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I have more than a passing familiarity with the "prepper" types that are being discussed, and where and how Chad and the authors he helped get published got their start. It may surprise you just how pervasive this presence is throughout the Intermountain West and beyond. And how long it's been growing. But this isn't about my personal experiences with said groups. In answer to your question, and as an example in regards to this case specifically, even Sheriff Humphries was unaware of this presence in his area and was genuinely surprised to learn just how big of a movement it is. See 4:50-6:15 of this interview and note that he says Chad "did have a significant following" in the area:
When pushed for details on how big of a following Chad may have had the sheriff took a wild guess and said "more than 10." I'm going to go out on a limb and say he was greatly underestimating (whether intentionally or not) that number.
Now, to be sure, a lot of people have distanced themselves from Chad since this whole ordeal, but believe it or not they're still out there and a lot of them still believe in the crazy stuff Chad and others were preaching. Chad wasn't the first one to start believing that stuff and he wasn't the first to up and move to the area. He up and moved to the area because the "prepper" movement that he was a part of was already well established there and in the surrounding areas. And if you remember from the court proceedings he tried convincing others including MG and DW to buy some property and move into the area. It surely didn't take much to convince LV, AC, and MP to move there either.
Now would I believe there's enough of them around to potentially cause some problems for jury selection? I couldn't answer that, but I would hope not. Then again they very well may be just as upset that Chad's actions are a black mark on their prepper movement. Who knows?
All MOO.
Thanks for posting this "reminder". For those of us who have been on this thread since early on.......... we have had 100s of posts regarding the "preppers", "end of lifers" etc, from people, like you, who knew some or once were one.... And these groups ARE pretty widespread in the greater Northwest.
And "prepper" can be a misnomer anyway. It is clear to me that the LDS doctrines and practices have encouraged and promoted "preparations" for the future to survive...whatever.
My LDS relatives have months and months of sustenance stored and they practice rotation of food supply. Some close to them have been involved in various MLM businesses selling "programs", specifically to the LDS community.
Doomsday preppers put faith in God and plan for the end of all things
So prepping is not always a BAD thing. There are soooo many articles in MSM about these activities...
And some earlier posters who were so familiar with these cults and practices knew more because their parents were involved in such, decades ago. Some who documented were LDS, but not all.
Of course this is my opinion, but the underlying climate of the "Chad and Lori" lifestyle is not that uncommon, or new.
But I feel strongly from what many have said, that it is not outwardly pervasive or common in the overall Rexburg culture or lifestyle. Others, in the past, on this thread have indicated how Rexburg is such a vibrant University town full of culture.
If anything, I would think that Rexburg is going through growing pains with all the far Western states peoples moving in!!!!!
jmo, imo, just for laughs!!
I personally believe that all trials will be fair there............ because of the children.
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