are simply untrue is what’s bad, and shameful…

So please, look at the OFFICIAL LDS Churches Website, hopefully this will help those who really don’t know a whole lot about my Church, in which I love very much.

Respectfully, Candace    

http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/

be a clone,be a clone,all the world loves a clone

This is so strange for me... I grew up in a polyamorous family- not polygamist, or more properly bygamist- but a non-religious family that had more than two loving parents, all with equal status in the family. I value my parents and the lessons they taught me, especially that I was free to marry whomever I choose, and that I shouldn't make decisions like that until I had been an adult for a long time. These poor deluded right-wing people give all multiple-partner families a bad name, as evidenced by the vitriol directed toward their "unnatural" marriages instead of the abuse and mistreatment of their children.

When I hear an interview by these women it reminds me of the stepford wives. They all sound alike even in the  tone they us.I have yet to see a tear....Very spooky..

This bloggin' stuff is super duper fun ain it?

Will the real Church of LDS come forward and help these people out?

The look those woman carry around on their faces is the look of shame. They very well know the tolerance they had for their husbands was wrong. Why in the world should they get their children back?

Naomi, if these women chose the marriages for themselves that's ok, but I and many others highly doubt that, since how good is your judgement at the wise old age of 14, or 16, for that matter? I myself will be 18 in a few months and I think I have very good cmmon sense, but I still don't think my judgement is developed enough yet to make such an important decision. But let's say that hypothetically they did choose for themselves.
What about their children? They were obviously seriously brainwashed to allow the abuse to go on, and I truly feel for them, but at the moment they are obviously not adequately mentally stable enough to care for their children. For the best of the children and women, these kids SHOULD NOT be given back before intensive therapy.

Why do they have to have those horrible hair styles?

i'm not morman, but my ex husband is now after his many years with a drug problem.  my 3 children were very young when we divorced and he found god in the morman church, great whatever it takes. he married a lifer as i call her, one of ten children.  i'm of a different faith and believe in baptism at birth and my ex said no the children can choose when they turn 18 what faith they want to be. behind my back after telling his wife that this was our choice and that shall remain the same, he had my children baptized their faith. mormans are a different breed.  they don't believe in paying child support for non morman children and will go as far as accussing a child of molestation to get out of it as my x's wife did to our two sons thinking if they were in jail they wouldn't have to pay. i'm a single mom who raised 3 children without much support from him. he says they don't believe in polygomy any more but i think differently. hey knowing his past activities and his current wife he would love the chance to screw someone else!!!!!!!! well she is a horse and she was over 30 her first time!

those woman r brain washed it's sicking and purly evil....
how do u explain that @ all!!!!! those poor children god bless them

Other than reading books about different religions (been there, done that) how does one suggest that one learn about the mormon religion??? Hmmm, I wonder.  Join the church?  No thanks.  I don't need to be a god of my own planet someday.  For crying out loud I have enough to do taking care of my two kids and a husband.  Why are only certain people allowed in the temple?  What's so secretive in there?  Married to your spouse for eternity?  No, the only marriage in Heaven is that of Jesus Christ and His church.  Come on start living the word from the bible, not from the book of mormon.

Deb, that was the most uneducated blog I've read so far.  Mormon men don't believe in paying child support for nonmormon kids?  Well, if you had told that to his Bishop, he would not have been allowed to take the sacrament anymore until he repented and started paying.  About the baptism thing, my dad is not Mormon, but when I got baptised, I had to have his permission no matter what!  He gave it freely, but if he hadn't, then I would have waited until I was 18.  If your husband was able to baptise your kids without permission, then he weaved a whole lot of lies to get it done.

Hey, just my two cents but, its a harsh world out there, if these men can actually provide: food, clothing, shelter and a peaceful and orderly way of life within the ranch then let them do it.  Welcome to the United States of America!; "Where everybody is trying to be their own king". Just a sidenote; gangstar rappers? Sleeping with as many hoes as they can; because they have money and want to be treated like kings...
But what do I know, I live in Canada...

Ray....you devil....how'd you know I have a thing for antique men??

snaps!!  I guess if you don't know any other way this would be alright.  I am so glad that I have choices and a will of my own.

I just want to know how ed knew about hair rats

Holy shi....smoke, Batman,  I can't get a word in edgewise around here---------------

Wow - such ignorance - these so-called "mothers" allow their "babies" to be subjected to sick perversions, their sons cast out because they are competition or threats to the older pedophiles and the girls given over to perpetuate the - what?  These women are not true or deserving of thoes babies - they are drones that produce on command, care - in an odd way - for their off-spring and then allow for them to be used for the selfish desires of sickos - NO - they are not fit to take care of their children - no different than a drug addict offering their baby for a fix - not acceptable or legal.  This is America - and as our Lord states, follow the law of the land - not the law of your scrotum.

Ray, LMFAO, man..

MT..HAHA!!!  Damn, I am laughing so hard.

ouch, tht hurt...fuque

Can anyone say "Stepford"?

texas swat boys should put the adult men in foster care and leave the women and children alone.

I'm a young mormon girl, and I'd like to clarify that there's a difference between MORMONS and FUNDAMENTALIST MORMONS! I'm sick of people asking me if I'm going to have to "share my husband" just because I'm mormon. Learn something about the actual religion before you make stupid comments like that.

It is interesting that so many of you claim that the only reason that these women would live this lifestyle. Most of you will probably be ok with your daughters entering into sexual relationships with anyone that they get an emotional attachment to. When their emotions change, you say to them "go and have sex with the next guy that is charming. Then, when you've satisfied your appetite, go and find someone responsible that can take care of you". These women are no more brainwashed than most of your children. Who wants to explain why having a sexual relationship with what you've assumed to be an "old pervert" than having many sexual relationships with many young perverts.

I struggle with this one.  I struggle with the loss of rights on both sides, I struggle with allowing the abuse of the weakest, most innocent members of any society.  I struggle with the fact that, as painful as it must be for these women, the children do indeed need to be taken away if the mama's can not understand the hand that is being offered to them (however I do think they are just as "abused", but that does not mean the cycle should continue). I struggle with the insanity of so many children ending up in a less then perfect foster care system-talk about, “out of the pan and into the fire”. Mostly, I struggle with a "God" that I'm pretty sure does not exist as any religion dictates, and if he does he has long since given up on this planet as a failed experiment.

News flash to those of you so sure, in your specific religions (for not one named religion is innocent of any of these crimes in the honor of “God”).  This benevolent, loving God apparently does not care about the boys in the hands of Priests, this God does not care about the girls everywhere no matter their origin or the God their parents’ believe in, that are forced into unspeakable pain and suffering just because they are a girl.  This God does not care about the many, many, many infants and toddlers (world wide) that are maimed, abused and killed by parents, teachers, babysitters, family members, members of clergy, neighborhood pedophiles, and pretty much anyone that chooses satisfy themselves on innocent flesh.  

I know, according to “God”, none of us are perfect, we are all flawed and we must repent. But why is it that the strongest, most motivating members of the human race (historically religious zealots, usually male), are the ones that claim to have “His” ear end up being the perpetrators of acts that give me nightmares, acts that I can not even imagine much less execute?  They are the ones that seemed to be the most flawed yet they do these things in “Gods” name with no regard to the fodder of innocent lives left to rot in the slime.  Seems like they only repent after they are caught or killed.  We make excuses for them and then go to church, thinking we’ve done our part, sure that what we believe will give us the exclusive ticket to “Heaven” in the hereafter.   Jokes on you if you find out that this beautiful, wonderful planet was indeed Heaven and we screwed it up.  My Heaven is knowing that my children have been raised in a safe environment, free of abuse, starvation, and fighting against oppression.  They are being educated to the best of my ability and my legacy to this planet is to hopefully present two intelligent beings that will somehow add value to the human experience and this planet.  

When are we going to stand up and realize that the only ones capable of “Saving” ourselves is ourselves? We are all stuck on this planet together, “God” is not going to swoop down and “save” any of us unless we learn to save ourselves.   I myself would rather be nothing more then worm food if our creator meant for things to be the way they are.  If he really exists, if this is how he treats his children then I believe he has more then a few things to answer for, as he created us in his image.  What was he thinking?

I struggle with being a member of a species that can cause so much suffering and harm, worldwide--over so much time.  Don’t waste your time in defense of your religion against my words.  Your time would be better spent looking deep into your heart, you just might find that this creator, you need to believe in, does not need your prayers.  “God” needs you to do everything you can to help him fix this mess that’s been made of the “grand experiment”.

Jason - speaking for myself, I would never tell a daughter to go have sex with anyone, nevermind with multiple persons.  Second, I would NEVER tell my daughter that she needs to "find someone that can take care of you"  I WOULD help a daughter to learn as much as she could, help her become strong and INDEPENDENT.  What I would tell a daughter is to go out and do something with your life that fulfills you and makes a difference in the world - even if just in your little piece of it.  If you find a man with which you can share that, that is good.  But I would teach her TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF

onewithquestions- Your sign on and the first words of your blog says it all.  you have questions, so you cannot be sure of everything that you said is true.  Your words begin with, "I struggle."  While Christians are not perfect, never claimed to be.  We too have our struggles, but God, the one and only true God, gives us strength to get through those struggles.  I have had many in my 47 years, 48 years in two weeks.  I have honestly and truly felt His presence and have heard His words giving me guidance and discipline when needed.  Christ died on the cross for our sins and that is our saving grace.  We have been given the free will to make our choices and make our own mistakes, but we have also been given instructions on asking for His divine guidance in making those decisions.   Sometimes, bad things happen to good people and sometimes good things happen to bad people.  I will not set silently and be told to keep my religious beliefs to myself and search myself as that would be denying my Lord and Savior and I cannot do that.  As for your belief that there is no God, for your sake you had better be right.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Satan loves a challenge and  the stronger the Christian is the more he works to turn them against God.  Occasionally he uses everyday ordinary people to do his evil work and spread these atheist viewpoints to break people's faith.  You may have thought you were doing a good job at it, but I for one did not buy it.  If you don't believe in God, then you cannot believe that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, died on that cross and He will, I repeat, He will come back again, well all I have left to say is, "Heaven help you, hell can't".  AMEN. (Which means, It is finished)

Damn skippy, MickeyMass.  Well said.  The notion that a woman is not complete until she finds a man is as archaic as earth being flat. My daughter will grow up learning that she needs to first develop a fulfilling life of her own - with great support from friends and family - but all toward the goal of being completely independant and happy.  Adding a man to the equation could add a wonderful new dimention to her life (with dad's approval of course after age 30) but by no means required for her "completeness" or happiness.

It is all very disturbing.  But, I do have to wonder why we find this so disturbing and yet we embrace young girls having children.

I work in an inner-city high school.  Most of the girls here have children and/or are pregnant.  These girls end up having children with multiple men and their men have children with multiple women.  The men, who are much older than the girls in most cases don't take care of the children.  The men spread their seed far and wide.

Yet we aren't going into the mother's (of the young girls) homes to separate them.

Just what is the difference, I do wonder.

You go, MickeyMass... well said!

Hmmm... wonder why other's referenced web sites were posted, and not mine!

Not to sound crass, but me being Catholic, im sure happy that the attn has been diverted to another religion! jk

the women look so weathered in this pic, and some of them appear to be young!  i think they know their actions are unacceptible because during an interview, they avoided answering if underage girls were married off and if they personally had sister-wives.

anyway, you gotta think that these women were blocked from seeing anything in our world.  theyre brainwashed and some MIGHT truly believe that these actions against the girls are acceptible. chances are those ladies went through the same thing.  its a terrible mess and its gonna be a long road to getting those girls through the system and "convincing" them that their society is abusive against them.  

just give those girls a Backstreet Boy or NKOTB CD and theyll become the average American Girl in no time! :o)

Jason - what in the world makes you believe something like that? I am a parent and the only thing I wish for my kids is happiness and success and would never be ok with one of them being in a relationship like that. Our children need to be taught to have respect for others and especially respect for themselves and some independence thrown in is good too. I don't know what you're thinking!

Onewithquestions - I will not comment on your comments - your beliefs are your own - except to say, I believe God created man and the world in which man lives.  At that time, God gave man a free will and dominion over this world.  With this free will, man can choose whether or not he will accept God, how he worships and relates to God, and what he will do with the world God gave man.  I believe the 'ills' this world suffers come from man and his choices, not from God.  The issues at the core of this situation are all due to man, in my opinion.  I struggle with many of the questions you raise about the 'whys' of what happens in this world.  The way I deal with it, besides prayer, is to do what I can do, in the place where I am, with what I have available to me, to improve the world around me.  So, I think, while our beliefs in an eternal God may differ, you and I are more alike than we are different.

To Onewithquestions,

It makes me sad that you have decided to live without God in your life.

It seems as though your reasoning is the same that many others have used in rationalizing God out of thier lives, and that reasoning being the "How could a loving caring God allow ...." line of thinking.

I beleive that the reason that so many people think this way is because they do not understand the greater overall plan that God has for us. Now I don't claim to understand in detail everyting that God does, not by a long shot, but understanding that this human body and existance is just a learning tool for our eternal soul, allows me to understand that God sent us here with absolute free will.
If we decide that our lives are going to be spent serving our fellow man like Mother Teresa or if we decide that we are going to become a serial killer or some political despot who decides to comit some horrible genicide, that is our choice. And we will be judged by God accoringly.

We are here to learn and make choices. Sometimes the conciquences of those choices just affect us and sometimes they affect others as well. If we are the victim of someone elses choice then it is our choice to stay a victum or grow and become stronger because of it. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" many learned and wise people have said this, and not just religious people either.

We are here to learn and what we learn we take with us when we die. Hopfully we have learned patience, empathy, simpathy, kindness, self control, selflessness, wisdom, love.

To Onewithquestions,

It makes me sad that you have decided to live without God in your life.

It seems as though your reasoning is the same that many others have used in rationalizing God out of thier lives, and that reasoning being the "How could a loving caring God allow ...." line of thinking.

I beleive that the reason that so many people think this way is because they do not understand the greater overall plan that God has for us. Now I don't claim to understand in detail everyting that God does, not by a long shot, but understanding that this human body and existance is just a learning tool for our eternal soul, allows me to understand that God sent us here with absolute free will.
If we decide that our lives are going to be spent serving our fellow man like Mother Teresa or if we decide that we are going to become a serial killer or some political despot who decides to comit some horrible genicide, that is our choice. And we will be judged by God accoringly.

We are here to learn and make choices. Sometimes the conciquences of those choices just affect us and sometimes they affect others as well. If we are the victim of someone elses choice then it is our choice to stay a victum or grow and become stronger because of it. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" many learned and wise people have said this, and not just religious people either.

We are here to learn and what we learn we take with us when we die. Hopfully we have learned patience, empathy, simpathy, kindness, self control, selflessness, wisdom, love.

candacesandyutah...thanks for the site, I am sure that it will get alot of use from the people on this site.

Jason...You pretty much start off your post with.."Most of you will probably be ok with your daughters entering into sexual relationships with anyone they get an emotional attachment to" etc, etc. In other words, you "assume" that to be true, and don't actually know it to be true. Personally, I feel sorry for you if you live in the world you descibe...In my world, Sons and Daughters alike (both being equal, I might add) are taught right from wrong, they are taught to be respectful towards others, taught about their own sexuality,(Pre-Menstrual, for the girls, so they don't get the crap scared out of them) and the proper way to go about their sexuality. They are also taught to be Careful and Independent, and that if something doesn't seem right to talk to us about it, for we, as parents will always listen. The last thing I would want from my children is to be afraid to talk to us. There is more, but you will find out what that is in time. All I can say is this forum has worked just fine in my family, No teenage Pregnancies, no drug or alchohol problems, no jail time and all the children now lead good lives... What more can a parent ask for?
Please don't ASSUME... for when you do, all you do is make an A$$ out of U and ME

Children are to be loved and cared for not forced into marriage as a minor and they should never be returned until the parents learn that it is wrong to force marriage and sex on minors. Oh and by the way the parents should all be sitting in jail.

These posts, by their very length, defend themselves against the risk of being read. WC

I'm betting these "gals" go "retro".


...Gotta have some HOT-STUFF, baby this evenin'...

Why is it when polygamy comes up the Mormons automatically get thrown in the middle?  Yes the Mormons practiced polygamy and yes this polygamy group broke away from the Mormon Church but that was over 100 years ago.  Mormons stopped practicing polygamy in 1890.  Since then the FLDS church has changed some of their beliefs and values and no longer have anything in common with the Mormon Church. They are two very separate churches now with nothing to compare.  

I have no problem with people who do not believe in the Mormon teachings, I admit that some of our teaches can be hard to understand.  However, at the end of the day our church teaches us to be hard working, honest people who love and serve those around us and to have strong family relationships…. what is so evil and wrong about that?

And to the women (deb?) whose ex husband became a Mormon and baptized her kids.  I’m sorry you had to go through all that but it is very unfair to judge the Mormon Church as a whole because of one mans actions.

Okay first of all, back in the Joseph Smith days people married at a young age because that was the norm.  We died young...  Mormons do NOT condone plural marriage nor do they condone marriage to underage children.  Please do not confuse todays Mormon religion with the FLDS.  Second, the women stay because they were born in to this situation and dont know anything different.  Those women or men who decide later on that this isnt for them, well the men are kicked out and their wives and children are moved so the man is unable to see them again and they are kicked out.  The "Leaders" control the land, houses, food..everything!  This isnt as black and white as you think.

LDS take on the Mao jacket.

This is not what God wants for his children. He wants us to prosper with one love and one family. Not with multiple wives or husbands. It says it in the Holy Bible people! He wants us to have ONE companion. It is just sad to me.....

My thing why are the medeia not interviewing the men that father those babies. I'm talking about the older men that had sex with those young females. I think those people are being mistreated. Somebody please help those children.

Looks more like a Mt. Rushmore pantomime than a press conference.

Polygamy reminds me of the KKK. Aren't they both just silly fads that are long overdue to be eliminated?

What I wonder when I see these type of pictures is...Where are all the men.. They seem to hide behind those long skirts....

Naomi-Children under the age of 18, do not have the right to choose to sleep with someone who is older because for the older person it is a crime.  It is rape whether it is forced or not, and it's called statatory.  It is not okay for a older man to sleep with a young girl and make babies just because they consent to it.  

No wonder these women are taught to fear us.  Have you listened to yourselves spew hatred and malice?  Making fun of their appearance and practices does not help the "outsiders" argument any.  What we all should focus on is how they are raised and what they are taught from birth.  These women were taught, in a very violent and relenting form, that obedience and submissiveness are essential to their survival.  Any attempt to be strong or to stand up for themselves is met with abuse and condemnation.  Of course they are going to stand by while other people decide their childrens' fate.  Of course they are all going to look the same, dress the same, behave the same.  Failure to do so would not only mean retribution from people stronger, but they would also face being ostracized and cut off from everything they knew, with no real education or ability to care for themselves.  Add the fear of damnation on top of that and the suffering their children would face because of their "bad behavior" and you get what we are seeing.  Instead of mocking these women or yelling at them for being horrible mothers, why not try to find a little compassion and understanding of their situation?  Why not try to find a way to help these children who are certainly frightened for their lives, confused, and who's fate still lingers in the hands of others they do not know?

I really wish everybody would stop holding back and tell me how you REALLY feel!

I feel so bad for the children because this is all they know.  I think the HBO show Big Love has given America a glimpse into the lives of polygymists and their lifestyles.  One group is self supporting and integrated into suburban America and the other larger cult is a drain on the welfare system and tax payers.  In reality these people drain the welfare system by having more and more children.  They turn their checks over to their "prophet" who then grows a fortune while everyone else goes without and sacrafices and works to keep the family fruitful, fed and multipying.  The boys are tossed out at a young age because they are competition to the old men.  They work at jobs if they can but they too have to turn their checks over to the prophet.  The girls ARE paychecks.  I think DNA samples should be extracted from others, children and any potential fathers.  Then they should be made accountable to the taxpayers of Texas to make restitution for welfare fraud.  Now look at all the court appointed lawyers and at whose expense?  I am sure the prophet isn't going to be picking up the tab.  

Bad Mormon.
No Planet.

No $hit, Gabby!
I quit reading any comment over 4 or 5 lines days ago!

I'm not trying to dispute the likelihood that this situation is reprehensible, I just want everyone to quit making the one generalization that just because a man is old it means that he is "ugly, fat, abusive" or whatever adjective you can conjure up. Perhaps these child brides weren't totally unprepared for their fate at the hands of older men. Perhaps they had been taught to trust that they would be cared for with gentleness and dignity and love. Perhaps they submitted willingly to a protective father-like coupling. Would this make this more or less acceptable to outsiders like us?
Who knows how it really is?

GabbyDallas, LMAO, however try not to encourage them.  

MTfromLA, I agree with you also, because after the third or fourth line of non-stop dribble, it starts to get pretty old.

"But Elizabeth, you don't know what you'll get."

"Well, I know what I've had."

--name that movie.

"Every time one of these stories come up I wonder why there are polygamist ranches, polygamist farms, polygamist compounds and polygamist retreats."

well Robert. Its because our materialistic,controlled media,Frankfurt school morality,boazian anthropology,spiritually dead,junk food addicted,abortion as birth control,crime ridden McWorld holds no allure for them.  So they want to live apart from the world and be LEFT ALONE!

Less is more...

blah, blah, blah, blah

I do not feel sorry for these women. They chose to marry a men with numerous wives. These same women allow there children of 14 and 15 to be married off to some older pervert. It is the poor children I feel sorry for. They are better off in the states care!

"strasserite"
These people want to be left alone because they know what they are doing is wrong. Like a small child that does something wrong runs and hide not to get into trouble, these people hide away from the world and brain wash innocent children!

Suzanne - we add those adjectives because their isn't a word strong enough to describe the evil that is any man having sex with a child.

When I see, or hear about such polygamist groups it just angers me.  I know that some women choose this way of life.  Whether they're consciously doing so, or succomb to the emotional, physical, and mental BS the the "men" of these groups throw at them, it's still just wrong.  I think a lot of them come into this way of life because it's much easier for them than to actually facing the challenges of modern society.  I don't think these men are stupid men, they know exactly what they're doing, and what the reward is for themselves.  The sad part is that these women buy the crap they spew.  They "say" it's all about being a family?  I would not want to share my kids with another mother, nor my man with another wife.  How do you bond your child(ren) when it's your day to take care of the other 15 as well?  As I understand it each "wife" has their responsibilities and very little time for themselves.  If they do their work well they are rewarded by getting to take turns with the idiot...er husband?  No thanks.  Some advice ladies...grow a back bone, tell your husband and his other 6 wives to kiss off, grab your kids and get the heck out while you can.  

Makes me think of the time my mother told me that she and dad had this understanding that once she had kids, she should never go anywhere she couldn't take the kids. My question - did he, also, stop going places the kids couldn't go?
Gullible!

hey ladies, ma called she wants her style back...

I totally disagree with the teachings and beliefs of the leaders and people in this compound.  Marrying and/or having sexual relations with a minor, whether with consent or without is wrong and it is against the law.  My belief however is that a woman should live, act, dress and behave like a true woman.  Just because I do not wear tight pants, cut my hair off or wear a ton of make-up does not mean I am in a cult or brainwashed.  This is the way I CHOOSE to live. I am married, have a carrer, we maintain a home separately from fellow members of our church, etc.  The women in our church are not treated like 2nd class citizens nor do we feel belittled in anyway.  As a matter of fact, my husband helps me cook dinner and do the dishes every night!  We buy high end furniture and cars and name brand clothes from the best department stores.  We do not dress like we just stepped out of the 18th centry!  We watch some t.v. programs but do not have cable in our home.  We have the internet but no inappropriate material is allowed in our home.  Because of these things, people who do not understand nor want to live our way of life accuse us of being brainwashed.  Yet, the very people accusing uf of being brainwashed are living miserable lives full of drugs, alcohol, divorce, etc.  Their children are running wild out there on drugs and who knows what else.  The key here is BALANCE.  In any belief you must find a balance, a middle of the road.  Do not go too far one way or the other.  This to me is real freedom.  God bless you.

Holy cow! I actually used the wrong 'there' there. I don't think I have ever done that before.
And I was even caffeinated. huh.

Hair-do a la Johnny Cash. They play "Ring of Fire" at each ceremony.

Hmmm....

Good idea: 12 wives to keep the husband satisfied

Bad idea: 12 synchronized menstrual cycles....12 angry, bloated, chocolate-craving, frying-pan wielding, scary-haired women.

Someone really didn't think this through...

"Comments are approved by editors before appearing; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. Only comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others will be approved." Who are the editors? Ed are you one of them? Seems like everyone is attacking the comments of others, yet there are sooo many blogs! :) funny, huh?

These poor women are giving all of us a bad rep. I see it too. The brainwashing is obvious but it didn't used to be that way. As the last week has given us more insight to the goings on at the YFZ ranch, I am embarassed and shocked to see what has happened to their minds. I love being raised in Colorado City. I have a good life and I'm not ashamed of my beliefs. I realize that Christians aren't going to embrace the polygamists but that's alright. God's in charge and that where I take comfort.

It's kinda interesting though how every city in the country has under aged girls giving birth in hospitals and CPS isn't taking their babies away because of their age. This is discrimination folks!

I'm reading a lot of anti-polygamous opinion here. Do you believe that because our parents are polygamous, under age girls and older men, we have no right to be born, live in this country and/or be raised by our parents? God sent us here-- not you or the state of Texas.

Face it people. Even without under aged girls birthin' us, we are here to stay one way or another. DEAL WITH  IT. We're not going to lay down and die because you don't like us, our hair or the ugly dresses.

BTW, I've never taken welfare; I am college educated and don't own a dress with long sleeves. In fact I dress just like most of you and you wouldn't know from looking at me that I married an old man. Scary isn't it. I could be anyone.

I haven't yet caught up and read all these comments buf for now I have a couple of things I want to speak to.
First, Jackie:  America is a land of choices.  If a woman makes a choice to be a stay of home wife, why is that being lazy.  The many stay at women I know are hard working, intelligent women.  I wish my home had been as clean as theirs but when working, you have to learn to prioritize and let some things go sometimes.  When children are added to the family, the job of taking care of them rather than sending them to childcare where someone else does the work, is a challenging and difficult one, especially if a woman wants to 'get it right' with the kids.  The woman at home needs to be intelligent to find away to buy food and clothing for children on one household income.  There is also the cost of a roof over their heads, school supplies, health care etc.  The work required in running the household is tedious, hard and unending.  All the new appliances and conveniences are not affordable for them.  They have to work harder to accomplish tasks we can do with the push of a button (dishwasher, microwaves etc.) It is not the most popular choice anymore but it is a valid choice and certainly not laziness.
    Secondly, the laws are in place but they have not been enforced by the legal system for quite a long time.  The communities have existed in plain sight all over the US and let be, and not just those called "mormons".  Their practices have been condoned by lack of enforcement.  
    From a sociological standpoint, these women were being good wives and mothers by fufilling their duties, and not just in the giving up of their daughters.  How many of our great grandmothers were married at age 14, 15, 16 and even 13 & 12?  Many, I think, especially in the most rural and isolated ares of our country.  Right now we have 14 y/o hookers all over the place in society and that is just as wrong.  Many of them are runaways and are in the hooker business by necessity and to a some degree personal choice.  Again, not right but in some ways, no different than these women.  In our everyday world we tolerate immorality in many forms.  
    Jackie, the first paragraph was not a personal attack aimed at you but something we all need to think about.
    On many levels I am concerned for the soccor moms who work, take care of their homes and families and make sure the children get to all today's outside activities.  I thing the number of baby boomers having to use SS disability before retirement age is related to this.
    I think what I'm trying to have others take into consideration is our society at large and what we are teaching and showing our children in our everyday lives.  Also, how far does our attitudes of tolerance extend?
    On a lighter note, I think these hairstyles would be nice for a formal event or evening on the town.  In another setting it would be considered elegant and attractive.  

The answer to the movie quote is.....

Paint Your Wagon.

Now, hand me down that can of beans.

Question: With all this outrage and upset at this twist of a pseudo-christian religeon to make a man supreme and women chatel; Where is the same outrage at ISLAM? Women are forced to be cover head to toe to prevent 'lustful' urges in men because women are evil. Women can not hold property, women can not drive in many places, women can not be near or associate with men not related to under threat of death. If raped, they are whipped or stoned for having sex with a man not their husband. I mean for crying out loud people. This wacko group is no different from the other wacko group slowing invading ALL western nations but no one says anything about them because we dont want to be rude or harm someones sensibilities. WAKE UP! What these FLDL women are going through ALL your daughters will go through when Sharia Law is in effect from that evil religeon founded by a pedophile! How is Muhameds revalation any less bizzare than Joseph Smith's? At least the FLDLers keep to themselves, Islam spreads by massive birthrate and immigration or the sword!

Each group of people have their own share of extremists.  I went to a small church in a very rural area in Southern Indiana of the Baptist teachings.  We had a minister for years who was what I shall call a "raving Bible-thumper" who pretty much brainwashed his own wife.  He broke her spirit by denying her everyday items.  She like watching Oprah, so he took the tv away because it was "sinful".  Her taking a nap after chasing their kids was 'sinful'.  Last time I heard, she had 7 children.  How did he support them? Window washing, even though he had a degree in mechanical engineering.  He also would not allow her to work outside the home, even though she was a special-ed teacher.  It's amazing how blind love really is...

This man even inquired my mother about my own sex life at a friend's wedding.  She told him where to go...

Sadly, this man is not the only one out there: other members took steps to break their own daughters' spirits...to groom them to be the perfect wives.  One such case was a girl who applied for college.  Six years later, her son found her application hidden in her parents' room.  Another family forbade their daughters swim with boys.

Not all Christians are like this. Educated, or not, some women fall into this belief system through love with a good, "Christian" man as encouraged by her parents.  

They should take these kids to Disney's World.

Mormons claiming no plural marriage?

What about LDS men converting and marrying dead women so they can have multiple wives on their spirit planets? Think about it....

(If we are all babies of one man and his spirit wives, is Earth a terrestrial foster home?)

(And, why would any woman want to go to a spirit world where she STILL has to share one man and have lots of babies???)

Hipocracy is alive and well in the state of Texas. How many teens in a population of 400+ children gathered from one neighborhood in San Angelo (plyg kids not included) would be pregnant? Five or six maybe? Hey, I'm not a fan of the FLDS religion or practices, (I even hate organic food. I'd rather have my food grown in chemical fertilizer than horse manure.) but if it's about the children why does Texas still have so many young girls having babies all over the state without interference from CPS on any grand scale. This is descrimination and it is about religion!

Sigh. Hmmmm. It really is too bad that the TRUE Mormons have to be black balled for what the FLDS have been up to for the last 118 years. The whole idea of the 1890 Manifesto was to make the problem go away so the TRUE Mormons in Utah could obtain statehood and live in peace with the world.

I have a question...if the state is going to take these children away from their parents on the premise that the children are being raised in an unfit society.  Then what are they going to do when the remaining women continue to have children?  They can't very well keep them from getting pregnant.  Are they planning on showing up everytime a woman gives birth and taking the child away as soon as it's born? How are they going to protect the children to come?  I don't know how the state can fix this, it is not a one-time fixer, the cycle is going to continue.  It seems like the only way, is to break up these religious sects, to enforce the laws that prohibit polygomy.  The problem is so complicated, I do not envy the state and all those involved in trying to find a suitable solution to this unfortunate crisis.  I wish the best of luck to all those involved.

Everyone keeps mentioning LSD control.
Wouldn't they all be laughing, I guess that would explain the paranoia.

..................................................(polygamy'd out)................................

STP,
LDS, not LSD

This is a lovely picture of the few who made it out of Silent Hill.

AmericanPatriot, you're more than welcome.  I hope so, if I can stand up for my Religion and help people understand just a little bit more about it than consider me a very happy woman...  

Cheers

Well, I see that all of my ole pals have not lost their sense of humor. Ya'll sure are being judged harshly by the newbies...I guess that they just don't understand that WE ALL have our opinions and mean no harm to others...unless you are against the DUCKS! Sorry...to hear about that by the way. I've been out of the blog for the last five days and wow...all hell has been breaking loose. On my way to work...I heard the sad news about the DUCKS on the W&J Show. I am a 10 Percenter!

Oh...about the picture. These ladies do seem to be at awe with the whole situation...can't blame them, I guess...seems like they would have to be seriously brain washed to stay there under those circumstances; however I have seen where some women have left the ranch on their own will because of the abuse going on there and have voiced it on national tv...so who's right? We all are! It's just a matter of opinion.

after 217 comments, I have nothing to say except that everyone said some good stuff!

LunchBox, great movie, and a great analogy.LMAO

How  is anyone supposed to understand all this? I mean I have the abilities to do what ever the hell I want to when ever I want to, My life hasn't always been this way either, I was stuck in a relationship and kept trying to make it work because I thought I had no choices or voice, maybe these women feel they have to do this because "it's the right way" and they have to I pray they find their own voices and stick up for themselves and their children.

We should respect each other’s life style; we easily disapprove and wonder about the dresses and the hairstyle of these chaste ladies while we praised the so called fashion ladies (I will call them commercial ladies), wherever you see an add you will see a half naked lady even if it is not related, now even in our school the girls who exposed their private parts become famous and hot and the well covered girls are subject to joke and discrimination. I think what these chaste ladies are doing is just following the way of our beloved Marie.
I think something is wrong with our judgment, the right things became outdated and the wrong thing became fashion!!!!

I also believe that these woman think they have free choice.....but it is not an informed choice since they have only known this way of life. They have no idea that this is wrong, and because of this, their children suffer. Also....FYI....the Fundamentalist Mormons are NOT THE SAME sect/religion as the "regular" Mormons. The only thing that they have in common is the word Mormon. Please do not confuse them, it makes you sound ignorant. I myself am neither, but at least I know the difference.

The practice of polygomy is only one of the many distorted concepts that mormons believe.  I don't understand how anyone canieve that Mr. Smith, the founder of this cult, was a profit.  I believe in the prophetic, but only those that came before Jesus... for, after the birth and death of Jesus, the need for prophetic persons was elimnated as God made good on his promises.

So difficult to understand HOW they do not see the brainwashing going on!  This is nothing more than a type of cult--so sad to see this disgusting way of life! The poor children being brought up in this mess--too horrible to think about.....

The funny part of all is that it was a black woman who made the call to say that there was child abuse going on there. They didn't have a clue that it was a black woman until very later. The place hates black people, how ironic! Those women need help and so do their children, big but very big time help.

The hair-do is known in Salt Lake as "The Johnson Wave" after the Johnson polygamist group in southern Utah. We saw these women at the Walmart, Costco, etc, buying huge quantities of staples for the compounds. Everyone knew who they were, that they were polygamists, and said/did nothing. This is a way of life that actually can be supportive of women - if you never want to do laundry again, wouldn't it be nice to have a sister-wife who loved to do the washing? While you did all the teaching? Everyone has their role. However, these people are flat-out brainwashed and so delusional that nothing outside their narrow world makes sense to them. That's why they stay. They're told what to do every minute. It makes for an easy life for someone not very bright or ambitious. Living behind the Zion Curtain in Utah for 10 years opened my eyes to things I never would have believed, growing up in the midwest. Now I'm a Buddhist, and I'm NEVER having kids!

Kyla your not realy an idiot, are you?  Do your research, or think about what your saying before you bash the leadership of the church.

They DEFINATELY look like they would "DRINK THE KOOL AID"!!!!!!!

"And the winner of the 2008 Mrs. LDS is the woman with the up-do and the pastel dress."

PLEASE NOTE:

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is NOT affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons").  The FLDS church is a branch from long ago that continued to practice polygamy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practiced polygamy for a SHORT time during the 1800s. The assignment was actually given to a small percentage of the men to take care of the women who were widowed, and to increase the size of the church.  Because the LDS church realizes the importance of obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law, the practice was eventually abolished.  Some branches of the church (whose members would be considered "excommunicated") continued to practice polygamy.

Some look upon the practice of polygamy as being a weak spot in Church history. Remember that there was a reason for this practice, and the LDS church (not Fundamentalist) upholds all laws of the land and condones all types of adultery, fornication, abuse, and criminal activity.

For more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please visit the official website at www.lds.org.

The state of Texas has every right to remove these children!  The state can remove any child they feel is in danger.  And they did just that.  I feel bad for the kids, but really, would you have left YOUR child with these old perverts and brainwashed women?  I know I wouldn't

For all of you that are so upset with the polygamous lifestyle. Let me remind you that 'fundamentalist' means to adhear to orginal doctrine. For us that includes the Old Testament. I know polygamy scares many people. But I know many of the people at the FYZ ranch and even if they have young women having families, they are doing so by choice. Every community in this country has girls who choose to become young mothers. They have rights and so do these young mothers. THEY ARE NOT BEING FORCED! And has anyone proved they were raped by 'old men' as everyone seems to be saying? Get over it America! What you don't understand is that I saw my husband's grandchild begging for her children to be returned. I know 'Nancy.' She chose to be married to her husband. She loved him when she married him. I married a 'much older man' when I was 16. I have the right to marry the man who will be the best provider and love me. It's too bad for everyone who wants to judge me for it. But I am telling you that I always knew I could choose my own husband and I'm glad I married my husband. He's a good man.
Case in point:
Brainwashing comes out in those who justify the lifestyle, but the real point is that by choice you put your children in a situation that will affect them for the rest of their lives, and not necessarily a good way, You chose for them to be in this situation, and they did not get a chance to decide for themselves when you yourself chose to be in this situation.You took their right away..so dont stand there talking about choice, you chose theis for your children, therefore you chose this consequence.

Where is the men?  All we are hearing about is the wives and how they are fighting for their children, but we are not hearing anything about the scumbag men.  Whats up with that?

Thinkingindependently, I have to ask you what twisted and false source you got your ideas from. You couldn't be more wrong.

I agree they all look alike (ALOT alike) so are they forced, is it something they are sworn into?  Im asking cuz, a woman has a man (another woman comes along) and well theres conflict, how do they shut that off, are they trained from when there young not to have feelings? If you look at the pic, they all have this somber, cold unfeeling look on there faces.  My Grandparents were married, before they met (betrothed??) it was a practice long ago, I know thats different than this, are they both an abuse to a human right to choose?? My Grandma didn't look somber & unfeeling.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (mormons) do not practice poligamy because it is immoral. I don't know where you got your information. If you go to the churches website. WWW.LDS.ORG you will be able to read the true stand that the church has on this subject. It is upsetting that mormons are being mis represented by their own members.

Lets get it Straight

THESE FOLKS ARE NOT MORMONS

Their church started out in the early days as the church now known as Mormon's but they are as much alike as Catholics and Baptists.

Also, to Kyla,  You may not understand your religion all that well.    The Only reason Mormon's don't practice Poligamy is NOT because it's now illegal.  

For those who want to truly understand Mormon's go to their website WWW.LDS.ORG.     But don't confuse FLDS with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints PLEASE.

I am amazed at the intense blogging on this particular photo. I also have to shake my head at the shallowness and lack of understanding in so many of the comments. Then I read one like lonewolf's and realize that the american spirit still lives on. These people #1 were accused by a prankster. #2, there are abuses I'm sure as there are in every society, but this mass disseminating of their families is a tragedy. What happened to "innocent until proven guilty".

I do not condone the techniques used by fanatics in this social structure to control their followers. However, fanatics exist in almost all parts of our country. How much control should the government have over lifestyle. How quickly are we allowed to pass judgement without educating ourselves on the situation. Next thing you know they will be taking MY kids away because they DON'T watch cable TV! I know a lot of these children do need help out of some of these societies that have turned cultist, but get a sense of moderation here. Protect our fellow man where needed, but maintain a sense of religious tolerance and charity that this country was built on.

    How much are all those DNA tests going to cost and who's picking up the tab?

Back in the late 1830's when the Mormon church started practicing polygamy it was not for the benefit of the men, but for the women.  Women who wanted to be with a man who believed as they did.  Unfortunately, there were more righteous women than men, which left a shortage of prospects for husbands believing as they did.  There were also a lot of women who lost their husbands and had no one to support them and during that era.  So in essence the practice of polygamy was considered a "necessary evil" so to say, but the practice of polygamy ended with mainstream Mormanism in 1890.  However, there were members who felt that the practice of polygamy should continue and thus branched off to form their own religion.  It is a terrible scar left for the Mormon church and unfortunately a "black mark" that they will never be able to have erased, much like how the United States will forever bear the scar of slavery.  It was a terrible thing, but it happened and we cannot go into the past and change it.  The FLDS group is not in any way a part of the Mormon church as it is since the late 1800's.  All religions have some sort of common connection, but FLDS practices their beliefs completely contrary to what mainstream Mormonism is today and has been since the late 1800's.  I hope the LDS church will sue for the FLDS church to change their names to stop the confusion that they are one and the same because they are not.  On a side note, I'd also like to point out that many people practice polygamy, just check out Wikipedia.  Arranged marriages, underage marriages, living lives forced to dress a certain way are practiced by many cultures.  So as shocking as this whole debacle may be, it is honestly nothing new.  I feel bad for these kids and their mothers because they honestly don't know any better.  They have been taught that this is how life is and go along like lemmings.

Why is everyone so shocked about this? Are you people that naive? Do you people know how many sects and cults there are? To be so awed by something like this just demonstrates how little people understand their surroundings. Yeah it sucks but it's nothing new. I'm more pissed off about the pope coming to the U.S. and acting like he's some highly educated politician but then spews out basic sophmoric "moral" ideas that any college hippie protester already rants and raves about. The Catholic church has done more f'ed things than this polygamist group has (yes, child molestation as well). The caption for this picture should simply be "Humans" -- same since 128,000 B.C.

ha ha.  Hair raised like that probably have secret radars in there for the men to watch them and not let them escape.

<<Remember that there was a reason for this practice, and the LDS church (not Fundamentalist) upholds all laws of the land and condones all types of adultery, fornication, abuse, and criminal activity. >>

Laura, I really hope you meant condemns. You did, didn't you?

I present to you the 2008 victoria secret models

Yeah...condemn the current Mormon church for polygamy 200 years ago.  Should we condekmn the Christians for their bloody crusades across the planet?  How about the torture chambers, and witch hunts of the middle ages...some of which last up to the dreaded polygamy times.

Before you castigate a church or religion that you obviously know nothing about, look into you own "faith's" history.

PS:  I'm an atheist.

FLDS members are the most hypocritical individuals on the face of this planet.  The say they live the way they do in seclusion to safeguard their children from the "Sins of this generation", yet they'll keep wanting to bring children into this sinful world.  It sounds less like protecting and more like simply not being able to keep Mr. Happy under control.  All in the name of religion.

From what I see, hear and understand is horriable. To be raised to cater to men in some sense of respect is clear. But to be raised to do what they want, when they want, leaves the women with no self respect. When you loose that self respect, you cling to whatever good is left and that is their children. May the creator protect these women and their children, may the great spirit put these men in their places.

Ever since the government intervened their lives have been helter shelter.

Rumor has it that a well-known political figure is being investigated for serial monogamy. Word is he also paid transients for personal services. Yes, it's true, he was a hobosexual.

That's funny stuff, Phil!

Accusing someone of homosexuality is a pretty stiff accusation, Phil.  Do you have proof?  One shouldn't accuse without proof to back it up... ya know?  I'm not trying to be "ugly", just saying.

This is crazy, but just an observation... has anyone else noticed how all these women have such pretty complexions?  I mean, like even the older ones don't seem to have wrinkles yet!  Could it be because they don't wear make-up?  Again, just saying...

My opinion would be to place the children in "normal" Mormon homes for permanent adoption. The natural mothers and fathers should ALL be imprisoned for child molestation and polygamy, as well as lord knows what else. They should also sieze the land and assets and auction them off and use the money to pay for court costs and the DNA testing as well as the years of counselling they will all need after this fiasco is finished. They should never be allowed to see their children again either way. The welfare system is exploited by everyone it seems. My opinion would be to not give anyone welfare if they are not already working...or disabled. Firing out kids just to get more governemtn money is sick, evil, and wrong. Make them pay for it.

I think it's terrible that the children in this situation are growing up being told this is how life should be. But it also brings an interesting question up. Isn't any other person doing a similar thing to their children? Sure, we don't think of it as "brain-washing" because what they are teaching isn't condsidered abusive, but how many children growing up REALLY have a choice in what there religion will be? Especilly now-a-days with people fighting to keep things like evolution from being taught in school. Those people who fight for those sort of things are just as afraid of their children being influenced by an outside source and choosing a different path as the people who isolate themselves on these ranches.

Honestly I think we would all be better off if everyone was taught about all different kinds of religions in school, not to be indoctrinated, but to be educated so people aren't just spouting off uneducated statements about beliefs other than their own.

My four wives have their hair done like these women too, excpet for the brunette 2nd from the right. He hair is terrible, what was she thinking???

ahh Phil, that was too funny LOL

Another example of what a sad state a group of people can bring themselves to through belief.  I do not know much about belief, but I do know human beings are capable of believing anything.

laughing at jeremy.......inless he's serious...................then i'm glaring at him....

Has anyone given any thought to the young children in this case. How these young girls early as 12-15 are made to marry this sad azz men. The children need to be thought about and prayed for in this. I thank God that he allowed this to be revealed. They need to be taken from thier mothers for allowing this to happen. But how can anyone still call this a church???

These women are suffering from CROSS DNA.They are not brain washed it's called INCEST many years of it.They become retarded with very little skills other than laying on there backs and heals to thier so call god! I agree, put them all in jail untill DNA testing is completed.

Is the first women in this pic related to ELI AND PAYTON? They all look alike......CROSS DNA BABE!!

For years the world has been on the lookout for things demeening to women. Look at these women their faces are hard and their eyes seem vacant.  I cannot think of anything more demeening than this.
The perverts say polygamy isn't anything about sex perversion, to this I say BS!  What else would you be looking at taking a 14 year old bride when your 50.  I think Utah should of done something about this years ago but didn't have the rocks.  I admire Texas for trying to put an end to this perversion!!!

Pathetically sorry to see how women are used as prostitutes in the name, and under the cover, of religion. Yes, Mr. Smith, way to go. At least you got famous.

How long has this been going on? If it's more then 3 generations, then chances are the hole lot of them(men AND women) have tweeked points of view(sorry, I don't like using the word brainwashed. It's tagged on everything these days that people don't agree with.) That's the problem with secluded sects. Like in Animal Farm, all it takes is a corrupt leader to slowly change thing to how they want it, and several years later, the tweek it taught as doctrine. That's why the USA has such a problem with Communism, because it practices this type of seclusion and alteration of values. That is practicly what this group sounds like. While I do not agree with what has happened, we also need to keep an open mind. Just like their upbringing teaches them to believe one way, we were brought up to believe another. The age of marrage has been rapidly moving back for the last few decades, to the point of people worrying about birth defect of mothers starting too late in life. 14-16 was a usual age in the 1800's. Polygamy is heavily looked down upon by the US, but some cultures are taught that it is not moraly incorrect. The conscience will not usually tug on a string that has not been sewn, so to speek. This whole event goes in the books as another tragic event of someones personal greed causing so much pain and greif for generations to come.

Paul Mitchell's recurring nightmare.  Wakes up screaming "I need more product"

This is religious persecution and should be stopped.  Anyone remember "innocent until proven guilty?"
By the way, FLDS and LDS are very different.  Look it up, and help the world be less ignorant.

I don't care what way these people choose to live but if they're abusing /and allowing children to be abused they should all be sterilized and thrown in jail.

I'm sorry, I don't feel sorry for these women, I feel sorry for the children.....These women give their baby daughters away at the onset of their first cycle, to sexual perverts (prediators), adult men, who know better.  This is the perfect utopia for sexual deviants and child molesters, alas...they found what they wanted and no one can stop them...so they think, busted. I say take their children and give them to people who will cherish, love and more than anything PROTECT them...Coming from a abusive family myself, I wish someone had done this for me!!!!!  

I don't know about you but I kind-a dig the Max Headroom hair-do.

like it or not, the judeo-christian religion(s) have their origins in polygamy - Abraham; Isaac; Jacob; David (God gave him his wives - read it!); Solomon; - these were forefathers of Jesus himself. This has been an on and off practice for thousands of years. I do not condone it, but want to point out that the modern polygamists - some of which call themselves "Christian Polygamists" and emphatically disassociate themselves with the LDS, did not evolve in a vacuum - there is a history.

It is very important to note that these women dress very similar to the United Pentecostal Women, They use powerful fear tactics to control these women.  I was part of the UPC for 18 years and we left in 1990, it was the best decision of my life.  God doesn't give a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.  
I do pray for the women, children, that somehow they get the right help, to be able to sort out what they went through, they will need alot of help to be able to get free of the control, abuse, and bondage.  

FOR ALL OF YOU WHO SAID THEY "FEEL SORRY" FOR THESE WOMEN.  GIVE ME A BREAK PLEASE. THAT IS COMPLETE BULL. THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE THIS LIFESTYLE.  THE ONLY ONES YOU SHOULD FEEL SORRY FOR ARE THE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOW RIPPED OUT OF THEIR MOTHERS ARMS.

These people need a lot of prayer and guidance from God, our Lord and Savior! I pray that those children are able to heal from this horrible experience that they have had and that the mothers are forgiven by what they have allowed to happen to these children. Unfortunately, this is a never ending cycle, and it will never stop, these compounds will exist, just long enough to be exposed to society. It is truly sad that any woman would in her right mind, willingly allow a man to touch her daughter and rob her of her innocence. I was molested as a child and still to this day I will never forget the mental torment and anguish that I went through. Thank God that I have forgiven my abuser, although he has never apologized to me (he was a close friend of the family) knowing what he did was wrong, and honestly it went on for years before I was ever strong enough to tell anyone, by then it had stopped. God be with the children....

Wonder what their Dating profile would look like on the internet. Would they actually do a group photo? What would they put for hobbies? How much would dinner cost a guy on the first date?

I wonder about the incidence of miscarriage, low birth weight, deformity and infant mortality among the very young girls who have been raped and impregnated by these "men". I have no statistiscs to back it up, for those who may be anal about such things; but it seems to me that a child may not be able to produce a healthy, well developed baby when her own body is not yet fully developed. In addition, I am concerned about what psychological effects may be associated with forced pregnancies and the results-whether it be a miscarriage, a healthy baby or a baby who is not so healthy.  

One brain-research educator once said, "There is no such thing and truth, only perspective." Everyone has a perspective which is their right. From one person's perspective, I'm brainwashed. From my perspective, they are.

naomihh - So truth is relative?
Are you (F)LDS? If so, why?

NEOSHO, those who are being anal about such things don't have to worry about birth defects.

scoundrel-that was funny!  we needed some funny on this page. Thanks!

Not "Mormonism"?   The very foundation started with Joseph Smith having multiple wives, even taking a number of them from his Elders who did not give them up willingly.   Mormonism is a cult.  

It would be great if everyone talked the same way about the trashy Hollywood values. Volience, Materialism,Acceptance of Man to Man relations, Woman to Woman relations, I could go on and on.

I don't see what the big deal with polygamy is.  Only 15% of societies are monogamous according to a study by the U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (see section 9 of the study).

http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/Codebook4EthnoAtlas.pdf

Anyone who makes the statement "I don't see what the big deal with Polygamy is..." has never been in a serious monagamous relationship.

Jhonny- A large percentage of the world's population uses insects as a food source.  I won't be doing that either.

Jhonny - if you're young, male, beautiful and all-virgin-ish, you may become ever so lucky and be in a sham marriage as my second husband.  Not by choice, but by the will of someone filled with self-importance in your life, and better, yet, power. Besides, everyone else is doing it ...why not you??? (Rubs my hands together gleefully. Mmmmmm, Come'er little boy.)  

I've no problem with choices, but this particular lifestyle does not promote personal freedom, individuality, intellectual growth or choice...particularily for its youth.  However, I really wish the State of Texas had other means of dealing with this other than literally snatching children from mothers on such a large scale. sheesh. My girls would have not understood such a thing and it really makes me sad.

David, you can't compare Hollywood to some extreme cult.  One doesn't justify the other!  

Who the heck is the Government to tell people what they can and can't do. They have no right to destroy people's lives. My Dad and Grandpa fought so people could be free and do as they please in the great country. When will we as citizens rise up???

if i had a unibrow like that.. i would not show my face. these people are NUTS! dont feel sorry for them its complete bull!

I am concerned by the comments labeling Mormonism a cult.  I believe there are many religions around the world who have what would seem to many strange belief systems and ways of demonstrating them, but nonetheless, I rarely find them to be cultish.  Also, I believe many of these comments are made without making any objective research into the history of the Mormon church or directly asking Mormons how they feel about the subject.  For one thing, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not condone the polygamy of these sects.  In fact, when members are interviewed by church bishops they are asked if they support or participate in any of these groups.  If it is found out they do, actions are taken immediately to keep illegal activity from taking place.  It is also quite unfair to believe that the men are in full support of polygamy. Many Mormon men love their wives and would be loath to take in another woman.  They understand the implications such a thing would have on their marriage.  I understand your concerns for helping support the rights of American people, but please don't let the wrong acts of a few cloud your good judgment to think that all people of a particular religion are bad.

Phil: I know that I'm late...just catching up on some of the older postings...hahahahaha...."hobosexual"!LMAO...that's some funny stuff there.

No comments your honor, but...can we have a polygamist blog?

they do this for one reason, to have lots of kids so they can take over the world. the more people under their (the men's) command, the more powerful they are. oh and better even if they are their own kids!

man those women are creepy... every interview they act like robots.

Just wanted to comment about moral relativity (relative truths).  As my Contempory moral issues of today professor once stated, "what if my truth states that I have to murder all people who believe in relative truth?"...that entire theory is officially debunked.  No respectable philosopher stands by it.

I stand by what I orignally said, all of these men should never see the light of day again.  Sick perverts

Stepford wives, anyone?

I am AMAZED at the ignorance of most of the posts listed here, from both the alleged Mormons and the obviously bigoted non-Mormons.  There’s not a clear thread to be had in the whole bunch!    

I thought this blog was about the PHOTOGRAPHY… i.e: “PHOTOblog”…  Hello?

Mikey-"View and discuss the pictures and issues that caught our eyes"   See that?  Issues are included.

Mikey, a good photo evokes feelings.  And, check out what the editor states about this particular photo. He didn't muse about photo composition; rather, he commented about the poly-way. Hello? Smile.

Everytime I see these women on tv I can't help but stare at their hair. It is insane how it can be so perfect and so high. Their unibrows are gross! I don't feel sorry for any of these women, its true, the only ones that anyone should feel sorry for are the children who might not have a clue about what's going on or why they've been taken from their homes. For the young ones lets hope that they will learn what a normal life is now and that they will forget anything their parents have told them or things they have seen about this place. These men should be hunted down and tortured, they are pedophiles who are praying on the young children they have raised for breeding it seems. These women are so ignorant and blind, its disgusting that they let this happen. They are all a bunch of robots who are well trained obviously because not one has said anything about the true identity of this place.

TO ME THIS IS NOTHING BUT BRAIN WASHING AT ITS BEST.
TO TAKE A CHILD AND MAKE IT A MOTHER NOT HAVEING A SAY IN ANYTHING BECAUSE OF ALL THE BRAIN WASHING AND YOU CALL THAT RELIGION. I DONT BELIEVE GOD WOULD THINK THIS WAS ANYTHING MORE THEN RELIGION AT ITS WORSE.SHAME ON ALL THE MOTHERS FOR NOT TRYING TO PROTECT THERE YOUNG CHILDREN FORM THE ABUSE OF SICK SEX PREDATORS THEY LIVE WITH. YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF SICK SAD PEOPLE
AND YOU WILL FACE GOD IN THE END FOR ALL YOUR EVIL DOINGS.

I have to defend a LITTLE bit.  I worked with a group of mormon men at my last job and they were all very good people.  Kind, caring, intelligent, driven.  And their wives (none of them were polygamists!) were happy stay at home mothers of 4 or 5 kids each.  

To each their own... that's what I say...

Are we sure its a "polygamist" compound and not some giant Elvis lookalike contest?

The FLDS church has nothing to do with the Mormon religion.  Please don't lump the two together!  They are as different as green and orange.

So much anger...

I don't really understand this myself.  But from what I know and from what I think is that these women were born into this kind of lifestyle.  Whether they were born at this particular ranch or from another polygamist group, I don't know.  But I really do think that they were taught that this was ok.  I hate this.  My heart does go out for them.  But what bothers me the most about this situation is that the mothers and the women are the only people that we see that are putting up a fight to get their children back while the men are no where to be found doing nothing.  It is my personal opinion that they should be summoned by the court to come and give their DNA.  To me the men hiding and not doing a whole lot of anything just shows that they know that they have done something that is wrong (and from a christian stand point, Biblically WRONG) and that they are ashamed of it.  That is just my personal opinion of the whole thing.  But my thoughts and my prayers are for these children.  I pray that the truth would come out in everyone of their cases and that the judge would prayerfully consider what decision that he/she should make concerning the safety of the children.

    This is what happened when freedom of religion turns into oppresive religion.  It is shocking to know that these men did not know that a 13 and 14 year old is considered a child.
    Thank God these people came to Texas.  

I'd like to respond to a blog by Kyla, Apr. 16, 2008. It shames me to read that kind of a comment from a "Mormon." If she truly knew the background of her alleged faith, she would know that starting the practice of polygamy in the LDS church was NOT to "satisfy the men." There were many women back then who, due to the culture of the day, could not support themselves and their children when their husbands were serving missions, killed by anti-Mormons, etc. This was not a way for the men to put more notches in their belt! You had to be called to that position and it was more or less a way to financially and spiritually support the women.  Again, if she'd researched her faith she'd have known that. Also, to say that the Church had absolutely no qualms about blindly following the practice, she's dead wrong on that account, too.  Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, both leaders of the Church who were both called to take on more wives, were saddened at the emotional conflict they felt towards polygamy. They wanted to obey God, but at the same time, it wasn't something they readily desired to do.  

The Bible clearly states that God's ways are not our ways, so how can we expect to know why we're commanded to do all the things we read about. I think most of the time, he just wants to see if we'll obey. Just think about Abraham and Isaac's story. (Coincidentally, Abraham practiced polygamy, too...).

The last thing I'll say is that the FLDS church IS NOT NOW NOR EVER WAS part of the Mormon (LDS) faith. They decided to adopt many of the LDS's beliefs and customs, but they have nothing to do with the Church at all. In fact, ask any one of them and they'll never own the LDS church as far as a relation is concerned, and neither do the Mormons. Leaders from the LDS church have openly stated that already! It breaks my heart to hear about how these families have been divided while the legal issues are resolving. I only hope that God can heal the wounds and soften all of our hearts. It would be irresponsible to harbor a naive ill-will about them and their religion, because no one likes to be hated for ignorant assumptions, whether religion related or otherwise.

Sincerely,
A proud life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)

Amanda: Bravo...well said. I respect everything that you've said and agree. I am not Mormon but have friends who are and they're nothing like that's been accused here.

I am shocked at the cynicism and bigotry on this blog towards the LDS Church.These polygymist ARE NOT LDS.People r venting their personal hate of the LDS church and not even talking about the pic.thats sad.Its  lies like the above blogsthat had angry mobs taring andfeathering him,killed his infant babies,shot  and him to death.what happened to freedom of religion.Shame on u.

I believe that the FLDS law is based on their lust.

However, wasn't the prophet Abraham a polygamist? And the prophet Jacob? And David? And Solomon?

Why didn't Jesus or God ever condemn polygamy?

Don't sign me up for it, but perhaps polygamy is not immoral under the correct circumstances and without lustfulness.

ps - Once again, FLDS is not LDS.

One thing I would like to note if you actually look at what exactly went on there. With good reason, I hope, they took all the children regardless if there was any sign or not of abuse. Which as far as I am aware is standard for Child Protective Services. But to take the children and trying to coax the mothers into letting CPS have the children and the mothers wouldnt ever see them again is, In my opinion, a failure in mankind. This, being done, before they can even determine weather or not the children were abused.

I wonder if FLDS and LDS are the same thing?

I already had me some of that. heh heh...[holds head in shame]

Today the producers of Saturday Night Live held auditions for a new "Church Lady".

Dana Carvey was not available for comment.

Hey...I'm a bit late here BUT I just have to ask...didn't any of you notice? There IS a difference in one of the woman in that photo. The woman in the background...the blond...the younger one...yeah THAT one...her collar has cording on it!!! *GASP* Obviously the rebel of the group!!

Considering how much work it is to maintain one wife; one can only have a grudging admiration for a man who thinks he can handle a harem's worth of women. Besides, what ever happened to 'Freedom of Religion'? Is this just one more Constitutional right we're seeing destroyed, for the sake of some people's sense of 'morals'? And just how 'moral' is it to break up a family and a religion that appears to be working?

Amazing photograph. Very well composed. You can almost see the anguish in these mothers eyes. I’m withholding judgment in this case. It reminds me so much of Waco, Ruby Ridge and the Elian Gonzalez case. So much of what we were told at first, “fact” that framed our initial opinion of these cases was proven to be knowingly false, only perpetuated in order to garner public support for the government’s case. I was not surprised to find out much later that many of these “child brides” were in-fact, adults at the time of their marriages. The fact a judge returned the children to their parents bolsters their case and supports the claim that theses were trumped up charges. As time goes on, the truth will come out and again we will discover we were duped by our government and the personal freedoms we assume we possess are nothing more than a figment of our imagination, wilting away in the summer sun.

my best friend is a hair stylist. she would loovvvveee to get ahold of them. makeover mama

HELLOOOOOO, DO THEY NOT LOOK LIKE THE STEPFORD WIFES? There's some brain washing going on there.I really wonder about these kinds of groups, they hide away from society. There is something they do not want us to know about them. I feel for the innocent kids born into these groups. Their brainwashing starts at birth and they know no different.

Where do I sign up???

very good proje...