Rexburgh Sleuth - thank you for so comprehensibly answering my query re the likely composition of jury members. One of the things I was particularly wondering was the likelihood or otherwise of a high percentage of LDS members. Here in Australia, not being LDS myself, or knowing anyone who is, I really have no idea how normal LDS beliefs and Chad's beliefs may differ. To me personally, I find Chad's stated belief that Tammy would die young simply unbelievable and pretty much proof of intent to murder. So if I were on the jury, that fact alone would pretty much condemn him in my eyes. But how do normal LDS members view that? Would they take the same viewpoint, or like me find it unbelievable and condemning?
Many thanks to all of you who "liked" my post - but I really actually genuinely wanted an answer!
Sorry for the delay. This past weekend is key to why I didn't answer. Our church held it's semi-annual General Conference, 10 hours of devotion and instruction over two days. Now that's over, an answer you shall have...
The alleged report is that Chad told a number of people that his wife of 28 years would die soon.
Normal/mainstream beliefs of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints could potentially include prophetic revelations to all members. Such examples could be innocuous such as the revelation to cease playing Frontierville as it is a waste of time. We believe they aften come as thoughts, impressions or feelings. Thomas S. Monson (late president of the church, revered as a prophet by members) tells the story of such an impression. He had the thought to leave an important meeting and visit a man in the hospital. He had previously known that the man had taken a turn for the worst, but remained seated because it would be discourteous to leave. Later he left the meeting and rushed to the hospital finding the man had passed and his final words were calling for Monson's name.
President Thomas S. Monson: Man of Action, Man of Faith, Always ‘on the Lord’s Errand’
There are countless other stories like this. Normal/mainstream members would have heard this story repeated multiple times as an example of why it is so important to follow impressions of the Holy Spirit, and there is a sense of seeking guidance and following personal revelation. One key thing to understand is that we members believe in direction and guidance from a higher power. We come to expect it if we are living as we feel we should, keeping the commandments, loving our neighbor, paying our devotions to Heavenly Father, serving others, etc.. I can tell you that I have had such impressions that I truly believe are from heaven. In the vast majority of those experiences the end result when heeded was someone's life (including my own) was blessed. For example, I felt to take an alternate route home from work. Turns out there was an accident on the normal route. Was I protected from being in the accident? Who knows, but I got home safely and faster than if I was stuck in the resulting gridlock traffic. Nearly every time the result is a blessing to my life or others. Some times I have no idea what the result of following a prompting was. Nothing seemingly happened. However, every time I had an impression or revelatory feeling, I felt I had to do act in some way, to do something, say something.
The subtle difference between a prompting, thought, impression, feeling that a spouse will die and the reported from Thomas S. Monson that a man needs to be visited is that in the latter, there was an opportunity to love and serve the man who was sick. In the former, what benefit is there? None that I can see. Maybe it did happen. Maybe it was to prepare the surviving spouse and family for the situation they would be in. One could argue that the blessing was that he acted to prepare a greater life insurance policy, that was the blessing! He and they would be financially protected for years to come even though in mourning for the loss. However, we see that the funds have been frittered away and his apparent mourning was over in mere days.
Another key issue with the revelation of her impending death is that such deeply personal impressions are normally very, very, private and personal. In no situation can I see the benefit of sharing the forehand knowledge that one has impressions that one's spouse will die soon, even to the expected manner of death (car accident). Never. Because just as we believe that heaven can warn and guide through revelatory impressions and thoughts, we also feel that Satan can influence and give ideas that can imitate and insinuate, mimicking the same. However, we are counseled to test and try all impressions. Follow up with prayer, seek guidance and further knowledge from heaven to know of the truth. But, as such are so very private and personal, they shouldn't be shared in public or with others unless there's a very good reason.
Many people have a hard time with this, especially because the emotions around imposter impressions can be so strong. We believe Satan can play on feelings and influence behavior, but ultimately it's the responsibility of the person to act or not to act on those feelings. It would be interesting to figure out how often mainstream members of the faith are confused about their revelatory impressions.
Retrospectively, I think that the obvious result of Charles's death after Lori expected him to die was a focus on his dying. If the death wasn't planned as a trap, as in they just needed some reason to 'justify' self-defense with a gun against a baseball bat, then I would be surprised.
Chad's sharing the potential of Tammy's death before her actual death with Lori, MG, JR, or anyone else with whom he may have been romantically involved with, even if unreciprocated romantic feelings from his side is very suspect to me, and hopefully to many if not all members of the church.
I feel that normal LDS members would view the prior announcement that Tammy would die as very suspect.
Though....
Sorry, I don't know how to bold the original text- "I'm not sure if people are falling for the fake news that masks don't work, too tired of the isolation, or if they are just too stubborn and think it won't happen here because it didn't for so long."
As a Rexburg resident I can tell you that it is about a whole lotta "don't infringe on my rights". Also, the whole thing is a hoax that will end after the election, along with some strictly raised LDS youth who are experiencing their first real taste of freedom at BYUI. Most people I see without masks in stores are young students or the guys with the Trump flags in the backs of their pick up trucks. Sometimes it's hard to live here. Sigh. Also, a little the Lord will protect us is going on here. There's a reason Chad was drawn to this area. MOO.
Edit: Haha! Sorry! I just noticed the original poster was RexburgSleuth, so nevermind. You already know all this.
I agree. There is a subtle sense that 'we will be protected' underlying it. I do think reliance on revelation can go to a point where common sense and understanding of science take a back seat if even allowed in the car.
COVID-19 plus this Daybell saga is an interesting commentary on the area. We're quick to rely on revelation, but don't always verify its source. Also, common sense can be ignored. There are many, many people here who are wearing masks. What is the reason for those who don't? There are some who are refusing, some who wear a mask but then stand a foot apart in the store, some who wear the same mask without exchanging or washing it. Cases keep going up. Last week's high was 220 active cases, we're at 225 now.
Tableau Public (click the overview tab)
Madison school said they would close if over 200. They are closed due to potato harvest, but we hit 202 the day before the big homecoming game and dance the next day. None of that was closed or cancelled. I don't know if closing school will help or hurt the situation. It's not like closing the school has kept people from going out into the community. Are those who are participating in harvest wearing masks? How about those who are just using this as a vacation. There have been reports that students (statewide/nationwide) who are in online university classes are just traveling more since they aren't tied to a classroom. How much of that is happening here at BYU-Idaho?
I really hope but am not sure that a jury here would convict higher charges based on the evidence we've seen. I fear that there's enough local feeling of that independence plus faith mixed with reliance on divine intervention that a change of venue might be a good thing. By these I mean things I've heard locally...
Independence: this is just a government overreach–I know this is not my opinion, but for so long people were told she was protecting the kids! How many are going to believe that he had no idea the kids were dead and buried in his yard
Faith: if they did receive revelation who am I to doubt it
Divine intervention: if they're truly innocent they'll go free, if truly guilty something big will prove it in the evidence
ETA:
We've been asked not to discuss LDS teachings and doctrine so without getting into a detailed compare and contrast on this site I think we can just say that CD's and LVD's spiritual beliefs are not LDS teachings and differ significantly. This would be immediately apparent to a jury. I suspect that the prosecution will limit the discussion of the religious aspects as much as he can though. This is a complex case and he will need to amplify the provable evidence and try to cut through the noise that may confuse or distract a jury. MOO
Moderators, if I've overstepped with my opinion based on local observations, please snip my post. I'll self-report to alert to that possibility now.
I'm not sure that I have overstepped with my examples and my opinion of the mood and climate here with regard to religious beliefs. I was answering to what I felt potential jurors would consider as part of their decision in such a case.
