Mormons seek distance from Texas polygamists

Texas authorities removed 401 children—mostly girls—from the YFZ Ranch in Texas last April. The raid, at the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was initiated by a daunting phone call from a 16-year-old girl who said she had been married to a 50-year-old man and allegedly had a baby at 15.

Two men, members of this polygamist sect, have since been arrested.

Following the disturbing incident, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, known as the Mormon Church, has taken several steps to distance itself from the controversial FLDS. The Mormons launched an educational effort to help clarify their beliefs and practices, and specifically to address their stance on polygamy, which it bans. The Church encourages its members to post on their Facebook and Myspace pages about their videos, which are available on YouTube, as well as its Web site, MormonsAndPolygamy.org.

I hardly know anything about the Mormon faith and feel foolish for thinking there was a strong association between many Mormons and polygamy. Maybe my lack of knowledge, and my exposure to the hit HBO series “Big Love,” led me to believe that. Although I feel silly for jumping to conclusions, I think The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is taking a step in the right direction because many other people are confusing the Texas polygamist raid with the Mormon religion as well. Utilizing the Internet to set the record straight is a great public relations tactic. I think more Mormons should take action and spread the word about their faith to set the record straight.
http://www.prweekus.com/Mormons-seek-distance-from-Texas-polygamists/article/112295/