Tally of kids in polygamist sect grows to 401 -- how does this happen?

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  Posted by Tue Apr 8, 2008 1:06pm PDT

  Saw Carolyn Jessup on the Today Show this morning. She wrote the book Escape, about her life with this group and how she escaped with them (with all her children - yea!). From what she said, I'm guessing abuse on a massive scale will do all kinds of strange things to people, I suppose. Maybe when this group moved to Texas, the powers-that-be started to put pressure on them - as they should. Nothing happened when they were in Colorado City (is that Utah?). That part is a mystery to me, too.

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  Posted by Mimi-pz Tue Apr 8, 2008 1:33pm PDT

  Have you read Krakaurs book about the Mormons and the polygamous sects and the Jeffs family? it's incredible and you get an insight into how it happens when you read how insular and controlling these people are. Horrible! And what's worse is how much money they get from the government as "single parents" -- disgusting!

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  Posted by Sarah Tue Apr 8, 2008 1:47pm PDT

  Sophie, the reason they moved is because authorities were starting to question what they were doing. it isn't just that 'nothing happened,' it's that they moved before authorities could obtain warrants and find out what they were doing.

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  Posted by Jessa Tue Apr 8, 2008 1:56pm PDT

  first of all where this place is is in the middle of NO WHERE . Texas still has massive areas where there are no towns... I just feel for the children they dont know any other way but this....

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  Posted by Charlene Prince Birkeland, Shine staff Tue Apr 8, 2008 1:59pm PDT

  Laela -- I get that part, but yet...someone had to notice. At least, that would be a rational (hopeful!) thought. If they were totally under the radar, it all makes sense. But I have a hard time believing that there wasn't a single outsider who didn't know something was hinky.

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  Posted by PJ Tue Apr 8, 2008 9:41pm PDT

  This is why the series on HBO "Big Love" is so fascinating. There are so many lives to live in this country and this kind of life is so hidden, protected, and secluded. Sometimes these communities have their own police and law enforcement that make the rules. Scary. And, of course, like all cults it is very hard to break free mentally, physically, and emotionally.

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  Posted by HatterasGirl Wed Apr 9, 2008 3:54am PDT

  My sister (through her husband) got sucked into a religious sect. It's wasn't polygamist - but similar in that they had a compound that after one of their usual summer visits - my sister didnt return from. Up to that point the religion seemed a little weird - but no red flags were raised. Her oldest and two youngest daughters had been on that trip - and the oldest DID escape. And she told us what was going on. For years we had minimal contact - and she wasn't allowed to go to her oldest's wedding or see the birth of her child. When the youngest (who grew up in the church) chose to marry outside of the church - she was thrown out and my sister was told to never see or speak to her again. It took that - after years of control - to finally break her and she got out too. She had to leave her husband and one of her daughters (who is an adult now and deeply ensconced in the church) behind.

  I tell you all of this because - it happens. There's a fundamentalist religious sect in our area - everyone knows of them. They seem pretty normal - except that they walk everywhere and the way the dress is a bit odd. It doesnt seem like anything horrible is happening there. But could there be? Sure could. Could women be held there, being told that their oldest children, not in the sect, are sinners and fornicators and dead to them? Being told that they are dirt and scum and the only way to salvation is to be reborn in the principles that are being taught on the compound. Absolutely, it could be. But we have "freedom of religion" as a choice in our country. Unless you are on the inside - you dont know if this is a peaceful and healthy choice and lifestyle - or if children are being married off at 14.

  To ask why no one in the community knew seems naive. I bet people DID know women and children were there. But I find it doubtful that anyone knew with certainty about the abuse. If they report that there is a compound of women and children living in their midst... I can hear the response of the police... "and what exactly would you would like us to do about that, miss?"

  What would you do?

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  Posted by Regina T Wed Apr 9, 2008 7:23am PDT

  I just want to make it clear that they are FUNDAMENTALISTS and are not true Mormons. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has not practiced polygamy in over 100 years.

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  Posted by pussyeater Wed Apr 9, 2008 7:39am PDT

  if you look at Religion as an acult,then yall should include Jahovahs Witness to the list.My brother and sister belong to the same church and my sister,her husband and 3 sons were cast aside for not performing as childern of god.The church says that when this happens,no one is aloud to have any contact with them that belongs to the church,not even her own brother.But my brother can interact with anyone else,even if they arent with the church.They even have a Bible of there own and written by an unknow person.

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  Posted by kym Wed Apr 9, 2008 7:51am PDT

  I like that authorty know about this in ther town, and are apart of this or doesn.t want the media in there small towns

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