Rainbows, I agree with you in many ways.
I believe this girl is probably went through a lot, being unwed, LDS and probably not a lot of support. If she opted not to marry chances are good that the guy was not a good guy and and really screwed up and was obviously bad and once again Raven looks like a Knight in Shining Armor next to whatever else she had to deal with.
Perhaps she's felt a bit abandoned by the church and perhaps certain friends and family that were close to the church, therefore pushing her further away from them so their opinions don't mean as much now.
She then realized that maybe it will be hard to find a good, strong man that does share the same faith but is very accepting of her and her situation.
Being with another that has flawed and mended their ways and starting a fresh new beginning.
During the time raising a young child, she probably grew into a very strong woman, that thinks she has seen it all, and knows a bad guy from a good guy because of appearances. Unfortunately these "Strong Women" don't realize the difference between certain bad guys and sociopaths that on the outside seem very loving, supporting, caring and on the inside are putting points up in their head for every misdeed the girl did only to be paid back in the end.
I'm pretty sure she thinks she's a savvy, I am pretty sure she knows all about his past, and what us "Internet" people think about the situation. He is good, is all I can say to you all. This guy can con you out of your last roll of toliet paper and make you think it's okay to use sandpaper on your bum. He's that good.
Being LDS doesn't make you naive, Raven spouts that he is LDS and he doesn't follow any of the teachings, he is a thief, he will steal again, he is a con man, he will con again, he is a habitual cheater, he will cheat again.
This girl will start hearing about her flaws, and he will do what he can to change her a little at a time, she will lose her strength she developed and the strong girl will then start to doubt herself. He will then twist the things she says and her self-doubt will get bigger, she will strive to be good enough, because he will become more and more controlling after they marry.
He is a murderer......one thing I PRAY EVERY DAY that he will never repeat.