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Did fellow Mormons cover up officer's baby molestations?
Idaho Statesman ^ | Dec. 12, 2010 | Patrick Orr

Posted on 12/13/2010 1:28:49 PM PST by Colofornian

...As many as 15 people who knew...Boise police officer...confessed to molesting babies...face no criminal charges.

...deputies...determined...leaders of...Latter-day Saints congregation that Stephen R. Young attended can’t be charged because of...clergy privilege law.

SNIP

...Young turned himself in...March 2... That was about two months after church officials say they first talked to Young about his crimes.

SNIP

...Ada County prosecutors say...Steve Nelson sexually abused as many as four children over a 30-year period...Nelson confessed to molesting one child to LDS officials, who learned of the crime from the victim but did not report it.

More than 20 years later, Nelson pleaded guilty...In 2009, the woman he...abused as a preteenager...caught him molesting a 3-year-old girl, according to court records.

Before sending Nelson to...prison...Judge Darla Williamson told him: “I...don’t understand...why the church didn’t require that law enforcement be involved with you. Possibly...we would have at least one less victim.”

...Tim Ryan is serving...probation...after pleading guilty...to...sexual abuse...Detectives say...the case...was dropped when the girl’s family wouldn’t cooperate with investigators. About the time the case was dropped, prosecutors said, the girl met with Ryan and an LDS bishop.

The victim told the Idaho Statesman last week that she had to attend a meeting with an LDS bishop and Ryan where she was asked to forgive Ryan....

“...I was really scared...They wanted me to forgive him. I was 14. I was put on the spot. What are you going to say?”

SNIP

...investigators and...prosecutors say Young could have abused as many as 20...victims over a 30-year period... Prosecutors say Young’s victims were infants or babies, 21 months of age or younger...all...family members or children of friends.

SNIP

Young’s wife first mentions...LDS Church in a...journal entry...says Young “was relying on (the bishop). He said (the bishop) made a lot of calls to keep him from going to jail.”...

(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Moral Issues; Other Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormon; pedophile; sexualassault
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To: Paragon Defender

The truth. The post is about a baby molester and the protection given to him by lds.


41 posted on 12/14/2010 8:28:54 AM PST by svcw
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To: Hoodat

The post is about a baby molester and the protection lds gave him. Hardly anything to celebrate.


42 posted on 12/14/2010 8:29:53 AM PST by svcw
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To: ladyjane

My password is also Latin.:-)


43 posted on 12/14/2010 8:46:57 AM PST by verity
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To: verity

ad usum proprium

nomen est omen


44 posted on 12/14/2010 9:20:46 AM PST by ladyjane
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To: ladyjane

That is not my pass word. ;-)


45 posted on 12/14/2010 9:22:49 AM PST by verity
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To: restornu; Colofornian
You need to read the thread with a little more care. The text you quoted came from me and not Colofornian. Although Colofornian responded very well, she could have rightfully passed it back to me.

I'm sure if Mr. Austin read the statute in a way which was favorable to his client but didn't have a chance of withstanding court examination, it would be the first time in the history of the world that ever happened. Come on, even the attorneys for Mafia kingpins insist their clients are innocent. Attorneys are paid to be advocates for their clients and as a result a person is foolish to place much value in the defense attorney's public statements.

Back to my earlier question. Does Mr. Austin really specialize in defending the "church" against child abuse charges? How often does that type of activity happen in Zion that an attorney can specialize in this type of practice?

46 posted on 12/14/2010 10:14:47 AM PST by CommerceComet
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To: ladyjane
What is this obsession around here with all things Mormon? So odd.

 

Good question...

 

 




Mormon Missionary Rules

  1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
  2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
  3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
  4. Don't debate or argue.
  5. Center your mind on your mission.
  6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees.  No floor-length skirts or dresses.
  7. Cut your hair regularly.
  8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
  9. Be neat and clean.
  10. Bathe frequently.
  11. Use deodorant.
  12. Polish your shoes.
  13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
  14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
  15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
  16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
  17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
  18. Exercise regularly.
  19. Write in your journal regularly.
  20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
  21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
  22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
  23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
  24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
  25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
  26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
  27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
  28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
  29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
  30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
  31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
  32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
  33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
  34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
  35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
  36. Do not go on road trips.
  37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission ("District leaders must approve travel outside your area within the district; zone leaders must approve travel outside your district within the zone; and the mission president must approve travel outside the zone.")
  38. Do not watch television.
  39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
  40. Do not listen to the radio.
  41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
  42. Do not participate in musical groups.
  43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
  44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
  45. Do not engage in contact sports.
  46. Do not engage in water sports.
  47. Do not engage in winter sports.
  48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
  49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
  50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
  51. Do not embark on a private boat.
  52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
  53. Do not handle firearms.
  54. Do not handle explosives.
  55. Do not swim.
  56. Do not play full court basketball.
  57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
  58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
  59. You may play half-court basketball.
  60. Never be alone.
  61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
  62. Be loyal to your companion.
  63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
  64. Pray with your companion every day.
  65. Study with your companion every day.
  66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
  67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
  68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
  69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
  70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
  71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
  72. Do not arise before your companion.
  73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
  74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
  75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
  76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
  77. Do not flirt.
  78. Do not date.
  79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
  80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
  81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
  82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
  83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
  84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
  85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
  86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
  87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
  88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
  89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
  90. Do not telephone parents (in some areas, the mission president will make an exception to this rule and will allow 2 phone calls per year: one on Christmas and one on Mother's day.  But the actual rule in the handbook does not give any exceptions.  In my mission, the mission president affirmed that the rule in the handbook is unambiguous: Don't telephone your parents, no exceptions).
  91. Do not telephone relatives.
  92. Do not telephone friends.
  93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
  94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
  95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
  96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president (There are no checks, balances, or appeals when it comes to the authority of the mission president).
  97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert (I have to wonder, isn't it intrinsically disrespectful to their customs and traditions when your purpose for engaging them is to convert them from their customs and traditions and to yours?)
  98. Obey all mission rules.
  99. Obey the laws of the land.
  100. Do not get involved in politics.
  101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
  102. Do not give any information about the area.
  103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
  104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
  105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
  106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
  107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
  108. Be courteous.
  109. Provide community service.
  110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
  111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
  112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
  113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
  114. Keep your housing unit clean.
  115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
  116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
  117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
  118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
  119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
  120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators. (I wonder if this is because prayer and fasting doesn't cause strangers to convert and consequently proves to be a faith-demoting experience).
  121. Maintain your health.
  122. Eat a healthy diet.
  123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
  124. Follow the approved exercise program.
  125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
  126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
  127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
  128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
  129. Be immunized.
  130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
  131. Budget your money carefully.
  132. Keep a record of what you spend.
  133. Do not spend more than your companion.
  134. Do not loan money.
  135. Do not borrow money.
  136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
  137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
  138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
  139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
  140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
  141. Be a frugal photographer.
  142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
  143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
  144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
  145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
  146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
  147. Do not drive without a license.
  148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
  149. Do not drive members’ cars.
  150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
  151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.  (A few investigators have asked me why the missionaries are reluctant to offer them a ride to church.  The answer: giving rides is against the rules).
  152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
  153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
  154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
  155. Drive defensively.
  156. Wear your seat belt.
  157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving. 
  158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
  159. Do not tamper with the vehicles odometer.
  160. Know bicycle safety rules.
  161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
  162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
  163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
  164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
  165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
  166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
  167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.
cbnxvbn


Conclusion:

The Mormon Scriptures teach that the purpose of life is a test to see if we will do everything that God commands us to (Abraham 3:25).  Once we get pretty advanced in the game God might push the envelope on this and command us to do something totally bizarre and immoral such as killing our children (Genesis 22:2), but most of us never reach that level.

The Mormon missionary is given innumerable opportunities every day to show God that he will obeyThe missionary's life is defined by rules.  The rules dictate who he will be with, what he does with each hour of the week, which books he may read, and that he won't receive information about the world through radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, or the Internet.  And he is assigned a vigilante to follow him around 24-7 to make sure he obeys.  A church video about missionary life has a scene depicting a missionary reading the newspaper.  That missionary was breaking the rules.

Last night, my wife saw me reading the Missionary Guide.  It brought back all sorts of nasty memories from her mission and she said I must be a masochist for reading it.  I laughed at that, but now I'm wondering if she had a point--just thinking about the mission rules is painful to me.  As a missionary, I felt that the mission, God's church, and ultimately God himself despised individuality and freedom.  My efforts to obey the mission rules resulted in immeasurable amounts of emotional and physical pain.  I have had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was a child, and it was impossible to take care of my body and obey the missionary rules.  So, I tortured my body throughout my mission, and abused it to the point where I literally couldn't stand, much less walk.

The mission rules caused my body permanent damage, and did serious damage to my emotional health--I've been home for over 10 years and apparently I still haven't completely recovered.

The above are the rules from The Missionary Handbook (commonly known as the "White Bible").  It is a little booklet that the missionaries carry in their shirt pocket.  There are many rules the missionary is subjected to that aren't in the White Bible, but these are the basics. I am frequently asked if I am serious about these rules.  The answer is yes.  A few parenthetical comments have been added.

As you think about these rules, it is worth also considering psychologist Steven Hassan's BITE model.  Hassan asserts that if a group passes a certain threshold of manipulating its members behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and access to information, the group is rightly categorized as a cult and is exercising destructive mind control.  You can read about his model here.  You may decide for yourself if such manipulation exists, if it is harmful, and whether or not the Mormon missionary experience is a good example of this phenomenon.  Here is a like that brings the BITE model to bear on the Mormon missionary program.

 



(From --> http://www.lds4u.com/Missionaries/rules.htm )


47 posted on 12/14/2010 10:25:10 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: restornu
...seems Colofornian, you have troubling with being upfront!

That is a MORMONism trait: Milk before Meat - remember??

48 posted on 12/14/2010 10:27:08 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: greyfoxx39
In such cases, following the prophet must lead to tripping over one's own sense of decency.

Or BRAIN - since they OBVIOUSLY ain't USING it!

49 posted on 12/14/2010 10:29:12 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Paragon Defender
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things."

Winston Churchill

50 posted on 12/14/2010 10:49:20 AM PST by SZonian (July 27, 2010. Life begins anew.)
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To: Elsie
One-hundred, sixty-seven rules for missionaries. Such is the burden of the "gospel" which was a figment of Joseph Smith's and Brigham Young's imagination.

Compare that to what Jesus says about the true Gospel (Mathew 11:28-30):

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

51 posted on 12/14/2010 10:52:05 AM PST by CommerceComet
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To: SZonian; restornu; Paragon Defender; POWG
What I find interesting is the 15 number. 3 Bishopric members (but not all had to know about it). 3 Stake High Counselors and then the wife. So, we have potentially 7 people who would have been in the know, where did the other 8 come from? The mormon authorities just don’t appear to have had the will in this case to press this and get him off the streets sooner. In any other instance, many here would look at the responses/reasons given by the “clergy” here and would have called bullsqueeze on it and rightfully so. Yet, because a couple of mormons and apologists don’t like it, we’re not supposed to? I see absolutely no empathy towards the victims here from the mormons or their cabal of apologetic defenders.

The all too typical Mormon FREEPER apologetical cabal...defending the P.E.N. (the Pedophile Enablers Network) & temporarily keeping him from the Pen -- just so he could have a "proper retirement" from the force.

52 posted on 12/14/2010 10:57:53 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: CommerceComet
One-hundred, sixty-seven rules for missionaries. Such is the burden of the "gospel" which was a figment of Joseph Smith's and Brigham Young's imagination.

If I had a 12 yo son...some of those I wouldn't dare impose upon him!!!

53 posted on 12/14/2010 10:59:28 AM PST by Colofornian
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To: CommerceComet
One-hundred, sixty-seven WRITTEN rules for missionaries.
54 posted on 12/14/2010 11:35:43 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: Colofornian; restornu

So....when will you answer resty?


55 posted on 12/14/2010 11:40:51 AM PST by Osage Orange (MOLON LABE)
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To: Elsie

I am surprised there isn’t a rule for when they can go to the bathroom.


56 posted on 12/14/2010 12:01:25 PM PST by svcw
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To: svcw; Elsie
I am surprised there isn’t a rule for when they can go to the bathroom.

Well, there is. Kinda.

Lds Missionary rule #60: "Never be alone"

57 posted on 12/14/2010 12:28:16 PM PST by Colofornian
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To: Elsie; CommerceComet; svcw
One-hundred, sixty-seven WRITTEN rules for missionaries.

What surprises me in this case is how this bishop didn't have an already existing "rule" for reporting abuse that he has heard "second hand."

As for the 167 WRITTEN rules for adult men & women...compare & contrast these:

Rule #72: Do not arise before your companion.

(one lds missionary to the other in his best robotic tone, "We will now rise in unison like white shirt & tie clones...1...2...3!")

Rule # 60 Never be alone.

(Evidentiary item #1 as to how controlling the Lds church can be: "Don't be alone. Ever. For two years straight! You can't even go to the bathroom alone!")

Rule #75 Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.

("But missionary president. Honest. I was trying to obey Rule #60 perfectly when my missionary companion stepped out for a few moments...and she was the only one around...and so I had this huge moral dilemma...Do I obey rule #60 or rule #75????")

Rule #41: Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.

(Evidentiary item #2 as to how controlling the Lds church is!)

Rule #133: Do not spend more than your companion.

Ya know, if you give 9.95% of your income to the Mormon church, you have broken the law of consecration by not tithing and are ineligible for temple access. By .05% you can...miss your daughter's wedding and be kept out of God's presence forever! (Not to mention flunk becoming a full-grown god!)

Well, likewise here, what happens if you spend five cents more than your companion? Haven't you just broken rule #133? And isn't this a rule bound to be broken? So, rather than tempt their Lds missionaries into breaking #133 whenever they buy something, why don't they just make a new rule to ensure it doesn't get broken. Change rule #133 to: "Buy identical items in the same quantity." (Simple, eh?)

Rule #109. Provide community service.

Rule #111: Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.

Likewise, if you obey Rule 109, but go 3 minutes over rule 111, you have just obeyed rule 109, but simultaneously have disobeyed rule 111! (Boy, a legalistic minefield!)

58 posted on 12/14/2010 12:49:46 PM PST by Colofornian
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To: svcw
I am surprised there isn’t a rule for when they can go to the bathroom.

#35 & #60 do not exactly specify TIMEs, but REALLY!

59 posted on 12/14/2010 1:09:03 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going.)
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To: CommerceComet
Good luck with that, and don't cease the consumption of oxygen waiting...
60 posted on 12/14/2010 1:23:25 PM PST by ejonesie22 (8/30/10, the day Truth won.)
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