Close Topic Options

Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints

FLDS-DOOMSDAY RUMORS INFEST WEB

Doomsday scenarios and rumors of an impending mass suicide by faithful members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are spreading fast on the World Wide Web.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...23730%2C00.html

Saints Latter-day Fundamentalist

I think this is the most profound statement of all. These people are quite versed on scripture and the scripture says no man knows...So, I don't believe they think they know. I think it is a false rumor.

On the other hand, if they view Warren Jeffs as a prophet, I suppose they could decide the Lord had told him. Yet, the scriptures do seem pretty clear about this.

Another possibility is that the Jeffs guy is in a lot of legal trouble and maybe he views mass suicide as a way out. However, I doubt there would be any foreknowledge of this amoung the members to allow a rumor to spread.

Edited: funbikerchick on 5th Apr, 2005 - 3:37pm

Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints Studies Doctrine Mormon

The FLDS church has purchased a large ranch in Texas. They are constructing a lot of buildings on that property, including what appear to be various barracks.

This is fact, reported in several sources.

I think that the FLDS people are tired of the way they are treated in Utah, and are going to move, en masse, to Texas. Thus the rumours. And, I firmly believe that the rumours come from the strident anti-polygamous organizations in Utah, who will go to any lengths to propagandize the FLDS as terrible people.

Saints Latter-day Fundamentalist

Do you think the FLDS will be allowed the same "freedoms" to be polygamous in Texas as they do in Utah? I think, one of the reasons they are to some extent left alone in Utah and Arizona is that there is a large LDS population in both of these states. This allows for some sympathy towards polygamy or at least towards freedom of religion in a way that may not be as forthcoming in other states. I am pretty sure they would all be arrested in Massachusetts, for example.

Saints Latter-day Fundamentalist

I think they will be left alone much more in Texas than they are in Utah. There are constant legal harassments and persecutions against them in Utah right now. The predominant culture in Utah is very anti-polygamy. I think that in Texas, as long as they don't stir up trouble, they will be left alone.

Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints

Well, if that is true, I will be surprised. You may view Utah as anti-polygamy, but from where I sit they appear just the opposite. I can tell you that the view by those on the east coast isn't that Utah is anti-polygamy, but that they turn their backs. They only prosecute if there is some incidence of abuse, for example. In the area I live, you can be sure prosecution would be for nothing more than the polygamous acts. I think Utah tends to be a bit more forgiving or tolerant of other's religous beliefs because of the history of persecution against the LDS Church.

Is there something specific about Texas that makes you think they will be tolerant or is it just that you think Utah is particularly non-tolerant? Texas is predominantly Catholic, I believe. I don't think they would be terribly sympathetic. In addition to the large Catholic population, there are many fundamentalist Christians. They tend to be anti-Mormon, period. I would think polygamy could be used by them as an excuse for persecution.

Edited: funbikerchick on 6th Apr, 2005 - 11:47am

Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints

Well, even though I understand what you mean and I agree to a certain extent (that they are not being liked in Utah) I do not personally think it is Utah alone, I think they will have problems wherever they go because of our western culture. (Now imagine the pains and sufferings Joseph Smith and the Saints went through hundreds of years ago when society was even more traditional that is now!)

I also strongly feel that people in general feel uncomfortable around them because of Mr. Warren Jeffs (their prophet). He has several counts on child abuse...and believe me....that's not easy to digest. I have read a lot about him from members and non-members of the FLDS and the guy seem very creepy in his thoughts and actions. I think this is a very good reason for not wanting the FLDS in Utah or other state. A lot of women from FLDS are forced to "give up" their own husband if Mr. Jeff do not "aprove" it or "like it". He is destroying the most important body within any Church, the family and just because some men stood and challenged Jeff's authority. And the accounts of child abuse continue...

If they want to move to Texas, good for them. Is it for revelation? or is it because they are running away from the law? Is it because it is in a place where few people would be able to check the kind of activities that are going to take place there?. Is it because Mr. Jeff wants to continue this path of abusing children and nobody doing anything to stop him?. I hope Texas have learnt a lesson after Jim Jones and the characteristics of Mr. Jeff are very similar to someone who has several psychological issues.


My issue with the FLDS is not at all the fact that they believe in Plural Marriage. My issue with them have one name: Mr. Warren Jeffs.

Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints Mormon Doctrine Studies

I should probably make it very clear. I intensely dislike the FLDS culture and doctrines. But I believe that they should be allowed to practice their religious beliefs in peace.

However, the people ARE harassed in Colorado City. Utah just withdrew the right of their town marshall to act as an officer of the law. Utah's "bigamy" law is worded expressly to harass polygamists, but polygamy and bigamy are two completely separate things, as bigamy implies fraud. Utah just passed an amendment that is worded in such a way as to make it illegal to legally recognize not only homosexual marriage, but plural marriage. However, the state prosecutor and the legislature immediately went around it to claim that a "spiritual" marriage, after a certain time, should be recognized as a "common law" marriage, and thus the bigamy laws once again apply to polygamists. But a man who is married to one woman, and has a full-time mistress, even if he has children by her, is NOT recognized as having a "common law" wife.

Texas is generally much more libertarian. After the state got spanked by the Supreme Court over their homosexuality laws, I think that they will be more likely to allow people to live their private lives in peace, as long as they don't cause any disturbances.

Now, LDS, I agree. I don't like anything I know about Warren Jeffs. I don't like the way that the FLDS are so insular, or that they teach their children to spurn all the rest of the world. I dislike the way that they raise their boys to be completely dependent on the church and their small society, then throw them out of that society because there aren't enough women for the boys to marry, and still allow the older men to marry the young women and build up their families. None of this is in accordance with the true concepts and ideals of plural marriage. But it IS in accordance with their beliefs and practices.