Krakauer Walks the Walk

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Krakauer Walks the Walk

This AP story recounting Jon Krakauer's work with former FLDS members might be one of the most unexpected and pleasantly surprising news stories I've run across recently [see earlier post at Mormon Wasp too]. My impression is that Krakauer alone has now done more for these unhappy souls than any single LDS Church leader has ever managed to achieve (at least officially). Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the Church seems hamstrung by an informal "we won't touch polygamy with a ten-foot pole" policy that unswervingly directs LDS statements and conduct away from this third rail of Mormonism. Touch it, you're an Ex. And working to help castouts and victims by exposing the foibles of polygamist leaders is not without some personal risk: when these people go postal, they go plurally postal. I suppose Krakauer isn't the first to come down from the mountain a different man . . .

Aug 03, 2004 at 07:00 PM in LDS Culture | Permalink

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So,

1. why does it have to be an LDS leader? is "K" somehow a leader now? Why not just average lds citizens?
2. Do you know that no lds citizens help out these kids?

Posted by: lyle | Aug 04, 2004 at 02:15 PM

Lyle, my remarks reflect the fact that (1) the Church as in institution got polygamy going so ought to have some official, institutional concern for those who continue to be plagued by it; and (2) leaders represent or act for the Church.

Bravo for other individuals, LDS or not, who lend a hand to those ex-polygs who need it. I know there are many who do so. There are also a few small organizations that assist those trying to transition out of polyg communities.

Posted by: Dave | Aug 04, 2004 at 03:26 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

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