Dangerous Persuasions

Prophet or Predator: Investigation Discovery Reveals Mormon Story of Sex Trafficking

Dangerous Persuasions

Christine Marie, a beautiful middle-aged single mother of four, had everything going for her. She was a successful Internet entrepreneur, former Ms. Michigan, Young Mother of the Year, and Community Service Award winner who was deeply committed to her Mormon faith. Yet she fell under the spell of a self-proclaimed religious prophet who debased and prostituted her in the name of religion.

In the end, she was left homeless, penniless, without her children and in desperate need of help as a victim of sexual trafficking. Her horrific experiences are chronicled in “Dangerous Persuasions,” a documentary produced by Raw Television (U.K.) airing on Wed., Jan. 30, at 10 p.m. EST on Investigation Discovery. (Check local listings).

“The tech world is going to be shocked about my story,” says Marie, co-founder of Contagious Apps & Entertainment,  a digital media creativity factory, editor of Technorazzi Magazine and PolygamyandTrafficking.com, and founder of Voices for Dignity to help empower survivors of exploitation. “I’m telling it publicly to warn people that anyone can become a victim of a psychopath,” she says. “It took eight years of therapy to realize it was not my fault.”

Marie is not the typical runaway teen who falls prey to men who profess love and protection. She was a grown woman when she met Adam (his real name is withheld to protect the victim) at a Mormon singles dance. “He immediately charmed me because he looked exactly like the man who had appeared in a dream revealing the man I was destined to marry.”

“I had always been taught that dreams are powerful because Joseph Smith’s revelation about the ancient Gold Plates had come in a vision. His translations of the text became the basis for The Book of Mormon, a tenant of our faith.”

Adam convinced her that he had found a new sealed version of the Gold Plates that he was translating. Thus, he would become the new prophet and Marie would become his spiritual wife. Together, they would become as revered as Joseph and his wife, Emma.

“The thought was enthralling,” Marie says. “I wanted to believe him. He even sent me the first eight chapters, written in the style of the Gold Plates, along with an updated version of the New Testament. My faith was so deeply rooted, I truly believed he was the next prophet.”

Within a week, Adam began testing Marie’s faith by telling her she would not be in heaven for all eternity with her children unless she began making sacrifices. She was to turn over all her worldly possessions to help the poor and needy, and even send her children to live with their father in California who had joint custody.

“Adam positioned himself as being the prophet between me and God and threatened that if I doubted his instructions then God would not consider me worthy to become the wife of the new prophet,” she says.

He groomed her with psychological tricks: telling her to do something, then denying it had been said; was sweet and loving one minute, then turned on her in anger; threatening her with Hell if she disobeyed – classic signs used by predators.

Before long, Marie lost her critical thinking skills and became a victim of what experts call “The Stockholm Syndrome,” where victims are psychologically manipulated to side with their perpetrators. “I kept telling myself that what he said was true. After all, God had sent me this man in my dream. The whole world rested on my obedience to him, even if it included being debased and sold to men. He compared it to Christ’s suffering.”

Other so-called “believers” called and emailed her to affirm their belief that Adam was the new prophet. Adam’s “new” translations of the Gold Plates turned the traditional teachings of the Mormon faith upside down, particularly adultery and having sex outside of marriage.

Her next test was to live among the poor and needy as Christ had done. He sent her to live in a resident hotel that housed 80 men in a dangerous part of town where she was beaten and raped repeatedly, all in the name of serving God. When two of his so-called followers finally confessed that Adam was a hoax, Marie teetered on the brink of suicide, realizing  all of her sacrifices had been in vain.

“I was going to Hell anyway,” she said. Though homeless, Marie had the courage to reclaim her son and daughter. The other two children remained with their father. She went to the police, but because she only pressed charges for fraud, she was denied the support of a victim’s advocate.

The Church also refused to help, saying she had broken one of their most sacred beliefs, sex outside marriage. It took a move to California before she told her full story and was accepted into a program for trafficked women who helped her rebuild her life.

“Even though I was an adult, I didn’t realize that that people were evil enough to put a humanitarian face on evil,” she says. Ironically, “Adam,” who was in jail on unrelated charges, is now free and still deceiving others.

As for Marie, her children are grown and doing well, and she has re-married. “I’m not my past,” she says. “I can choose what I want to be.” Her hope is that Dangerous Persuasions will help other women avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

About “Dangerous Persuasions”: People are often scared of what goes bump in the night. But what if the most dangerous monsters were the very same people your life depended on? Following extraordinary and terrifyingly true tales of psychological manipulation, Investigation Discovery’s latest series “Dangerous Persuasions” explores everyday people who were brainwashed into making remarkable sacrifices and committing unthinkable acts in the process.

Told through intimate, first-person accounts, each hour-long episode details the captivating stories of people who were lured into a web of deceit and lost themselves along the way. False prophets, criminal masterminds, and sociopathic con-artists who prey on the innocent are just some of the Machiavellian architects at the center of these unbelievable and shocking true stories.

“Dangerous Persuasions” airs Wed. at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Investigation Discovery.

Comments

62 responses to “Prophet or Predator: Investigation Discovery Reveals Mormon Story of Sex Trafficking”

  1. Glenn Davis Avatar
    Glenn Davis

    Again we have an author who uses the word Mormon to describe this woman’s church when there is no way The real Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) would let this happen. If this is a polygamy church it should not ever be called Mormon because the true Mormon church will excommunicate anyone practicing it. Call her church by its correct name Lds fundamentalist or whatever they call themselves but they are not and I repeat not Mormon. Get it right author or you may find yourself sued.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Thanks for the note. Christine Marie refers to her faith as Mormon. We’re simply reporting the story.

      1. Bob Henderson Avatar
        Bob Henderson

        Jane,

        Simply repeating her words without any effort to provide perspective is poor journalism at best. Mr. Davis objection is valid and should be addressed. The Mormon church, based in Salt Lake City with over 14 million members has no association or responsibility in this “story”. As the author, you should clarify that for your readers so as to not confuse them. You have the responsibility to not simply parrot the words of another, but to provide full perspective to those who will read the tale.

        1. Kandice Avatar
          Kandice

          Hi Bob,

          I would try not to speak out so aggressively on matters you aren’t informed about. Christine happens to be my mother. We were practicing members of the Mormon church. Her and my father were married in the temple, my brothers and I were all baptized at the age of 8, we attended church and went to every LDS event wherever we lived. This man met my mother at a Mormon singles’ dance. I am no longer a member of the church, and neither is she, but we were in no way associated with Fundamentalists or any fringe groups. The fact is this DID happen – to a woman whose biggest flaw was trusting others too much. He may not have been condoned by her bishop, but a con artist and predator manipulated a devout Mormon woman through her faith – along with many other Mormon women. If that makes you uncomfortable, I’m sorry for that.

          1. Mickey Goodman Avatar

            Thanks for writing, Kandice. Your mother was very brave to come forward with her story. It just proves that anyone regardless of education or intelligence can fall prey to a psychopathic predator. She deserves our applause, not condemnation.

          2. Jane Boursaw Avatar

            I appreciate you coming forward, too, Kandice. Agree with Mickey that your mother is so courageous to get her story out there and hopefully save other women from going through the same thing.

          3. Alison Avatar
            Alison

            Kandice, your mother is a brave and amazing lady who has built a wonderful new life for herself. That is true strength – to rebuild after such emotional devastation.

          4. Fred Barrett Avatar
            Fred Barrett

            Kandice; You may have had the misfortune of not being able to do a continuing study of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints” or you were pulled from it before you were able to understand by your mother being duped into believing a con mansuch as the one she became involved with. Mormon is a derogatory nick name given to the “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” by their enemies in the beginning of the restoration. I would wonder if your mother and you were truly dedicated members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just why you would condemn this church you say your mother was a dedicated member of, because of the actions of a con man. The sad thing is that those conmen are preying on innocent females and maybe even males from all religious persuasions. I find it strange why someone would blame the church for their personal actions even though they have an excuse of being conned by a con artist. It wasn’t Jesus Christ that was responsible for your mother’s plight it was the can man and your mother who fell for his evil scheme a scheme that was inspired by a man with out a physical body who’s title is Satan and his name is Lucifer who today is running too and fro and up and down in the earth. So sorry for the challenge your family faced but one should give the blame to those responsible.

          5. De wood Avatar
            De wood

            I too appreciate you being brave to come forward and straighten things out. I felt horrible that your mom went through what she did and I am sure there are many people who believe that they would never find themselves in a situation like that but that’s how con men work. They listen to what is your most inner thoughts and your weaknesses and if I remember correctly wasn’t she excommunicated from the church for 2yrs or something like that? I give credit to your mother that she didn’t give up and that she found her new faith and remarried to find happiness!!

    2. Ken Dahl Avatar
      Ken Dahl

      Again we have a Mormon who shoots off his mouth before he gets the facts. The person this documentary is about happens to have a lifelong history with the Salt Lake City Mormons, married in the temple, etc.

      The reality is, many Mormons are easily swayed by con men. It all began with Joseph Smith. Ask the FBI. The state with the highest incidence of affinity fraud is Utah. A return missionary Mormon is on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List.

      It isn’t all honey and sunshine, Glenn. In fact, your namesake, Glenn Beck is a perfect example of the insanity walking the hallways of Mormondom.

      1. BlueEyeFr Avatar
        BlueEyeFr

        Read Joseph Smith’s story and you will know what the real story of the church is. Exactly the way they put this girl through…

    3. Sebbie Avatar
      Sebbie

      It was only one man doing this not the Church itself. He had been brought up a Mormon as a child but had become an atheist who preyed on the naivity of Mormon’s for sadistic purposes.

  2. Judy Kirkwood Avatar
    Judy Kirkwood

    I think if she identifies as Mormon, and if Mitt Romney ran on the basis that he was a Mormon in every news medium even though Mormonism IS identified with polygamy and abuse in some cases, it is ok to use the word Mormon. No cause for talk of suing author. LDS fundamentalism is a sect of Mormonism and is based on same prophet.

    1. Bob Henderson Avatar
      Bob Henderson

      That’s the problem Judy. People who define Mormonism with polygamy are using old and no-longer relevant stereotypes. To each their own, but to do so perpetuates myths and whispers which are simply not true. I would hope in this day and age, with almost limitless access to correct information, we would strive for truth. People who believe and even repeat these mis-characterizations expose themselves as simple-minded dupes. The author makes no effort to explain the other side of the story and seems to have chosen to maliciously indict a god-loving religion and it’s people as sex-traffickers as a whole. Poor, poor, poorly done.

      And what does Mitt Romney have to do with this discussion? He did everything he could to maintain separation between his faith and his campaign.

      1. Joan Avatar

        Hi, polygamy is not outdated. It is still considered an eternal law accepted by mormons. The Western law doesn’t accept polygamy and that’s why they stopped practising it in “this” life; but it is still a mormon law. Some men who’s wives have deceased re-marry again in the temple and by polygamy standards they are considered now having two wives and are thus polygamists.
        If you wish to know the truth then it will be revealed to you — if it is indeed truth you’re after. If you’re only interested in keeping your beliefs alive then that’s a whole different story, but it’s not wise to confuse the two.

      2. BlueEyeFr Avatar
        BlueEyeFr

        Unfortunately how can you trust a religions that is based on the like of Joseph Smith even if, and this still requires evidence of true reform, they have changed. They still venerate this guy which is revealing of many hidden things.

  3. Judy Kirkwood Avatar
    Judy Kirkwood

    The author has reported on a documentary. Watch the documentary and if you think it is poorly done, then you have a case that the film is misleading. The author is reporting on the content and purpose of the documentary, and she happens to be a specialist in sex trafficking.

    1. Bob Henderson Avatar
      Bob Henderson

      Being a specialist, she should appreciate the importance of full disclosure. This article reads as a sensationalist tabloid attention grabber. But that is after-all how one sells tickets these days…

      1. Mickey Goodman Avatar

        Hope you watched the documentary, Bob. There are evil people in every religion. Christine fell prey to one of the worst who used her very deep faith against her. The fact that he is still perpetrating the same scam on others deserves the attention of the Church as well as police.

        1. kylez Avatar
          kylez

          The point is that the use of Mormon in the title was misleading. It was not a “Mormon story”, implying that the church or an individual Mormon was responsible for what happened to her. The perpetrator was just a psychopathic con-man who obviously knew enough about Mormonism to deceive her into his plan. He was not a Mormon, and his telling her he was an atheist should have been taken seriously. An actual Mormon would not say that. Her telling him about the dream, was to me the most important thing for him to devise his plans. He saw an opportunity in that.

  4. Jdd Avatar

    I find this story perplexing. The situation this young woman describes… A rogue man claiming to be a prophet independent of the official “hierarchy” but nevertheless within the context of the LDS Church… is so foreign to Mormon thought that I don’t know how anyone could be convinced by such a “prophet.” It is literally just as likely that someone in the catholic church could convince a fellow catholic that he was secretly destined to be the next pope. The idea is ludicrous because it just doesn’t work that way.

    Additionally, polygamous sects are not “sects of Mormonism.” Mormonism is a specific christian denomination, not an entire branch of the Christian tree. The name of the branch to which Mormonism belongs is “restorationist Christianity.” Saying that the flds church is a Mormon sect is at best equivalent to saying that the Anglican Church is a Catholic sect, and at worst equivalent to saying that the Westboro Baptist Church is a baptist sect. The claim is just not consistent with reality.

    1. Alison Avatar
      Alison

      Mormon English – it may be incomprehensible to you, but in Utah it is not unusual for wacko Mormons to break away and do their own bizarre thing. They usually hang around mainstream in order to prey on the unsuspecting, especially LDS who may have issues with current LDS theology. For example, polygamist Jim Harmston is just one of the many men who have convinced themselves that they are “the one mighty and strong.” This state is full of such people and their splinter groups that usually involve polygamy.

      1. JDD Avatar
        JDD

        Actually, I live in Utah and am quite familiar with mainstream Mormon culture here. Your statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. While it’s true that any sizable community will have its “wackos,” they are rare in any group. Additionally, the church actively discourages its members from making claims like those made by this secret “prophet” (i.e., members cannot receive revelation for those outside their “stewardship,” in Mormonese).

        Please note that I’m not talking about members of dissident sects. I’m talking about mainstream Mormons like the lady described in this article. I’ve met literally thousands of them in both Utah and elsewhere. None of those I’ve met have ever claimed to be a secret prophet.

  5. […] Investigation Discovery Reveals Mormon Story of Sex Trafficking Mickey Goodman is an award-winning freelance writer with 600 bylined articles in Reuters International, People, This Old House, Veranda, Southern Living, Canadian Architecture & Design, Holmes, Atlanta Magazine, eHow, and more. Her book, “Nine Lives … Read more on Reel Life With Jane […]

  6. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    Although I entirely understand the concern that Mormons have for distancing themselves from such ugly acts that are not part of current Mormonism, I think we should focus on this author’s horrible experience, and the way in which cults of all kinds rob adult victims of their ability make rational decisions. That is when “consent” has no legal application at all. I congratulate Christine Marie for breaking free, and wish her a wonderful life.

  7. Wendy Davis Avatar
    Wendy Davis

    Very disturbing to see how gullible this woman was. Astounding that the people around her allowed her to sell her belongings and leave her children. They rest was just so aggravating to hear and watch that I had to find an outlet to express it. This is a fine example of what lack of strength of character results in. The ability to analyze information you are presented with is useless if you do not have boundaries that are never crossed. I wonder if this lady has a learning disability or personality disorder, or a childhood experience of abandonment by her parents. But again, children, x husband, friends, parents, sisters…where were you? That is what family and friends are for. Tragic really.

    1. Brenda Norris Avatar

      It is blatantly obvious, Wendy, that you have no knowledge of the effects of brainwashing. I happen to know Christine, so I am privy to more of her story than was shown in the documentary. This person came into her life at a time when she was extremely vulnerable, and her only crime was that she was too trusting. Your comments regarding her (possibly) having a learning disability or personality disorder are offensive, to say the least. Not only is she exceedingly smart and well educated, she also has a strength of character that is really seen in most human beings. To the best of my knowledge, she was never abandoned by her parents either.

      It is extremely easy to pass judgement on someone when you have had no personal experience of her situation, and very little knowledge of the effects of brainwashing, cults or abusive behaviour – be it physical or mental. Luckily, I happen to have studied extensively in these areas, so I am qualified to comment.

      1. Glenn Davis Avatar
        Glenn Davis

        Having now watched this disturbing show I have to agree with you Wendy. I’m having a very difficult time swallowing the “brainwashing” excuse being thrown around. Saying this woman was trusting doesn’t excuse her blatant disregard for dozens of red flags that even she admits came up as time went by. The very first red flag was him being at a church dance and then telling her he was atheist. Come on people! Any reasonable person would have instantly understood the problem with a man being at a LDS single adult dance and then telling a woman this. This was more than a red flag it was a battleship shooting off all its guns! Just Like Wendy, after watching the countless red flags this woman chose to ignore, I have come to the same conclusion and say she had underlying mental problems that aggravated her ability the make reasonable and sane judgments. I also disliked how her church leadership was portrayed in the TV show. As a member of the High Council I have sat in many disciplinary councils with wayward members and I have never seen anything but love and compassion shown to the accused. The purpose of the council is to render justice for the person breaking their covenants but also it is a beginning point to help them start towards the road to repentance and re-baptism. Most of the members that have to go through this process are relieved and ready to get back on track and are happy that they have been relieved of years of the burden of the sin on their souls. For those who say we are judging this poor lady let me remind you she decided to tell her story. My problem is the way certain parts of her story were portrayed and how it made my beloved church look. I won’t judge her and I am happy she was able to move on with her life and I pray she will one day return to the church. I understand it must have been very hard for her to tell this story but to excuse her actions by saying words like brainwash or trusting is just to easy. Remember this lady went form a temple worthy member ( or else she would not have been excommunicated) to a prostitute who gave her children away in a very short period of time. She had to have left out countless people and friends in her life (Home teacher/Visiting teachers) who tried to warn her about this man over and over. She forgot to also mention that one of the main doctrines of the church is that no person shall receive revelation for the church itself except the current Prophet. You can receive individual revelation at any time but revelation exclusively for the church will only come through the living Prophet.As soon as this man said he was the “new prophet” she has been taught that this is the words of a false Prophet.Much like a person saying I am really the Pope.She repeatedly disregarded any teachings she received after years in the church including teachings she received in the Temple. I’m sorry but I am having problems with the whole story and its portrayal. I was happy to see she has a son who is serving a mission and she supports him. She seems like a beautiful and caring person. I will pray for her to find eternal happiness that at one point in her life was revealed to her.

    2. Hugh Avatar
      Hugh

      Absolutely … or she used the brainwashing as excuse to do what she really CHOSE to do
      And these people pouring out their condolences, and bravery BS???
      WTF?
      It’s so obvious that blind people can see through it.

  8. Sharee Avatar
    Sharee

    I do not understand how any woman with any kind of intelligence could be duped in this way. She said she had a strong testimony of the Church, yet the church has particular practices and methods by which its prophets are selected. A good Mormon, who understood her religion, would know this, and would not let some charlatan convince her otherwise. Although I appreciate her courage in telling her story to warn others, I feel that if she had been as firm in her faith as she says, this would not have happened.

    1. Alison Avatar
      Alison

      Wow, Sharee and Wendy, what judgmental comments and lack of understanding of psychological manipulation. You talk insultingly about “gullible” and “personalty disorder,” “good” Mormons etc. Just remember that when extreme religious fervor takes over, common sense goes out the door. Many women (and men) who become involved in fringe cults associated with Mormonism are influenced by men who use “good” Mormons’ faith in their own leaders’ doctrines to reel them in ( Joseph Smith’s and Brigham Young’s teachings about polygamy being absolutely essential to get to the Celestial Kingdom, for instance). Their sense of logic tells them that if a man is a “true prophet” what he says is the word of God and won’t change with every new leader. Some of these “gullible” people are trying to be not just “good” Mormons, but super faithful in their own way – however twisted that eventually becomes. Just remember. I don’t want to attack Mormonism, but many people look at the account of Joseph Smith “marrying” already married women who also continued to live with their legal husbands.(at least one had a child with Joseph Smith). And before you say that this is a fable made up by anti Mormons, you can read the research in Todd Compton’s book “In Sacred Loneliness.” Compton is an LDS historian. Just how “gullible” were those women – where was their sense of boundaries?

  9. Tracy Hall Jr Avatar
    Tracy Hall Jr

    Anyone with a modicum of elementary religious literacy knows that Joseph Smith did not learn about the gold plates in a dream. During the night of Sunday, September 21, 1823 and the morning of the 22nd, a glorified, resurrected being named Moroni appeared to him four times, in the flesh, telling him of God’s purposes in the latter days and of Joseph’s role in translating the plates. The four messages were identical except for different warnings at the conclusion of each. Before he was allowed to receive the plates, on Saturday, September 22, 1827, he had four additional annual interviews with the angel. This was no random dream!

    After Joseph completed the translation, three other witnesses saw the angel and the plates and heard the voice of God declaring that the translation was by his gift and power. Eight other witnesses handled the plates and carefully examined them.

    This information is provided in the introductory material at the front of every copy of the Book of Mormon.

    Moroni is the angel depicted in the spires of most Mormon temples.

    Either C.M. Katas is making up her story or she was woefully ignorant about her former religion. No Mormon with the least understanding about the physicality of Moroni and the Lord’s pattern of providing multiple witnesses to his works would be deceived by a lone predator.

    If there is any truth to her story, I feel sad for her. But by her own words, she has only her own shallow knowledge of her own religion to blame.

    Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon at Mormon.org or read it online at scriptures.lds.org.

  10. Fred Avatar
    Fred

    This was such a sad story. They woman sinned by having sex outside of marriage. She went to her LDS bishop to confess and seek guidance and she was excommunicated and then shunned. This was horrific for her as she was now going to be denied an afterlife with her family. After 2 years of effort she was able to become rebaptised. This alone is totally horrific and abusive by LDS.
    Then this highly and overly religious woman already abused by the LDS meets the new prophet, completely in line with her church’s teaching. He totally abuses her etc.. She gets out of it and again her church totally fails to support her.

    This prophet fellow is in every way the spiritual successor to the LDS founder Joseph Smith who had 33 wives including 10 teenagers some as young as 14. He also had at least 10 wives who had other living husbands many of whom Smith sent away on missions so he could marry their wives. As far as LDS members in an uproar about how the church doesn’t practice polygamy and polyandry any more, you can’t deny it is in your scripture, history and that polygamy is part of your afterlife. It was banned in this life only as a way to get statehood for Utah. If you dispute me saying Joseph Smith had 33 wives just check it on the LDS site familysearch. Wake up, you are just as deceived as this woman was and you pay your 10% to a corporation.

    1. Brenda Norris Avatar

      Fred, Christine is lucky to have a supporter like you. You have the whole story in a nutshell. When I talked to her last night, I told her to ignore the negative remarks which obviously came from the uninformed or uneducated, and to only be concerned about the opinions of those people who matter to her. She is a very brave lady who told her story in order to help others who might end up in the same situation as she had been. I am proud to call her my friend.

  11. Phillip C. Smith Avatar
    Phillip C. Smith

    The author of this documentary should have included a disclaimer at the beginning, indicating that what this Adam fellow did in no way represents the Church and indeed the Church disavows any support for this kind of thing. Unfortunately there are those who will seek to use the name of the Church to further their own aims. I hope that people will see the Church for what it is and not a reflection of self-appointed predators.

    1. Fred Avatar
      Fred

      Self-appointed predators? A Church founded by a Joseph Smith with 33 wives, ten married to other men, girls as young as 14 who was murdered in a gunfight at a jail where he was taken for treason after ordering the destruction of a newspaper that published a piece criticizing him for his “whoredom”. A Church that teaches its gullible members to trust their feelings of the spirit vs. rational thought? A Church that excommunicated her after she came to her bishop for advice? You can’t separate this new prophet, the reincarnation of Hyrum Smith from the Church as they are both started by men who seem to act the same. She did what she was taught by LDS, trust the Spirit.

      1. Glenn Davis Avatar
        Glenn Davis

        We also teach common sense reasoning and education. The spirit does help us make decisions and guide us in the right direction but it does not replace common sense, “rational thought” and intellect.

        I sense your anti-Mormon trolling and will not engage in religious banter with anyone who bashes anyone else s religion. We are a loving, caring, and reasonable people. We do not go out and condemn others religion but will fight back when ours is attacked. You may worship however you wish we ask that we may be able to do the same. That’s the difference. To each there own.

        Anyone wishing to know about my church including its history can visit http://www.LDS.org and Mormon.org for answers to any of the questions you bring up above. For the even deeper polygamy questions and Joseph Smith I suggest http://www.Fairlds.org as a source.

        1. JD Avatar
          JD

          It is interesting to me that someone would get so upset about Christine saying she was a mormon, and even want disclaimers and become defensive and accusatory about any part of this being anti-mormon.

          The fact is evident that she was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints AKA Mormon religion, her belief system made her an open target to this man. She met him at a church condoned activity, but she never implied that he was affiliated with the church. However, ‘Mormon” scriptures and even the Bible teach of prophets, those who come out of the wilderness or protested against the mainstream religion(s) of their time when “the Lord” was ready to share new enlightenment.

          The teaching that there is a ‘Sealed Portion’ of the Book of Mormon is found within the Church. The hope for further knowledge can be a powerful draw to many, and reflects a belief in the Joseph Smith Vision story and his search for truth.

          No one was attacking the Mormon church in this article or documentary, Christine was explaining her life and her experiences that created a vulnerability to this kind of predator.

          People don’t think they are influenced by their religious leaders in mainstream religions, but religions do influence their life choices. It helps to determine and influence member as to who they find worthy to date, where to get an education, who to marry, who to judge and even shun and fight, simply because they choose to believe differently.
          Religions in general, can inspire people to defend to the death their truth at the sacrifice of another’s; even though religious truths are often based on personal/group perceptions.

          It amazes me that instead of having compassion for a woman who was deceived by a man (who preys to this day on women at LDS Church dances), your instinct is to attack her intelligence, in defense of your own beliefs.

          I have met the man from this story, I have seen how he manipulates and influences people. Those he has the most power over/against are those who are seeking truth and have a foundation based on the scripture stories found in doctrine from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

          This statement is not made out of disrespect for the Mormon religion, but from personal observation. “The Sealed Portion” has no meaning to someone who has not read and studied the “Book of Mormon”and LDS history. This predator uses a person’s religious indoctrination and their faith as a hook to draw them in, he is still taking advantage of people with these ‘beliefs’ to get income and assets to support him in “his work”. He is still preying on the believers, dreamers and those who ‘seek further knowledge’.

          Why aren’t you criticizing “Adam” for being a predator? Why aren’t you looking closer in order to figure out who he is and to stop him?

          Why are you attacking the victim? A woman, who was brave enough to tell her story(even though it opened her to attacks from people who don’t understand) in the hope that it would create awareness and be warning to others who may be vulnerable to this kind of deception. A deception that uses faithful, good, trusting people’s religious indoctrination; i.e.scriptures, church history and life’s training,, to manipulate and exploit.

          This predator/prophet has evolved to prey on more than LDS women, he now seeks successful people; lawyers, doctors,educated, talented couples and families. He continues with his deception and damaging doctrines.

          I am grateful that Christine Marie has shared her story. I wish I had known its details when I met “Adam”.

          1. Mickey Goodman Avatar

            Thank you for writing, JD. It’s interesting that you know this man and how manipulative he can be. The intention of the article was to warn others, not to discredit the Mormon faith. There are “Adams” in every religion. Perhaps you can alert officials in the church of the dangers this man poses to others and to the religion itself.

  12. Cal Avatar
    Cal

    Inaccurate balderdash! SHAME on you people. HE is not a “Mormon”. She is not a knowledgeable “Mormon”. The story shows an incredible ignorance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints… (of which this predator is NOT a member)… and this incredibly vulnerable woman. If she were faithful in her membership in the church would know there is no way in Heaven this man would be the next “prophet”. There is a line of succession. Did she even ask her Bishop about this? (Another red flag that this whole thing is a fraud). I frankly believe this whole thing is nothing more than a phony set-up just like the so-called “prophet”. Did they interview him? Sure would like to see that! None of it rings true, or even seems plausible. Am I wrong???

  13. Mike Tea Avatar

    I suggest one only needs to read the comments here to understand something about Mormons (Salt Lake City Mormons or otherwise) It is never their fault, their church’s fault. They are not interested in people but in maintaining the illusion that everything is wonderful in Happy Valley, even to the point of accusing this poor woman and her family of not knowing “true Mormonism” (a common and tired old claim), accusing her of being gullible (How heartless) and insisting polygamy “has nothing to do with Salt Lake City Mormons.”

    The truth is Salt Lake City Mormons laid the foundation for this type of con when their founder and his friends chased after other men’s wives. If such a man had approached a Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc. polygamy, sealed books, private interpretation of the will of God would have not been countenanced. It is in Mormon culture that such claims as this man made can be made to carry currency. Furthermore, Salt Lake City Mormons still practice polygamy today in their temples:

    “IF a husband and wife have been sealed (in the temple) and the wife dies, the man may have another woman sealed to him if she is not already sealed to another man.” (LDS Handbook of Instructions, vol.1, 2010)

  14. Dangerous Persuasions Fan Site Avatar

    You might find more information about this story on the fan site for this series. http://dangerouspersuasions.com/prophet-or-predator/

    The current episode, False Memories, Real Evil is incredible. The Scientology episode is remarkable, all the shows show the power of criminal masterminds, con artists and cults to manipulate the human brain and abuse people.

  15. Alison Avatar
    Alison

    I hope some of you are satisfied. You have now succeeded in re-victimizing the victim in this story.

  16. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    As an atheist, I find it very hard to believe that this Adam guy was an atheist. Atheists have a bad reputation which is false, but most people don’t ever get to realize this because they’ve never met an atheist. Atheists don’t waste their time doing nonsense like this. I think she made up most of the story and used her imagination of such reputation about atheists to distract the viewer from her obvious flaws in judgment.

    1. Vicky Prunty Avatar
      Vicky Prunty

      I know that this particular culprit was definitely an athiest because he was my former husband. Don’t take it personally. There are bad apples everywhere.

      1. Mickey Goodman Avatar

        Thanks for writing, Vicky. How did you find the story?

        1. Vicky Prunty Avatar

          I watched “Dangerous Persuasions.” I guess under different circumstances, mostly timing, I could have been a sister-wife to Christine because I was one of the perpetrator’s plural wives before Christine came along. Sister-friends is much better! My athiest ex is using his Mormon background to take advantage of Mormons, so the title is fitting. It’s just disturbing.

  17. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    The story would make more sense if she said that the man was part of the church. It’s pretty obvious to me that she made up the “atheist” thing for two reasons. She most likely lied about Adam being an atheists due to all the pressure and criticism she got from the church, which desperately tries to maintain a pretty image of itself. Also, who else, in her mind, would be capable of such evil intent? Who could she blame this on so that people don’t criticize her or the church? Well, off course, why not an atheist or two. It’s not a believable story all the way around. She’s definitely lying about a few things.

  18. […] Mormon Sex Trafficking? (Read Story) […]

  19. Christine ND Avatar
    Christine ND

    I saw this last night on Lifetime Canada, and my husband watched with me. I was loud about my doubts at the beginning, but because the show is only an hour, you can be sure we were not told all the little details; the subtleties and nuances that only reinforced her belief in this conman. While it may have seemed odd to many of the people commented, I can tell you that love, mixed with faith and a (albeit naive) belief in people can get you down the same road as this woman traveled. While I can’t say I have been victimized and deceived by anyone purporting to be a Mormon (or any other faith) prophet, I can definitely tell you I have been conned by a man I loved so deeply and I believed everything ~ E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G ~ this guy told me, no matter how ridiculous it seemed to other people. I eventually bore his child, and have the joy of having this nut job in my life (at the fringes, most times) for the remaining 5 of 18 years. I have remarried and have a wonderful, blessed life with my husband. I absolutely, ABSOLUTELY believe Christine Marie. And she should be commended for coming forward, not condemned, doubted and judged. Mormon, LDS, or whatever…I’m sure most of us know how to complete the sentence…”But for the grace of God…” Judgement is not our place. Helping and loving one another is. xoxo

  20. Mickey Goodman Avatar

    Christine, thank you for your post. As a reporter, I’ve interviewed several people whose stories I doubted and refused to submit them, even to a willing editor. There is no doubt in my mind that Christine was telling the truth. Everyone is vulnerable in some way. She put her faith in the wrong man with devastating results. Fortunately, like you, she is now happily married to a good man who truly loves her.

  21. CC Avatar
    CC

    She called herself LDS and Mormon and the psychopath called himself Mormon. You comments have nothing to do with the story Glen Davis. You had a psychopath who was brought up in your religion who did terrible things to this woman.

  22. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    I really can’t believe her STUPIDITY because is totally different, period.

  23. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    I said I can’t believe her stupidity because is totally different as being naive, (forgot to write naive )

  24. Christine Marie Avatar

    I am Christine Marie, from the ‘Prophet or Predator’ docudrama. It’s been some time since this show first aired, and since it continues to air and mislead people, and it’s about to air again in the U.K., it’s time for me to speak up and clear up some misconceptions.

    1. The predator was not Mormon. He was an anti-Mormon psychopath* who targeted me because of my religion. I think of it as a hate crime, of sorts. He was an ex-communicated Mormon with a lot of knowledge about the culture, a skilled manipulator and an axe to grind. He imbued himself with authority by first impersonating a man with an authorized church calling, or someone he knew I would be prone to trust. He enlisted co-conspirators to help confirm this deception until I believed. Then I became vulnerable and the manipulation started. I appreciate the way Mickey described the breakdown process in the article. So well done!

    For you LDS people who think I did not know my religion, I wish you were right. I thought no one but me would fall for it, but plenty of people have since me. In my case, he was clever enough to find a precedent in fundamentalist / Mormon culture to justify each new test of faith. Before you assume this could only happen to someone who did not her beliefs, you can read how he played on my beliefs here: http://christinemarie.com/q-a

    2. About this line (above): “The Stockholm Syndrome, where victims are psychologically manipulated to side with their perpetrators. “ Just for the record, I never sided with my perpetrator. Often, I represented to him that I obeyed him when I would actually find ways around it. I doubted, refused things, and experienced enormous anguish. I also believed he was the mouthpiece of God, a standard thing in Mormondom. I don’t think I had Stockholm Syndrome, but I might be wrong. I do think he was a very skilled impostor without a conscience. And what I did have was cognitive dissonance and faulty, referential thinking!

    3. About this line (above): “When two of his so-called followers finally confessed that Adam was a hoax, Marie teetered on the brink of suicide, realizing  all of her sacrifices had been in vain.”

    Actually, teetering on the brink of suicide was BEFORE I was set free. After two of his co-conspirators came clean, yes my world caved in to know that all my sacrifices were in vain, but I also had a sense of relief because I knew I could now get my life and my freedom back. I knew I would live.

    4. About this line (above): “Though homeless, Marie had the courage to reclaim her son and daughter. The other two children remained with their father.”

    I’m not comfortable with the term “reclaim my children,” because that implies that I lost them. And it certainly did not take courage to reunite with them. It was my joy to reestablish a beautiful life with all of my children at my side. They were my very reason for breathing. They still are!

    In the “Prophet or Predator” docudrama, it was wrong and unethical for producers to portray the scene of me parting with my children the way they did. Producers were acutely aware that when i arranged for the children to visit their father earlier than expected, that was my way of protecting them. That is what I made happen INSTEAD of obeying the prophet’s mandate to give them up. I told the prophet I had obeyed, when I had not. It was my way of testing him back. I thought that if he was a prophet, he would come to know I had not passed that test.

    Furthermore, when divorced mothers have a legal order to share visitation with their children’s father, it is false and inappropriate to describe the change in the visitation schedule as “giving them up,” or “losing them” or “giving them away.” Shame on Raw TV, Investigation Discovery and all who participated in this false, outrageous and slanderous misrepresentation. I suspect, Mickie, that this may be what you were led to believe as well, so I do not blame you for using the word “reclaim.” In fact, I thank you for not repeating the false words in the show.

    And maybe it did take courage. Being strong in front of my children was not easy. I was in shell-shock, recovering from repeated traumas, and facing extraordinary obstacles while also trying to be a good parent and rebuild a happy home with no money. But we survived!

    Last but not least, to all of you who are upset about the Mormon issue: what happened to me was NOT caused by the Mormon church! My abuse was the trophy of a psychopathic* ex-Mormon who hated Mormons and women. I was a very devout single Mormon mother. He targeted me because of my religion. I took an enormous hit for believing in the church. I grieve when members of the church attack me and make me responsible for the anti-Mormon crimes against me. Those comments are like a knife to my heart. This is classic victim-blaming. By now, as a society we should know better.

    I still respect the church for all the great and wonderful things it does to help people thrive and make families happier. I have many happy memories in the church, and my sweet son just got off a mission. But for personal reasons, I don’t go there any more.

    Anyway, enough said. That’s my belated two cents, for whatever it’s worth.

    *my opinion

  25. […] too! Reel Life With Jane writer Mickey Goodman’s story on Investigation Discovery’s  “Prophet or Predator” still has traction after a year and a half. I think people are just fascinated by crime stories, […]

  26. bodrum Avatar

    She called herself LDS and Mormon and the psychopath called himself Mormon. You comments have nothing to do with the story Glen Davis. You had a psychopath who was brought up in your religion who did terrible things to this woman…

  27. John Smith Avatar

    This is a very interesting read. I never would have guessed that the Mormons would be into sex trafficking like this. It is very surprising and didn’t know that this would turn out this way.

  28. Justin Othman Avatar
    Justin Othman

    Such a bizarre story, but It is not actuaually surprisising. Adam was prob looking for easily manipulative, weak people who can’t think rationally hence why he was looking for victims at religious institutions. If people read a science book and moved away from religion which was made up by our ancestors to explain how the world works, then people might not be so gullible. Joseph smith and golden plates and polygamy haha what a joke almost as stupid as a talking burning bush.

  29. mishal khan Avatar

    its superb article. i have never seen before. thanks for shearing us.

  30. Del Avatar
    Del

    People are conned all the time, but religion makes it all the more easy to fool people. The way I see it you cannot be a rational minded person and believe in religion, any religion for that matter. If you can rationalise and believe in religious miracles you’re already being conned, time to grow up people and take some responsibility for yourself.

    If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is and that applies to most things in life.

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