Under the Banner of Heaven. TV series.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by finnbow

After Lynn A. Thompson assumed leadership of the AUB, he was accused of sexual misconduct by one of his daughters, Rosemary Williams, and shortly thereafter by two of his nieces. Thompson's critics within the AUB also alleged he embezzled up to $500,000 in tithing funds and used official Church accounts for personal expenditures.

Fun for him, less so for others.

To be perfectly clear;
Lynn Thompson was worse than an embarrassment to the AUB. Cleaning up after his abuses of authority is going to be a heavy task for his successor.
My contact is thru his replacement, David Watson, an open, decent, ethical responsible individual.
Maryanne Watson, his wife, is who I worked with on a history project presentation.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

My contact is thru his replacement, David Watson, an open, decent, ethical responsible individual...

An open, decent, ethical, responsible polygamist? Who knew?

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by finnbow

An open, decent, ethical, responsible polygamist? Who knew?

General perceptions like yours is why I started the thread, my perspective is atypical of both mainstream Mormons and non-members thru a familiarity with the history and culture.
Mormon "fundamentalism" (read poligamy) has a fairly strong argument as a more "pure" theological basis if Joseph Smith is accepted as a true prophet and seer founder and foundation to the faith for the truest of true believers that can square the circle of obedience to the sitting authorities vs obedience to what are considered essential principles as established by the founder. That's the theological attraction to prospective sub-converts, not the prospect of multiple sexual partners, tho the latter can find justification in the former. With people as unique individuals, taking on the requirements and responsibilities of multiple partners and the resulting offspring can be an emotional and financial burden that can easily overwhelm the unprepared participant. Also obvious is the absolute authority this sort of faith gives the leadership, ripe for abuse.
I've already previously mentioned Rulon Allred and Ervil Lebaron as two leaders of different sub-sects with very different styles and attitudes to their positions. Look them up on Wiki.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

General perceptions like yours is why I started the thread, my perspective is atypical of both mainstream Mormons and non-members thru a familiarity with the history and culture.

Over ~20 years, I spent lots of time for work in Utah and southeastern Idaho and became close friends with lots of Mormons, though most would probably be considered Jack Mormons by the more observant of the faith. As a result, most were fairly critical of the mainstream LDS church, not exactly for the theology itself as for its insularity and social pressures imposed on non-Mormons or Jack Mormons in cities and towns with large LDS populations. Nearly all of them had read Krakauer's book when it came out, liked it, but were embarrassed (but not insulted) by its revelations.