Comments on: Susan Ray Schmidt responds to your questions http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:04:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Susan Ray Schmidt http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116591 Susan Ray Schmidt Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:43:42 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116591 Answer to post# 53: Hello Patty! I do remember you. Please forgive me for not getting that doll to you. I wanted to... Patty, I'm happy that you are physically free. May God bless you and help you to find continued freedom in Jesus by allowing you to forgive, if not forget. We are so blessed! Christ alone has set us free, and in Him we are free indeed. My prayer for you is that your anger might be replaced by understanding and love for the wonderful people we left behind; people our Lord and Savior died for, people who need Jesus more than they need air to breathe. These lovely people have been deceived and are products of that deception. And you and I? You and I are blessed beyond belief. We have found Him!!! Ask yourself, "What is my agenda in writing my book? Is it to hurt others, many of them innocent, because I'm hurting? Or do I want to shout out to the world that Jesus the Rescuer set me free through the power of His Word and the Sacrifice He so freely gave? Please, Patty, I beg you to use your testimony to plant seeds of Christ's love. Show the way. Consider using a surgeon's delicate scalpel in place of hacking people apart with a sword. Remember that our wonderful, all powerful,magnificient, without beginning of days or end of years, Lord Jesus suffered intense beatings; He was spat upon, kicked, bruised, pierced, nailed, stabbed, and hung on a cross for you, and me, and the people you are writing about. As He hung there dying for us, He cried out," Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." His cry wasn't just for the people crucifying Him! We are all sinners, Patty. We are saved through His Mercy and Grace. Through "God's Riches At Christ's Expense." How can we not joyfully extend that undeserved grace, that forgiveness, to others? Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father except through Me." For His sake, With love, Susan Answer to post# 53: Hello Patty! I do remember you. Please forgive me for not getting that doll to you. I wanted to…
Patty, I’m happy that you are physically free. May God bless you and help you to find continued freedom in Jesus by allowing you to forgive, if not forget. We are so blessed! Christ alone has set us free, and in Him we are free indeed.

My prayer for you is that your anger might be replaced by understanding and love for the wonderful people we left behind; people our Lord and Savior died for, people who need Jesus more than they need air to breathe. These lovely people have been deceived and are products of that deception. And you and I? You and I are blessed beyond belief. We have found Him!!!

Ask yourself, “What is my agenda in writing my book? Is it to hurt others, many of them innocent, because I’m hurting? Or do I want to shout out to the world that Jesus the Rescuer set me free through the power of His Word and the Sacrifice He so freely gave?

Please, Patty, I beg you to use your testimony to plant seeds of Christ’s love. Show the way. Consider using a surgeon’s delicate scalpel in place of hacking people apart with a sword. Remember that our wonderful, all powerful,magnificient, without beginning of days or end of years, Lord Jesus suffered intense beatings; He was spat upon, kicked, bruised, pierced, nailed, stabbed, and hung on a cross for you, and me, and the people you are writing about. As He hung there dying for us, He cried out,” Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” His cry wasn’t just for the people crucifying Him!

We are all sinners, Patty. We are saved through His Mercy and Grace. Through “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” How can we not joyfully extend that undeserved grace, that forgiveness, to others?

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father except through Me.”

For His sake,

With love,
Susan

]]> By: Susan Ray Schmidt http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116584 Susan Ray Schmidt Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:47:56 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116584 Answer to post# 55: Hello to you, Arlene! Thanks for your lovely post. I appreciate your comments and I'm grateful to hear the book gave rise to so many emotions within you. That is the highest of compliments to me, and more than I could have ever hoped for as I wrote it. The girl's picture is amazing, but then, the girls themselves are truly remarkable. The way I understand it Irene's daughter, Donna came up with the cruise idea, contacted the others, and gave them a year to prepare. I can't imagine the fun they had, getting to know one another. Can you? :D Family update... wow. How much time do we have? Let me just say that my adult seven children are all doing wonderfully. No joke! They love God and are all Christians. They are healthy, intelligent, good citizens, good parents, and wonderful to their mother. I can't imagine being more blessed. I myself have never been more excited about life. Seriously! I am a princess in God's Kingdom. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! All best to you, Susan Answer to post# 54: Hi to Lisa H. Hey there! I'm thrilled, and very honored that you read my book twice... thank you!!! Wow!! Yes, the woman you asked about is Beverly, a lovely, lovely person. I miss her. There are times I wish I could just sit down and have a chat with her. I see some of her boys occasionally... Her children are as wonderful as she is. I recommend you read Daughters of Zion by Kim Taylor. If you want more on the LeBaron saga, don't miss it! It's excellent!! Take care, Susan Answer to post# 53 Hi Kim, I wish I could think of who of Ervil's sisters you could be speaking of... Irene, perhaps? Or Esther? Hope this helps! Susan Answer to post# 52: Hello Liza- I wish I knew who you are!! The only Liza I remember was the daughter of Eunice Gutierrez.. Is that you? I hope you get back to me and tell me who you are! So glad you got away too! Praise God! Susan Answer to post# 55: Hello to you, Arlene! Thanks for your lovely post. I appreciate your comments and I’m grateful to hear the book gave rise to so many emotions within you. That is the highest of compliments to me, and more than I could have ever hoped for as I wrote it.

The girl’s picture is amazing, but then, the girls themselves are truly remarkable. The way I understand it Irene’s daughter, Donna came up with the cruise idea, contacted the others, and gave them a year to prepare. I can’t imagine the fun they had, getting to know one another. Can you? :D

Family update… wow. How much time do we have? Let me just say that my adult seven children are all doing wonderfully. No joke! They love God and are all Christians. They are healthy, intelligent, good citizens, good parents, and wonderful to their mother. I can’t imagine being more blessed. I myself have never been more excited about life. Seriously! I am a princess in God’s Kingdom.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

All best to you,
Susan

Answer to post# 54: Hi to Lisa H.

Hey there! I’m thrilled, and very honored that you read my book twice… thank you!!! Wow!! Yes, the woman you asked about is Beverly, a lovely, lovely person. I miss her. There are times I wish I could just sit down and have a chat with her. I see some of her boys occasionally… Her children are as wonderful as she is.

I recommend you read Daughters of Zion by Kim Taylor. If you want more on the LeBaron saga, don’t miss it! It’s excellent!!

Take care,
Susan

Answer to post# 53 Hi Kim, I wish I could think of who of Ervil’s sisters you could be speaking of… Irene, perhaps? Or Esther? Hope this helps!

Susan

Answer to post# 52: Hello Liza- I wish I knew who you are!! The only Liza I remember was the daughter of Eunice Gutierrez.. Is that you? I hope you get back to me and tell me who you are!

So glad you got away too! Praise God!

Susan

]]> By: Susan Ray Schmidt http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116583 Susan Ray Schmidt Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:07:22 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116583 Good evening to all, and what an amazing blessing it is for me to read your ongoing comments/questions regarding the controversial lifestyle of polygamy. Thank you so very much for your interest and for reading my own personal story entitled "Favorite Wife." As before, I will take the last question first: #56- Suzanne; thoughtful, heartfelt concern such as yours touches my soul. How grateful I am that you didn't just casually read my book as an interesting way to pass a few hours; that for you it was more than a fleeting window-view into an different way of life, something that at the final page you could toss aside and speedily move on and away to a new interest. Your interest is the primary reason I wrote my book. What, indeed, can be done to help the people trapped in polygamy?? I believe that education has to be the answer. These women (and men) who truly desire to live a life pleasing to God need to study for themselves and to absolutly understand what God's Word has to say about marriage. These women need to realize that God loves them so much! That He wrote a book, a map, a guide, a love letter to us to keep us safely on the path back to Him. That He wasn't trying to trick us by saying one thing and meaning something else when he joined Adam and Eve and instructed that the TWO shall be one flesh. TWO, not three, nor five nor nine. If they would read God's Word they would find that nowhere in the Bible did God command polygamy, not to Abraham, as we were taught, nor anywhere else in the Word of God. Jesus endorsed "the two will be one flesh" as did His Apostles. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever! Suzanne, I'm saying this hoping and praying that some lovely woman or girl who is thinking of entering into polygamy will STOP and search the Bible first. Even the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy, for heaven's sake, and calls it what it is, an abomination before God. Please continue to pray, as I do along with you, that the heartache known as polygamy will cease. If you or others desire to help, I suggest you contact http://shieldandrefuge.org/ God bless you! Susan Good evening to all, and what an amazing blessing it is for me to read your ongoing comments/questions regarding the controversial lifestyle of polygamy. Thank you so very much for your interest and for reading my own personal story entitled “Favorite Wife.”

As before, I will take the last question first:

#56- Suzanne; thoughtful, heartfelt concern such as yours touches my soul. How grateful I am that you didn’t just casually read my book as an interesting way to pass a few hours; that for you it was more than a fleeting window-view into an different way of life, something that at the final page you could toss aside and speedily move on and away to a new interest. Your interest is the primary reason I wrote my book. What, indeed, can be done to help the people trapped in polygamy??

I believe that education has to be the answer. These women (and men) who truly desire to live a life pleasing to God need to study for themselves and to absolutly understand what God’s Word has to say about marriage. These women need to realize that God loves them so much! That He wrote a book, a map, a guide, a love letter to us to keep us safely on the path back to Him. That He wasn’t trying to trick us by saying one thing and meaning something else when he joined Adam and Eve and instructed that the TWO shall be one flesh. TWO, not three, nor five nor nine. If they would read God’s Word they would find that nowhere in the Bible did God command polygamy, not to Abraham, as we were taught, nor anywhere else in the Word of God. Jesus endorsed “the two will be one flesh” as did His Apostles. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!
Suzanne, I’m saying this hoping and praying that some lovely woman or girl who is thinking of entering into polygamy will STOP and search the Bible first. Even the Book of Mormon condemns polygamy, for heaven’s sake, and calls it what it is, an abomination before God.
Please continue to pray, as I do along with you, that the heartache known as polygamy will cease. If you or others desire to help, I suggest you contact http://shieldandrefuge.org/

God bless you!
Susan

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116468 Suzanne Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:21:19 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116468 Hi Susan, After finishing your book tonight, my husband and I had a long conversation about what we could do to help the people who are still practicing polygamy. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am surprised to know that we, as a society, just sit back and let this happen. I know that you would be one who could offer suggestions to those of us that would love to be able to help. Help in any way possible. Our prayers go out to you and to all of the people who are still trapped in that lifestyle. You are a beautiful person and we appreciate your hard work in bringing this book to the public. Hi Susan,
After finishing your book tonight, my husband and I had a long conversation about what we could do to help the people who are still practicing polygamy. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am surprised to know that we, as a society, just sit back and let this happen. I know that you would be one who could offer suggestions to those of us that would love to be able to help. Help in any way possible. Our prayers go out to you and to all of the people who are still trapped in that lifestyle.
You are a beautiful person and we appreciate your hard work in bringing this book to the public.

]]> By: Arlene Raymond http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116175 Arlene Raymond Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:59:33 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116175 Hi Susan, I just finished reading "His Favorite Wife" and after looking at the pictures, I was impressed by the one with all of Verlon's daughters taken in 2004 on a cruise they went on together. It is remarkable that a group of this size, from a dysfunctional background, have stayed in touch and are all stable enough to plan and finance a cruise! What a testimony to the strength and goodness of the women who raised these children. Your writing beautifully captured the chaos, love, hate, strengh, weakness, compassion, and basically every human emotion possible. I apprecite this web site and look forward to a family update. Hi Susan,
I just finished reading “His Favorite Wife” and after looking at the pictures, I was impressed by the one with all of Verlon’s daughters taken in 2004 on a cruise they went on together. It is remarkable that a group of this size, from a dysfunctional background, have stayed in touch and are all stable enough to plan and finance a cruise! What a testimony to the strength and goodness of the women who raised these children. Your writing beautifully captured the chaos, love, hate, strengh, weakness, compassion, and basically every human emotion possible.
I apprecite this web site and look forward to a family update.

]]> By: Lisa H. http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-116026 Lisa H. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:24:39 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-116026 Hi Susan, I just finished reading your book for the 2nd time. What I love about your book is I felt like I was standing right there with you as you experience these events. It was a completely different view of polygamy from authors who followed Warren Jeffs. This is my 4th polygamy book I've read and so far...I enjoyed your book the most. My question is...on the cover of your book, who is the woman in the far left? After reading these comments, I know that from left to right is Lillie, Lucy, you, Verlon, Charlotte, Esther, Irene and ???. Is that Beverly? Also, do you have any recommendations of other books on polygamy? I've read Under the banner of heaven, Escape, Stolen Innocence, your book of course and I have already ordered Irene's book. Thank so much for taking the time to post on this site. It's a great end to finishing a great book. Hi Susan,
I just finished reading your book for the 2nd time. What I love about your book is I felt like I was standing right there with you as you experience these events. It was a completely different view of polygamy from authors who followed Warren Jeffs. This is my 4th polygamy book I’ve read and so far…I enjoyed your book the most. My question is…on the cover of your book, who is the woman in the far left? After reading these comments, I know that from left to right is Lillie, Lucy, you, Verlon, Charlotte, Esther, Irene and ???. Is that Beverly? Also, do you have any recommendations of other books on polygamy? I’ve read Under the banner of heaven, Escape, Stolen Innocence, your book of course and I have already ordered Irene’s book. Thank so much for taking the time to post on this site. It’s a great end to finishing a great book.

]]> By: KIM http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-115940 KIM Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:01:26 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-115940 Do you know some of Ervil's sisters names? My father was married to one of them for a brief time but I have a mental block as to her name... I am just starting to come to terms with all this after almost 50 years. Do you know some of Ervil’s sisters names? My father was married to one of them for a brief time but I have a mental block as to her name…
I am just starting to come to terms with all this after almost 50 years.

]]> By: liza grape http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-115735 liza grape Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:15:55 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-115735 Hello Susan, this is Lizabet Grape. I remember you. Glad you got away as I did. Sincerely, Liza Hello Susan, this is Lizabet Grape. I remember you.
Glad you got away as I did. Sincerely, Liza

]]> By: Miss LeBaron http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-2#comment-115256 Miss LeBaron Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:31:11 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-115256 And for all of you out there I just want to add, that polygamy is just one of the things that these women suffered; the generation that came from these men was a bunch of imoral men that in some circumstances made all the women sleep together; and many of the men were mental, physical and emmotional abusers; in my book I have a chapter called "The So Called Chosen People of God", because this is what they called themselves; men that were child molesters, drug dealers, car theives, and other things that you can't even imagine, that is the generation I saw; read "Blank Faces" and learn about the rich and modern day polygamists, in Colonia LeBaron. And for all of you out there I just want to add, that polygamy is just one of the things that these women suffered; the generation that came from these men was a bunch of imoral men that in some circumstances made all the women sleep together; and many of the men were mental, physical and emmotional abusers; in my book I have a chapter called “The So Called Chosen People of God”, because this is what they called themselves; men that were child molesters, drug dealers, car theives, and other things that you can’t even imagine, that is the generation I saw; read “Blank Faces” and learn about the rich and modern day polygamists, in Colonia LeBaron.

]]> By: Patty LeBaron http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm/comment-page-1#comment-115252 Patty LeBaron Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:29:50 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/06/05/susan-rays-schmidt-responds-to-your-questions.htm#comment-115252 Dear Aunt Susan, have not seen you since Nicaragua, you left there 5 years before I did; I'm so happy that you have found happiness; I just published my first book, called "BLANK FACES"; it is different from yours; it was a very hard book to write it is about a whole different era in Colonia LeBaron, my return there after being in Nicaragua in hidding for 8 years, writing it has been such therapy for me; as I wrote I would go into total crissis re living things I had put away safley for so many years; my husband that has been so supportive told me one day, "just get it all out, then sort through it and if whe you are done you dont want to publish it, then don't, you can burn it or something, but get it all out," I did, and out of 600 pages I only publishes 150, I could not deal with revealing the other part it was just way to hurful to so many, I'm working on my second book called "AT THE MERCY OF A SICK MIND" I'm not so graceful in my writing as you are; I'm very blatent with the facts and still have so much anger about it all; I know you were not there when much of what I write about went on. I don't know if you remember me but maybe this will remind you who I am; "you owe me a doll" I wish you the best, and e-mail me if you like I would love to chat with ya some time, your sister in Christ, Patty Dear Aunt Susan, have not seen you since Nicaragua, you left there 5 years before I did; I’m so happy that you have found happiness; I just published my first book, called “BLANK FACES”; it is different from yours; it was a very hard book to write it is about a whole different era in Colonia LeBaron, my return there after being in Nicaragua in hidding for 8 years, writing it has been such therapy for me; as I wrote I would go into total crissis re living things I had put away safley for so many years; my husband that has been so supportive told me one day, “just get it all out, then sort through it and if whe you are done you dont want to publish it, then don’t, you can burn it or something, but get it all out,” I did, and out of 600 pages I only publishes 150, I could not deal with revealing the other part it was just way to hurful to so many, I’m working on my second book called “AT THE MERCY OF A SICK MIND” I’m not so graceful in my writing as you are; I’m very blatent with the facts and still have so much anger about it all; I know you were not there when much of what I write about went on. I don’t know if you remember me but maybe this will remind you who I am; “you owe me a doll” I wish you the best, and e-mail me if you like I would love to chat with ya some time, your sister in Christ, Patty

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