A closer look at the FLDS than the media employ

The media stereotypes echo around inside their hallowed halls, and they keep repeating themselves. Then someone with close personal contact, reads an editorial, and offers their first hand view.

"I was greatly disappointed by News Editor Stan Nelson's editorial about polygamists in the Feb. 21 edition. It seems that all Mr. Nelson knows about polygamists is what he sees on the Nancy Grace show.

I am married to a woman who voluntarily left the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) at Colorado City, Ariz., 24 years ago. She left behind two sisters, five brothers and her own parents, most of whom stayed in the FLDS.

Within the past four months, I took my wife back to Arizona for the funerals of her father and one sister. Four years ago, we also attended an FLDS funeral for one of her brothers. Those visits provided me first-hand exposure to those people, and I've come away with a far different impression than the evil stereotype Mr. Nelson is perpetuating.

The polygamist men I've become acquainted with are hard-working husbands and fathers who love their families. The polygamist women are kind, industrious, devoted and happy. The children are absolutely joyful, well cared for and dearly loved. These are salt-of-the-earth people who happen to live a lifestyle different than what most of us are used to. Impugning the entire population as a 'profitable, well-protected underage sex cult' is really over the top, not to mention inaccurate. If Mr. Nelson had educated himself more thoroughly, he never would have spouted such bile."

Darrell Arnold (in the Pueblo Chieftain)

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