Jeffs - Definitely Worse than Smith

[_beastie]

I listened to some exFLDS on news shows last night discussing the case. Their comments make it appear that having orgies with multiple wives is not part of FLDS teachings or practices.

So this will be an interesting "real" experiment with the concept of True Believers. Sooner or later, no matter how cloistered the community is, members will find out he was having group sex with multiple young wives. Will that be enough to shock True Believers, to make them re-evaluate their belief in Jeffs as prophet?

Or will they find a way to rationalize it and retain their True Belief?

Here's one member, who still believes in FLDS, but no longer supports Jeffs:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/51712 ... p.html.csp

If other members of the FLDS saw the evidence filtering out, most of which has yet to be made public, he believes they wouldn’t support Jeffs.

"I don’t know of anyone I associate with within the church [that] would defend or endorse what Mr. Jeffs has done," he said.

Of course, it sounds like he wants to be the FLDS's new leader.

And other polygamous groups denounce Jeffs.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52328 ... s.html.csp

[_truth dancer]

Or will they find a way to rationalize it and retain their True Belief?

Yep.

I think True Believers will hold onto their belief and can rationalize anything and everything.

So long as people believe God is at the helm and the HG told them Jeffs was a prophet of God, pretty much anything can be rationalized and justified and excused.


When I read or hear of the justifications many LDS True Believers have for the despicable behaviors of Joseph Smith I am reminded that there is really nothing that would change their minds.

"We do not know all the information."
"You can't judge."
"You can't prove an angel didn't threaten Joseph Smith with a flaming sword."
"It wasn't that bad... really."
"Joseph Smith was just doing what he believed God wanted him to do."
"I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, so it doesn't matter."
"Prophets can make mistakes."
"He had a difficult job."
"His "wives," had a testimony of polygamy."
"His "wives," didn't have a problem so why should you."
"It was a test."
"If you haven't had confirmation that polygamy was of God, you are not in tune with the spirit."
"Polygamy was given to separate the chaff from the tares."
"Mary was only fourteen when she gave birth to Jesus."
"Presentism."

And, on and on it goes.


The more believers have invested in defending and supporting their beliefs and their leaders, the more difficult it will be to leave. So, my guess is most of the inner circle will remain true.

Sick.



~td~

[_beastie]

You're probably right, that most of the inner circle will remain true.

But I do have hope that those outside the circle of power may question, and those questions may lead to a new analysis of faith.

[_beastie]

This statement was actually in reference to Jeffs, but perfectly fits Smith as well:

If there are lessons for our society to take from this trial, one was already stated loud and clear by the jury: Rape, sexual abuse, and underage marriage can never be condoned. But the other lesson to be learned is this: Religious leaders have tremendous power and tremendous trust given to them. That trust is a delicate and sacred thing. When religious leaders use that trust well, then we can empower people and help them to grow in their relationship with God. We can help them transform and find meaning in their lives. But when we make God into a false idol whose primary purpose is to gratify our own needs at the expense of others, we dishonor ourselves, our community, and our Maker.

The underlined sentence is one of the best summaries I've seen of what Smith did.