My Life in a Polygamist Compound

Slate ^ | 04/16/08 | Torie Bosch

[DFG]

When Texas authorities seized 416 children in a raid on a compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Americans quickly learned that the religious group encourages polygamy and the marriage of young girls to older men. Escape, a memoir published last fall, offers a more detailed portrait of life with the FLDS. In the book, Carolyn Jessop, a sixth-generation polygamist describes her life as the fourth wife of Merril Jessop, who ran the recently raided Texas compound. Carolyn left Merril in 2003, before he moved to Texas, but her memoir sheds light on the man and on the beliefs and practices common within the insular community. Below, Slate flags Carolyn's most intriguing, strange, and heartbreaking allegations.

[ansel12]

"Hey I am from a bitter, clingy place...so I would be proud to be an honorary Texan :)

Well, you know you are! Isn't it great to be watching this on TV, and to see what looks like a very competent state, moving forward with an almost old timey commitment to the rule of law and decency rather than the wringing of hands and uncertain unity in the face of such a unique effort. It is almost like watching an old cowboy movie where the good guys are confident and know what they are doing, and what they want.

[greyfoxx39]

I find it interesting how such an “honorable” person as yourself can make such judgements about the honorability of others whom you know nothing about.

Oh, he's just one of those "Oh, they are just the NICEST people in the whole world". good, kind mormons. The church sends him out here now and then to do PR work.

[greyfoxx39]

;)

[greyfoxx39]

Sometimes no answer is really an answer.

[colorcountry]

I know, but I am too obtuse to figure it out.

Is she, or isn’t she....only her hairdresser (and Miss Clairol) know for sure.

[greyfoxx39]

I’m thinking more along the lines of teflon for them both.

[DoughtyOne]

Oh sure, rub it in. LOL Good for you.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you.

[greyfoxx39]

[McCoMo]

Ahh, I missed that Elsie got suspended too. Bummer, big time. Lets hope it is merely temporary.

[colorcountry]

What will I do in the morning as I drink my coffee. Elsie was pure entertainment, with a lot of practical knowledge thrown in.

[MHGinTN]

Old Mountain fool is trying to get the threqad shut down. Ignore the idiot.

[greyfoxx39]

I know...I used to use him for a guide to the threads..;(

[MHGinTN]

There are times when LC’s posts are like being in a Bible study.

[colorcountry]

Yep LC was the greatest, very knowledgable. Hoping for his speedy return.

I wouldn’t even mind resty back. I loved her in a way.

I’m prayin for ya resty, wherever you are!

[JRochelle]

Poor Elsie.

He has been ordered to “repent from afar” and to “keep sweet.”

[greyfoxx39]

He has been ordered to “repent from afar” and to “keep sweet.”

Can he login to read his mail?

[JRochelle]

I just love your pic.

[JRochelle]

I am pretty sure he can.

I communicated with a banned person and that is what they told me.

Their mail account will show, he just won’t be able to reply.

Of course this was before all the software changes here...

[dmw]

“I trust you can recognize personal abuse when you see it.”

I’m sure OMM is talking about his most recent posts. The past few posts from him have been disgusting and worthy of a life time ban in my opinion. What he has posted is far worst than anything Elsie has ever said.