[mcmama]

What is the relationship between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the "Fundamentalist" church that still practices polygamy? What is being done within the Mormon community to help young people like the "Lost Boys" who are getting tv publicity for being expelled from their homes for not "following the rules" and young girls who want to escape polygamy? Does the Mormon church have an outreach to those young people?

On TV, in the news, it looks like this is the Mormon church - and I know it is not. There is coverage of secular groups helping these kids to "get away". Are the regular Mormons helping these families?

Not trying to start an argument, just wondered how this is structured and what is being done to help these kids.

[senecker]

The Mormon( LDS ) church has nothing to do with the fundamentalist group. It is unfortunate that they use part of the same name as it does create confusion. I know there are many groups in the community that help people who want to get away from polygamist groups but I have not heard of any official LDS church sponsored group. The church does so much for so many groups in the community that I can't immagine that they don't provide some kind of help or support. But like I said I have never heard of anything being done "officially".
It is really sad to see the damage that is done to so many becuase of a few leaders who do what they do.

[choppy]

It's my understanding you are either LDS or you are not. There's no such think as a fundamentalist Mormon.

[cocotbo]

Looks to me like we need some actual Latter Day Saints in this conversation. A bunch of non-Mormons speculating and pontificating could only lead to trouble!

[Tsunshine]

Okay, I am LDS and just want to add that the polygamist groups or "Fundamentalist Mormons" are break offs from the LDS Church. After the LDS Church stopped praticing polygamy in the 1880's, some groups decided to continue the practice. They refer to themselves as Mormons because they still believe in the Book of Mormon and doctrines taught by Joseph Smith, but they are not members of the LDS Church. Since polygamy is not practiced by members of the LDS Church any person who does practice polygamy is excommunicated. I know it can be confusing.

I am not aware of a specific organization within the LDS Church to help those that want to break away from polygamy. But the LDS Church does contribute in great amounts to welfare shelters and womens homes in Utah, that are open to those who want to leave the polygamist life-style. I am also aware of some LDS members themselves sheltering and helping those who want to leave polygamy. The problem is that often minors are involved and the only way they can be taken from their parents, without legal consequences, is through the state welfare system. If the LDS Church interfered they would face legal consequences as well.

[cesalima]

The Fundamentalist Mormon Church is not a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in any way shape or form. Many of them trace their roots back to the early times in the church 1840 to 1895 when plural marriage was practiced. Whether you agreed with the original practice of it or not is a mute point. By decree of a prophet of God, Wilford Woodruf, plural marriage was stopped and no longer practiced or condoned by the church in 1895. Anyone practicing polygamy CANNOT be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Lost Boys -- sadly, lost boys can only be helped if they want to be helped. What is going on in Colorado City is one of the saddest things I've seen in a long time. At the whim of evil men families are torn apart when fathers are deemed disloyal and kicked out of their homes, their jobs and their lives. Children are without fathers, wives without husbands. They are then, like cattle, given to another man and so the cycle of wickedness continues.

The men who have been kicked out have the option of taking their families and leaving, which will probably never happen. If they so desire, they could come to understand they have been led down the primrose path, so to speak, and turn for help. By virtue of their lifestyle, they have secluded themselves, do not trust lightly or speak to strangers. They don't trust the government (city, state or federal), they don't trust other people --- who are they to turn to when they need help? There are organizations, funded and run by Latter-day Saints, to aid people like this. I am certain these lost boys have been contacted to see if they wish to remove themselves permanently from the polygamous lifestyle or they simply wish to rid the Fundamentalist church of its current leadership, restore themselves in their polygamous homes and continue on. It really depends on what their true intentions are.

So yes, there is help there for them, if they really want it. If you anymore questions, please let me know.

Candace Salima

[cocotbo]

For those of you who are curious but uninformed on this subject, here is a bit of background information on the subject:

Who are the "Lost Boys"?
"They are teenage boys who have been forced out of the Fundamentalist LDS Church in Hildale and Colorado City. Advocates say they have documented hundreds of cases of the so-called "Lost Boys," who have been booted from the polygamous church for committing "sins" such as kissing a girl or wearing shirtsleeves that are too short." See article below.

'Lost Boys' may get help with life skills
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635202365,00.html

Lost Boys, other teens get break from new law
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3778307?source=rss


Be informed. Opinions based upon ignorance just make you look stupid.

[Mim23]

I feel that Candace stated everything perfectly. Polygamy is not tolerated in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is sad that so many people get confused about that. It is also a sad cycle. I am glad that they have set up programs and passed laws to help those that choose to leave the polygamous communities.

[writerchick]

I am LDS and don't know much about the Lost Boys besides what I read in People magazine a while back (they did a fine reporting job, by the way), but I do know of individuals who stay anonymous who help these boys and many others in desperate situations. That's one thing you can say about LDS people in general--they are willing to lend a helping hand, whatever the circumstance, and don't need or want any publicity for it.

That said, since the LDS church is not affiliated in any way with these polygamous sects (and there are many, each with different leaders with different ideas), I would imagine the best response would be a community-based effort from anyone with a big heart, no matter what the religion.