It will take the jury more time to order coffee; than it will to convict this POS.

I don't trust juries these days -- Casey Anthony, Georgia mom's jay-walking conviction, Barry Bonds lone holdout juror. All it takes is one idiot to set this monster free and typically juries in the South are full of 'em.

I'm with you Phil. Jurors don't fully understand the law and what "reasonable doubt" really is. The fact that they have asked to listen to the audio tape of the rape of the 12 year old AGAIN. Makes me wonder, why would they want to hear that again? I hope that they don't do a "casey anthony."

Will someone please explain to this man that he is on trial for the rape of a minor and not polygamy? Where is his defense concerning child rape? I am interested to hear that part. I don't care about polygamy. Marry as many people as you like, but they damn well better be of age.

Phil, we don't play in Texas. Convicted after 3 hours. Wonderful. I'm sure Casey Anthony is happy she didn't live in Texas because she would have been found guilty on all charges.

If you all had read this; he's already been convicted, so the jury already did their work, except when it comes to the penalty phase. I believe the judge in this case can actually overrule the recommendation of the jury as far as sentence goes. He's probably gonna have a room with Bubba no matter what. Hopefully Bubba has a little Tutu for him to wear!

So....I'd like to know who financed that building in the pic.

Surely not any women or children.

I am very glad that this pig was found guilty. A child does not have a choice when they are forcibly abused by an adult. I wish the mother of that 12 year old child could have been convicted as well.

If a "woman" wants to participate in polygamy that is their business, but NOT A CHILD.

Justice is served - at least this time.

I am sick and tired of these perverts being allowed to live, and sent to special wings of prisons. They need to be turned out to general population, and then put to death. Child molesters should have no protection.

The man who serves as his own lawyer, has a fool for a client. He is not a religious leader, he is a religious predator.

Hey, Phil:

Not all Southerners are stupid, just like not all those named Phil are idiots.

saxon,

RE: your post #1.1

In case you haven't heard, he has already been convicted. Perhaps you posted before the current story was updated?

Glad this "person" was convicted. I have a question for any lawyers on the vine today though.

If the recordings were a required part of his religious practice, wouldn't they be privileged/protected? If so, how did the state get them admitted into evidence, and could the court allowing them open the possibility of appeal once her gets a real lawyer? Fortunately, even without them the state has irrefutable DNA evidence on the 15yo.

In your face, Mr. Jeffs.

This vile polygamist church leader must be given life in prison. Let him be seen as an example so other pervert clerics may take serious warning!

Dem in Texas,

"No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification of any Office or public Trust under the United States."

It does not matter what book he reads from. If it conflicts with your views personally its simply a do not vote for him matter. But I am getting really sick of the religious views of candidates being an issue in debates.

Not jumping on you with this, just a personal pet peeve. :)

"God is dead! — But false Prophets and pervert Clerics yet feed of His Corpse!" — joe

Dem-

The Book of Mormon is not a bible. It is "Another Testimony of Jesus Christ"- a record of the people on the American continents before, during and after the time of Christ on the earth.

and yes as far as I know- Mitt does indeed believe it to be true.

Dem In Texas: Please don't be so ignorant. The fact that Mitt Romney is a member of the LDS church and reads the Book of Mormon has NOTHING to do with Warren Jeffs reading the same book. Many people read the BIBLE and are GOOD people. There are others that read it and twist its words around to suit their sick perversions. There are many good lessons to be learned in every holy book, but there are others that use those words the way that they want to. Does that mean that every holy book needs to be condemned? I'm not LDS, in fact I am Wiccan, but your comment is very offensive.

What would be REAL justice is for him to continue his "spiritual marriages" in prison only this time he can be the "bride"...

I understand the constitution an what religious freedom is. However, if a candidate declares his undwear to be magic, the bible to be incorrect (Mormons believe in the bible as "far as it is translated correctly" and since Joe Smith attempted to retranslate it we can assume they believe the bible is not translated correctly) and that they have the only true religion and everyone else is wrong, then that should be an issue. If your in a cult it should be an issue what insane doctrine that church believes in.

What this pervert has done should be a remainder of what happens when religion fanatics take over. You just fried this guy in the state of Texas, but you have your governor asking you to PRAY for 6 hours for rain. This is difficult for me to comprehend....

Excellent point! I SO hope your idea of real justice for this POS comes to pass. Yes, he definitely needs to see how it feels to be a bride. He likes audio taped sex so much, it would be fantastic if someone taped his prison "sessions" and played them back for him every day so he could re-live it again and again.... what a dispicable a-hole!

Once again, Dem in Texas, you ignorance is showing. Temple garments are not "magic". They are a reminder to members of the church to keep their holy promises that they made to their god. Look up the definition of "cult" and you will find that every religion, Christianity included, can fall under that definition. The Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible. And yes, the statement "as far as it is translated correctly" IS correct. The Bible has been in the hands of humans far too long to be the true 100% accurate word of God. If it were, then please explain to me where the missing books are that is speaks of. Anyway, Mitt Romney's religion is none of your business any more than a pagans religion would be if he or she were to run for office. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I thought we lived in a day and age where a persons religious beliefs were not an issue. Reminds me of the Burning Times when so-called witches were burned at the stake.

What if he said, 'We need rain so everyone pray to Joe Pesci and think happy thoughts,' would that have been better? Lots of people use the term 'pray' It doesn't make them a religious fanatic.

And not all religious people are off the deep end crazy. Some of them are quite nice and well adjusted... if a bit on the annoying side.

Dem in Texas,
Being from Utah, no not Mormon, i have a lot of close friends and some family who choose to be Mormon. Yes they wear special garments, but they do not believe they are made of pixie dust and rainbows. They read the bible as much as they read the book of mormon. There are several translations to the bible, and the LDS church has one they prefer over another. Of course they believe everyone should be Mormon, just like all other religions think their church is the one and only. If these are your comparisons for a cult, then you need to educate yourself. There is a difference in the avenue you choose to find God, and altering God's word to make anything and everything ok. There's bound to be someone who believes they are better and above all others, and grouping a whole religion under that title is completely ignorant and a pathetic argument.
I think there are definite flaws in the polygamist church as well as the mormon church, and yes they have similarities because one stems from the other. However, debating out of education is much different then debating out of assumptions from what you've heard here and there.

...typically juries in the South are full of 'em.

Phil - There is nothing like Newsvine to bring ignorant bigots such as yourself out of the woodwork. It wasn't a Southern jury who awarded millions to the woman who burned herself by placing a cup of hot coffee between her legs, nor was it a Southern jury who found O.J. not guilty of murdering his former wife. Robert Blake was not tried in the South and found not guilty for murdering his ex-wife. The list goes on.

Use Your Brain: THANK YOU!! My thoughts exactly. One thing I cannot stand is religious bigotry. Take the time and learn to appreciate what others believe in, even if you might not personally agree that it is your pwn personal path. over half of my family is LDS and they are wonderful, GOOD people. Shi**y things are done in the name of religion ALL OVER the world. I fear it will be a battle that will never be won.

Mormonism is like Islam - they believe crap because it's in their book - but the crap keeps coming back to haunt them. Mormons are polygamists - if they took control of the country, polygamy would be made legal. Islam would do the same thing.

Ran Ran....you're an idiot. What do you know of Mormonism other than what some fellow idiot told you? Have you ever sat through a sacrament meeting? Have you ever listened to the missionary lessons? Mormons do NOT practice polygamy. Those that are found to do so are excommunicated. Learn your history. Polygamy was NOT illegal in the US until Utah wanted to become a state. Christians "believe crap because it's in their book" as well. Maybe that explains all the child molesters out there, all the war and adultery? I fear for this country because of people like you. And no. I am NOT Mormon. I am a Wiccan, but I believe that every religion is true to the person that follows it. I will support to the death the rights of people to practice their religion and pray to their own god/dess even though I might believe something else. This includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Bugghists, Hindus....everyone. Shame on you. You're the epitome of every ignorant stereotype in this county.

Mormons practice polygamy. They do so when and where they think they can get away with it.

Again....you're an idiot. They do not. Get an education and stop believing what every fool tells you. The FLDS is an off-shoot of the original LDS church. "Mormons" that practice polygamy are excommunicated. Where did you get your "facts" Ran Ran? Wikipedia??

Yes. They do. they just hide it well. My sister in law grew up in a polygamist home. The majority of her 27 "siblings" are polygamists to this day

cmach...they were not members on record of the LDS church. I would LOVE to see proof of their membership, but you can't submit it. Wait!! Maybe those that practice polygamy are really Muslims in disguise?? Gasp! I don't see anyone bit**ing about THAT!

Lilbit. they most definitely are members of the LDS church. And of course I can't submit it! Are you dumb? I WAS however, invited to their marriages IN THE TEMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!! NO ONE gets married in TEMPLE unless they are MEMBERS! Are you that stupid that you actually think Mormons gave up polygamy??? Get a grip! I was there, you weren't. Nuff said.

wowwww cmach. Take a deep breath. I am not stupid at all, but arguing with people like you is like trying to teach a pig how to sing. It's a waste of time and annoys the f**k out of the pig. Go back to polishing your shotgun, eating your grits and waving your Confederate flag. In the mean time I have better things to do. Blessed Be! Oh! PS: I went through the temple myself moron.

I want to add my 2 cents here: My extended family is all Reorganized Latter Day Saints; the ones who do have the "correctly translated" Bible where the Fall into Sin is a "fall upwards" and where Adam is God and where Lucifer is Jesus' brother and a good guy! The Mormons didn't get to keep this "gem" of the "prophet" Joseph Smith because of many, many lawsuits. There are actually multiple sects of the Mormon Cult. One group in Independence, MO (where most Mormons and their various sects believe Jesus will return) owns the piece of property on which Joseph Smith declared that the "true" temple would be built. It is imperative that Americans learn about this religion which is so cunning. The LDS are the "liberals" of Mormonism in that they have denied the teachings of their "prophets" and conformed to the ways of the world...allowing blacks to be prophets, condemming polygamy etc... They Mormons all believe that Jesus came to America and that the Native Americans are from the "lost" tribes of Israel. Of course the tribes of Israel were not actually lost at all but hey who knows or cares? The current LDS has changed the wording of the supposedly directly translated Book of Mormon over 1300 times! We once had a Mormon ward president slam the original text we gave him, drop it on the floor and change the subject...mostly to tell us with deep gravity that he NEVER sinned. Mormons officially taught that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri and are actually paying and training archeologists to prove the book of Mormon to be true! This is NOT akin to archeologists who find evidence that the Bible is true...this is NOT just another "equal" religion. The Bible has more historical, literary and scientific evidence for its veracity that any other book in history...more than the existence of Plato or any of the Caesars!!! I am sick of the ignorance of so many "tolerant" people who just don't know the truth and think all personal "truths" are equal. Read "No Man Knows My History" by Fawn Brody or search for Ex-Mormons for Jesus online. With two men who come from this background of liars, charlatans, deceivers and crazies I think we must ask about their religious beliefs. As far as those who claim to be Christian we must check that out too. What people say they believe reflects on how they will govern the country! Don't be ignorant, please.

whom ever adds or takes away from the bible will be taken out of the book of life !!!! its the last paragraph in the bible, read it lil'bit cuz all mormons have a big surprise we he comes back !!!!!!!!!

Yeah, the only reason that Mormons aren't offically polygamist anymore is because they aren't allowed to be. The church had to become monogamist by law and to be nationally recognized. Now it has to be up to one wife to push out as many babies as their bodies can handle to expand their branch of their family tree instead of five.

Dem-in-Texas, you are aware that Harry Reid is a Mormon, aren't you? Do you have a problem with his faith, or does it only matter when there's an R next to his name?

The Bible has more historical, literary and scientific evidence for its veracity that any other book in history...more than the existence of Plato or any of the Caesars!!!

Joy, exactly which "Bible" are you reading?

The one where the earth was nothing but water (Gen. 1:2), yet in the vacuum of space, without radiation, a source of heat, or any chemicals required to keep it from freezing?

Or, is is the one where zombies walked the earth after a Jewish mystic supposedly was raised from the dead (Matt. 27:52), yet this little tidbit (I know, hardly "real" news, right?) made it into any historical record of the day... NOR into any of the other gospels?

Or, is it the one where the Messiah is from Nazareth: A town with no archaeological or historical evidence for existence anywhere NEAR the time of Jesus?

Or, is it the one where the city of Tyre is to be laid to waste by Nebuchadnezzar, "never to be rebuilt again"? (Ezekiel 26) You should Google Map it... lovely place. And Nebuchadnezzar failed to destroy Tyre; in fact, he made a peace treaty with them. Alexander the Great ransacked the main city some 250 years later, but it was rebuilt quickly.

Or, is it the one where God is fearful that humans will succeed with their plans to build a tower to heaven? (Gen. 11:5-8)

Are you referring to the "Bible" bible? The one where not one contemporary document verifying the accounts is found?... And not one original autograph exists?

(I could keep going... and keep going...)

Because, if you are, then you have a very, very odd way of reconciling reality.

Cmach....my husband and I were sealed in the Las Vegas temple on June 25th, 2004 along with our three children. Last name Johnson. Nowhere in my temple vows or my husbands did we take a vow to take multiple wives. Would you like the name of the temple president that sealed us? Would you like the name of the ward we are still members of record of? Look it up jacka**. Yes. We went through the temple.

I can hardly wait until a pagan runs for a highly political office.

It sounds to me that this is more LSD than LDS...To quote Jim Morrison "their brain is squirming like a toad".

LilBt @ #1.46 I thought they already had.

Kathy it would be great if there was a president or Congressman/woman who was. Am I missing someone?

As sick as Warren Jeffs is, it helps to understand how his version of Mormonism got confused. The Book of Mormon has been edited numerous times throughout its history -- polygamy was in, then it was out, then it was in again, then it was out again.

Keep in mind that the Republican front-runner for the 2012 election is a Mormon who believes that Jesus visited ancient Jews in North America 2000 years ago and that when he dies, he will become master of his very own planet.

The major difference between Mitt Romney and Warren Jeffs is which particular version of the Book of Mormon do they read, study and follow? Romney chooses to follow the latest version, so he's not a polygamist child-raper. Warren Jeffs simply has an older copy of the same book...

And why WOULDN'T Christ visit North America?? To assume that He wouldn't is simply arrogant and placing limitations on your God. Were the citizens on this side of the planet better than the Jews in the Holy Land?

Great gooly moogly.. Missinformation, on both sides of the aisle here concerning Mormons. Jess, is not a Mormon, well he is, but, he's to Mormon as Baptist is to Protastant. All bullshirt in the grand scheme of things. All Hail Ahura Mazda!

RanRan, Cmach, Dem-in-Texas......I am LDS, (mormon as you say) I have been LDS my entire life. I want to correct some of your information. I am aware that you do not know very much about my religion and that is okay. But I do want you to know a few things. We (not one of us in the LDS church) practice polygamy. Once again, we do NOT practice polygamy. I am not sure what strange wedding one of you went to but I am sure it was not at an LDS wedding in an LDS temple. One of you commented that no one gets married in the temple unless they are members. You are correct, but you also would not be able to witness a wedding in an LDS temple unless you were a faithful member with a temple recommend. I hope that answers some questions. There is confusion about the LDS church and the FLDS church, we are not the same church. The church you are speaking about is the FLDS church, (Warren Jeffs Church). We do not believe in polygamy. I do not even know anyone who is a polygamist and I live right in the middle of Utah so please do not be misguided about that. I am very faithful to my religion. We believe in the King James Bible and also the Book of Mormon (which is another testamant of Jesus Christ) they are two different books. We are very much Christians as many other faiths are. Please understand I do not want to offend anyone but I do want you all to know a little bit about my church. I do have many friends who are not of my faith and I accept them as people I love and care about and it does not matter to me what religion they are, they are just good people. I think what Warren Jeffs did was very wrong and justice has been served but I don't care to dwell on his misery.

How about we elect him to Congress. He'll fit right in with the rest of the perverts we've all been electing lately.

Mormons first figured out that most of the public was outraged by their behavor such as having more than one wife.Therefore,in order to grow their church,creating many children to indoctrinate as followers became the norm.They believe that God has wondering souls on a distant planet that need bodies to live in ,so,breed little children,breed.Other religions have also picked up on this behavor,including Catholics,and Amish.One Missouri governor was so distressed by their behavor that he formed a small army to oust them from the state.He succedded,and their band crossed the Mississippi into Illinois.Later,they migrated to Utah,after the former "Prophet" Joeseph Smith died.His wife stayed behind,and formed a separate church in Independence,MO.Brigham Young became the prophet of those in Utah.A new branch has infiltrated back into Southwest Missouri,teaching the same principles as the church in Texas.A different leader,by the name of Laub,runs the SW missouri branch.So far,the Missouri tribe has not been scrutinized by the authorities,but they are known to drive without a license,and not to register vehicles in their own names.Also,they do business in cash,living without SSNs,and not filing income taxes.Young girls are still "married "to older and also younger men,and polygamy is still widespread,especially by the older men.These women are raised to be subjective to the males of which they are mated with.Notice,I did not say men they have chosen to marry.Inbreeding amongst different families is a necessary thing to insure the followers stay in tune with the leadership,who insist that each one fall in line with the BS they preach.All of the prophets have been self-appointed,and all of the Mormons(moron spelled wrong) have been taught to worship the one named Joseph Smith.He also wrote the book of Mormon,allegedly by forming as many as 200 words from one letter of the alphabet,during his version of true interpetation of the golden plates,ha ha.Now,since Warren Jeffs told the judge that bad things would happen to her,I'd warn him, that when he goes to prison,to pick a good looking boyfriend.Let's see if he can prophecy his way out of that.

Both Mormonism and Islam were founded by individuals who had rejected Christianity. But neither could be rid of Christ - both 'religions' look for the return of Christ and the resurrection.

But both Mormonism and Islam are really bad knock-offs that are painfully bad for the societies in which they are found. Marrying 12 year old girls off to much older men is common to both. That is, common within their society or compounds.

Pits of vipers.

Marrying 12 year old girls off to much older men is common to both. That is, common within their society or compounds.

As it was in Judaism, where Christianity gets 100% of its roots.

Why can't you deal with your own messy history?

marrying off a child is never okay. tell me the last time marrying off a 12 yr old child of any faith was okay with the law in america. this was a cult calling themselves practicing mormons. were the branch davidians recognized by all of their faith? no. jim jones? no. don't make this all inclusive to the religious or to the mormons in this case. it isn't fair or substantiated.

I'm with EliMae; you can have 60 wives and if they are ALL willing adults I don't care.

I am not really all that religious, but if there really is a hell I do hope they will welcome him with open arms and give him the same kindness and comfort he gave his 'wives'.

also, as a Christian, i know from history that more people have died in the name of religion. does that discount all my religious beliefs? absolutely not! don't attack the Mormons because of this man.

This jackass didn't invent Mormonism - he's a product of it! And justified his actions (raping a 12 year old) by the book of Mormon.

Wrap your politically correct mind around THAT.

who said my mind was "politically correct"? lol. you definitely don't follow my comments. but hey, some would love to hear me described that way. it would give them a good laugh.

and btw, educated yourself on jim jones, he had children with children. a man professing to be a Christian. these are just men empowering themselves under the name of religion. they are nothing more than con artists that found a group of trusting people.

@ ranran,

wow...what a blithering idiot you are....are you Mormon?.. didn't think so...just a question....i lived in Utah for 15 yrs, have wonderful friends that are Mormon.... a handful that were married in the temple ( which is a privilege) and i could NOT attend because i am not Mormon... so for you to say that you are not Mormon and attended a ceremony in the temple is a complete lie...you don't know your arse from a hole in the wall!!!

"mainstream Mormon"

There's clearly no such thing; the term is an oxymoron.

@me-ran obviously doesn't know that much about mormonism or the bible for that matter. lol. i could go on but..not..lol

Seriously folks...we are talking about a 'religion' that was founded by a convicted con artist who ran a scam where he would look into a hat and find your missing objects. That guy founds a religion based on golden plates that no one else was allowed to see, then asks a friend to help in printing the 'book', but even his friend's wife thinks Smith is a loopy con artist.

The religion tells a story about Native Americans around 500 BC to 500 AD roughly, fighting on chariots somehow when no north american indian tribe had even invented the wheel let alone domesticated horses before europeans arrived. Also they were fighting with swords?! Nope...no metallurgy here back then either. Come on folks...I can understand being raised in a religion and believing because you have been brainwashed your whole like, but seriously...converting as an adult like Glenn Beck did after knowing the whole story?! That's lunacy plain and simple.

Of course, church apologists find a way to bend the words such as claiming that 'horses' referred to different animals like a tapir...huh?!! A tapir pulled chariot?!

I like Mitt Romney a lot, but if you can believe that stuff...I gotta question your hold on reason.

StMiller

I think most people would agree that Mormonism was founded under suspicious circumstances but this story is about a pervert that has used religion in order to satisfy his pedophilia. Jeffs is no different from other animals like him, Bin Laden comes to mind. History is filled with religious, perverts, extremists, terrorists and just plain old sickos and will continue to be as long as religion [mysticism] holds a prominent role in the human experience.

RanRan, the more you post the more your ignorance shows. I would be willing to bet you have never even spoken with anyone that is a member of the LDS church. I am a baptist but I am not closed minded. For you to say the LDS are not Christians just goes to show you haven't investigated anything before you start spewing your hate. I have spoken with and even attended LDS services. Been in the homes of many people who follow those beliefs and not once have I encountered a multi wife family. Now growing up in Baptist churches, I had heard things about the Mormon Church and when I was given the chance to actually investigate their beliefs, I asked questions. The biggest difference I have found is that they believe in a living prophet and that the Book of Mormon is what they believe to be another testament of Christ. The time I have spent with members of this faith as been very educational and has cleared some of the confusion I had about their church. They are just as much a Christ-based religion as Methodist, Catholic, Baptist or any of the numerous Christian religions. Do yourself a favor, learn to investigate, learn to look at things with open eyes and mind. Otherwise, you just come off as being ignorant and ignorance makes one appear to be lazy.

Pedophiles should do much jail time and never be released into the public again. What really gets me though is the fact that catholic priests do not get to go to jail. They get transferred or get protection inside the vatican walls.

I don't have a problem with the Mormon faith per se. I do have a problem with the fundamentalists who since the establishment of this religion exploit women and children. The problem with some in the Mormon faith is what it is with other faiths: male domination. When any religion takes the position that women are second class citizens, that's a religion ripe for abuse of women's rights.

Yet, from the earliest beginnings of religion, men have always exerted enormous power over faith and the establishment of churches. Religion never really had anything to do with church. Religion can be totally personal, autonomous and exclusively personal spirituality.

I'm unwilling to crucify all Mormons for a few bad apples. What goes around comes around. Jeffs will go to prison where he will be outnumbered by a whole lot of non-Mormon fundamentalists and in a totally male population.

Here's the truth of the matter, Dem in Tex! You may be a dem in tex, but you seem to be dumb everywhere. Goll', please tell me where you bought your ignorance and bigotry. I sure haven't seen any of that on the shelves in my local Wal-Mart! Or do you do your shopping at your local Dum-Mart? Do you wear a pair of pitch black contact lenses that obstruct your view on the real world? Do you listen to ignorance and hatred as part of your nightly negative affirmation training? You may have just cleared the hurdle to make it into this mortal world but you seem to be ready to stumble on your way out of it. I only hope that all of your prejudices and biases will be enough to buy your ticket into the telestial world(that is the eternal reward for those who just seemed to have skated by in this world). In all of your sins and transgressions, I still love you like a brother. I also forgive you of your stupidity and shortcomings so that Jesus won't fault me for any bad feelings between us.

BigAl Las Vegas - You are right BigAl. Pedophiles and terrorists come in the trappings of all religions. You can't blame an entire religion for the mania of a few of its adherents, but that is not what I was saying. I was just replying to people in the forum that act as if Mormonism history is anything other pure silliness. Warren Jeffs didn't do the things he did because he is an FLDS Mormon, but it definitely helped him get away with it for a lot longer.

Any religion based on the King James Bible version is misled. The translators for KJ couldn't understand the meaning of the language of the original 1200 years later. They just added what they thought it meant 1200 years ago in a different language based on their life experience and biased beliefs.

Nowadays you have variations translated 800 years later from that that are even more misconstrued and tailored to what they think their religion should be or allow them to do.

Not that a book written 300 years after the death of Christ 1700 years ago could be any better in translations for that period either. They just wanted to make sure anyone who had anything to do with that period of time was dead and couldn't invalidate any of the stories.

LilBit

I take offence at your classifying all southerners as shotgun polishing and Confederate Flag waving, thats no different than someone disrespecting your religion. I was stationed in Utah for 5 years and had lots of Mormon friends, I found them to be very polite and law abiding people, they take care of their own and never tried to push their religion on me. There are a lot of things non Mormons dont know about the LDS Church and they will never know, they are pretty secretive about the way their religion works.

Warren Jeffs may be facing life in prison.

The girls he raped also got a life sentence from him.-

He is a pimp/Polygamist, hiding under the ruse of a old Mormon religion, taken literally---This is not what Mormonism is about today--

What an excuse--many sexual perverts hide under the Religious cloth---so they go unnoticed. It is also good for other "different" and dangerous people harming those who have trust in their Leaders. The Catholic Church has also, protected their own religious leaders---how is the Pope going to solve and punish all of them.

Religion is good, so is spirituality---but it is not good when interpreted into your own "kind" of religion.

How are the girls/women going to function without another pedophile, Sicko?

The man had 78 wives? How did he stand all the nagging?

I would expect he would welcome a conviction. At least now he can have some peace and quiet.

At least we can feel good about the fact that child molesters are the most disrespected, hated people in the entire prison population. He will be tormented for the rest of his life, as he has tormented these and countless other girls.

As for everyone talking about LDS and FLDS...the FLDS is the original Mormon church, following the revelations of the original prophet, and the LDS is the offshoot mainstream version that changed their beliefs to appease the US government.

Someone mentioned that non-Mormons can't be certain about the practices of Mormons because they're very secretive. Yes, I've been to SLC to the Temple Grounds (absolutely beautiful) and they won't let non-Mormons into the temples. That's a little fishy and exclusive. A true, perfect God would seem to want to encourage people to be shown the light and given the opportunity to be saved. That's certainly how they justify attempting to influence you to adopt their religion anytime they're on the mormon spiritual payroll during their mandatory time of service. But if you don't let me into your temple, I will never respect your beliefs because when you exclude people (originally, it was anyone of color, now not so much) then you're not following any beliefs that are going to help this world.

I guess they can't allow too many people to be saved though, because then there would be too many people, since only a certain number of people can get into heaven, and God would have to turn too many people's skin white to let them into heaven (look it up).

It's obvious they didn't try him in FLORIDA, huh? They would have let him off.

Bob Williams-698158 - It's very interesting to hear the point of view of one of the jurors in the Anthony trial. Clearly you must have been one to be sooooo sure that the verdict wasn't correct.

Oh no wait...you weren't there?! So you're just running off at the mouth and making assumptions based on what you saw on TV? On you saw it on TV and made a gross generalization. That's all you had to say. You clearly must be right. Did Nancy Grace tell you what to think? No you would know better than to listen to someone rambling about crime who had been prosecuted herself for misconduct when she was a DA.

On the issue of Casey Anthony (don't know why this is still an issue or ever was), it wasn't real news. That kind of thing happens everyday so get over it. Relatively decent looking woman, white, lots of twists and turns. It was just a distraction from the real problems that we're now dealing with, and apparently it still is.

Second of all, the jury didn't say they didn't think she was innocent. They said they didn't have enough evidence to convict her in the US court of law. They should be applauded for following the system we have. The system we have may be flawed, but it would only be more flawed if people went with their gut rather than with the evidence they're presented.

I think the evidence in this case is cut and dry. The jury appropriately came back with a guilty verdict.

Watch TV all you want, but don't let it eat your brain.

@G-"how did he stand all the nagging?" lmao. i love your posts!

better not let your wife see that :D

hey - with 78 at least they couldn't all have headaches at the same time.

@ Canary - No, but this guy's head must ache all the time...

To all those who say Mormonism is wierd or a cult -- is it weirder than worshipping a naked dead body and pretending to eat its flesh and drink its blood? Just askin'

I think that most people who would call Mormonism a cult (me included) would either 1) agree that Christianity is just as silly or 2) be Christian (or some other religion) and just be biased and deluded villainizing another religion that they don't happen to agree with (i.e. the same thing done to Muslims, etc.) yet continuing to follow theoretically similar belief-sets.

Party Of Logic and Reason - I am category 1!

He has destroyed the childhoods and many more children and he has raped little boys as well.

And it is really sad what people do in the name of 'God'. This guy beast (and that term is still too good for him) is a piece of crap. Well hopefully he'll get some in prison, they hate child molesters in there....

Without sounding like I'm on HIS side (which I am vehemently NOT), wasn't it not so long ago that people were married that young? My great aunt married at 15 and had her first child before her 16th birthday.

That was wrong also, WoodieRae. Fifteen year olds do not have the sense to know who, when or why to marry someone. Usually someone who wants a child bride like that is a pervert or control freak who can't get an adult woman. They like to get them young and brainwash them. Sick.

marinmom,

I don't think you could call marrying that young "wrong" if all parties are consenting. Very naive, perhaps, but "wrong?" As with many things, who are we to pass judgement? The cultural norms were different back then.

Two 15 year olds choosing to marry so young is one choice (and one generally accepted years ago), but it is VERY different than a man old enough to be her grandfather choosing her, and FORCING her into a sexual life with him. And I'm sorry, the rules of age and such have been created to protect young people from enduring the wrongs that happened because people married so young years ago. Learn from the past.

You are correct, things were very different then. Lifetimes were shorter, girls were often never educated past the first few grades if that, and many of these girls died delivering their first or second baby without any available medical care. But nearly 100 years ago, females were allow to vote and own property, just as though they were actual people. The changes in perception of over 50% of the citizens of the USA have been amazing since then. Except where women have been kept so cloistered they have little ability to claim their full human rights. Now that he is found guilty, drive out to the compound and round up a few more of these old geezers and put an end to this cult. Don't take the kids, take the men, the immoral old men. Give all their worldly goods to the women they have abused and then let them rot in prison. Religious beliefs are great, and who cares about polygamy if all parties are adults, but forcing little girls to submit to unwanted sexual relationships with unwanted men as the only way they can ever get to heaven is beyond disgusting.

WoodieRae-3499404

The circumstances were no doubt much different. At least I would hope. Was your Aunt forcibly married against her will, was she raped, was she sold into marriage.

JB-3857428

- I absolutely agree with your post.

In today's world, a 12 year old is not emotionally mature enough to understand the consequences of consenting. Old enough to know right from wrong, though. 150 + years ago it was different, hence marriages at young ages. It was expected and normal then. People generally didn't live to 80; 250 years ago reaching 50 was quite a feat... We have to protect our children at least until they are 16, ensuring them as much a childhood as possible. I know that other cultures have different norms, but this is the USA. And we have laws saying that kids are under the protection of parents until age 18, unless a court declares the kid is 100% responsible himself/herself prior to that age. What kind of mother lets a male marry her 15 or 12 year old daughter? The mother needs to be charged with complicity as well. Religious leader or not, FLDS or not, it is WRONG for a man to marry children like this.

It sounds like he is not too popular on these posts.

And yes, WoodieRae ... it wasn't that long ago that women and men both married younger than they do now and had 10-12 children. My grandparents for example. The country singer, Loretta Lynn, married at 14 and had 4 children by the time she was 18. Times and customs change. This does not excuse Mr. Jeffs, he has a history of "spiritually" marrying very young women/girls. And this is not 80 years ago.

And to marinmom ... 16-year-olds of 80 years ago were NOT children ... we have infantilized our children well beyond young adulthood. Adolescence lasts until at least 30 these days. I wouldn't want to be a 15-year-old bride or mother, but I also don't see much worth bragging about in our childrearing practices these days either. No one seems to want to grow up and accept adult responsibilities ... oh, they want all the privileges of being an adult, but the other half to that equation they reject.

I would add that Warren Jeffs, along with religious fundamentalism destroyed these child's lives. If Jeffs wouldn't have done this horrible act himself I'm sure one of his brainwashed cronies would have. All hope for these children ended when their parents decided to join a cult.

Don't get me wrong, but an eternity in hell is too good for this POS. So glad he's been found guilty.

Here's to hoping he finds a bad boyfriend in prison, fast!

These two girls are the ones he's on trial for and doesn't include all those for which he hasn't been caught and tried. I hope more step forward so that he never gets another chance to molest another child. What a pig. And I truly believe that those other men doing the Jeffs religious thing do so as molesting perverts too. This thing needs to stop. It's not a religion, it's an excuse for men to have sex with girls.

to littleoldlady,

I'll agree that most people baby their teens and let them be children for far too long / a little resposibility and chores never killed no one ;). But one thing they were never ready (I don't care about culture or different times) is sex. And we can all agree that is a big part of marriage. No matter how grown up or mature they look having a sex when a girl is 12-17 is traumatic. They're going thru all these changes and having to deal with that is too much. Especially if they were forced into marriages, you know those guys couldn't care less if their wives wese pleased.

As others have said, it's not just that a 12-year-old is unconscionably young. It's also the difference in age. It has nothing to do with marrying young. This Jeffs person makes me want to vomit. He is a pervert who coerced this poor little girl.

One word. Pedophile!! Hang-em high.

Maybe he could seek sanctuary in a monastery and become a Catholic Priest. He would fit in right away.

He is a piece of @!$%#. Jeffs deserves the death penalty for his filthy and demented ways...

Two 15 year olds choosing to marry so young is one choice (and one generally accepted years ago), but it is VERY different than a man old enough to be her grandfather choosing her, and FORCING her into a sexual life with him.

And... this is different from Isaac marrying a 3-12 year old Rebekah... how exactly?

So, it's okay if it's in the "Bible"... of course... but if it's practiced in our day, it's a mortal sin.

Got it.

P.S. I'm not a defender of this in the least; merely pointing out the blatant hypocrisy so many believers tote like a cheap handbag.

Jon...It is never okay for educated people to revert backward to mores of prior civilizations. If you believe the Bible in its truest vernacular, you'd also believe that Melchisidech lived 900 years and Abraham more than 200 years.

What most people forget is that the Bible is rife with symbolisms that the authors, with limited knowledge, used as a means of explaining and documenting. No human being, even in the earliest centuries lived beyond 50 if even that. What the authors of the Bible were trying to do was indicate that Melchisidech lived 900 years through his progeny. Not literally 900 years. I doubt there would even have been a concept of 9 centuries at the time the Bible was written.

The best book I ever read about Mormonism was written by a Mormon apostate, "Under the Banner of Heaven". Today's Mormon religion has had to cast off the truths and realities of its earliest history. Yet, if you read Mormon history, you find that the founder was originally one of those snake oil salesmen. Literally. He took his second wife only after inveigling his legal wife into some bizarre "marriage" with the concubine, telling his legal wife, the concubine was her "sister". Nice excuse for sex with two women.

The problem with the history of Joseph Smith and those who followed is that they could only proselytize women. It doesn't go without notice in fundamentalist Mormonism, all young men are sent away to do missionary work in foreign countries. Why? So that the young women in the congregations would be available to the old men who preyed upon them. Nice tactic but it then dirties the entire premise of religiousity.

However, when you look at it right, there is something more sinful in mothers of these young girls who hand them over to sex addicts like they are prostitutes. Until you figure out just why these women can't stand up to any fundamentalist Mormon male...these men have totally isolated the women in their congregations so that they can only rely on each other and the men who "provide" for them. You can't stand up to any man if you can't stand on your own two feet.

Hey, ewent! Have you been trifling with some 'wacky tabacky'? Man, your comment reeks of lies and half-truths. Are you trying to smack-talk the LDS religion to justify your hatreds and transgressions? Why is it that people like you have to downplay a religion that sanctifies through obedience because you are too rebellious and unwilling to put away your corruptible habits and vices? Where in the Bible(I'm just using the Bible so that I can stoop to the level that suffices you) does it say that man can treat the commandments of God like your order at your local BK(you know, have-it-your-way!) in order to gain entrance into the Kingdom of God? Didn't Jesus tell us to be perfect, as His Father in Heaven is perfect? Is there any room for picking and choosing which ones to follow? Didn't he one-up the rich boy by reminding him that he still lacked in his obedience to God's commands? Didn't the Lord tell us to feast upon the words of Isaiah and not some ex-commed LDS apostate? Golly, aren't your feet pointed towards the wrong individual. BTW, which Bible do you get your spiritual info from, because it sure doesn't seem to be working for you! Or are you reading the right one, but your ears are experiencing the tunnel effect(in one and out the other).

LittleOldLady3: You pegged it dead on! Our society has taught our children to point fingers, never accepting responsibility for right or wrong. Our society limits discipline because we might harm the child. I got my tail end swatted more than my fair share of times, yet I managed to grow up just fine. If I didn't use my ears for listening, my dad used them for handles. I learned to listen. Some posts argue that kids aren't ready for consensual sex at that age, yet the average age for losing one's virginity is younger than it was when I went to school. They don't even need to believe they're in love to share something so precious. They call it "friends with benefits" and think nothing of it.

I don't believe these girls' stories were published as to whether or not they agreed (brainwashed or otherwise) to participate, so I'm not going to accuse them of complicity. But I will state that today's society mollycoddles our youth.

LittleOldLady, I think your opinions are a Little Old.

Greg Fessia, you belong in the Middle East handing your 12 year old wife a burka to wear.

You're insulting pigs.

Who are insulting pigs and for what reason????????????

Please don't INSULT PIGS> SCUMM BAG FITS< PERVERT<SICK SOB SICKOOOO. hang him by his privets!!

This is a fine example of an upstanding Christian gentleman, much like the next president of the US of A which we are likely to elect, and all you people are trying to tear him down for his religious beliefs, just because you're jealous. It's nothing but religious persecution. :)

On a more serious note, I'm still curious as to the distinctions made between his cult and all the more respectable religious cults we routinely tolerate in this country. Do you have any idea how impossibly difficult child molestation would become if it didn't have the guise of religion to hide behind? Chew on that, half-wits.

Well said Dave

jealous? Sadly its more like yuck.....who could really believe this guy finds books under a rock of God? wow what an imagination this group has.....

David Wellman...A fine upstanding gentlemen knows to keep it in his pants and not prey on young teenage females. Jeffs is a sex addict. Most fundamentalist Mormon males are. It's why they get rid of all of the younger men in their midst. They like to have "it" all to themselves. And, if these teenage girls only consort with old guys, so much the better for the old predators who don't have any competition for their sexual prowess.

When Jeffs goes to prison, he won't have the luxury of male domination. He will be just another one of the guys. Big time take down but one well deserved.

I'm getting tired of the modifications religion must undergo to keep up with the world. If the world is going to hell in a handbasket, we're paving the way with edits.

I read the bible, cover to cover, twice as a teen. Most of it bored me to tears (so and so begat who cares?) Much was poetic. Quite a bit caused me to rear in astonishment: sacrificing children, polygamy, concubines and child marriage, slavery and brutality, and ... worst of all ... conflicting data. I can't eat seafood unless I purge my soul and stomach. Weird.

Anyhow, it always bothered me that the bible claimed we couldn't get to heaven without accepting Jesus as our Savior, because we were impure. I never read a grandfather clause allowing descendents of Adam and Eve to slip in. They were before His time. I never understood why a God of love would allow a child to be hurt or tortured. How could He let anybody go hungry? That was when I figured out you had to filter with your God-given brain and determine for yourself what felt right. Eat crab? Fine. Sleep with a terrified child? Cook, baby. Cook. Warren Jeffs knew this was wrong.

Bon Apetit, Satan. Warren Jeffs is on his way.

We use religion to murder all the time. Look at Texas and the rest of the murder by legislation states, every one of them has a prayer just before the big show. Every one of them has a religious person at the scene of the murder so that the condemned can convert just before they die. Every single one of them kills humans in God's name (yours and mine as well).\

While I pretty much agree with your perspective else-wise, you missed it by a mile when you infer that it isn't legal to kill for religion in the USA.

that and let him out in general population...i'm sure his religion allows...well i'm gonna stop. This is just sickening.

daryl - I agree that institutionalized killing goes on all the time and it's perfectly legal. I was stating the legality of the individual lawfully killing. I guess I was trying to infer that if this individuals premise was he had religious freedom to rape a little girl then he could go all the way to murder with that claim. Admittedly, the state can do pretty much what it wants under any justification.

daryl,

Most of the time that prayer is for the benefit of the person being executed. You are allowed last rights. If the convicted person is atheist you probably wouldn't see that happening. Hardly killing in the name of God.

Your point would be best taken by examples like the Crusades, the Salem witch trials or Spanish Inquisition. All in the name of God.

laurie - I 100% agree. The US constitution says you can't be persecuted for your beliefs, but it doesn't mean that committing what is considered a crime under that same constitution won't get you prosecuted. No ritual sacrifices, rape, etc. The religious beliefs still need to fall in line with the law. That is the extent of your religious protection.

I totally agree with these comments. This creep has ruin the lives of thos countless children he has used his penis on. They wil live with that for the rest of their lives. I'm 63, and still have nightmares of my rapist. He's dead now, but my horror goes on and on and on. Think of those girls. It's NOT their obligation to get hoim off! He has two hands. Why do you think God gave them to us? I think he should be torchered. Cult a sliver of his penis of then dowse it with vinegar or the like , lety it heal, then do it again and again until he's down to a stump. THEN and only THEN will he get what's coming to him. But it still will remain with these innocent, unsuspecting, abused children for life!

Laurie 480643 - Liked your "We shouldn't put him in jail....we should just cut off his penis and his testicles and give him a cathater to urinate through".... although placing him on a stone slab and cutting his heart out sounds good also!!! :)

This isn't a Religion, it's pure perversion and if the courts won't impose any of the above... put the sicko in gereral population and turn their backs

I believe the bible says: :Obide by the law of the land Our law says it is illegal for an adult (anyone over the age of 18) to have sex with a minor (anyone under 18 years of age). There have been cases in which an 18 year old was convicted of child molestation for having sex with a 17 year old. This guy raped a 12 and 15 year old.....and how old is he? His religion says you have to have 3 wives to get into Heaven! Fine! Marry 3 women who are of age and knowing buy that load of crap! (and that is still against the law) But don't molest children in the name of religion! He is nothing but a pedophile using religion to justify his crimes. My first choice of punishment would be put him in a locked room for a half hour with adults who had been molested as a child, or the parents of molested children. My second, put him in general population in prison. Either way....he won't last too long. I hope our judicial system will finally send a message that religion is not an accuse for abusing children!

Frankly, one could do just about anything in the name of religion and then demand that nobody call it wrong. Indeed, the 9/1 hijackers killed thousands all in the name of their twisted understanding of Islam. We have freedom of religion in this country as long as religious practices do not break civil laws. On a higher spiritual level of accountability, we are called to love others as we wish to be loved - the so-called Golden Rule. Would Warren Jeffs have liked to have been sexually molested when he was 12 or 15? I think not. He deserves punishment to the fullest extent of civil law in order to show that nobody, not even a self-proclaimed prophet, is above it.

I think that any rapist who attacks a child or woman should be castrated, penis and testicles. Make him impotent. Take away his desire for sex or ability to ever have it again. They have death penalties for those that kill, but for Rape they just put them behind bars... that isn't enough. If they castrate the men who do this crime then it is possible that the crime will diminish considerably. As for the death penalty, well, I believe that if there is proof positive they are the guilty then kill them, plain and simple, but not the easy way... not an injection or any humaine way. Let the punishment fit the crime.

Joy - I guess you are not aware of the hundreds of men who have been recently found innocent through DNA testing and released from prison after 10, 20, even 30 years because of the lies of others. But you would rather they were castrated as well.

Well I wouldn't cut anything off...just skin it.. an inch at a time or maybe half in. and pour turpintine on the fresh skinned area.. that would do nicely.. and when it healed.. start all over again... oh my, my evil side is showing.

doug, dont worry too much. he may be older now, but hes still gonna be big bubbas boyfriend. its karma. i think thats a good punishment, even if not good enough... i agree with most posts here, the punishment should be much more severe... its too bad they cant just let him loose into a crowd of angry parents with spears. id sure like to poke a few holes in his body...

Daryl - Just because prayers ares spoken, they are not killing "for Religion", anymore than you would eating "for Religion" because you just said grace.

You eat because you are hungry, and they execute convicted murderers in Texas and elsewhere because the people there believe this constitutes justice.

Even assuming that having three wives should be permitted under his religion, it does not follow these should be CHILDREN. SHEESH!!

Hey Brenda, your comment about pouring "turpentine on the fresh skinned area" would not have the effect you desire. Turpentine can be used as an antiseptic. As a young man I stepped on a nail that went completely through my foot. My dad poured turpentine through the hole. The turpentine didn't hurt and my foot healed up fine. I do get the chills however thinking about when I had to pull my foot off the nail to go get help.

As far as Jeffs is concerned, I have no sympathy for him. At the least, he engaged in statutory rape. Polygamy however is a different matter. If our society is going to accept same sex marriage it will have to accept polygamy also. If two women can marry, why not three women?

E. Zach Lee-Wright:

Why would we have to endorse polygamy if same-sex marriage is accepted? That makes no sense at all. I remember the arguments that allowing same-sex marriage would be the same as allowing bestiality, because people could marry their dog. It's a stupid and pointless argument. I personally don't care if consenting ADULTS practice polygamy or same-sex marriage. They are not the same thing, though. However, I do feel that children should not be forced into marriage or even allowed to make that decision because they lack the maturity, insight, and judgement to make a sound decision. Marriage should be about love, trust, and committment.

Marriage should be a legal partnership. Nothing more. Anything else is what you bring to it.

Sex with minors is wrong, very damaging and should not be allowed under ANY circumstance.

This is Texas, you know the state which has actually intentionally executed an innocent man and then threatened and intimidated and finally ignored the situation in hopes that the Governor who committed this murder can run for president.

Never trust Texas, especially when it comes to justice. Justice in Texas is entertainment just like it was back in the Roman days.

In the U.S., you have to have a trial to send someone to jail... DUH. Everyone is entitled to a trial, unless he/she has pled guilty.

@daryl - That guy had a trial, and was found guilty by 12 jurors, and sentenced to death. He was guilty as sin. Why did it take 13 years for this "technicality" about the Mexican assistance/embassy issue to pop up? Where were they during his other appeals? Tell me that much, PLEASE.

yes i know you have to have a trial..just think sometimes it shouldn't be necessary! this man is just horrible along with every other child molestor around!!

Do you understand Constitution? Ever heard of due process, a right to jury trial, the right to remain silent? Fourth Amendment? Fifth Amendment? Any of this ringing a bell? What good is proof if no one (the jury) ever sees it?

Actually, the proof (pics and audio tapes) don't show sexual acts. In the audio tape, you can barely hear the 12 year old. And . . . she actually "thanks" Jeffs when he asked her if she was alright. The tape doesn't sound like porn nor forced sex. The 12 year old is rather silent during the act. Personally, I think that he is a textbook pedophile and runs a pedophile ring. But there could be one juror who needs the CSI effect to find him guilty. Let's hope this jury connects the dots and finds this perv guilty as charged.

They have DNA from the 15-year-old's baby that found Jeffs and the 15-year-old to be the biological parents. Hope that's good enough. And the have already convicted Jeffs' buddies for their crimes. They are already serving time.

Think he'll be "at peace" when he's locked in a building full of criminals who believe pedophiles to be a vile and despicable sect?

Tape didn't proved that sex was ongoing with the 12 yr old. and why didn;t the 15 old testify. This case has been ongoing for over three years. Why didn;t we hear her testimony?
This started over a phone call that removed over four hundred children from their parents. Nothing was found wrong.

I don't care if someone want more than one husband or wife. It is a practise around the world and has been going on for centuries. We allow same sex marriage.

Good thing about this case was that he defended himself. any first year lawyer would have gotten him off. The state had to blame someone for the mistake and cost of removing those 400 children.

He is a sick person thou. I hope he has many cellmate lovers in prison or will we want to keep him from that also.

I am a bit lost here .

The clear fact is that he would not assaulted these two minors if they were not in his church and or allowed a photo of this if he did not think he was performing properly per his religious practice . It is not as if he picked two teenagers from the street to rape . Even the act of sex is not rape to him according to his religious belief . It is against the law in the US to have sex with a minor and I believe any sexual act would be rape in US law . He is therefore guilty under US Law of what most of you call rape or assault against a minor . The fact is he is also allowed to raise constitution objection and religious objections . Here it seems that these objections are warranted . Here he may be not guilty. I think this a conflict of laws . I if I were on a jury lean in favor of his religious rights and not of the state laws . Here is my reason why . Sodomy marriages of homosexuals are now sanctioned under many State laws . This act had been outlawed and is still outlawed by many states . What the problem is that society is giving sanction to the act and to homosexuals so they can practice there behavior and be left alone . However in the case of those who believe in Mormon practice the marriage of minors has been allowed and what is rape is our law is in fact sexual relations in a marriage relationship. Therefore , I would agree , unless the two girls , did not consent to the marriage or the parents did not consent , that the act was an act within the context of their religion , and he is not guilty . I would find him guilty however if the act of marriage was not sanctioned by either the parents , the priesthood of their religion if in fact the parent did not consent or agree , or the consent of the the two girls . We are making sodomy a legal act when it is not legal in many states in the context of how it is performed . The same rule of how it was performed should be applied here . This seems to be a consenting act within the framework of a religion .

FYI: "Sodomy" is defined in the Penal Codes of many (if not all) states as the UNLAWFUL (i.e. unwanted) penetration of the victims anus by the penis of the accused. In other words, forced anal sex.

If both parties agree to the act it is no longer "sodomy", but "anal sex" and is therefore legal.

Also, "rape" is defined as unlawful VAGINAL penetration by the penis of the accused. Other sexual acts (i.e. oral, sodomy, foreign objects) are covered by other penal codes

Having clarified that, the guy is a dirty scum bag who will get what is coming to him!

Seriously Chuck? I would say you are more than a "bit" lost! For the record, I am not gay. I do however, believe that two CONSENTING ADULTS should be able to practice whatever things they want to do. The difference between sanctioning gay marriage and those who believe that the marriage of minors and adults having sexual relations with minors in a "marriage" relationship is that the minors are FORCED into such relationships you dumb pig. It is rape you idiot, and I hope somehow, some way, you end up in jail and get sodomized against your will to see how you like it.

to Chuck-922708

I do not know you, but what you wrote was wrong on so many levels, it would take a lifetime to cover all of them.

First of all, homosexuality issue has no relevance in this particular case and can not be used as a comparison in any shape or form.

Second of all, all those people have been brain washed since they were children, so of course they consented to it all. This is why, in my opinion, religion should be banned to children until they can fully understand what it is.

Third, who should, in your opinion, protect children from people like this? A child could easily be trained to think that the religion they "belong" to requires human sacrefice as long as the person consents, and that it is an honor and great privilage to volunteer to be a sacrefice. Should we allow that, because it's a part of religion????? I think there have to boundaries between what's right and what is plain bulls..t!!!!

Religion has proved to be the one greates evil ever produced by men. In no way should religion even be relevant in the court of law - especially when children are concerned!!!!

I agree, Maja! If a belief or practice is a part of your everyday life, and if you are isolated from mainstream society, you don't know anything else. Little children of this particular cult most likely do think that the suffering they endure is their duty in order to get into Heaven.

As a sidenote, let's not forget that sodomy, which seems to be exclusively linked to homosexuality, is also practiced by straight married couples as well. There are many sexual acts that could be considered deviant by society. I see no issue with these "deviant" acts being between consenting adults. Sexual acts between people of the same sex are no more deviant than those between heterosexuals. Those people who are "pro-family" and "protect the sanctity of marriage" by being against gay marriage are really contradicting themselves. They are essentially hurting families and hurting the institute of marriage by excluding it from a large segment of the population. The government needs to stay out of our bedrooms, unless children are involved. Sorry about my tangential rant:)

I don't really care if two or three or twenty people of whatever sex want to marry each other. What I do care about is that they are all consenting adults!

And the Mormon church (LDS) has never "condemned" polygamy. They simply quit allowing their leadership to practice it. People rarely know the true history of Mormons and Polygamy. The non-Mos have turned it into what Warren Jeffs is doing, and the Mormons are trying to get one of their own elected President so they are lying just as badly about their history and their present.

LDS faithful (Mormons) believe that polygamy is a tenet of God to reach the highest levels of heaven, the Celestial Kingdom. They believe that they have been forced to wait until they enter the kingdom (which requires the "keys to the kingdom" or "the priesthood" which is only available to males and thus the ceremonial sealing, or temple marriage, where the male pulls his bride through the veil into the upper kingdom of heaven) after which they will receive their plural wives. Many LDS are now publicly even denying this.

Also be aware that many Mos and non-Mos believe that all of the offshoot religions of Mormonism are child molesters and welfare cheats. While there are those groups, they represent the minority.

This issue is about the rape of a 12 year old and a 15 year old girl. It is not about religion, it is not about polygamy, it is not about anything other than child rape. Don't let the media or Warren Jeffs or any of the posters in these blogs say otherwise.

We deny it because its bull$h!t. I was not raised Mormon, nor do I agree with my Church on many issues. I do not agree with their stance on Gay Marriage and many other things. However, as a Mormon and as someone who has been through the temple. I can tell you my husband will never, and does not expect to have plural wives on earth or in heaven.

The only requirement for a Mormon to be admitted to the highest levels of heaven or the Celestial Kingdom is to have been sealed in the Temple with their spouse. Only one, that's all it takes. That's all it ever took. Polygamy in the early church wasn't a requirement, it was permissible. Just as Polygamy was permissible in Ancient Judaism and in early Christianity. But, it falls out of favor and faiths stop practicing it. Just as ours did 100+ years ago.

As for my husband pulling me out of the grave on the day of resurrection. If he doesn't do it, my father, brother or closest male relative with the priesthood authority will do it. Just as my husband's father will do it for him. I won't be "left in the grave" because I "displeased" him. That is another fallacy.

That being all said. I think this sicko is nothing but a pedophile hiding behind the excuse of religious persecution. I don't care if consenting adults want to live this way. But, it has to be ADULTs and it has to be their choice. Anything less is rape, whether they are 12 or 18. If she's not willing its rape. I hope he get the maximum sentence in Texas. Too bad they can't given him the death penalty.

spyder

You disagree with your church on many issues? You weren't raised mormon? You think we believe you got "sealed" in the temple? Not so much. Your thinking on Jeffs is spot on, but your religion is just a cult.

BTW The reason polygomy "fell out of favor" was because the federal government denied statehood to Utah unless you stopped it.

If joseph smith were to first come on the scene today, he would be considered to be no different than warren jeffs. Most mormons are not willing to acknowledge the historical fact that joseph smith promised eternal salvation to parents if they would let him have sex with their daughters, some as young as fifteen. Anyone willing to do independent, open minded research on joseph smith and the book of mormon will find that he was just another con man using religion to get what he wanted. He was no more a prophet than warren jeffs, unless you spell it "for profit."

religious skeptic, you are right on the mark. Modern day Mormons try to paint it a different color but it all came from the same place.

I knew someone would bring up something about the LDS. (not FLDS)

Daryl- much of what you said is wrong. you do not know the true history either. or mormon (LDS) beliefs.

Idaho- first off you don't have to be raised as a mormon to go through the temple. she may have been a convert. secondly mormonism is not a cult. regardless of what others think.

Spyder- resurrection is not "being pulled out of the grave". and from the sound of it, you are an active mormon and should know better then to refer to ressurrection in that manner.

This Story- pisses me off, to know this guy....this POS, is....honestly i'm at a loss for words... this story sickens me. trying to hide behind religion, using it as an excuse? it may be 119 years, and he'd likely die in prison, but in my eyes, its not enough. prison is never enough for people like this. i have too much anger for this guy and others like him. if it wasn't a commandment... i'd kill them all. all of these worthless, perverted, molesters. they should not walk the face of this earth or any other, and should burn in hell for eternity.

daryl-2183015

"This issue is about the rape of a 12 year old and a 15 year old girl. It is not about religion, it is not about polygamy, it is not about anything other than child rape. Don't let the media or Warren Jeffs or any of the posters in these blogs say otherwise."

I absolutely agree. He was not on trial for his faith. He was on trial for his crime according to the laws of this country. Period.

LOL! I laugh at all the religious bull on here... Do you not see that religion is just that.. it is written and extolled to whomever will believe whatever each religion preaches. The bible was written by man. the book of Mormon was written by man. Each is full of agendas some guys agenda that way back when he decided he wanted people to obey him. If you believe in god then just drop all religion and just plain believe. Now that I've said that it would satisfy all if they just cut off this guys junk and get it over with. Make that a law.

@Spydergirl,

The Mormon church did eventually get rid of poligamy as a practice, but don't forget the reason was because they were denied statehood because they practiced poligamy. They only got rid of it so they could become a state.

Furthermore, and correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the church believe there will be more women in accepted into to the highest kingdom of the three kingdoms they believe in and the only way for them to be accepted is to be married? Which means since there are more women than men some men will have to marry more than one women?

Pretty much everyone's comments about the LDS (not FLDS) church are incorrect here. Aloha is the only one making any sense. The rest of you really should do more research if you're going to comment about a specific religion in a public setting like this.

I don't really want to get into details, but I feel like I should just put it out there that the LDS church is definitely not a cult. There are so many ridiculous rumors and myths about the religion. Also, polygamy absolutely is condemned by the church now. If a member is practicing polygamy they will be excommunicated. One man and one woman--that's it. Anyone who says any different has no idea what they're talking about.

If people took the time to find out the truth about the LDS church, they would discover that it is a wonderful organization that is focused on the family. Period.

I will never understand why some people feel like they need to tear down any religion. Warren Jeffs has nothing to do with the LDS church, their doctrine, or their members, so why does it even have to be mentioned? If you don't know what you're talking about then don't bother commenting and spreading lies about a religion you clearly know nothing about. Just try to be respectful people.

Haha! The non-Mormon people posting what they think Mormons believe in or Mormon history: you guys are way off. I have always thought it was funny that some people actually believe we deny our history or our believes just so the "public" eye wont think more poorly of us than they already do. I am faithful in my religion and would never deny it just so others would "like" me more.

It's true that SOME Mormons would practice polygamy 100+ years ago. Not all. Since then it has been condemned and we are not allowed to practice it. Our admittance into the Celestial Kingdom comes with being being married and sealed in Temple. To only ONE spouse.

Any member who practices polygamy and is caught, is ex-communicated from the church. Not just our leadership isn't allowed to practice it, daryl-2183015. Which is why those ex members decided to form their own religious group(FLDS).

Done ranting. I am absolutely outraged that this sick, pervert tried to use religion as an excuse that it was ok to do what he was doing. It was most certianly not. No matter what you believe in, it is wrong in everyway to do what he did. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. They dont like child molesters in there. My heart hurts and my prayers go out to these little girls and the potentially hundreds of others that may have never come forward.



Or actually I may be wrong about Ex-Mormons forming FLDS. That I am not sure about and should have looked it up before posting. It just made sense to me that a member of the church that was excommunicated would have formed it.

Brief history on the Polygamy issue: When the Gospel was restored- ALL the Gospel needed to be restored. Moses and Isaiah all practiced polygamy. It stood to reason that the practice had to come back as well. President of the LDS Church, Wilford Woodruff, banished the practice in 1890- and yes, there was pressure from the government to ban the practice. But- that was not final reason for it's banishment- it was the Articles of Faith (13 tenents of faith for the Church) that Joseph Smith Jr wrote that created the issue. Article 12: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." That last 3 words created the major conflict. The Church believes in sustaining the law- and it became impossible to balance the two issues.

When the US outlawed plural marriage it became necessary to banish the practice- and the government stated that if the Church would ban it, statehood for Utah could be assured in return. Both happened a short time later. Anyone caught practicing polygamy from that point on is excommunicated. That stands to this day.

The Church has had to make changes over the years- but always for good in their beliefs. It is very family oriented and believes in doing good at all times (13th Article of Faith). When disasters hit- the "Helping Hands" people and trucks are usually on the ground BEFORE the Red Cross or anyone else. I know- I've been there in person for disaster relief (Katrina & Rita in Texas & Louisiana). LDS Trucks showed when no one else would. And they hit the shores during the tsunami's, tidal waves & earthquakes here and abroad as well.

Not a cult- but VERY mis-understood. People are free to choose, come & go as they please and to choose what they want to accomplish. Yes- we do strive for a lot of the same goals. But all goals are obtainable under the current conditions.

No- you absolutely don't need more than one wife for one husband (I have enough with ONE wife! Not sure I could handle more...).

Will there be more women in heaven than men? Not sure. Men are pigs (I know, I am one...) therefore it leads me to believe that women are the better part of God's creations- so that may answer the question that there will be more women than men- but no one knows right now.

Take some time and try and understand the Church before condemning it. There are plenty of reasons to not like people IN the Church- people are people and are subject to the same pressures and temptations as everyone else in the world. If someone attains perfection in this life- they really have no business being here. Earth is a training ground where we learn who we are and how to deal with it.

Sarah

Thank you for your comments. I agree. This has nothing to do with the LDS church. I also agree that people who have not personally investigated into the LDS Faith should not comment on a public site. I do not understand why so many people think that the LDS Church is a cult. We are no different than other religions like Catholics, Baptist, Lutherans. We all just want something to believe in and guide us to be good people. I think some of these other religions have some very weired practices but i don't think they are a cult. I think athiast are crazy but their not a cult. This is what america is all about freedom of speech and religion. Please don't condem others unless you know all of your facts.

Daryl you definetly don't know the truth about the LDS religion. So please don't post things until you do. The only thing your post said that is true is

"This issue is about the rape of a 12 year old and a 15 year old girl. It is not about religion, it is not about polygamy, it is not about anything other than child rape. Don't let the media or Warren Jeffs or any of the posters in these blogs say otherwise."

Jeff's is a pedifile and is getting what he deserves. I pray for those that he has hurt that they will be able to go on with the lives and understand that a women of any age are more than just here to please men.

Amen Brother, LookingForTheTruth!

YOU should take time to learn about your own religion. Read and study, don't just accept what you've been told. The facts are there if you just look for them. Not rumors, not anti mormon literature, it's all in OUR history. Be careful you don't look too close, I don't think your faith in the church can handle it. LDS not FLDS. "The Glory of God is Intelligence". A lost belief of our mormon faith. Look up the definition of "cult". If the glove fits !!!!

Another Truth for the non-educated. The LDS do not have their own bible. It is the same bible most other churches use. (The King James Version) Why don't we chat about the Catholics and their history? All the cover ups with the priest and their sexual exploits and on and on and on on......................

Thanks Jacob for the advise- but fact is I DO look at all of it- the ugly side as well as the side more exposed to the world. Yes- the Church has a past- sometimes not very pretty. But to study the past is to know the truth. Does the Church practice many of the things of the past? No- it doesn't. It does evolve and become better everyday. The things within the Church and the things done TO the Church were not a proud time in history. We do not celebrate it- but we also do not forget it either. We would rather celebrate the Good Word of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

I could say the same thing about Catholics during the Crusades or the Inquisitions. Or the Islamic extremists- who defy what their own religion teaches about peace and love. But exactly how far down this rabbit hole do we want to go?

I think most religions want to teach peace and most do. It depends on how the person being taught is taking the message.

As far as the "cult" status- if you look at the very definition- every single group in the world could be considered a cult. The thought that 2 or more people think the same thing- means that very thing.

The key is free will or agency. Does a person have a choice? Can he or she walk away if they choose? Can they learn more if they want in any area, or are they shut off to part of it?

In the LDS Church- EVERYONE (members and non-members alike) can learn all they want to about the religion.

And do what they want with it.

On the religious note. How about those Catholics if a baby dies before a priest can flick some water in it's face it has to be buried outside the cemetery fence. Ya because we all know how Jesus felt about children huh. Looking for the truth, Well said thank you.

scottinsaltlake...And you can document for us when Jesus raped a teenage girl? Come off it. The Catholic religion like all religions is male dominated but in a very different way. Priests can't marry. It's called the sacrament of Holy Orders. In the Catholic Church, it's assumed that pure, virginal males are the highest order of human offering to God.

The problem in all religions is male ego. It gets too out of control and become autocratic spoutings. This is the reason the US insists upon civil laws prevailing over religous laws.

What individuals choose to believe is protected under the Constitution. What individuals choose to "do" isn 't. So, you can't as Abraham attempted to do, offer your only son as a human sacrifice in the name of religion.

Religion is becoming a problem in the US for one reason. You have well established religions now challenging the Constitution. The minute you allow a religion levity one way or the other when Constitutional rights are at stake, you immediately ingratiate religion into US laws.

Constitutional law must remain unchallenged by religion.

Baaaaahahaha! I can't believe you actually believe the whacked out things you're saying in your post!!!!! Hilarious!

ewent, I would take it one step further and say that tax exempt churches and churches receiving federal money are unconstitutional and discriminatory against atheists.

She's too old for him. (sarc)

I LIKE IT !!!!!!!!!

ha ha red sailor-----love it.

Red Sailor, can I join your F**kuism cult? We can be tax exempt like the Duggars.

Red Sailor...It isn't just the Catholic Church. And it isn't religion. It's men who cannot learn self-discipline. If I live to be a hundred, I'll never understand why men have such difficulty with self-discipline and self-control. I don't care if it's the Pope, an Imam or a Rabbi. If it's a man, he will always fall prey to an inability to control himself. Blaming Catholics alone is stupid. Just as many Rabbis, Imams and others have tiddled when they should have controlled themselves. The reason it isn't as publicized is because these are some of the most insular religions.

When a man chooses to be a religious leader, it has less to do with genuine spirituality and more to do with developing a reign of dominance over someone or something.

Spoken like a true feminist. I don't suppose anyone was ever molested in a convent?

The sad irony is that he'll probably walk. Maybe he can find a home in his compound for Casey Anthony; she has nowhere else to go. Then if these 12 & 15 year old girls get pregnant, well no more problems eh!?

I agree cboss. You would need a sponge and an envelope to clean up what was left anyone who even thought about molesting my child. Are there laws out there that pertain to parents allowing this?

I agree he is gross but the parents have been brainwashed. The FLDS is a cult and it is basically run by a few people that are perverted and gross like Jeffs. However the "prophets" like Jeffs entice people into this "religion" and then brain wash them to make them believe that they are in the right and the rest of the world is in the wrong. Polygamy is part of this religion and the parents and everyone else into this are told that to get to heaven the man must have at least 3 wives and the women are promised to men without choice by the "prophet" who says he gets the "revelations" from God. It has nothing to do with the parents being stupid. Mostof the parents in the religion now were born into it and know nothing else since people in this religion are not really allowed outside of the compound or city or what ever they are in. They pretty much have no outside contact. Before you start saying things about something you don't understand, please read up on it. You were correct about Jeffs being gross but honestly after that you had no idea what you were talking about.

I was just going to comment the same thing. The parents need to be held accountable for "giving" their daughter to this creep..

Sadly, the parents are just as confused as Warren Jeffs is. The women in this group, for the most part, have ALL been subjected to such vile treatment, and vile teachings, and their own consciences have been calloused. They have been brainwashed, deprived of knowledge, held 'spiritually' captive, and have no clue of what this has done to them emotionally, spiritually, physically, as well as psychologically. They are in SERIOUS trouble.

I also agree with the post that said 'real Christians' know how to think for themselves. I do not profess to be 'Christian', but I do know there is something out there bigger than myself. People who chooseto serve God should do so with an open heart, and an open mind, and they should be allowed to question things. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, and apparently W.J. doesn't want any of the women having any power. This cult seems to be the perfect haven for sexual deviates, pedophiles and just plain old evil people, all under the guise of 'religion.' It makes me want to PUKE!

C. Moakler I was just thinking that same thing. I was wondering if the parents could prosecuted for allowing this, but I'm not sure that such a law exists. The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach. Glad he was found guilty and going to be put away for a long time.

I think that child neglect might be a law under which the parents could be punished. Or child endangerment.

"This is a made up phony Religion" My good sir thats an oxymoron since Religion in and of itself is something that was made up by primitive man to explain the existence of things.

I believe there is something out there that I nor anyone else can truely claim to grasp but I do not put down other religions they are allowed to live as they want. But if they break the laws of the land they need to be punished for their crimes.

TheLastSane1

That, sir, is called redundancy. An oxymoron is a contradiction of and within itself. Point is, religion, nor the people who practice it (me being one--GOD, not this one, though...), are being held on trial here. It is a matter of a sick old man who uses a guise, which happens to be religion, to prey on innocent children. Take out the religion aspect and we still have the same thing: child rape.

Also, I believe a mental evaluation of the parents should be taken to measure the extent of their sanity. If they're shown to be sane and not brainwashed crazy, they need to be charged with child endangerment or trafficking. Though sane or not, they need to have their children removed from their custody. Bag all those accountable, because it took more than just one man to allow this to happen.

joann, all religion is phony.

Wonder if he'll be able to say "Amen" afterwards......

We all know how inmates feel about pedophiles.

Pagan...according to the excerpt I read, he does.

I think what they meant was that religion shouldn't be an excuse for raping children or forcing children into marriage. There is simply no excuse for either of those things. He has to take the consequences for his actions.

You are right about the horrible history of religion.. a lot of terrible things have been done and in the name of religion. It is time it stopped.. this is a stepin the right direction.. legal accountability for crimes committed regardless of the reason.

No, because they still have to be of legal age and give legal consent.

But it does mean many priests and bishops in the Catholic hierarchy are worried that their boyfriends will now demand they get hitched!

yeah and how about the pedophiles in the Hasidic Jewish community in NYC? Do they get to marry their little boys?

okay, after those three comments i'm out! peace.

Lady, I hate to tell you but religion was created by men to:

1. Explain what was at the time unexplainable.

2. Keep women in their place.

I'm sure your church has cleaned itself up to be more politically correct but the truth of the matter is that it all comes from the same place. Religion is a creation of the human psyche. It comes from the human need to be someone's b**ch.

Ah.......marinmom..............

Spoken like a true left wing liberal nutcase.

Allow themselves to be brainwashed? What does that mean. A person who is brainwashed, even a good Christian, does not sit back, relax, and allow it. Brainwashing is a series of puposeful, forced, continual, brutal, intrusive acts deliberately inflicted by someone with power over someone who is powerless. Kind of likewhat the right wing is doing to the middle class right now.

marinmom,

Did you know it was the women of the house that originally embraced the christian religion and they were the preachers/priests of that religion in Rome. That was due to the fact that in Roman households the women were in charge/decision makers of the house and religious beliefs before the advent of Christianity. So while it might have been originally meant to "Keep women in their place" it did not do that until the laws changed and women could no longer be the owners of the home. The women's power was slowly taken away in the decisions of religion in the household and more men were put in charge in the church. The church also decided to take away the right for those men to marry and unfortunately the men who joined the church were usually younger sons of the nobility (having no other option) who read God's word to be that women were inferior beings. So the dark ages came and what started as a peaceful religion turned into a vengeful one. The early Christiansfed to the lions for the Roman populous amusement went to their deaths with head high and faith in their God...with no thought of vengeance just pity for those who persecuted them for their beliefs. I can only tell you about early Romanreligious practices (because they interested me so I have studied them) not what happened in the middle east where Christianity started.

Sorry tangent over.

Inthemiddle12, thank you. That's all I ever wanted to be.

Ali, I should have included a paragraph about the brilliance of Italian women and Catholicism.

A former Italian friend of mine had a mother that used religion to control her whole family. The most religious of the children recieved more money and gifts from her.

You are right. The Italian women have found a way to turn it around and instead of being controlled by the men they use religion to control the whole family. My hat's off to them. Most religions are not that way. Usually it's the man using religion to control the women. However, you are missing the point. Religion is all about controlling other people and making yourself look better than them. To me, it is sickening and disgusting that anyone in this day and age falls for that baloney. I mean most religions don't rape twelve year olds but it's still all about controlling women. Prince (the R&B artist) coined the phrase "P***y Control". I think the term really fits when applied to religion.

I agree with you that a lot of religions are about controlling others Marimon. I was just reading these posts and thought that the history of the catholic church was a good way to show how religion becomes perverted from the opinions/wants of the ones "in charge". Some people however do need the comfort of a belief system. They tend gravitate to the ones they are most comfortable in. I just personally wish people like this sicko would stop trying to say God or the Goddess (whichever one you worship) made me do it and they said it was okay. I wish the media would stop giving these sick, twisted individuals an outlet to let their personal insanity out into the world. Giving other sick people that might not have thought of this idea another option for their perversions.

BTW sorry for being so late with my response no Internet at home this weekend and was too busy at work yesterday.

The mothers? They are part of the sect and are duped, too. They should be tried for contributing to the deliquency of a minor.

I agree Robin...they should be on trial also!

And the sister wives that are not the first wife collect welfare and food stamps for being single parents and that is given to Warren Jeffs. Fraud?

The girl's mothers are little more than prisoners themselves, and have no say. It's not just FLDS, but LDS also that deems high-ranking male members as modern day prophets and saints. Until you have been in a Utah community and experienced the LDS shunning of outsiders, you can't imagine the brainwashing this "religion" does. There is no such thing as freedom for members of the LDS cult.

Oh here we go again. Mormon bashing. The FLDS is NOT a Mormon religion. FLDS preaches and practices polygamy here on earth, right now. The Mormons quit practicing polygamy when they wanted Utah to join the Union, saying that as Mormons you have to obey the laws of your country. The FLDS has been flaunting those laws for a long time, and Jeff Warren should have been convicted because he broke the law. Unless you were converted to a religion or raised in the religion - and left, you really don't know what you are talking about, just as anyone who is not a member of the Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian or Lutheran churchs does not know all the tenants and history of the those religions. I don't bash religious beliefs about which I am not personally acquainted with. Be fair and do this for all others.

Lee's comment was the first I've seen here regarding the welfare checks these women are all getting. Why are taxpayers subsidizing these compounds? Isn't this fraud? Cut off the welfare, who is authorizing these payments?

Lived in SLC for 3 yrs- hear hear. We had to move when they started discriminating against my son for his non-moronism. I could tell a million stories and they are quite eybrow-lifting. Best was wife #3 who was on her second "marriage" at the age of 18, and had a 5yo from a previous "marriage".

If you want to know about LDS and don't want to have to live in Utah to find out first hand, suggested reads:

Under the Banner of Heaven

One Nation Under Gods

THe God-Makers

Happy reading and remember, an educated voter is a good voter.

Forget the mothers, I want to know where the fathers are. Do they think so little of their daughters that they turn a blind eye? Are they whooping it up with Warren?

Good point about the welfare checks.

elise - I've read Under the Banner of Heaven - I highly recommend it. I would also add to your list "The 19th Wife" by David Ebershoff

The "fathers' few there are, dirty old men young men are sent away this creep had 72 concubines or child sex slaves but not wives

In that cult, the young men get driven out (unless they have connections) and the young women are not allowed to get out.

I think marriage as it is today should be done away with and in it's place should just be legal partnerships. That's all a marriage really is anyway. The rest is what you bring to it.

Marriage is a legal partnership.

I would care about the 9 illegal wives and the kids, if my tax dollars were going to their compound in the form of welfare checks.

Mldreamer...Polygamy keeps women far too dependent on the men who most exploit them. That's a lesson for all women today. Never ever leave yourself so dependent on any man that you become chattel.

Male polygamists would be appalled if women were allowed the same privilege of multiple husbands, wouldn't they? Tells you all you need to know about why it's wrong.

Male polygamists view women as breeding machines and not much else. You cannot save you love a woman and then breed with a dozen others. That's not love. That's sexual addiction.

Excuse me?! Affirming Mohammed who also had 9 year old brides in the Koran? Exactly what does this mean? What did you really mean to write? And why is Islam suddenly being brought in to this? It is totally irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Islam is irrelevant to the Jeffs case but is relevant to the polygamy topic.

However, Arlin, keep in mind Mohammed lived how many centuries/millenia ago? The moral ideal of "age of consent" changed drastically in the last two centuries, let alone the last two millenia. So the point of Mohammed's 9 year old wife is irrelevant here. We cannot judge ancient civilizations according to our current laws...

your also forgetting that back a long time ago, people had much less medicine, and had the need to procreate quickly just in case of an early death. that way, if they died, they would still have a blood-lineage. nine years old would have been old enought to mary back when people lived to about thirty. the difference is that we live to 90 now, so we dont have to make our children grow up as fast. thank goodness for modern medicine. now, i do NOT support even in that time the marriage of a 9 year old to anyone. im just saying that it used to be an acceptable practice when everyone was so concerned about dieing young.

Remember when Jerry Lee Lewis the piano player married his 13 year old cousin?

Remember on the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies when Ellie Mae was considered an old maid? Wasn't Loretta Lynn married at 13?

Times have changed. Glad they caught this guy and prosecuted him.