Justice Department sues fundamentalist Mormon sect for discrimination

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | June 22, 2012 | Brad Knickerbocker

[Colofornian]

The US Justice Department has filed suit against the adjoining towns of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, communities populated largely by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).

...FLDS...controls most...law enforcement and other government services in those two communities...It is charged with discriminating against those who are not members of the FLDS.

The Justice Department...alleges...the cities’ joint police department “routinely uses its enforcement authority to enforce the edicts and will of the FLDS; fails to protect non-FLDS individuals from victimization by FLDS individuals; refuses to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies’ investigations of FLDS individuals; selectively enforces laws against non-FLDS; and uses its authority to facilitate unlawful evictions of non-FLDS, among other unlawful conduct...”

“The complaint also alleges that Colorado City, Hildale, Twin City Water Authority and Twin City Power have denied or unreasonably delayed providing water and electric service to non-FLDS residents, and that the municipalities refuse to issue building permits and prevent individuals from constructing or occupying existing housing because of the individuals’ religious affiliation...”

SNIP

“The Mormon Church...,” writes Debra Weyermann in a lengthy cover story in the current issue of High Country News magazine. “...has refused to condemn the FLDS, even though its spokesmen have often been asked to do so.”

Ms. Weyermann...is the author of “Answer Them Nothing: Bringing Down the Polygamous Empire of Warren Jeffs...”

...Jeffs is...serving a life sentence...for two counts of sexual assault of a child – girls ages 15 and 12...

...Jeffs...is widely believed to direct FLDS activities in Colorado City, Hildale, and elsewhere from his prison cell, including the assignment of wives.

"The cities' governments, including the Marshal's Office, have been deployed to carry out the will and dictates of FLDS leaders, particularly...Jeffs and the officials to whom he delegates authority," the... lawsuit states.

[Colofornian]

From the article: The US Justice Department has filed suit against the adjoining towns of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, communities populated largely by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS)...FLDS...controls most...law enforcement and other government services in those two communities...It is charged with discriminating against those who are not members of the FLDS. The Justice Department...alleges...the cities’ joint police department “routinely uses its enforcement authority to enforce the edicts and will of the FLDS; fails to protect non-FLDS individuals from victimization by FLDS individuals; refuses to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies’ investigations of FLDS individuals; selectively enforces laws against non-FLDS; and uses its authority to facilitate unlawful evictions of non-FLDS, among other unlawful conduct...” “The complaint also alleges that Colorado City, Hildale, Twin City Water Authority and Twin City Power have denied or unreasonably delayed providing water and electric service to non-FLDS residents, and that the municipalities refuse to issue building permits and prevent individuals from constructing or occupying existing housing because of the individuals’ religious affiliation...” ...Jeffs...is widely believed to direct FLDS activities in Colorado City, Hildale, and elsewhere from his prison cell, including the assignment of wives. "The cities' governments, including the Marshal's Office, have been deployed to carry out the will and dictates of FLDS leaders, particularly...Jeffs and the officials to whom he delegates authority," the... lawsuit states.

If the fundamentalist Mormon 'prophet' Warren Jeffs can still continue to direct all this while serving a life sentence, think of what the Salt Lake City 'prophet' can do -- free -- directing THE leader of the free world in D.C.

Both 'prophets' serve the SAME Mormon god who directed both to engage in polygamy -- including polygamy with young teens. (So you tell me with full guarantees what this Mormon 'god' will direct -- or not direct -- next)

[Colofornian]

This article reference fraud (welfare) and a “kid-glove approach” toward all the mayhem within the Utah side of the twin communities by mainstream Mormon people in authority in Utah.

[alloysteel]

....but it is OK to apply Shari’a law to the community.

The “Just-Us” Department sees no difficulty with that.

[Colofornian]

From the article: “The Mormon Church...,” writes Debra Weyermann in a lengthy cover story in the current issue of High Country News magazine. “...has refused to condemn the FLDS, even though its spokesmen have often been asked to do so.” Ms. Weyermann...is the author of “Answer Them Nothing: Bringing Down the Polygamous Empire of Warren Jeffs...”

Yes...the mainstream Mormon church "has refused to condemn the FLDS, even though its spokesmen have often been asked to do so."

I think they realize if they do that, they are likewise condemning the previous generations of mainstream Mormons who were like the current fundamentalists.

The article references Weyermann's article in the High Country News: FLDS continues abusive polygamist practices in Utah and Arizona

[the invisib1e hand]

If they had just a few pro-abortion Marxist power-junkies in places of power like Catholics do the govt would leave them alone.

[norwaypinesavage]

"If the fundamentalist Mormon 'prophet' Warren Jeffs can still continue to direct all this while serving a life sentence, think of what the Salt Lake City 'prophet' can do -- free -- directing THE leader of the free world in D.C. Both 'prophets' serve the SAME Mormon god who directed both to engage in polygamy -- including polygamy with young teens. (So you tell me with full guarantees what this Mormon 'god' will direct -- or not direct -- next)"

Are you "speaking in tongues", or simply babbling incoherently?

[blueunicorn6]

The mormon edict - obey and pay or get out of my way.

[combat_boots]

If the Feds win this, precedent is wide open for Dearborn, Hamtramk or however it’s spelled, Newberg, Carmel, IN.....etc.

[Colofornian]

(I’ll pray for someone with the gift of interpreting English to come along for you)

[Tennessee Nana]

The Justice Department...alleges...the cities’ joint police department “routinely uses its enforcement authority to enforce the edicts and will of the FLDS; fails to protect non-FLDS individuals from victimization by FLDS individuals; refuses to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies’ investigations of FLDS individuals; selectively enforces laws against non-FLDS; and uses its authority to facilitate unlawful evictions of non-FLDS, among other unlawful conduct...”
________________________________________________

But theyre only copying their Mormon prophet Brigham Young...

[norwaypinesavage]

"I’ll pray for someone with the gift of interpreting English to come along for you."

Thanks, However, I'm quite proficient in English.

[P-Marlowe]

As long as Eric Holder is in charge of the Justice Department I am suspect of the motives of the Justice Department in everything they do. Right now I would not sit on a Federal Jury for any criminal case because I'd have to say that I cannot trust any Federal Prosecutor.

They might have a legitimate reason to bring this suit, but I can't trust their motives in anything right now.

[VeniVidiVici]

[svcw]

THX 1138

[svcw]

Ironic that it actually is the flds who follow Joseph Smith and the BofM, where as the SLC lds do not.
I am surprised that the flds do not condemn the SLC lds or denounce them publicly.

[Neidermeyer]

Am I the only one that finds it amusing that this is being reported by a SCIENTOLOGY source?

[Colofornian]

Am I the only one that finds it amusing that this is being reported by a SCIENTOLOGY source?

Well Christian Science is NOT Scientology; however, it is a cult...so I guess your point still stands.

[ansel12]

Read it again, there is nothing confusing about it.

[svcw]

The problem is with the statement you are referring to, is that it is being compared to that nice family next door who is so pleasant and their lawn is always mowed or the co-worker in the lunch room brings in cookies or that kid at McDonald’s ‘is always just so polite’.
Those experiences do not square with what mormorism actually is, so it becomes easier to dismiss mormonism and go by these superficial dealings and fluff off the reality of the cult.

[ansel12]

The quote I posted and said was readable, was Colofornians at the bottom of her post 1.