Books on FLDS

[TealMermaid]

Arial teal large

Hi. I'm new here. This summer I've read 3 excellent books on the FLDS.

"Escape" by Carolyn Jessop-Her story of getting out with her 8 children! And she honestly tells what it's like to live as a polygamist woman, and it's awful!!!

"Stolen Innocence" by Elissa Wall. She is the woman that the Warren Jeffs trial was about. When she was 14, he forced her to marry her 19 year old cousin. It was a nightmare, and thank God she too go out.

"When Men Become Gods" by Stephen Singular. This book was more of an overview of the Mormon polygamist culture, and also interesting, but not personal like the other two.

It sickens and saddens me that women and children are basically living in bondage in this country. Women/girls are told to "keep sweet' and not express negative feelings. The husband usually has a favorite wife,who gets better treatment. Yes there is plenty of resentment. Don't believe what those women, who come on tv say.

[walton]

:seeya: Welcome to the board TealMermaid



Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/krakauer/

The Polygamist A history of Colorado City Arizona by Ben Bistline
http://www.xpolygamist.com/thepolygamists.html


There are so many books out there I can hardly wait to get started. I was kinda waiting...... But I thought I'd start.

I've just recently ordered the books you mentioned above and then the most recent book written about Mountain Meadows Massacre written by Ronald Walker, Richard Turley and Glen Leonard.

http://www.kensandersbooks.com/ksb/pr/2008_08_08_mountainmeadows.html

Prisons of the Mind
By Kasiah May Hancock

Here is a page of different books and their descriptions: http://thehopeorg.org/books.html

I am anxiously waiting for the UPS guy to show up.

[thecallup]

I visit Utah regularly, and to be honest, I love the place. Yes, for sure one will chance upon an area that is somewhat unusual in appearance. When this happens most people including the woman simply want you to leave.

That is rare and in fact has only happened to me personally, once. I find the Utah public to be helpful, friendly and somehow down to earth.

Prior to visiting personally, I had heard a lot of bad press. I am not minimizing the suffering or the wrongness of what took place in Texas. I am simply stating as an outsider of the LDS religion and the state of Utah, I was more than pleasantly surprised at the standard of living there and the relative freedom of the locals. They seemed contented, at least from where I was standing.

I might add............I generally pick up on undercurrents with people. I never take the surface, educational credentials, financial situation etc into consideration. These things are merely superficial. I can sense what's going on under the surface with people and I can say that I was impressed with the Utahnians. :)

[walton]

Callup I agree Utah is a beautiful state.

You mentioned that you could pick up on undercurrents with people, what do you suppose that is/was? Secrets wanting to be told? Not wanting to tell secrets?

You also mentioned that after arriving in certain areas that the women folk would want you to leave. Why do you suppose that is?

I think I understand what you are talking about. It is hard to put into words but yet the feeling is there.

[thecallup]

Originally posted by walton
Callup I agree Utah is a beautiful state.

You mentioned that you could pick up on undercurrents with people, what do you suppose that is/was? Secrets wanting to be told? Not wanting to tell secrets?

You also mentioned that after arriving in certain areas that the women folk would want you to leave. Why do you suppose that is?

I think I understand what you are talking about. It is hard to put into words but yet the feeling is there. [/*]

By the expression "picking up on undercurrents" I meant I can usually discern what's truly going on with a person. Of course it's only to an extent, but I can generally tell when someone is trying to create an impression. I don't think that it's necessarily wrong to do such, as we all wear a mask in public to a certain extent. People need privacy, and we choose our close associates, and those that we could and would completely bare our hearts to over time.

I can usually pick up when a person 'wants' others to see or perceive them in a certain light. Sometimes it's just logic that would suggest why they want to be seen as such. This subject is a bottomless well. I will admit, however, my gut instinct is also wrong at times.

Must go! Thanks for the enquiry! Take care:).

[thecallup]

Originally posted by grammybear
Welcome to new members. Utah is a very beautiful place. But since I live in Utah I am probably biased. I have found that you will find good and bad no matter where you go. Utah is no exception. I think part of the reason the FLDS women want outsiders gone is because they have been told all their life to avoid the outside world at all costs. I think a lot of that comes from their stand on the outside world is evil. It is really sad when a culture cuts themselves off like this group has because it could open open up a whole new world for them but that is something that the FLDS do not want you to do.

jmoo [/*]

I agree, there is a lot of women in Utah that seem to very hemmed in. As for "the whole new world", I believe that's a relative issue. What is new and good in my eyes and opinion may not be in someone elses. I live in a neighborhood that has many Asian Indians. They have a lot of extended family in their homes. They also walk a lot, instead of driving. That's their culture and they find much contentment from their lifestyle. I would agree that their values are wholesome and beneficial. Many would disagree, however. You may think that LDS women living in Utah are deprived of the pleasures that other walks of life offer. It might not be their idea of pleasure. You don't need to try out a lifestyle to know that you simply don't want it. It's down to the individual. I know that their belief system is flawed on many levels, but they have a tight knit social network and look out for each other a lot. They keep an eye out for each others homes, kids etc. That type of vigilance and community spirit is often missing in the affluent regions, were people have much "pleasure" and "variety" in their lives.

[TealMermaid]

Hi everyone and thanks for the welcomes!

To the Callup, please read one of the books Walton and I have posted. There is a big difference between LDS and FLDS. The FLDS women are conditioned, controlled, and denied access to the outside world. It amazes me that some find the courage to get out.:seeya:

[thecallup]

Originally posted by TealMermaid
Hi everyone and thanks for the welcomes!

To the Callup, please read one of the books Walton and I have posted. There is a big difference between LDS and FLDS. The FLDS women are conditioned, controlled, and denied access to the outside world. It amazes me that some find the courage to get out.:seeya: [/*]

Sure, we'll do a deal. Both your dear self and Walton read "Necessary Illusions" and I'll read your recs.

Then in one week's time, we'll all log on and compare notes!!!!

Isn't that exciting???? I'm so looking forward to it:seeya:

[walton]

Originally posted by thecallup


Sure, we'll do a deal. Both your dear self and Walton read "Necessary Illusions" and I'll read your recs.

Then in one week's time, we'll all log on and compare notes!!!!

Isn't that exciting???? I'm so looking forward to it:seeya: [/*]

Oh yeah sure... I just ordered 5 books and you want me to read this? One weeks time? I haven't gotten my other books yet.


I think I understand what you are saying and all I can say is that a person must sometimes read inbetween the lines.

Think big picture. jmo

[juliekan]

Originally posted by thecallup


Sure, we'll do a deal. Both your dear self and Walton read "Necessary Illusions" and I'll read your recs.

Then in one week's time, we'll all log on and compare notes!!!!

Isn't that exciting???? I'm so looking forward to it:seeya: [/*]

But does Noam address anything but the media's affect on societal views? Are we to totally ignore the viewpoints of all the people who have actually lived in an FLDS society?

[TealMermaid]

Originally posted by thecallup


Sure, we'll do a deal. Both your dear self and Walton read "Necessary Illusions" and I'll read your recs.

Then in one week's time, we'll all log on and compare notes!!!!

Isn't that exciting???? I'm so looking forward to it:seeya: [/*]

I'll request your book at the library, but I doubt I'll get it and read it in one weeks time.

"Escape" and "Stolen Innocence" are both written by women who lived as polygamist wives in FLDS. These books are not outsiders opinions.

[debinNC]

Originally posted by thecallup


[snip]... I live in a neighborhood that has many Asian Indians. They have a lot of extended family in their homes. They also walk a lot, instead of driving. That's their culture and they find much contentment from their lifestyle. I would agree that their values are wholesome and beneficial. Many would disagree, however. ..[snip]. [/*]

What if these Asian Indians living in America sincerely believed and taught their children that their "scriptures" demanded widows burn themselves up (sati) on their husband's funeral pyre? What if this decision was "voluntary"? Should they be left to practice their religion without outside intervention? Is continuing to teach their children that their faith requires obeying this religious "principle" okay?

What if some Chinese Americans believed that binding the feet of their baby girls was an act of love? If their "scriptures" required it, would crippling their children be alright? To me, that's what the FLDS are doing, mentally and emotionally crippling helpless children. That they believe they're acting out of love is no excuse imo.

[noway]

Originally posted by juliekan


But does Noam address anything but the media's affect on societal views? Are we to totally ignore the viewpoints of all the people who have actually lived in an FLDS society? [/*]

If the Noam that you speak of is Chomsky, then the answer to your question is no.

That being said, however, the ability for any capitalist society's government to dictate global trade and simultaneously appear to be liberal, is unfailingly the result of a controlled media.

[walton]

Today I recieved 2 out of the 5 books I ordered.

Tis a good day for Walton.