Posted on 04/06/2008 5:27:22 AM PDT by SkyPilot
Local and state officials entered the temple of a secretive polygamist sect late Saturday, said lawmen blockading the road to the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado.
The action comes hours after local prosecutors said officials were preparing for the worst because a group of FLDS members were resisting efforts to search the structure.
The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper and Schleicher County sheriff’s deputy confirmed that officials have entered the temple but said they had no word on whether anything occurred in the effort.
The incursion into the temple caps the three-day saga of the state’s Child Protective Services agency removing at least 183 women and children from the YFZ Ranch since Friday afternoon. Eighteen girls have been placed in state custody since a 16-year-old told authorities she was married to a 50-year-old man and had given birth to his child.
Saturday evening, ambulances were brought in, said Allison Palmer, who as first assistant 51st District attorney, would prosecute any felony crimes uncovered as part of the investigation inside the compound.
“In preparing for entry to the temple, law enforcement is preparing for the worst,” Palmer said Saturday evening. They want to have “medical personnel on hand in case this were to go in a way that no one wants.”
Apparently as a result of action Saturday night at the ranch, about 10:15 p.m. Saturday, a Schleicher County school bus unloaded another group of at least a dozen more women and children from the compound.
Although members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or FLDS, have provided varying degrees of cooperation to the sheriff’s deputies and Texas Rangers searching the compound, all cooperation stopped once authorities tried to search the gleaming white temple that towers over the West Texas scrub, Palmer said.
“There may be those who would oppose (entry) by placing themselves between law enforcement and the place of worship,” Palmer said Saturday afternoon. “If an agreement cannot be reached … law enforcement will have to — as gently and peaceably as possible — make entry into that place.”
Sect members consider the temple, dedicated by then-leader of the sect Warren Jeffs in January 2005 and finished many months later, off-limits to those who are not FLDS members, said Palmer, who prosecutes felony cases in Schleicher County.
Palmer said she didn’t know the size or makeup of the group inside the temple.
The earlier refusal to provide access was even more disconcerting because CPS investigators have yet to identify the 16-year-old girl or her roughly 8-month-old baby among the dozens removed from the compound, Palmer said.
“Anytime someone says, ‘Don’t look here,’” she said, “it makes you concerned that’s exactly where you need to look.”
The girl told authorities in two separate phone calls a day apart that she was married to a 50-year-old man, Dale Barlow, who had fathered her child, Palmer said.
The joint raid included the Texas Rangers, CPS, Schleicher County and Tom Green County sheriff’s deputies and game wardens from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Although CPS and Department of Public Safety officials have described the compound’s residents as cooperative, Palmer disagreed.
“Things have been a little tense, a little volatile,” she said.
Authorities removed 52 children Friday afternoon and 131 women and children overnight Friday. About 40 of the children are boys, said CPS spokeswoman Marleigh Meisner.
No further children have been taken into state custody since Friday, when 18 girls were judged to have been abused or be at imminent risk for abuse. CPS has found foster homes for the girls, Meisner said, and will place them after concluding its investigation.
Meisner declined to comment on the fate of the 119 other children and said authorities were still searching the ranch for others Saturday evening.
“They’re in the process of looking,” she said. “They’re literally about halfway through.”
The creators/founders of mormonism were adamant polygamists......And to voice opposition to polygamy goes against their early "prophets", and cast some BIG doubts about their prophetic wisdom.
On the other hand......it's against the LAW, and the present day mormon church has condemned the policy, but not the men.
Frankly, it all speaks volumes to me......about the cult, that is mormonism.
They are gone so now all the men have is eachother for their needs.
Amen!!! That people can look at this issue and still hold Smith as a true prophet of God is beyond me.
Maybe NOW people will see the truth of the Mormon’s like some of us have all along.
If nothing else, this has been an eye opener for many.
Elsie. When you post, I can read it without my reading glasses!!
Likewise, I’m sure.
I forgot!!! On the FOX report earlier: THERE WAS SOMEONE UNDERCOVER AT THE RANCH FOR FOUR YEARS!
EEEEEeeeeewwwwwwwwwww
they deserve eachother. pigs.
The fact that the sect seems to approve of relations with pre-pubescent teens, coupled with the fact that all the little girls have been taken away, it might actually help this sect’s recruitment effort... among NAMBLA members.
LOL!
Who were they reporting to?
No idea. Didn’t say or identify the “mole”.
Hope whoever it was got video and pics.
If he got pics and vids.. they will probably try to defend themselves and discredit him by saying he cannot be believed because he makes kiddie-porn.
Hope they take the risk if he/she does have evidence.
They also mentioned that they found evidence of shredded documents, etc.
Probably their geneology records. (can you imagine what THOSE look like!)
Right now Restornu; you have to ask yourself:
"What kind of a person WOULD express 'love' for an organization (like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for instance) that they believe KNOW is leading people astray - perhaps to hell; wouldn't you HAVE to say that if they did that they'll be a mighty hypocritical liar?
The following are excerpts of letters written in support of Dale Evans Barlow prior to his August 2007 sentencing. Barlow pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years on probation by a judge in Mohave County, Ariz. The court redacted names or information identifying Barlow's teenage wife. The relationships listed were supplied by the letter writers.
In the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith it was the same. The evil, wicked, and sick-minded men (people) harassed the Priesthood people because they loved their Heavenly Father more then anything in this world. Now it is happening again! I think that all charges to this man should be dropped and dismissed that he may continue to teach his family in righteous living, helping and blessing others. - Celia Ann Emack, sister
I am Jennie Marie Barlow, the Daughter of Dale E. Barlow. I am 16 years old. I have lived with him all my life. I am aware that he is being accused for no reason. In view of the fact that he has such a strong moral character, and the charges against him are just religious persecution, I recommend you drop this case, and hold no charges. - Jennie Marie Barlow, daughter
My awareness of Dale's prosecution has been shocking. His marriage to [redacted] seemed to me very natural and proper. There was no force or coercion. All seemed to be done in the true spirit of matrimony and the blessing of all who were honestly concerned.
Obviously the charges that have been brought against him are made by someone who either has a grudge against him or his religion.
Read the Bible, if it is still considered scripture by the modern world, in it we see that Abraham and many others were approved by God and commended for their obedience to the plurality of wives doctrine. But maybe it is not the aim or desire of so many in the world today to please God.
Maybe our legislators have cunningly laid a snare to catch the innocent just because they believe in an unpopular religion. So it was on the days of Jesus Christ. So it was in the days of Joseph Smith. So it was in the Days of Warren Jeffs. This to me is a testimony of the innocence and purity of life that Dale is living. - Arnold Jesup, friend
It is a deep sorrow to me that these kinds of religion driven prejudices could be orchestrated by men and women in powerful positions in our State and Federal governments, who are trying to force Dale to deny his beliefs and principles. It is always refreshing to me to know and deal with those who are committed to their beliefs and principles. - Dennis N. Darger, friend
I personally don't see the problem when the girl, her parents, and all were willing to go forward with the marriage. I know the girl would never testify against Dale because their love and commitment to each other is greater than the threat of incarceration.
She definitely is not "brainwashed" as some might say, and any inquiring person would find that out very quickly were they engage in a conversation with her. I personally think the case should be thrown out. - Dan Timpson, cousin
Why should a man be thrown into prison for living his religion while society will forgive the former president of the United States of immoral acts while in the office of President? - Anthony Barlow, brother
He is only trying to live, to the best of his knowledge, his religion. There are no victims and there is no crime. It would seem in the best interest of the state and the people of this nation that this case would be dismissed and thus no punishment attached. - Heber Barlow
Knowing my Father as I do I could not in my wildest dreams imagine him capable of such a crime as he is being accused of. My Mothers are happy and cheerful and wouldn't want to be separated. Though our family is large, I could not imagine having our family broken up and separated. I truly love every member of our family. And each one of us are his favorite one. I recommend that the charges against my father be dismissed. - Salena Barlow, daughter
What the County is accusing him of is very opposite to his character. If there was any justice in our court systems it seems that you would listen to the people who know him and not those who are discontented with our religion. This religious persecution has been happening to our family for more than 5 years. All our younger children have a fear of those who should be peace officers, because they have come to our home so many times knocking on doors, surrounding the house etc.. - Linda Barlow, wife
I am aware of the charges he now faces and the accusations made against him. I am also aware of the strength of public opinion and the pressures upon you in handling a case involving an unpopular religion. I strongly encourage you, Your Honor, to consider the truths involved in the case and not pass judgment to simply pacify the work of antagonists using the media and public opinion as their battering ram against a man of noble character, who's desire and intent in all respects are focused in obedience to lawful conduct and honoring his religion. I believe you are capable of making a wise and lawful decision regarding his case and trust that Dale's effort in living the rights guaranteed to him by the blood of the founders of this nation will not cause an unlawful incarceration or penalty. I urge you to drop the case and all charges, and honor the great commitment you have made in upholding the rights and privileges given to every citizen of this great nation. - James Barlow, brother
I know the character of this man to be the very best there is. I mean he is honest and clean, morally and every other way; loves his family and cares for them wonderfully. His religion in his life, and his family is with him because of that. They too enjoy the happiness of a father who loves them and a religion that teaches them to love one another. The father is the key to a happy home. Dale is only doing his part to build up the work of God on earth. He is not guilty of any evil or wrong acts.
He even has no bad feelings for those who accuse him at this time, but would feel much better if he could just live his life and not be persecuted for his religion. - Terrill Johnson, friend
In my opinion it would be a tragic miscarriage of justice to take him from his family and community where he is performing such needed and conscientious service. He has been honest and trustworthy all of his life and even though the turbulent teenage years he was very responsible. He is loved not only by his family, but by everyone who knows him. The problem before the court is religious matter although it may be made to look different by the press and those who do not share with Dale in those views. Immorality and criminal activity has never been a part of his life. - Joseph Barlow, uncle
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8878936 http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8878936
Ya know... towards the begining of this thread I was leaning towards thinking “Yeah, what this sect does is pretty disgusting, but they are a break-away sect and do not represent the LDS in general”. But considering the fact that I have not seen any mormons condemning this group (and I cannot believe that ALL mormons on here are FLDS and none are from the official LDS church) I am having to rethink that belief. Ironically, it is the mormons themselves, who are posting to this thread, who have altered my perceptions towards the LDS church the most.. and not in a good way.
There has been one who is sickened by polygamy and his churchs’ past involvement in it.
Barlow’s coming out of the woodwork. Sounds almost like the same person wrote or dictated each and every one of those letters.
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