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Ex-LDS seminary principal gets 5-to-life for abusing student
Salt Lake Tribune ^ | Sept. 20, 2010 | Donald W. Meyers

Posted on 09/20/2010 4:23:53 PM PDT by Colofornian

American Fork » Former LDS seminary principal Michael Jay Pratt will spend at least five years in prison for sexually abusing a student 20 years younger than himself.

Fourth District Judge Christine Johnson imposed concurrent sentences of five years to life in prison for first-degree felony forcible sodomy and two object rape charges, and one to 15 years for forcible sexual assault, a second-degree felony. Johnson said it was a sentence that best balanced the needs of justice and mercy in a case that carried heavy religious overtones.

Pratt pleaded guilty to the crimes in June as part of an agreement in which prosecutors dropped 11 other charges.

Pratt’s attorney, Stephen McCaughey, sought to get Pratt two years in the Utah County Jail followed by a lengthy probation. He said Pratt had no prior criminal record, and the case did not involve violence or physical force. McCaughey argued Pratt would likely serve about six years in prison on the charges.

Pratt said he was sorry for what he had done, and was given enough time to hug his wife before he was escorted from the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies.

Johnson said Pratt’s position as a teacher and spiritual adviser at Lone Peak High School placed him in a position of trust which he abused.

The victim and her family also told the court how Pratt had gained their trust as a dedicated, popular teacher and church leader who was helping the victim through a rough spot in life. He then manipulated the victim into going along with his sexual fantasies.

“Justice was served, but it is a tragedy,” the victim’s stepfather said after the hearing.


TOPICS: Current Events; Other Christian; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: inman; lds; mormon; rape; seminary
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To: aMorePerfectUnion; svcw

“I don’t get the wife hugging her husband. If I found my husband had raped and abused a child, I’d be hitting him with a bat.”

He still has to speak her “secret” name for her to be resurrected... maybe covering her bets.
______________________________________________

Good grief

You mean he is still a “worthy” mormon ???

I think Im going to be sick...


41 posted on 09/20/2010 7:48:07 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: svcw

My homosexual lds cousin still has his.


Then he is not practicing homosexual, it has expired or it has been blocked and cannot be used if improper behavior is known.


42 posted on 09/20/2010 7:49:29 PM PDT by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender; Elsie

AHHHH Yes

Snarkiness can get ya ex-communicated from the mormons..

Rape not so much,,,

If you are in the Utah legislature they give ya a standing O


43 posted on 09/20/2010 7:51:27 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: colorcountry

However, he might be able work his way back into full membership through obedience to Gods laws such as; repentance, paying a full 10% tithe, abstaining from coffee, tea, alcohol or liquor, attending all meetings, and re-baptism, in order to get his membership back and his temple ordinances reinstated. If he ever is able to, it will likely be a very long time.


There I fixed it for you.


44 posted on 09/20/2010 7:53:13 PM PDT by Paragon Defender
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To: Tennessee Nana

AHHHH Yes

Snarkiness can get ya ex-communicated from the mormons..

Rape not so much,,,

If you are in the Utah legislature they give ya a standing O


Nana is here. The nonsensical blabber commences.


45 posted on 09/20/2010 7:56:18 PM PDT by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender

Ah how sweet...

But ya dont have to continue on my account

You can give yerself a rest for the night...


46 posted on 09/20/2010 7:59:23 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: Paragon Defender

Well, he says it is still valid. He has been with his “partner” 20 years now. So I’ll have to ask him if he has tried to use/go in the temple. I know when my other cousin got married about 15 years ago he was present, but then again he could be lying to me or the lds leaders.


47 posted on 09/20/2010 7:59:31 PM PDT by svcw (Everyday the enemy tries to offer you an apple, when God has already given us an orchard.)
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To: Tennessee Nana; All

It is late. I trust you will enjoy making more bogus statements whilst I am gone.

Good Night all.


48 posted on 09/20/2010 8:02:50 PM PDT by Paragon Defender
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To: Paragon Defender; aMorePerfectUnion
Colo is trying his hardest to link this terrible thing to the LDS church in any way he possibly can.

And you, PD, are trying your hardest to delink this terrible thing to the LDS church in any way you possibly can. Doesn't that then, PD, make you "guilty" of the same thing (whatever that is)-- only taking the reverse angle?

(BTW, PD...you have this continual bad habit of gossipping 'bout me on posts minus pinging me...is this what you continually do @ home...talk about others w/out cluing them in that you've gossipped about them?)

49 posted on 09/20/2010 8:28:28 PM PDT by Colofornian
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To: Paragon Defender; Tennessee Nana; All
It is late. I trust you will enjoy making more bogus statements whilst I am gone.

Wow, the IQ of the thread has just risen 30 points.

50 posted on 09/20/2010 8:29:27 PM PDT by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: Godzilla
Wow, the IQ of the thread has just risen 30 points.

Now it's clear up to 15.

51 posted on 09/20/2010 9:05:57 PM PDT by GreyMountainReagan ("Pray for America")
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To: Colofornian

Now why do Utah public schools have Lds seminary principals...?


Because they are not bigots and don’t discriminate against Mormons when they apply for public jobs?


52 posted on 09/20/2010 9:18:17 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: SaraJohnson; Colofornian

Now why do Utah public schools have Lds seminary principals...?


Because they are not bigots and don’t discriminate against Mormons when they apply for public jobs?
___________________________________________________

Well if they are not bigots why dont they hire Christians ???


53 posted on 09/20/2010 9:23:22 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: Tennessee Nana

Oh snap!


54 posted on 09/20/2010 9:41:03 PM PDT by svcw (Everyday the enemy tries to offer you an apple, when God has already given us an orchard.)
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To: Tennessee Nana

I did not know that the public schools in Utah discriminate against non-Mormons. Someone should sue. :)

Really, I think you guys might not like Mormons having jobs in the public schools in Utah where they are centered. I don’t feel that way about any person or group that loves Jesus. Because I know some Mormons, I know the ones who believe, adore Jesus. There are stinks in every group and to me that does not make the whole lot bad.

But, I admit that I am not a great religion detail person like my Freeper friends are and I ask freepers for advice when I need an expert opinion on the Bible sometimes. I just bottom lined it because that works for me and Jesus and I don’t want to mess too much with a good thing.


55 posted on 09/20/2010 11:06:21 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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To: Vendome

I wouldn’t read too much into the SLTRIB running stories that contain someones position in the LDS church.

Position in the LDS church is everything for the people of Utah. If the person does some heroic deed that is also cause for bringing up their position in the LDS church.

Position and appearance is everything in LDS culture. It goes along with pride and the belief that works will save you. If your works saved you wouldn’t you make sure everyone knew your good deeds and everyone else’s bad deeds.


56 posted on 09/20/2010 11:19:11 PM PDT by pennyfarmer (Even a RINO will chew its foot off when caught in a trap.)
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To: MissesBush

So since my name is pennyfarmer does that mean I have pennies? Do I even farm?

The naming justification is so laughable that is barely deserves a response, yet here I am trying to talk logic in an illogical argument.


57 posted on 09/20/2010 11:23:26 PM PDT by pennyfarmer (Even a RINO will chew its foot off when caught in a trap.)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
Still, is he having his Official Mormon Temple Recommend revoked? Or is he still on track to become a mormonite god?

I am more worried about the fact that many of these people who put on a bad Mormon face are excommunicated rather quickly. They are told things like, "you can not be forgiven by God until your probation is done". So basically if you don't get caught and you don't disgrace the church then all is well. This excommunicating of sinners is a ridiculous notion. If they excommunicate all sinners then who is coming to church?
58 posted on 09/20/2010 11:30:21 PM PDT by pennyfarmer (Even a RINO will chew its foot off when caught in a trap.)
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To: Paragon Defender
If he currently has one of course it would be revoked. And he will be excommunicated if he isn’t already. You KNOW this. SO why even bring it up?

I agree, I am sure he was quickly bounced from the church.

I would like to ask why would he be excommunicated at a time when he might need his church the most? I do agree that the LDS church does not need him at all. I guess I could spout all kids of innuendo and crap but I really want to know why these people are excommunicated so quickly.
59 posted on 09/20/2010 11:37:36 PM PDT by pennyfarmer (Even a RINO will chew its foot off when caught in a trap.)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion
...I do not believe you without verification.

I wonder if Joseph Smith's MOTHER said something like that after he spouted:

"Mother, I have learned that PRESBYTERIANism is UNTRUE."

60 posted on 09/21/2010 4:42:40 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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