Prayer Monitors
April 21, 2008
I’m having a little trouble seeing why the judge would even think of this:
Addressing the concerns about prayer, Walther said she was aware of a community of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Angelo. While acknowledging LDS Church members are not from the same group, she asked attorneys to see if the LDS faith would be willing to monitor the prayer services of the women and children who remain in the shelter.
“How would I stop someone from practicing their faith?” the judge asked.
She acknowledged concerns from Texas child welfare authorities about improper communications between mothers and children that could occur in such private prayer times and have an affect on the pending investigations.
“If they cross the line or coach the child or make any kind of comment on litigation, all bets are off,” Walther said.
The president of the LDS Abilene Texas Stake, which oversees San Angelo, was surprised by the judge’s request.
“They think we’re the same ones because we use the Book of Mormon,” said Charles L. Webb. “I’m dumbfounded they would suggest that.”
Webb plans to contact church headquarters in Salt Lake City for guidance.
This thing does NOT involve us and we should not be dragged into it in any way, shape or form. I don’t understand how the judge just doesn’t understand this fact.
UPDATE: To my question of, “Why the hell are we getting dragged into this?” my friend, Jon, answers:
Because these “law enforcement” people in Texas appear to be morons. I will be *very* surprised if LDS HQ in Salt Lake allows a local ward to have *any* involvement in this, much less to monitor prayers of mothers and children!
I loved this:
“The Court finds that an unknown number of males of reproductive age reside, or have resided, at the ranch during the probable time of conception of one or more of the children the subject of this suit,” her order says. “The court further finds that an unknown number of females of child bearing age reside, or have resided at the ranch and could be the mother of one or more children the subject of this suit.”
So, in other words, the Court finds that some people may have been there and could have made babies. Wow, a real surprising find!
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Maybe they’re reading Russian newspapers?
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/reports-of-polygamy-story-vary-across-the-world
This is a slap against any believer.The L.D.S. church is just the vehicle for the secularist to put christians in their place.They are smiling over this.We all must be diligent and not let the courts define what they want us to be or how we should worship. Remember the first amendment.
It’s interesting, though, to think about how many of the secularists are in favor of gay marriage but against any sort of polygamy. Apparently, Little Janie can have two moms, just as long as they’re not both married to Janie’s one dad.
That aside, I think you’ll find that the evangelicals in Texas are none too sad to see what’s going on with the FLDS. When I was in Texas as an LDS (not FLDS, I must add) missionary, I experienced some pretty mean-spirited “Christians” who were not the least bit interested in loving those who believed differently than them. This is going to be their opportunity to “save” FLDS kids.
I agree with you that a lot of so-called Christians show animosity toward LDS . They aren’t comfortable with anything they feel out of ordinary with their own beliefs. I heard a lot of people say things about JFK being a catholic and that they would never vote for him to be president.
Most of the problem is not understanding or the willingness to understand the others point of view.
You are right that this is the time for people to do the right thing but don’t hold your breath.
You should remember the Branch Devidians. They thought different than most and look what happened. They killed the kids they said they cared for . They burned them alive . So much for the caring Clinton Administration that could have arrested Coresh in town that same day. Instead they wanted to make a statement.
Now I ask you , how much did this country scream about the travesty? Not much! It was a disgrace.