Marrying into the family of God

Marrying into the family of God

Mar. 7, 2001

'Smatter of Fact
By Katharhynn Heidelberg

Polygamy is alive and well in Colorado City, Ariz.

There, the 8,000 some residents, controlled almost exclusively by Rulon and Warren Jeffs, believe multiple marriage is essential to the principles of their church, The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Polygamy is illegal in the United States of America, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has disavowed both the practice and the FLDS. But that hasn’t stopped the powers that be in Colorado City. From their point of view, they are exercising religious freedom, are a good, solid community and want to be left alone.

More than anything, they want to be left alone, for it seems some women there have decided to resist, and worse, to speak out against the abuse that allegedly goes along with polygamy in Colorado City.

It’s easy to judge a situation when one is not in it. Yet, being on the outside can also afford a certain level of clarity. According to the March 4 edition of the Denver Post , these are the facts in the situation:

Fact: Many of the "women" entering into polygamous marriages are underage. Fact: Men typically have three wives, who typically bear nine children each. Taxpayers contribute most of the support to these burgeoning broods. Fact: Girls are told if they don’t comply, they will go to hell. Fact: They are told that speaking out will result in reprisals from "gentiles" who don’t understand. Fact: The "prophet"and his son seem to control the mayor, other elected officials and most law-enforcement in Colorado City. Fact: Several of the above are criteria that typically define cults. Fact: Cults are more about control than spiritual edification.

Here’s another fact: Biblically speaking, a prophet’s legitimacy is determined by whether his predictions prove true. According to the Post, not a single prescient pronouncement by Rulon Jeffs has come to pass. (Perhaps we should give him time?)

Still, isn’t it the followers’ business? Don’t they have the right to participate in a "cult," or listen to whatever prophet they please?

People certainly do have the right to believe what they want, and polygamy between consenting, freethinking adults making an informed choice is one thing. But brainwashing, raping and breeding little girls is another.

Telling them they will go to hell if they don’t comply is spiritual bullying, and a scam. And more. It’s psychological terrorism. And more.

It’s blasphemy.

You see, from a Christian standpoint, Jesus Christ told everyone what was necessary for salvation, and multiple marriages had nothing to do with it. Jesus said: "...whosoever believeth in (me) shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

Whosoever.

Not: "Whosoever is male..." Not, "Whosoever is female and willing to tolerate being treated like a ‘vessel to be worn out by childbearing’." (Words in single quotes allegedly said by the former father-in-law of Laura Chapman, whose story appeared in the Post).

Irrespective of the misogynistic leanings of some early church fathers, Jesus Christ never made salvation itself dependent on female subordination or the number of children one produces. For the FLDS church to suggest that a gift Jesus offers freely to all is now available exclusively to those who follow its manmade dictums is blasphemy. To suggest that salvation comes through the man, when it in fact comes from God, is even greater blasphemy.

Perhaps where reason has failed to convince the FLDS, scripture can succeed. But then again, unlike Rulon and Warren Jeffs, this lowly gentile columnist can’t hear the "revelations" that overthrow the word of God whenever it happens to be convenient for man.