Comments on: On Polygamy: former FLDS member speaks out

By: Madie R

Madie R — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:35:44 +0000

I am shocked that there is SO many misinformed people out there! I am an FLDS member. My Mother grew up with Kathy Jo so I know alot about her. All that she is saying is ALL lies! She was never abused by Warren Jeffs, and she knows it! My Mother was in the same classes with her so she will back me up. Why can't people ever do a full research on us before you speak. Go to truthwillprevail.org and fldstruth.org and you will find out the truth. It's so funny how there is some people that have left, like Kathy Jo, that make up all these lies about our people and Prophet just to get popular. I have an older sister that left a few years ago, she made her choice to leave and we let her. yup we let her. Next time you open your mouth make sure you hear both sides of the story will ya! As for the lost boys. Ha, you all have been so decived by those little druggies! I have a brother in law that was one of the "lost boys". He told me that Dan Fisher paid him and gave him beer to go to news confrences. I know most of these boys. They got asked out for very good reasons. They did drugs, stole things from the local grocery store drank alcohol and they were only 16 to 17 years old! My brother in law left when he was 16. His own will and choice. Guess where he is now, PRISON. He is in there on numerous charges and will be for a long time to come. My husband and I tried to help him leave his criminal life behind but he didn't want to. Most of those boys left on their own, but some were asked out, mostly by their Fathers, beacuse they set a very bad example to their siblings. Enough said. I ask that all who read this to get informed, not by people like Kathy Jo and Carolyn Jessop, but by the people who aren't bitter. Ya you can talk to people that have left, just find the ones like my sister, that aren't trying to make a name for themselves, but will tell you the truth. thanks

By: Tony- Edmonds, WA

Tony- Edmonds, WA — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:23:43 +0000

Warren Jeffs. Another fruit loop in a bowl full of cheerios.

Most people read an article like this and think how sad. I read an article like this and wonder why if God was lonely and wanted companionship they why did he create humans? He should have just gotten a dog (sorry, no balsephemy intended). It's not the first time I've seen the evil of man. I've seen it all over this world. The ethnic cleansing in Bosnia back in '94. The butchery in Chechnya in '95 and the killing fields that were Sudan later that year. A guy like Jeffs is nothing. Prophet? Messiah? An old grizzled ex-Ranger seargent once told me that the day you think you are a God, Samuel Colt will prove just how mortal you really are. Perhaps through all the death and killing and bloodshed and war that has been a part of my life I've become extremely jaded. When it comes to violence and atrocities most of the time I simply don't feel anything. However, there are still a few things that tend to get my dander up. Don't mess with children. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court said that raping a child is not punishable by death. Then again, I could care less what those rat turds with robes say. Mess with a child in our family and I tend to think the old Appalachian way: "I'll just plain kill you, stone cold dead." From half a mile out through a scope or cutting your throat while you sleep, I promise I'll personally introduce you to the Devil down below. Not exactly the Christian like way, I know. We can never truly defeat Evil in this mere mortal world. We can only make a valiant stand against it. But to quote the legendary Davy Crockett: "I leave these words for others when I'm dead, Be always sure you are right- then go on ahead." We are right. The Jim Joneses, David Koreshes, and Warren Jeffs of this world are wrong. Make your stand.

Enough said.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:36:32 +0000

The whole of the Mormon relgion is a cult, under the facade of Christianity. Those who KNOW the workings of this religion, know it is a cult and not Christianity the Bible speaks about. We have family members who are associated with this relgion and while they are not living in such a compound, they are still in need of help of breaking free of this horrific religion. We are glad Kathy is free of it and is speaking out the truth.

By: Jackie in Arizona

Jackie in Arizona — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:35:40 +0000

I have read Carolyn Jessop's book "Escape". There is no doubt in my mind that so much abuse is going on in every single compound. No one has ever mentioned Warren Jeff's nephew. He has been on TV, telling everyone that Warren Jeffs sexually abused him when he was young. And when CNN filmed the inside of the compound, all you saw on the walls were pictures of Warren Jeffs. That is so sick, it reminds me of Saddam Hussein. Pictures everywhere. And also the FLDS women are like the women of Afganistan ruled by the evil Taliban. The men in the FLDS are like the Taliban and the women wear the pioneer dresses is eerily similar to the Burqas the oppressed Afganistan women wear. And this is the USA and this is going on. The FLDS women are oppressed and they are like robots. I also thought they are so emotionless. They think the outside world is evil, yet they think nothing of going on welfare. We pay for their welfare. Also, as far as abuse, remember Carolyn Jessop said that the men put infants under cold running water and let the water run into their mouths until they are exhausted from crying and screaming. They worship men like Warren Jeffs, they think he is God. This twisted religion has them very brainwashed. America has to do something. I hope that the compound is torn down and God bless Texas for intervening. I just wish Arizona would have done something much sooner.

By: Mariann Asbury

Mariann Asbury — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:26:29 +0000

Yes, I would love to read that book. I would love to speak with her too. I do not see why these women are so defensive of the allegations. Their top leader is in jail for the same reason for goodness sake.

A leader sets the agenda for the whole group and we know from insiders that he changed the age down to 14 for marriages. Come on, do not fool anybody, make no mistake.

By: Ellen in Texas

Ellen in Texas — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:56:37 +0000

I urge everyone to read Carolyn Jessop's book "Escape" so you will have insight into the FLDS and why something needs to be done. This is only the beginning of what will turn out to be the largest and most tragic case of mental/physical abuse our generation will know.

By: Mariann Asbury

Mariann Asbury — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:51:09 +0000

Wow, this whole scenario is getting my full attention. What has amazed me is the interviews of the women in the compound.

One says that the children are hearing terrible things through questioning that they never have been exposed to before. Is she talking about the same terrible things she herself has been going through? Why the word terrible if they call it heaven on earth?

Next, when Larry King asked them if they knew of under age marriages they were very hesitant to answer. They had to think out the answer before speaking. And when they answered it was not yes or no, it was not that I am aware of times 3.

When they were asked if anybody had seen any sexual acts with minors with their own eyes, they all answered at the same time, NO. Why, because that was the truth. They hide when they do these things, so of course nobody saw it happen. My point exactly, I think when you tell the truth, you have a quick answer, not all this hesitating.

I believe all the women think they are one in Christ. That is why they stand strong together and have decided to say the same things.

It is sad to see their pain. But it also looks like a lot of their tears are not real. It sometimes look like those fake tears guilty people will make in Court. A lot of it seems emotionless to me.

I am appalled. They say the children are clean and pure. That is true even if they have been abused. The children would not get dirty and unpure by what others do to them. Lets talk about the men. Are they clean and pure................They are not even there to explain. They let the women talk for them.I wonder if the women are reaching some kind of reward if they do a good job of it.

By: Cookie South Dakota

Cookie South Dakota — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:33:34 +0000

To Joan, you ask where the grandmothers are. They are in Colorado City and Hildale known as Shortcreek. Once a daughter is given in marriage their mother gives up all contact with their daughters. They may see them IF they live in shortcreek, but if they are moved off to one of the many compounds around the country they may not talk to their mothers ever! I do hope all realise that these woman only talked and stated what they were told to say. I truly believe that the kids are out of the compound due to underage marriages, rape to these young brides that are not a legal marriage since the old men have many other wife's. I have had the opportunity to talk with a woman that has left the cult and it is amazing to me what these woman go thru. Religious freedom yes, but not to the point that it puts woman and children in a situation that is here in SD and the other compounds. In the middle of nowhere and not knowing how to get out of a compound that has a large guard tower to keep them in.

By: Debbie, NJ

Debbie, NJ — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:51:13 +0000

Where are the men in this case. If the children are being abused they're doing it. Where are they. You see 1 or 2 in the videos or TV.
Nobody is talking about them. Are they incarcerated? Are they in hiding? I know about the lost boys but all 400 plus kids don't belong to Jeffs.

By: Slater

Slater — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:42:06 +0000

Yeah, interesting how there is no mention of sex abuse, spiritual marriage to underage girls, or physical abuse. She only alleges "mental abuse". All of the reaction in posts above are to alleged sexual abuse of underage girls.

You can cry out, you can get angry, but remember that the very laws in this country that protect YOUR free will allow such organizations to thrive in this country.

Hmmm, church and state separation, government intervention...what to do???

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:41:47 +0000

My question is: where are the grandmothers of these children? Why did they allow their daughters to do this? This generation must take a stand against these men or the abuse will continue.

By: Dinie C

Dinie C — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:23:57 +0000

My thing is, these people have been living there for years, conceiving children for years, if the law says you can't have more than 1 wife, then go after the guy, but give those women their children back, in the best interest crap makes me sick, a child will always be better with their own mother, like we say in my language, the dog will never bite his own kid thru the bones. Anyways what we need is God in our lives, if you have not notice this world is coming to an end, how about we focus our lives in Christ, ask Him to cleans us from this sinfull world, to protect us to guide us from all evil, believe it or not, nothing is going to get better, things are going to get harder and harder, it is the reality according to the bible, it says when see these times then you know my coming is near. God bless you all.

By: B.J

B.J — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:23:20 +0000

I agree that this is a balled up mess and has been for a long time. The State of Texas, however knew they were there. In all these years, could they not have started some conflict-resolution and educate these women that they did not have to yield to this? These men should have been taken into some kind of counceling, or been on probation that if they proceeded with this, there would be consequences.
Same for these Mothers and children. It might have taken time to work on the issue, but it would have been better than storming the place like the Nazi's did in Germany. That is what it looked like to me. The women did not have personal counselors and were asked to make a quick decision about where they wanted to be, when they were still in shock and did not know what was going on. I am saying also, this is not right what these men do, but look at these groups who do not allow their children to have medicine and die.
I just believe this situation could have been handled better if there had been some lawyers and counslers to get this mess straight for the past few years instead of the trama we all saw.
It also reminded me of the time they knocked down the door of the little boy from Cuba whose mother had drowned. Just the act of seeing the storm troopers would tramatize a grown up, much less a child. We need to find alternative ways and work together on these issues.

By: Jay FL

Jay FL — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:56:47 +0000

I have seen these 'Stepford' women–run down from having so many children–going through so many pregnancies and having so many under foot. I've watched them smile, and smile, and smile–this tortured smile of chaos all around them while attempting to appear above the fray. Smiling with frown lines between their tired eyes. I've listened as the men counsel their women to share responsibilities with each other and to give each other breaks from the children/for a few hours so the mother can to work, go buy groceries or perform church duties...never did hear the men counselling each other on how THE MEN could take some load off their women.

The exact feeling I got while being around these women was 'Stepford Wives.' They talk of how happy, happy, happy they are while their temples are visably pounding and they're chasing one kid out of the street and another out of the van and yet another back into the house, with one on their hip and at least two whining the whole time at their heals...with NO man around to help. When dad comes in, what does he do? He sits down in the middle of the chaos and lets his 'always smiling' wife wait on him hand and foot while cleaning up yet another spill, changing yet another diaper, studying to teach yet another class, preparing to complete more church chores (which their leaders tell them their God has 'called' THEM to do) and all the while the 'dad' is making eyes at his teenage step-daughter and the step-daughter is making eyes back and they kid and play around with each other while 'Mom' is 'the only thing' holding down the fort. Yea. They're really hap-hap-happy. Sadly, that's the only 'happy' they've ever known.

Thank you Kathie Joe for having the courage to speak out. You are far more courageous than the so-called men of FLDS. Don't let the critics get you down! You know what you've come through. Bet they'd get a belly full, and far more than they bargain for if you called their bluff and just started naming off the injustices you've suffered. You are a much stronger person than any of them.

By: cynde

cynde — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:46:16 +0000

In watching the women being interviewed tonight..I was stunned to see that they all speak in the same style, tone, and use the same words. It is obvious that they are controlled in every way. Something about the way they speak is really unnerving! I agree with the person from Canada that states that the women who have escaped would be the best at helping in this situation with the children.

I also found it interesting in the interviews, the way the women spoke of their girls. There was no mention of the boys?? The women sleep in the same room as the girls as one of the mothers stated..that she couldn't stand sleeping in the room because her girls were not there anymore?? Sounds like a brothel to me.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:40:47 +0000

Cronus, you have just admitted being abused by the FLDS. I thought that is what the subject was about? Sorry about that by the way.

If nothing is going right in your life and someone extends you kindness and emotional support, even on a deceitful level, anyone can fall as prey if you are vulnerable. That is what deceit and manipulation does. Most of these people wouldn't know any other way, you become conditioned to your environment. You have to be out of it ,to recognise it.

By: mollyfurie

mollyfurie — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:34:42 +0000

Taj asked where to the men get the money to support their 'wives' & huge numbers of children. They mostly DON'T earn it. The women are considered single mothers – their marriages are not legal – & they collect welfare – which they share with the 'prophet.' It's a kind of socialist dictatorship, but the money comes from outside. 90% of the children are estimated by the state to live in poverty. The 'prophet' and his henchmen have big cars & whatever they need, while the women & children live on food stamps & get medicaid. They call it 'bleeding the beast' – the beast being the government, which is being bled of taxpayers' blood.

They also do some defense manufacturing & construction work. Those who are employed in their companies work for little or nothing – for 'redemption' apparently. These companies get US GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. Again, your tax dollars at work.

See film 'Banking on Heaven.'

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:26:57 +0000

I am a Canadian citizen and appreciate the coverage CNN has brought on the polygamist story in Texas.
You have featured many women who have previously left the polygamist compound and created a new life in the main stream of your society. It strikes me this was not an easy transition and was probably quite confusing and even terrifying at times.
I was wondering if the US government would utilize these women and their experiences having been on both sides of these social environments, to help the women and children currently in the custody/care of the US government? I would think they would be the best people to assist at this crucial time and be able to bridge the cultures better than most of the professionals currently assisting.
K. Newman, student of Social Work, Canada

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:49:46 +0000

Stepford wives – an interesting analogy. I had thought of that myself at first but in watching the FLDS wives and their outrage and their lack of tears over the separation of them from their children as well as their constant refusal to answer questions pertinent to the daily behavior of the compound members, I think they are more like robots – programmed to act one way only and say only certain things and to ignore reality and the reality of their lifestyle. These women are victims of the FLDS society too; they just fail to recognize it and they fail to act in any way to stop the endless cycle in which they live.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

By: Jolene

Jolene — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:01:40 +0000

Kathy Jo: I appreciate your passion and I too, hope, the women speak out. I hate to see a woman being used, abused, or forced into submission, especially by a man. The enormity of women and children involved is this sect is just shocking to me. It really shouldn't be happening in this day and age.

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI