I don't think any one that has posted here wants to see people abused.
The majority of people on these boards feel the people in the compound are wrong and the FLDS are tried and convicted without a trial of pedophilia, statuatory rape etc. While I can understand this tendancy on the part of those outside of the LDS faith I don't understand it in the LDS church. I am very wary of jumping on this bandwagon and urge caution to others when doing so.
This lifestyle is not wrong to them in fact they are still following the founder of the restored faith who had revelation from God regarding it. Whether they are right or worng in this belief is a matter of debate.
This behavior has happened in the past and was not a sin. These people still live out of that time period when it was ok to marry multiple wives and they were young. The media and the professionals mock this group at every turn because of their backward ways. They dress as people did over 100 years ago. Due to the way these people live and their actions as described by the professionals, I have a hard time believing from the way they act and live that the majority in the compound believe anything other than that they are following God's will and conforming their lives to it.. There is nothing to suggest that these men are marrying young women because they are pedaphiles or predators or what ever other term we want to slap onto this group of people. Behaving or acting differently does not.place these people in the same category as those who set out to harm children or neglect them. There are so many
more clearcut cases of abuse that are never addressed.
It seems that LDS want to clearly seperate themselves from this group. While we are different, we will always be tied to this group. Both have polygamy and the origins of the restored church as part of the common history. There is no point in trying to hide from this. We can try and seperate ourselves We can rest on our beliefs that the LDS chuch is true as led under the direction of President Monson and that polygamy is not practiced right now. That we have the greater knowledge and are acting on it. BTW Do you have any idea how ridicuous this sounds to non-members? This is what keeps anti mormons going. It keeps a lot of people from wanting to learn more. It sounds like we are hiding and covering up things.
Each one of us has to come to grips that many of our forefathers participated in such evil acts too. Most of these people in this group believe what Joseph Smith himself advocated and practiced. Plural marriage. Was there ever an age stipulation placed upon it anywhere in scriptural history? I don't recall seeing it anywhere in scriptures.
Read the turmoil Emma had over this matter during the time. It was a hard concept for her to take in. She did not like the whole idea thus the D&C revelation. Also important to note the Lord saw fit to bless these men despite their marrying more than one young girl..
We are called to respect another mans beliefs. When is it ok for us to disregard our own article of faith concerning this? LDS were persecuted heavily in the early church and feel that it was unjustified to this day. The persecutions of the early days are still rejected and wept over. Enemies still reviled.
I don't understand the point where we are at now. Shouldn't we weep and pray for those on the compound. Instead of going in and showing love to these people we have seemingly joined the mobs against them calling for their downfall. Justice is one thing. This seems much more like a witchhunt.
Christ wept for people that He saw were seeking to follow the paths of righteousness. Christ looked at the heart had compassion for people He saw in such circumstances. Yet it seems we want to draw the sword out on these people for living out what they believe to be right? There appears to be a double standard. Before we condemn these people lets stop for a minute and ask why are they doing what they are doing?
Also be honest with yourself for a moment. What do you think is needed in this situation? What is really the best thing to do to help these people? If you are under the belief that these people are the worst hardened criminals and the government is just helping the children. Ask yourself, what is the government REALLY doing to help, protect and punish these people? What do you think the fallout is going to be from the government action?
Members should be praying for the Lord's hand in this matter. That the innocent are cared for and that perpetrators learn another way.
Fiannian is right Governor Boggs is probably rolling over in his grave laughing at us now.
Why do we feel it ok to emphasize the evil in this group in order to seperate ourselves for it?
LDS do need to be aware of how they are being percieved by those outside the church. The world does not comprehend the difference between us and the FLDS. We both have polygamy and other unfamiliar acts in our history. They are frightened to be around us. To many outside the church we are the same and should all have millstones hung around our necks.
Please beware of what swords you use against another.
Remember righteous swords are two edged.
Perhaps this is all being done to lay the groundwork for the reinstitution of polygamy?
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