Comments on: New FLDS President Called

By: The Apostate

The Apostate — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:53 +0000

Also, on the FLDS front: Judge Conn, in Arizona, ordered the suppression of all evidence taken in the Texas raid.

http://www.mohavecourts.com/highprofile/743-Order%2002-05-10.pdf

By: John Hamer

John Hamer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:15:37 +0000

BiV (#8): I’ve written to FLDS Church leaders for clarification and comments, so hopefully we can get the accurate story from the people who actually know.

Mike (#12): Many churches in the Restoration recognize a distinction between presidency of the priesthood and the president of a given church’s corporate entities — a point we made in the OP. However, that doesn’t mean that this development isn’t news. For one thing, there are precedents in Mormonism for acting legal leaders to eventually evolve into spiritual leaders (e.g., Brigham Young). On the other hand, within the broader movement there are also precedents for prophets to retire, i.e., the last three prophets of the Community of Christ.

By: Mike Parker

Mike Parker — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:12:31 +0000

Since polygamist groups differentiate between the offices of President and Presiding High Priest (in the LDS Church, one man holds both), this notice really doesn’t mean much.

Nielsen is taking over the day-to-day operations of the FLDS church, but Jeffs is still the spiritual leader. It’s a CEO vs. COO thing.

By: Jared T.

Jared T. — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:00:33 +0000

Very interesting, thanks for the notice, John. Looking forward to any follow-up.

By: bbell

bbell — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:07:23 +0000

What is funny to me is that I have spoken to Wendell a couple of times on the phone for business reasons. Never sold him anything but I tried. Guy has the thickest Dixie accent ever.

That was my first and only contact with any polygamous folks.

By: Clean Cut

Clean Cut — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:06:21 +0000

Very interesting indeed.

I’ve had many questions about this very issue since I just finished reading “Lost Boy” (by Brent Jeffs) just this weekend.

By: Bored in Vernal

Bored in Vernal — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:17:17 +0000

The FLDS have avoided the question of whether or not Warren Jeffs is still the prophet. Steven Shields (researcher of restoration groups) believes that Nielsen has become the president for legal reasons following Warren Jeffs’ conviction (the FLDS Church being a corporation) but that Warren Jeffs remains the prophet. It does not necessarily follow that the president is also the prophet although they usually are.

It will be interesting, John, if you can get a clarification from the FLDS themselves on this point.

By: john f.

john f. — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:59:13 +0000

er, “Hildell”.

By: john f.

john f. — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:58:56 +0000

re # 3, I’m betting it’s pronounced Nieltsen in Hildale.

By: Rico

Rico — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:11:50 +0000

Do the other leaders of the Church now accept Jeffs crime or is this a bureaucratic decision? Was the resignation forced because of his crime, so was it legal? If so then I suppose it is possible that making Nielson president could be a temporary move in order to accomplish certain legal tasks.