Utah-based polygamous group makes statement
Below is a press statement sent out Tuesday by the Apostolic United Brethren, the largest polygamous group in Utah. It has about 10,000 members, though that is likely an undercount. Most members live in the Salt Lake Valley, but the group also has members in Rocky Ridge, the Cedar City area and Pinesdale, Montana.
It is currently building a new community in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Here is the statement:
To whom it may concern,
In light of the recent news activity regarding the FLDS Church and polygamy, the AUB is issuing a press release. The Apostolic United Brethren is a legally-recognized religion based in Utah, with members living primarily throughout the western United States as well as Mexico.
We are a Christian-based, Mormon religious group, that has our roots in the original Gospel restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800's. We regard ourselves as the original Mormons, and can trace our authority and doctrines back to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Although Plural Celestial marriage, or as others call it, ''Polygamy,'' is one of our basic tenets, we also hold dear many other beliefs that have the Bible and Jesus Christ at their core, and consider ourselves to be Bible-believing Christians. We recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and acknowledge that without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost.
In the same way that there are many Christian religions that differ in doctrines, beliefs, and tenets, so there are many Mormon religions that differ in doctrines, beliefs, and tenets. Although we have the fundamental beliefs of Mormonism at our core, and many call us 'fundamentalists,' we strongly differ in many beliefs from the FLDS Church that has been so much in the public eye as of late.
Because of this confusion, and because many ''tar us with the same brush'' so to speak, we have decided to provide a Press Release that is available for immediate publication.
Apostolic United Brethren
Dedicated to the Betterment of Mankind
2031 West 13730 South
Riverton, UT 84065
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE ISSUE
In light of the current events surrounding the beliefs and practices of the many polygamous communities, the leadership of the Apostolic United Brethren would like to clarify to the public that:
1. We are, and always have been, wholly opposed to abuse and oppression of any kind, and we feel it our duty to promptly report any suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement authorities.
2. We do not encourage or permit 'child-bride' marriages or arranged marriages. Instead, it is a fundamental principle of our faith that it is the sacred privilege of all, male and female, when they are adequately mature, to choose whom they will marry. Forced, arranged, or assigned marriages are not a part of our belief or practice.
3. We try to encourage our people to take care of their own needs and to entirely avoid any reliance upon the government. Though there are some members of our faith who may have received government assistance, they are encouraged to become self-sustaining as soon as possible. Our teachings are to be honorable in all our financial dealings which includes full payment of all required taxes as well as avoiding debt.
4. Although we have not had any affiliation with the FLDS for nearly 60 years due to some of these very issues, we are nevertheless deeply concerned that Texas state agencies have violated God given and constitutional rights of the FLDS community at the YFZ ranch contrary to principles and freedoms that iconic America stands for. The investigation of alleged criminal activity should not lead to the unnecessary suffering of innocent babies, toddlers, and older children - there are better and more responsible ways to solve this problem.
In summary, we do not support abuse of any kind, and feel that the perpetrator, whether it be an individual, a group, or a government, ought to be held accountable for perpetrating abuse. We believe in being honest in our financial dealings and in providing for our own people. We are appreciative of this good country in which we are allowed to worship Almighty God and we willingly pay our taxes so that these and other freedoms may be enjoyed by all. We do not condone underage, assigned, or incestuous relationships. We abhor compulsion and oppression in all its forms and support those laws that seek to properly address these issues.
THE APOSTOLIC UNITED BRETHREN
It is currently building a new community in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
Here is the statement:
To whom it may concern,
In light of the recent news activity regarding the FLDS Church and polygamy, the AUB is issuing a press release. The Apostolic United Brethren is a legally-recognized religion based in Utah, with members living primarily throughout the western United States as well as Mexico.
We are a Christian-based, Mormon religious group, that has our roots in the original Gospel restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800's. We regard ourselves as the original Mormons, and can trace our authority and doctrines back to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Although Plural Celestial marriage, or as others call it, ''Polygamy,'' is one of our basic tenets, we also hold dear many other beliefs that have the Bible and Jesus Christ at their core, and consider ourselves to be Bible-believing Christians. We recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and acknowledge that without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost.
In the same way that there are many Christian religions that differ in doctrines, beliefs, and tenets, so there are many Mormon religions that differ in doctrines, beliefs, and tenets. Although we have the fundamental beliefs of Mormonism at our core, and many call us 'fundamentalists,' we strongly differ in many beliefs from the FLDS Church that has been so much in the public eye as of late.
Because of this confusion, and because many ''tar us with the same brush'' so to speak, we have decided to provide a Press Release that is available for immediate publication.
Apostolic United Brethren
Dedicated to the Betterment of Mankind
2031 West 13730 South
Riverton, UT 84065
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE ISSUE
In light of the current events surrounding the beliefs and practices of the many polygamous communities, the leadership of the Apostolic United Brethren would like to clarify to the public that:
1. We are, and always have been, wholly opposed to abuse and oppression of any kind, and we feel it our duty to promptly report any suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement authorities.
2. We do not encourage or permit 'child-bride' marriages or arranged marriages. Instead, it is a fundamental principle of our faith that it is the sacred privilege of all, male and female, when they are adequately mature, to choose whom they will marry. Forced, arranged, or assigned marriages are not a part of our belief or practice.
3. We try to encourage our people to take care of their own needs and to entirely avoid any reliance upon the government. Though there are some members of our faith who may have received government assistance, they are encouraged to become self-sustaining as soon as possible. Our teachings are to be honorable in all our financial dealings which includes full payment of all required taxes as well as avoiding debt.
4. Although we have not had any affiliation with the FLDS for nearly 60 years due to some of these very issues, we are nevertheless deeply concerned that Texas state agencies have violated God given and constitutional rights of the FLDS community at the YFZ ranch contrary to principles and freedoms that iconic America stands for. The investigation of alleged criminal activity should not lead to the unnecessary suffering of innocent babies, toddlers, and older children - there are better and more responsible ways to solve this problem.
In summary, we do not support abuse of any kind, and feel that the perpetrator, whether it be an individual, a group, or a government, ought to be held accountable for perpetrating abuse. We believe in being honest in our financial dealings and in providing for our own people. We are appreciative of this good country in which we are allowed to worship Almighty God and we willingly pay our taxes so that these and other freedoms may be enjoyed by all. We do not condone underage, assigned, or incestuous relationships. We abhor compulsion and oppression in all its forms and support those laws that seek to properly address these issues.
THE APOSTOLIC UNITED BRETHREN
21 Comments:
Brooke,
I hope you will add your own observations to this right away. The groups seems to bolster the allegations that the FLDS actively "bleeds the beast". Against this when Texas Judge Woodward testified before the Texas Finance Committee last week he said that to his knowledge the FLDS members at the YFZ Ranch were not getting welfare payments and pointed out that the Ranch was the 3rd largest taxpayer in Schliecher County, paying some 400,000 dollars a year into the county collections totally only some 2 million dollars. That was his "understanding". His entire testimony was televised and is on the Senate Finance Committee's website.
Of course, they left out the part that they wanted to be left alone to continue to violate felony laws on Bigamy.
This AUB release is consistent with the statement former AUB leader Owen Allred said in an article published by the Salt Lake Tribune on 25 Feb 2001. “We are not opposed to laws preventing parents or anyone else using force or intimidation to get a girl to marry against her will before she is of the age of eighteen.”
The AUB and the FLDS used to be the same group 60+ years ago. Looks like the FLDS have proven themselves to be the wrong choice of the two. The AUB seem to be the more rational of the polygamist sects, if a polygamist sect can be considered rational!
TxBluesMan went on about ". . .continue to violate felony laws. . ."
Crimes? Umm, then why hasn't anyone been charged? It's been 6 weeks and the only criminal charge (one) has been nolle prosed; ie the charge was dropped like a hot potato.
Or are you saying that the CPS operation (not about any crimes) was a fishing expedition —an expensive one and one that has permanently damaged hundreds of children— to find 'evidence' of this dastardly crime of consenting adults living together?
Beat that drum TBM. Bigamy is against the law! It's against the law! Waaahhh!!!
So is sodomy but those laws are ignored, kids are raised by homosexuals and the practice is taught as acceptable in our schools. What's the difference? Where is CPS to go snatch all the children of homosexuals? Ater all they're involved in illegal sexual relationships AND teaching their children that an illegal sexual activity is acceptable. Isn't that sexual abuse according to CPS? They may even teach them it's okay for THEM to become criminals (homosexuals) some day. Doesn't make much sense when you replace homosexual for polygamist does it?
If it's okay for homosexuals to break sodomy laws and flout it publicly and it's even okay to teach school children that the behavior is acceptable (remember, it's against the law!) then what is the big deal about polygamy? Why the double standard?
Unless states are going to start enforcing their sodomy laws the fact that they go after polygamists because it's "against the law" is just an excuse to persecute specific religious groups.
Unfortunately, since SCOTUS overturned Lawrence vs Texas on June 26, 2003, invalidating all sodomy laws in the USA, sodomy has been legal in all 50 states.
Fortunately, it's likely that the same case law above will be used to decriminalize bigamy in cases where the charged bigamy amounts to nothing more than polygynous cohabitation.
Ironically, Evangelicals in Texas will likely be 'blamed' for *both* results.
They certainly are the ones to be blamed for the first result: sodomy criminal laws invalidated.
They likely will be the ones in the future to be blaed for the second likely future result: bigamy criminal laws invalidated in the case of polygynous cohabitation.
This FLDS raid is the likely case that will produce the second result.
Lawrence vs Texas on June 26, 2003
oh yes, that's right. Legislating consentual adults sexual activity is an invasion of their constitutional rights. :oP
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Singing "Happy birthday to you" violates copyright laws. How many states are prosecuting this terrible crime? ;)
Quite frankly, polygamy among consenting adults is as morally harmless as singing "happy birthday to you."
Subparte,
You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that a polygamous community in Utah is committing a felony. Bigamy there, as it is here in Texas, is a felony. Their own release (AUB) speaks of polygamy, a crime.
As to the FLDS case?
You don’t have to have a suspect identified to have a crime. Burglaries occur all over the nation, many times without anyone ever be identified as a suspect or charged. The same with murders – which is the reason many police departments have ‘cold case’ files.
On the other hand, a pregnant female child under the age of consent is prima facie evidence that Sexual Assault was committed, as is the presence of an underage female with babies of her own.
The Bishop’s Record is evidence in the FLDS members own hand of bigamy and illegal marriages of underage girls.
I would advise patience – the DNA results are not yet back, the Grand Jury is not yet in session, and justice will be served.
LOL @ gems, er, Lester.
Do some legal research. Lawrence specifically does not apply to the public institution of marriage, especially bigamous marriages to underage child brides.
You may want to look at Shepherdizing the case instead of basing your position on a dissent (i.e., the losing side).
But, if you want to believe in that and the Tooth Fairy, go ahead....
Regina,
I for one am not interested in forcing change down anyones throat. I am however a firm believer that those that commit felonies belong in prison.
So if they are OK with committing the crime, we'll provide the time for them to reflect on the errors of their ways.
If you're not a cop, trying to 'play' an attorney, then put your identity up on your blog, TexasBluesMan.
Until that time, you're a cop.
Period.
Now, one thing you're right about is that extending Lawrence vs Texas from sodomy to polygynous-cohabitation-under-the-false-cloak-of-bigamy
will have as much effect on marriage policy as far as polygyny is concerned as decriminalizing sodomy laws made same sex marriage legal. Which is, namely, none. SCOTUS can and has shot down the sex police while leaving marriage policy alone, thank you very much. They can walk and chew gum at the same time.
What I *love* about the Texas situation is that you've essentially created an ENTRAPMENT scenario thru your 'common law' informal marriage scheme that was specifically updated and designed to entrap FLDS at the YFZ ranch.
That's going to make it even *easier* to extend Lawrence vs Texas from sodomy to polygynous co-habitation.
The only bad thing about you idiots in Texas is that your idiocy is CONSISTENT.
I wish you had figured out a scheme that WAS constitutional since you were dead set on prosecuting gays up thru June 26, 2003.
We have you idiot Texans now to partially thank for what has already happened in MA and CA.
Ironically, it is Evangelicals and their ALMOST COMPLETE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING of marriage and divorce and sex issues in the Bible that has caused
* the confusion of gender roles in society
* transvestites
* sodomy
* same sex marriage
and a whole list of other societal ills.
Judgement first begins at the 'house of God.'
As far as underage brides are concerned, SCOTUS won't support that...
...but bring only consenting FLDS adults up on 'bigamy' charges in Texas, and polygynists all across America will be sending you gifts and thank you notes for another Lawrence vs Texas like decision, this time for polygynists.
What's the definition of insanity?
Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?
That's Texas...
TBM
"...You don’t have to have a suspect identified to have a crime."
At least having a victim helps.
One pregnant under age of consent is not always a victim of a crime.
One of the 5 CPS alleges is now 22 YO. That could not be under Texas jurisdiction if it is even accurate.
From the 3rd:
- Under Texas law, it is not sexual assault to have consensual sexual intercourse with a minor spouse to whom one is legally married;
- ...there was no evidence regarding the marital status of these girls when they became pregnant or the circumstances under which they became pregnant.
This resembles a manager watching his boxer get his azz beat and talking about how well he'll do in the next fight.
You do need a suspect AND a victim.
johnlester, as always, you remain an idiot.
kbp,
Exactly how were they legally married?
That dog won't hunt, and you know it.
You might want to check out May It Please the Court - Craig Williams lays it out fairly well.
TxBluesMan says ". . . The Bishop’s Record is evidence"
Don't be so sure, the warrants certainly can't stand federal scrutiny. The chain to obtain this 'evidence' is tainted at every level and in every way.*
Then there's the problem of whether this list is concerning crime . . . or not. Most mainstream christians eat the flesh and drink the blood of a person . . . or maybe not. Whether 'spiritual marriages' are 'real' bigamous marriages under Texas law is yet to be seen. IMO it's very possible they are, but to get to there the state has to cross the religious barrier.
That's where the 5th Circuit is going to tear somebody a new one. The shame is IMO there may have been crimes (real ones) but the 'we hate this cult' approach has tainted any hope of getting realistic convictions.
* The Appellate decision certainly gave no credence to the list, citing "there was no evidence" over and over and over.
Actually, it will be much easier for the warrants to pass Federal muster than State muster, although I am confident that they will pass muster on both. Remember, of all the jurisdictions in the U.S., Texas has the toughest standards on the exclusionary rule...
Additionally, you are misrepresenting the opinion of the 3rd Court of Appeals. The 'no evidence' you speak of dealt with male children and pre-pubescent females, and it did not state that there was in fact no evidence at all, just that there was none on the record of that one hearing.
Also, the opinion does not remove the children from the jurisdiction of the trial court. Additional hearings may proceed, with additional evidence being presented.
Finally, the opinion is being appealed, and stands a decent chance of being reversed. It seems relatively clear that the 3rd Court of Appeals abused its discretion in granting the mandamus, applied the wrong standard, and did not follow precedent.
The 'no evidence' you speak of dealt with male children and pre-pubescent females, and it did not state that there was in fact no evidence at all, just that there was none on the record of that one hearing.
>>>Wrong again, Blues. Regarding the 3rd's comments about the 5 pregnant teenagers, they went out of their way to state that all the state had proved was that they were pregnant.
Girls pregnant in that age frame can be pregnant legally in Texas, as the 3rd pointed out.
You want me to further embarrass you on this point by copying and pasting directly from the 3rd's decision?
There's virtually nothing re: this case that you've been right on, including your proclamations that Walther hadn't ever been overruled and she certainly wasn't going to be overruled in this case.
You're not good enough to even be considered an *average* cop...
PS Regarding your statement:
'just that there was none on the record of that one hearing.'
Well, 'genius,' that was the ONLY hearing that was held...that circus that your 'hero' Walther conducted...for all 460+ kids at once...with their attorneys all but tied up and gagged, most of them herded off into another room with only a barely working closed circuit TV trained on Walther's ugly mug.
The real miracle here is that vigilante justice hasn't broken out...against Walther and the CPS.
And people like you Blues...the American people have about had it up to here with OUR PUBLIC SLAVES.
That's right Blues...you're paid with my tax dollars...you're MY SLAVE.
And your kind is going to start doing what I and other slave owners like myself tell you to do...our else.
TxBluesMan said "It seems relatively clear that the 3rd Court of Appeals abused its discretion"
No attorneys are claiming that, not even the CPS appeal. In fact, you're the only one in the state saying that at all.
TxBluesMan said "Texas has the toughest standards on the exclusionary rule..." LOL
No, Texas will admit cow poop for evidence if they use warrants created by known hoaxes. That's what the original warrant was from: A call known to be false. It was so fake even the hotline worker wouldn't testify to it.
We can hear it now: 'Quick Herrara, call them and ask if they have Prince Albert in a can. Then we can raid the place with warrants for kidnapping.'
It makes Texas law look silly, shady . . or worse.
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you say you pay your taxes... interesting because I believe it is my taxes that pay for your children to attend public schools. Your "Pinesdale Corporation" allows for households to avoid taxes as they are paid in a completely different manner as a single corporation. Sounds like a nice cheat legal loophole you've got there.
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