Warren Jeffs's folly and the end of the FLDS Church

[_Dr. Shades]

You know, the more I think about it, the more INCREDIBLY STUPID Warren Jeffs's move to Texas seems.

Maybe I'm missing something, maybe there were other reasons that I'm unaware of, but my first guess is that Warren Jeffs decided to move his compound to Texas because of all the Tapestry Against Polygamy-type groups that were shedding a negative light on his group.

Assuming I'm right, I have to wonder what the problem was, since his rank-and-file followers are all cut off from the outside world anyway.

But when you think about it, he and his group had it "made in the shade" right where they were. Many of the authorities were unwilling to mess with them, probably for two reasons:

• Since they would've felt like hypocrites for "persecuting" these polygamists when, every Sunday, they listen to all the talks railing about the persecution that the government gave to their own polygamous ancestors back in the day, and
• All the negative publicity that the mainstream church would have to endure by collateral.

However, I find it unfathomable that they didn't understand that they'd have it much, much worse in Texas, where nobody has any polygamous ancestors to generate sympathy, and where nobody gives a fig whether the LDS church gets any negative publicity or not.

Anyway, regardless of the mindset which drove Jeff's folly, I believe that the end result will be the death of the FLDS church. Without all the young girls for "brides," what will the older males do? How will their perversions and excesses be transmitted to the next generation? It's not like any Texan women will be lining up to replace the liberated youngsters. All these female children will live in some sort of foster care until they turn 18, so until that time they'll be exposed to the real world, where information and education is freely accessible. Which of them will want to return once they have a choice to do so? I'm willing to bet money that the life they're entering into is far superior by all standards to the one they're leaving behind.

So, let's hear from you:

• Why do you think Warren Jeffs decided to move to Texas?
• Will the raid result in the death of the FLDS church? If not, why not?

[_Jason Bourne]

I do not know why he did it but I agree it will be their end.

Texans don't put up with garbage. Think Waco and David Koresh. Yes I know it was the feds but I bet there were a lot of Texans working for the feds that day.

[_karl61]

I guess they don't read history. They should know the laws protestants pass in government. Also moving to the heart of the Bible belt just didn't make sense. * insert picture of first bapist church buses escorted by police*

[_silentkid]

I find it unfathomable that they didn't understand that they'd have it much, much worse in Texas, where nobody has any polygamous ancestors to generate sympathy, and where nobody gives a fig whether the LDS church gets any negative publicity or not.

I served my mission in El Paso. There were a lot of members there who were descendants of the Colonia Juarez Mormon polygamists. Granted, most Texans don't consider El Paso to be part of Texas. ;)

So, let's hear from you:

• Why do you think Warren Jeffs decided to move to Texas?
• Will the raid result in the death of the FLDS church? If not, why not?

1. I read an online Newsweek article yesterday that suggested a couple of reasons why Warren Jeffs and his group decided to move to Texas: isolation and cheap land.

2. I'm not sure. I hope it does. It may just result in pushing these groups further into hiding. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[_asbestosman]

1. I dunno.

2. Hopefully it'll die, but I think it'll never die completely. I know a polygamist I met in Rotterdam (mr. Verkeerd) who was a polygamist. How he found willing women, I don't know. He seemed to be looking at another when I was there.

[_harmony]

You know, the more I think about it, the more INCREDIBLY STUPID Warren Jeff's move to Texas seems.

Weren't their assets frozen a couple of years ago, when this whole thing first came to light? How are they getting around that?

[_Mercury]

What, you are kidding, right? This will make them stronger in the long run.

[_Dr. Shades]

What, you are kidding, right? This will make them stronger in the long run.

Nope, I'm not kidding. And I highly doubt it can make their church stronger, since, unlike when Joseph Smith died, there's no longer a way to transmit it to the next generation.

[_Mercury]

What, you are kidding, right? This will make them stronger in the long run.

Nope, I'm not kidding. And I highly doubt it can make their church stronger, since, unlike when Joseph Smith died, there's no longer a way to transmit it to the next generation.

How many Branch Davidians are there now compared to when the numbers suddenly plummeted via the use of gas grenades and forms of ignition of said gas grenades?

Even Hale Boppers the Heavens Gate cult is growing. What is a way to determine if it has reached a high enough level of outright shock to the american people?

Is this Jonestown-worthy? Dunno. But it is in my opinion on par with Aum Shinrikyo.

Edit to add: manson family...how do they square up to culturally bound child rape and brainwashing?

[_Sethbag]

Guys, you forget that there are only a few hundred people at the YFZ Ranch. There are like 10,000 FLDS overall, and most of them are probably still in CC/Hilldale. This doesn't eliminate the children used to propagate the belief system to the next generation. There are plenty of those in CC/Hilldale left.

Also, what part of "Don't Mess With Texas" did Warren Jeffs not understand? Did he not get the memo?