Lovell, Wyoming questions for relocation (dating, children, Mormon)

[cldj40]

Can someone fill me in on the "right religion" thing? I guess I'm lost, sorry to be so dense.

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by cldj40

Can someone fill me in on the "right religion" thing? I guess I'm lost, sorry to be so dense.

Only Shadowwalker knows for sure what that was about, but I'd guess he was referring to the Mormon religion.(??) I've never witnessed problems with religion in Wyoming, but I've heard stories from some in Utah -- basically that you're never really accepted into a community until you join the church. I've lived here for 38 years and never heard that about Lovell or any other Wyoming community.

[rya700]

Originally Posted by WyoNewk

Only Shadowwalker knows for sure what that was about, but I'd guess he was referring to the Mormon religion.(??) I've never witnessed problems with religion in Wyoming, but I've heard stories from some in Utah -- basically that you're never really accepted into a community until you join the church. I've lived here for 38 years and never heard that about Lovell or any other Wyoming community.

What you describe is a very real issue in the Lovell area.

[GEORGIAINMT]

My son-in-law is from a prominent Lovell Mormon family. They don't seem to have any problems with folks who are not of the L.D.S. faith. They have friends of all religions. That being said, the Mormons (anywhere you go....and I know as I was a part of that religion when I was married to my kids' dad) are a very tight knit group. They do a lot of things together and are very family oriented. Because they believe so strongly in not drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs, etc. they do try to stay away from those influences. That doesn't mean that some of them don't get caught up in that type of lifestyle anyway, but they really preach clean living. The thing with Lovell is that there are a lot of L.D.S. people there, so of course they are pretty prominent in the area. It isn't that they shun or are not welcoming to those outside their faith, it's just that they are more "connected" with those that are. I hope that makes sense. They really are a good group of caring people. Some do try hard to prosthetize and convert others to their religion, but most that I know don't. If you aren't a Mormon, don't be surprised if you are invited to events at their church. I changed religious affiliations years ago due to personal problems I had with the church during my divorce. I still have Mormon friends and of course my own daughter is still Mormon. Most know how I feel but are still friendly toward me.

One more thing to add, back in the 80's there was quite a "division" between the L.D.S. people and others in Lovell due to the "Dr. Story" story. If you aren't familiar with it, Dr. Story was a non-Mormon doctor in Lovell who was accused and later found guilty of sexual assault on patients. Most of the patients were Mormon. He went to prison for this when it was all over. Being he was an upstanding member of another church in Lovell there was quite a problem between some of the L.D.S. people and the people of other religions. I can't speak personally about it, but it is my understanding that over time this terrible thing that tore apart a community has gradually been put behind the residents and things have healed. If you haven't read the book, it is very interesting. I just reread it this year after many years. It is called "Doc: The Rape of the town of Lovell". It was written by Jack Olsen, a wonderful true crime writer. I know that it and his other books are available online. From my perspective (I don't know about others) it gives a pretty accurate picture of life in a small Mormon dominated town. It is easy reading and I think some of you might enjoy the read. Sorry to go on & on! I just want to reiterate that I have nothing against those of the L.D.S. faith, I feel they are good people, but it is not the religion for me!

[rya700]

There is also the 'rumor' about a polygamy sect there? I've just heard about it, don't know firsthand.

[GEORGIAINMT]

Originally Posted by rya700

There is also the 'rumor' about a polygamy sect there? I've just heard about it, don't know firsthand.

My daughter is coming today for a visit for about a week. I'll ask her is she knows anything about the polygamy thing! Her m-i-l knows EVERYTHING about Lovell (ha,ha, she's a bit nosey but a great lady) so she'd know!

[GEORGIAINMT]

I was just visiting with my daughter about polygamists in Lovell. She said that yes, there is a polygamist group there involving a few families. They are not involved with the L.D.S. church (and are not allowed to be as polygamists) although many years ago the families were members of the church. They have their own sect now. She said that the kids of these folks are treated just like other kids in school, they take part in athletics, etc. The town has just gotten accustomed to them being a part of the community and no one bothers each other. I hope that answers the question!

[WyoNewk]

I knew some of the towns in SW Wyoming had a large percentage of Mormons, but I wasn't aware that Lovell did too. Color me ignorant.

[Darrow]

Originally Posted by GEORGIAINMT

I was just visiting with my daughter about polygamists in Lovell. She said that yes, there is a polygamist group there involving a few families. They are not involved with the L.D.S. church (and are not allowed to be as polygamists) although many years ago the families were members of the church. They have their own sect now. She said that the kids of these folks are treated just like other kids in school, they take part in athletics, etc. The town has just gotten accustomed to them being a part of the community and no one bothers each other. I hope that answers the question!

This specific polygamist group follows all the teachings of the LDS church as it was originally established...they don't take the man's last name is what I understand, but they do marry him...so they do claim to be Mormons, but "truer" in their opinion.

Also, if it's such a great church and community - why isn't this crime of polygamy prosecuted? It's been going on so long and EVERYONE in the Big Horn Basin is aware of it. It's a very small community of secrets and scandals...that involve members of that big church on mainstreet, as well as the other saints in town.

It is very difficult to live in Lovell and take a stand against Mormonism. Non-Mormons can say they aren't "bothered" by it, but I doubt it. I grew up there and was certainly surprised moving away from it and seeing what "normal" communities are really like. I went thru the "Doc" years and saw the town ripped apart by that. 60 minutes and Oprah Winfrey got involved as well. Did you know Doc is out of prison and living in Lovell once again - all these years he's maintained his innocence.

[GEORGIAINMT]

In talking to my son-in-law tonight he thinks that the legal ramifications of polygamy in Lovell aren't carried out for a couple of reasons. The polygamist group gets around the legal issues a couple of ways....one, they divorce the first wife, marry the second, but the first one stays and is still "married" to the husband, etc. The other way is that their church leader is not actually a legal indoctrinated clergyman, so any marriage he performs is not "legal" so there wouldn't be a legal document. So it sounds like the law's hands are tied regarding the plural marriages. Also, a few years back the sect tried to build a "community" of several homes on land outside of Lovell. The county somehow denied the sect the ability to do this. From the way it sounds, this sect pretty much started with one family, but has grown to more, as the family's daughters have grown up and married men who they brought into the sect. If any of you have watched the fictional television series "Big Love" on HBO, there are a lot of similarities to the way it sounds like this Lovell group is. Interesting.