One of the presentations I personally enjoyed the most came from a not so well known researcher, Marianne Watson along with publisher Craig Foster, regarding the relatively obscure role of Nathaniel Baldwin and his radio factory in helping with the birth of the modern polygamist movement during the 1920's. They broke new ground in shedding light on Nathaniel Baldwins life, belief, and financial backing of early polygamists as the fundamentalist movement began to break out of the shadows of the LDS church.
I was asked to give a presentation on the current turmoil gripping the AUB group and the fractured lines that have emerged since the death of LaMoine Jenson and the appointment of Lynn Thompson / Harry Bonnell. I thought I would share with my readers (if there are any still out there) one of the slides and a few of the sentiments I used in describing the AUB breakup.
The four categories that are pictured above are not meant to be judgmental of the people within those profiles. The image is simply a way to give a quick glance into how financial scandal, sexual allegations, shifting doctrine, and leadership issues are remaking the size and image of the "Allred Group" particularly in Pinesdale. The quotes in each section are actual quotes from folks who consider themselves to be in that particular profile. The lines between each profile are certainly not hard lines at this point...quite the opposite. The people in Pinesdale are currently in constant flux and often find themselves floating day by day through the different profiles in search of where they belong. Sadly, the breakup is often painful and complex within each individual and family.
Unfortunately, the curtain is closing on the Utopian designed community started in 1961 that grew to become a place of refuge for many polygamist families. However, just because the monolithic Utopian dream has come to an end as all such communities inevitably do... does not mean that the community of Pinesdale can't still have a bright future. An orchestra, after all, is made up of many different instruments. In fact, the differences of all those instruments coming together can create an even more beautiful symphony of sound. The future of Pinesdale will be up to the people. The question is...can they co-exist with their differences?
1 comment:
Joe, just stopping in. Saying hi. You know, of course, that the press corps observer cannot accurately capture the blazing exhilaration or binding pain of the player. Not that the reporter need be sprinkled with his subject's blood to report faithfully.... still, thank you for the times you speak gently and love strongly. Those times I not only feel added-upon affection for the friends who people your word world, but recall how very much I love you, as well. Forever, Nae
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