The 1st Amendment and the 11th Article of Faith

I write this in regards to the incidents and events surrounding the FLDS community within and around San Angelo, Texas. From reports and news articles, apparently, a sixteen year old girl called from the community, dubbed a compound by the news, reporting abuse. This lead to the raid of the FLDS community displacing hundreds of children and yet the sixteen year old that called asking for help has not been located. Court hearings have ensued and DNA testing has been done. Mothers and fathers are not allowed to see their children, even to offer prayers.





Now, I do not support, condone, or sympathize with the teaching of the FLDS Church. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have no ties with the FLDS Faith other than what I have read through the news and accredited websites, and this post.


But, as a practicing and active member of a religious faith, I cannot help seeing this as an attack on the constitutional liberties of these people. The 1st Amendment states,


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


We have a reported abuse case regarding one person in the community, not every child in the community. Yet the government has felt that this one case is evidence enough to disregard the Constitution. Yes, the abuse of anyone, especially a child, is a horrible grievance in the sight of God and the Government, rightfully so. But, there are children and spouses that are abused by parents and spouses from all walks of life, from every religion to every government. But do we invade congressional sessions and rob every congressman from son and daughter when one of their numbers has abused said child? No!! There is due process and order that must be followed, and yet it hasn't. Why is this group, the FLDS faith being singled out and being denied their Constitutional rights? Because they are not status quo!!



Yet, I believe that the Articles of Faith discuss these topics poignantly. The 11th states,

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

This article is part of the Standard Works of the LDS church and Canon!! This statement directly correlates with the Constitution of the United States and the rights of the nation. Yet, the constitution has been waived regarding these members of this religious practice. An injustice against one is an injustice against us all! If abuse has happened, then let the ball roll, but there is not anything more than circumstancial evidence to say one way or the other. And until there is, the rights of these people should not be waived. And I feel that it is as much a religious duty as a political one to make a stand against this. For we truly believe that all men have the privilege of worshiping how, where, and what they may.