Gary,
OK…they say they are not polygamist yet they are open to adding more wives in the future and they live in the community so what does that make them? If you practice their beliefs and live with them then that makes you one of them. Although from what you say they do seem to be a normal family but looks can be deceiving.

I know you always do a fair and balanced story so they have nothing to worry about there. Can’t wait to see your report tonight.

Take care…
Cindy

Interesting. I just don’t think I’d ever be able to stomach sharing my husband with another wife. I’ve already been forced to share an almost fiance with another woman when he became unfaithful, and that’s where our relationship ended for good. I do find the concept of polygamy to honor God ingriguing in a curious sort of way. It’s quite out of the norms for me. I’m sure this interview will be educational.

So this young couple got married at 18 or 19 and have six kids so far and are open to polygamy in their future. The kids seem well adjusted but are in this very reclusive environment which does not include mingling with kids outside of the cult or going to public school probably? How well adjusted would they be if went to the mall or the movies or the public library? Yikes, those poor kids growing up in that creepy environment. H/e I bet the peach cobbler was de-lish.

Charlotte D, Stockton CA

Hello Gary, I spent two days reading “Escape”, by Carolyn Jessop and I am stunned. My original exposure to this story was on AC/360, but the full story was not out. Carolyn’s book is fascinating and I could not put it down. As a mother of six and grandmother of ten I do not know how she survived her so called marriage with any resemblance of mental stability.
She is now doing God’s work because of her courage to blow the whistle on the FLDS cult.
My first thought when the state of Texas removed all of the children was one of sadness for they were leaving the only family and life that they knew, but I have changed my mind and believe they are much better off. Carolyn’s book certainly opened my eyes.
I am hardly a proponent of the foster care system but it has to be better than the cult that they were born into. These children would grow up as slaves to men invaded by evil.
It is still difficult for me to believe that in the 21st century oppression and abuse of women and children still exists in this country. We are critical of other countries human rights abuse but ignore the “plank in our own eyes”. I am pleased with you and CNN for shining the light of truth on this terrible situation. Please keep the justice system honest and report over and over again decisions made by them.

Thank you for presenting another side of the coin, so to say, about this group of people.

I have found the over-all coverage of this story very poor. I usually flip the channel as soon as it comes on because it is nothing but rumors and speculation. This whole thing is still unfolding - we don’t know yet what is really happening.

I have also found it frightening to see how quickly people will condemn others and make assumptions about an entire group of people based on a few, yet unproven, stories.

I wish more FLDS families would open their homes so America can see that not all of the FLDS families are abusive and harmful - some are loving normal families with deep roots in their religious beliefs. I have a huge problem with their practice of marrying off young girls to much older men and relatives, but I also think that Texas CPS way overstepped in removing all of the children from the mothers. I can understand the need to have a thorough investigation, but turning over 450 children’s lives upside down based on a few phone calls that were faked is a sorry position for them to be sitting in.

Sounds like 360 will not disappoint tonight. Team 360 your
FLDS coverage with Gary and David from the scenes have
been awesome. Will you all also be covering the situation in
Beirut ? I just turned on the tv and saw the scene with Cal
Perry. Also kudos for your coverage out of Burma, Dan Rivers reports have been heartbreaking and informative . I remember
a while back when Anderson was in Lebanon, why is the
fighting back full scale ?

Are STD’s, HIV, HEP and HPV active in the FLDS community? What about genetic diseases?

Just wondering since the men seem to be SO sexually active well into their latter years, if they ever go outside the community and bring the sexually transmitted diseases in so to speak?

Also, do the men get health care and the women none? The birth records lead me to believe the children are all born at home.

Glad to hear some FLDS families allow their children toys. The YFZ ranch’s strict policies looked/sounded so creepy.

Are you guys going to cover that cult situation in New Mexico? All I know is that the leader was arrested for molesting minors.

I would love to see a piece comparing polygamy in the US and in other countries.

it’s interesting to see that such a situation would arise in the US, where we we hold strongly to the ideals of equality and freedom. Young boys are driven away and young girls are brainwashed and abused with the willing consent of their parents

If we saw this happing anywhere else in the world on such a scale we would deem any such country as ignorant and uncivlised, and yet here it is happening here and our government is turing a blind eye - shocking

I hope the peach cobbler was good enough to make up for all the previous doors in your face Thanks for continuing to cover this facinating lifestyle. I’m looking forward to your story tonight.

“But when you’re in a closed society like the FLDS, you are taught outsiders are often out to get you.”

And recent events have proven otherwise?

Renee wrote:

“Are STD’s, HIV, HEP and HPV active in the FLDS community? What about genetic diseases?”

If they had these, we’d surely have heard about it by now.

Judy Stage, what does Saint Carolyn have to say about this?

BTW, whatever happened to the concerned Colorado caller, Rozita Swinton, a/k/a “Sarah”?

This case was not about “helping the children.” You can bank on that.

Gary,

Thanks for your interesting, yet disturbing blog today. I am not surprised that you have been able to find a new angle to approach this story from, you always do. Unfortunately, no matter how rosy a picture you tried to paint, the whole situation still sounds a little 1984ish to me.

I think it is frightening that although the Wylers are not yet polygamists, they are being watched and evaluated by the neighbors and the police. Did you ask them why they wanted to be polygamists? Why would someone want to live in a closed society and subject themselves and their children to such constant scrutiny?

I doubt that your report will change my feelings about this “religion,” I still see it as something created by men just looking for an excuse to have a “harem.”

Unfortunately, I think they probably look at you as the enemy.

I look forward to your report tonight!

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

I have to wonder- where does the money to care for the Wylers’ six children come from? The women are not permitted to be educated, nor work out in the community at large. Have the children had ‘well child’ checkup?” Beginning a family at 18 and having six children in twelve years is- beyond excessive and abusive- at least to Lydia. I feel for them- taking a risk at allowing a crew inside. What is the state of Texas doing about these police officers that appear to not uphold the laws of Texas but follow the mandates of Warren Jeffs instead? If indeed, this family lives on taxpayer monies- from those of us not members of the FLDS- then I think they should be prosecuted for conspiracy to defraud the state. They appear to wish to remain secluded and reclusive- but seem to have no problem with manipulating and abusing the systems they decry- leaving us to infer they pick and choose what constitutes moral and ethical behavior. Kudos to you Gary- for all your perserverence and hard work at giving us a view into this interesting, but very dangerous sect.

Gary

I am glad your perseverance paid off and that you finally got to talk to an FLDS family and see how they live. Any glimpse into the FLDS community is one step more in understanding the group. I’m looking forward to seeing the report on this - I’ve no doubt it will be interesting to say the least.

I do have to correct one thing you said - you described yourself as a “mere reporter”. Gary, you are a great reporter. Don’t sell yourself short!!

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Gary:
Give yourself some credit for not only getting this family to open their doors to you but for giving us a peak at what life is like living within the FLDS environment. I find it interesting that they do not consider themselves polygamists but they live under the FLDS rules. I hope you keep in touch with them after your report airs just to see if they are feeling any repercussions for talking to the media. Can’t wait to see your report.

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

While I am touched that this family would allow Gary in, ( which speaks alot of Gary’s character and how he is trusted ) this particular family doesn’t seem the usual run of the mill FLDS family. They say there is only one hubby and one wife… for now. I have a lot of questions, but I look forward to the show.

This is a very interesting story and another view into a world we know nothing about.

I just don’t understand how we americans are criticizing other countries when we are so backwards. It’s like we are a third world country. This is so sad.

How can Utah and Arizona authorities just turn a blind eye to child abuse? I find it sickening and the only explanantion can be that the large Morman population is sympathetic to this group whether they practice polygamy or not. It is sick.

And to the person who said with Texas, it was not about protecting the children?? Of course it is!! What would be any other reason? To interfere in their “religion.” Come on! What is going on there is sick, these are not “normal, sweet families.” What is going on is that there are many pedophiles and abusers using women and children as human shields so that they can continue their abuse.

I had to laugh at how typical the first comment (Cindy’s) was.

“…one of them”

As in us versus “them”.

“Beginning a family at 18 and having six children in twelve years is- beyond excessive and abusive- at least to Lydia.”

HUH?

Karen from Philly wrote:

“I just don’t understand how we americans are criticizing other countries when we are so backwards. It’s like we are a third world country. ”

It’s not Jeffs and company that are making the U.S. “third world.”

Visit NYC and see what I mean. We’re plenty “third world” without the FLDS.

What has shocked me is the lack of creative problem-solving in handling the children in the Texas raid.

Why weren’t the men on the compound removed, the children left in their homes with their mothers and siblings with a few legal guardians to watch over them, until the government officials could figure out what to do?

Nooooooooo…instead we choose shatter the lives of the innocents further by separating them from their mothers and siblings —- treating them like crimminals — herding them like cattle — breaking the mother’s hearts, tearing their babies from their arms —- while the grown men perpetrators are left to live their lives in comparative peace.

Amazing…may God forgive this example of human cruelty and child abuse on a grand scale.

All of this is so awefull not only are children subjected to the lifestyle but the women are abused. Having children before or by the age of 16 is hard on the child’s body that is carring the babys. The women having babys at home do they have access to hospitals or emerengcy help if a birth goes wrong. So many questions and so much we will never know about this sect. I just pray that God will provide care and mental as well as physical to all the children and women.