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Hi. They are Mormons. The Hackings live in my stake. Lori's mother lives in another close by stake.

As I've said on other threads, the Hackings have 7 children. Three of my kids were friends with 3 of the Hacking kids -- not Mark -- in high school. In each instance, they said the Hackings (2 daughters and 1 son) were among the nicest people they knew.

Mark Hacking's parents are, according to everyone who knows them, salt of the earth. I've met them both in business settings, and they were kind, unaffected, and friendly.

You notice that the families have not given any press conferences since it became increasingly clear that Mark was the culprit. In the last conference I heard, their spokesman (Thelma Soares' Stake President) said the families had heard all the press reports. They were not in denial. And they were preparing themselves for the worst.

They all love Mark, including Thelma Soares. They gave him the benefit of the doubt for as long as they could. But Mark's family were also saying last week that they had full confidence in law enforcement. They were not claiming his innocence. Now, it's clear that the Hacking family has been cooperating with police to resolve this.

I don't think Thelma Soares' reaction has anything to do with the "head of household" theory. I think it has to do with the fact that she has known the Hacking family for years, and knows what good people they are. She knows that they have been as blindsided by Mark's life of lies as she was.

The only connection to Mormon theology that I see is this: To a Mormon parent, the most important thing in the world is the spiritual development of our children. We believe in eternal families. In order for us to have our families for eternity, however, its members must observe the tenets of the religion. In short, the family of the murder victim loses that child for this life. The family of the murderer loses that child for eternity.

Even if you're not a Mormon, I think the feelings would be the same. Ask yourself, which is worse? To have your beloved child be murdered by a monster, or to have your beloved child become that monster?

In the early 90's, my cousin's son (Mormon), was horrifically murdered by an ex-con (Catholic). As he was convicted, his poor, sweet parents came weeping to my cousin and her husband to express their sorrow over what their son had done, and to say, "Please forgive us, we still love him."

As much as Thelma Soares is grieving for her loss, as a compassionate person, she is also grieving for Doug and Janet Hacking's loss.

It's late in the day and I am just now ck-ing in. Thank you for clarifying how the families being Mormon fits in with their reactions at this time.

I have prayed for my children since before they were born and still do and always will and I say God forbid that either one ever get themselves in a nightmarish mess of any kind. If that were to happen, again, God forbid, I would stand by them and love them always.

L.L., you say, 'The family of the murderer loses that child for eternity.'

What about repentance? What about the forgiveness of the Lord? With that the child wouldn't be lost for eternity; that child would be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb ... let the water and the Blood from Thy wounded side which flowed, be for the sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.