Doris Hanson Director, A Shield and Refuge Ministry

For years we have prayed that God would cause events that would bust ALL the polygamy groups wide open so that the world can see what is going on behind their closed doors.

God did that first with the FLDS in 2008 beginning with the raid in Eldorado, Texas. Also with their more recent food stamp fraud of nearly $12 million dollars - but sadly all the defendants except one was freed.

There have been many allegations through the years against the Kingston polygamy group which is the group in which I was born and raised. In spite of the rumors, raids, and allegations against the Kingston’s, nothing much has happened. I admit I often wondered why God allowed their illegal activities to continue without intercepting with some justice. During those years, too many victims were suffering, too many babies born from incest either dying at birth or born with defects. Too many young girls forced into polygamous marriages because they are threatened with God’s wrath if they don’t.  “Why so long, Oh Lord, why so long?”  (Psalm 13:1)

God hears our prayers.  Many times God works silently behind the scenes.  Perhaps sometimes He waits until their sin has reached its full measure (Genesis 15:16), then He lets justice roll like a river (Amos 5:24)!

Read our “Polygamy in the News” section in this Newsletter - We read about another multi-million dollar scam, this time perpetrated by the Kingston polygamy group.  May God continue to reveal ALL the illegal schemes and abusive behaviors of ALL the polygamy groups.  And may our efforts to bring Biblical truths to the Mormon Fundamentalists be effective so that they will know and understand and receive Salvation by Grace, through Faith - and not by works, especially the works of polygamy.  Jesus said, “It Is Finished!” And it is!

Please pray that THIS TIME, the Kingston’s will be held accountable in a court of law regarding the crimes in which they are involved.

FROM OUR MAILBOX:

I would like to say that finding out about polygamy in the United States, was mind boggling for me. This is deplorable. Why isn't this a national issue?  My family has big political ties here in Wisconsin and even some national connections.  We talk politics all of the time and never have we ever talked about polygamy. I don't think most Wisconsinites - or even most Americans- have any idea of the atrocities happening right under our noses.  I have not spent any time in the West, and I don't know how much the local media focuses on polygamy, but I feel like this should be national news, EVERYDAY, until this problem is addressed by lawmakers and law enforcement. It's child molestation; it's rape; it's slavery; it's brainwashing; it's robbery; it's murder (blood atonement); it's hell. And, let's not forget about the incest. It's totally disgusting that this is happening and no one knows about it. It's just crazy. I mean, some DJ grabs Taylor Swift's butt in 2015 and we're still talking about it, while these women quietly live on in what must be hell on earth.

Your show is tremendous and I'm glad that there's someone out there to help these people, and bring awareness to the issue. God bless all of you. AC

There are several very good books that have been written by escapees from Mormon polygamy revealing the horror of life in these groups. For those who have a deeper interest in their stories and the difficulties leaving and adjusting to society outside of the group, we recommend you read their stories. 

Under the Banner of Heaven
A Story of Violent Faith
By Jon Krakauer

The author does not write this book with a Christian perspective, but is accurate in his portrayal of the Mormon polygamist mind set and sometimes violent behavior.

He writes about the Dan and Ron Lafferty, brothers who slit the throats of their sister-in-law and their baby niece who was only 15 months old. They claim God told them to do it because she refused to comply with plural marriage and their fundamentalist ideas. He follows what led to the murders, their doubts about the Mormon church which resulted in starting their own fundamentalist group which relied on direct communication with God to guide their behavior.

The author describes some details of early Mormon church history beginning with Joseph Smith who started Mormonism and Mormon polygamy in the early 19th century. Krakauer correctly describes Smith as a con man.

Krakauer describes other contemporary accounts and news stories of the Mormon polygamist mind set including the kidnaping and subsequent brutality of Elizabeth Smart. He describes the Mormon male thinking that God only speaks to the males and females are expected to bow down to the authority of the males in their lives. He raises interesting questions about God speaking to man, if He speaks, and if so, to whom? This is an excellent book for someone who is pursuing an initial understanding of the Mormon Fundamentalist radical and violent belief system.

A few months ago an historical-fiction book was published entitled: 19th Century Love Affair of Joseph Smith and Emma Hale, written by Annette Bolton.  Although her book is historical fiction, Annette includes many historical references and footnotes which takes the reader to authentic Mormon church history. Smith’s polygamy, deceit and mention of his other shenanigans are included in the narrative. The summary statement I like is from page 81 where she writes Emma saying that her “husband was always living by the seat of his pants.“ And I might add: many times those pants were on the floors of women who were not his wife!  The book can be purchased at www.amazon.com in Kindle or paperback format.

Annette has graciously donated some of her books to Shield and Refuge to be given FREE to anyone who sends a donation of $25 or more with a request for the book.  Be sure and include your mailing address.

POLYGAMY IN THE NEWS

A federal judge has ordered a suspect accused in a $511 million fraud scheme to remain in jail as he waits for trial. This makes two suspects in jail without hope of bail. They are considered high flight risks, possibly fleeing to Turkey for sanctuary. Jacob Kingston was arrested at the Salt Lake City airport, with one of his wives, who is pregnant with her ninth child. They, along with her other children were intending to board a flight to Turkey.

Both Jacob and Isaiah Kingston are in high management in the Washakie Renewable Energy company, which is owned by the Kingston polygamy group. A trial is scheduled to begin October 29, 2018. However, a postponement of the trial is expected, leaving the two suspects from the Kingston polygamy group behind bars. Sources inside the group have said that both men have plural wives and families. Isaiah Kingston is the chief financial officer of Washakie Renewable Energy and is charged with two counts of money laundering. He has transferred $52 million to Turkey. Jacob Kingston, 42 year old brother of Isaiah, is charged with fraud relating to false tax credits in manufacturing biofuel. A federal prosecutor presented evidence that Washakie transferred $134 million to Turkey and that Kingston oversaw the transfer of $52 million of the money. A special agent with the U.S. Dept. of Defense said intercepted texts indicate that Kingston sent money to an intermediary, who said he would intimidate and bribe witnesses.

The Salt Lake Tribune stated, “In September 2017, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with a Utahn who had long sought to make a mark in the renewable-fuels industry.” That Utahn is Jacob Kingston. The newspaper published a photo showing Kingston with Erdogan and two other men.

www.sltrib.com/pb/news/politics/2018/09/10/strange-winding-fraud

MORMON POLYGAMY HISTORY

More quotes on Mormon Polygamy:

“And there was some trouble with Oliver Cowdery, and it was relating to a girl then living in his (the Prophet's) family; and I was afterwards told by Warren Parish, that he himself and Oliver Cowdery did not know that Joseph had Fannie Alger as a wife, for they were spied upon and found together. And I can now see that at Nauvoo, so at Kirtland, that the suspicion or knowledge of the Prophet's plural relation was one of the causes of apostasy and disruption at Kirtland, although at the time there was little said publicly on the subject.”  - Benjamin F. Johnson, 1903 letter in LDS archives.

“… the Prophet invited me to walk with him. During our walk, he said he had learned that there was a sister back in England, to whom I was very much attached. I replied there was, but nothing further than an attachment such as a brother and sister in the Church might rightfully entertain for each other. He then said, ‘Why don't you send for her?' I replied, ‘In the first place, I have no authority to send for her, and if I had, I have not the means to pay expenses.' To this he answered, ‘I give you authority to send for her, and I will furnish you with means,' which he did. This was the first time the Prophet Joseph talked with me on the subject of plural marriage. He informed me that the doctrine and principle was right in the sight of our Heavenly Father, and that it was a doctrine which pertained to celestial order and glory. After giving me lengthy instructions and information concerning the doctrine of celestial or plural marriage, he concluded his remarks by the words, ‘It is your privilege to have all the wives you want.'”   William Clayton, in Fillerup, comp., William Clayton's Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, under March 9, 1843

BUT Jesus said:  "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. ~ Matthew 19:4-6

There is no shortage of self-proclaimed Bible authorities these days that are coming out with the teaching that the Bible never prohibits polygamy and its okay for New Testament saints to have more than one wife at the same time.  This is not only in the Mormon polygamist culture, but all over the world.  We place their teachings in the category of “doctrines of demons”, unable to “correctly handle the Word of Truth”.

Recently another “opinion” came out that said this:

“A pastor and marriage researcher Daniel Eshun says Christian men can marry more than one wife because the Bible does not speak against polygamy.  According to him, there is no point in the bible where God or any of the prophets spoke against marrying more than a wife.”

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Bible-not-against-polygamy-Pastor-tells-Christian-men-675954

PLEASE PRAY:  We have been informed of a plural wife of Warren Jeffs who is in need of help in many ways.  She is unwilling at this point to trust “outsiders”.  Please pray for BJ.  Pray God will lead her to accept our help, or the help of other Christians who are wanting to do what they can for her.  Pray God will open her heart to trust our help, and her heart and mind to trust the Christian Gospel message, so that she will ultimately trust Jesus Christ.

Most who are born and raised in Mormon polygamy groups go to their graves believing that their loyalty to their polygamy group has indebted God to them.  They look forward to waking up in heaven and rewarded with the promotion to godhood. They believe that since the beginning—God was a polygamist who begat millions of spirit babies each with the potential of becoming a god in their own right through righteous living and polygamy. They need the truth!!

Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

God has rescued us, may He use us as POWER TOOLS to help rescue them. We are available to speak to your group about Mormon polygamy. Just call Doris at 801-649-3103.

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