<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D7v_V8qSIIo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D7v_V8qSIIo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FhoBCUG8uJo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FhoBCUG8uJo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> Some people in my family, way back when, used to be Mormons. I am quite happy indeed, especially after watching these videos, that I never knew it or had to grow up in it.
Great stuff, very intriguing. I'm interested in world religions, but had left Mormonism alone as I thought it would be a bit tame (apart from the whole book thing). But this has made me want to dig deeper, thanks LT MelT
I was out hunting dinosaur sites when I came across the town of Colorado City, Arizona. The only openly polygamist community in the USA! I drove through town looking at the residences, each of which had to be 6000 sq. feet or more in size, and designed for housing multiple spouse families. The yards all looked like schoolyards, with enough playground equipment for a dozen or more kids. And it hit me, the brilliance of a closed society, absolutely cut off from mainstream america, and yet it is growing rapidly, despite continous federal raids. A form of vice that exceeds the comprehensibility of the average american, these patriarchs are basically kidnapping and brain-washing their own children, and it is the creepiest place. Even creepier than Las Vegas, if that's possible. The arrainged marrriage of these young women into the clans is quite the pimping of innocence, in my opinion. And if no one else brings it up, let's just remember that this church has purchased so much real estate, that if I'm not mistaken, they are now the largest holder of private land in the western United States. Tax-free of course!
I was raised a relatively strong Mormon household with the majority of my family (on my mom's side) all very devout to the faith. It should be noted that the first video, while generally correct on the doctrine, is nevertheless highly exagerrated. I would also like to add that the "mainstream" sect of the church (the one with millions of members) has long since strayed away from polygamy. (although if you look at the teachings of Joseph Smith you'll find he was quite adamant about that aspect of the faith, but that's just one of many, many problems within the Mormon religion) I'm just thankful I got away from the Mormon faith and culture as early on in my life as I did. I guess that goes for all religion as well but especially this one.