by Dennis Wagner - May. 1, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and his Utah counterpart are calling for federal assistance in fighting polygamy-related crimes in response to criticism from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid complained this week that the states have not been aggressive enough in attacking plural marriages.
Goddard and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff sent a letter challenging Reid after his remarks on a Salt Lake City radio show, where he assailed them for not conducting Texas-style raids in polygamous Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah.
Here is the real story why Reid made those comments...Harry Reid is Mormon and he's helping (probably was asked) church leaders in Salt Lake City who are worried too many people nationwide associate the incidents in Texas and Colorado City with the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints).
I'm sure that nationwide coverage of polygamist cult leaders impregnating teenage wives makes Mormon officials cringe, especially since over the past few years, Mormon Church-sponsored print and broadcast advertisements have tried to project to the public that church teachings and beliefs are mainstream and Christian based.
There are many, many people that know nothing about Mormons, except one thing, they seem to always associate Mormons with polygamy and that's extremely frustrating for Mormon decision makers in Salt Lake City.
The truth of the matter is this: Back in the 1800s, congress told LDS leaders that Utah would not gain statehood unless Mormons dropped the polygamy. So the trade-off was made. Had this trade-off not occurred, polygamy would still be a major part of Mormonism.
Those in Texas and Colorado City are basically following teachings of Mormon founder Joseph Smith, so let's not get too fooled when LDS followers strongly disassociate themselves from those"crazy little cults" in Texas and Colorado City. I guess it becomes difficult at times separating the three cults.
I've got to log off right now and continue my writing of the "Book Of Circa."
