Statement From The TLC Church

Salt Lake Tribune, September 23, 1998

Also included is the email correspondence between Fink and members of the TLC church as they were provided to the Tribune.

The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days (TLC) formally issues the following statement of facts:

1. Christopher Fink and his family are NOT nor ever have been members of TLC in Manti. They briefly investigated the Church in and about October 1997 and then sent one e-mail to TLC in January 1998, but showed no interest in further investigation due to previously held eccentric beliefs. Likewise, TLC had no interest in them as potential members. The TLC membership discerned Mr. Fink's self-appointed agenda and confronted his beliefs directly.
2. TLC has not in the past nor in the present sympathized with nor condoned the actions of the Fink family with regard to the treatment of their child.
3. TLC is in full compliance in assisting all law enforcement agencies in the locating and recovery of the Fink child.
4. TLC requests and deserves an apology from the FBI and KSL Television, Salt Lake City, Utah, for erroneously stating that TLC was complicit with or involved in any way with the kidnapping or sequestering of the Fink child. Both the FBI (Craig Phillippe) and KSL Television (John Hollenhorst) have stated that the Finks were/are "affiliated" with TLC. The American Heritage Dictionary definition of the word "Affiliation" is:

   af-fil-i-ate, v. af-fil-i-at-ed, af-fil-i-at-ing, af-fil-i-ates. -tr. 1. To adopt or accept as a member, subordinate associate, or branch. 2. To associate (oneself) as a subordinate, subsidiary, employee, or member.

   -intr. 1. To become closely connected or associated.

   -af-fil-i-ate n. A person, an organization, or an establishment associated with another as a subordinate, subsidiary, or member.

   Verb: To unite or be united in a relationship.

   The Finks have never been affiliated -- adopted or accepted as members, associated as subordinates, closely connected or united in a relationship with the TLC. This media portrayal has borne false witness against the innocent membership and leadership of TLC and has further prejudiced the minds of the unsuspecting public toward the TLC in Manti. We fully expect and demand that appropriate retractions be made by those responsible for such misrepresentations.

Background Narrative

On 9 October 1997 President Harmston received the following e-mail communication from Christopher Fink (e-mail links to Mr. Fink have been deleted):

From: "christopher fink"
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject: investigation
Date: Thu, 09 Oct 1997 10:45:03 PDT

Dear Mr. Harmston, Recently I have discovered your website and I am very interested in learning more about your church and the doctrines that you teach. My main interest is in the doctrines of translation and "multiple mortal probations." I am especially desirous to know what you believe concerning translation, as I have had my knowledge on the subject revealed by God, and it is the one thing he desires me to teach to those who are seeking truth-however, I do not know everything about translation and I must continue to learn from whatever sources there are. I would appreciate any intelligence you would share with me, as well as suggested readings on the subjects. I definitely want to know more about your church and priesthood, for I am well aware that the apostleship must be restored before the ancient of days comes and sits with his people, for the building up of the church and of the kingdom, so I certainly cannot take your claim to that office lightly.

Interestingly, I also believe comet Hale-Bopp to be the very one that Joseph Smith was speaking of as a sign of the Saviour's advent, because the whole scientific and public community has been in an uproar, declaring, "A comet! A comet! By gosh, the biggest one there ever was!"

I suppose it would be good to tell you a bit of personal information about myself, so you understand my character somewhat.

As for myself, I am not a member of any fundamentalist group, nor have I ever been, for the scripture warned that, "All tables are full of vomit," and in investigating the "splinter groups" I have found them to be full of lies, deciet, and pride. I preach strong doctrines that condemn almost everyone in existence that I have met, so I have virtually no friends or even acquaintances to share my hopes with-even my ENTIRE family has gone off and willfully sanctioned the shedding of innocent blood or some sins too great to be overlooked, so I have no contact with them either. The Lord has told me to keep and open mind and consider men's claims and beliefs, and through this course I will find all the keys of the priesthood that can lead me into the presence of God-truly, if a man is snappish, he will have to be ground up!

I am married to one wife(it has been impossible to find a woman worthy of baptism, let alone celestial marriage, and thus I have only one wife), and she has stood the test of loyalty to God and his truth, even being willing to sharply rebuke me if I am out of the way. I only wish that most men could have character and charity like hers!

Currently my wife and I live out-of-doors in a tent, but we must soon move indoors to escape the snow and cold. We have been severely persecuted by some members of a certain fundamentalist group in Emery County, and thus we could see their claim to the priesthood is bogus. I have found most men to be liars, idolators and even murderous, all the while claiming grand and great priesthood keys that hardly anyone else has ever heard of, and the clincher is that they insist that I cannot have the priesthood without receiving it from their hands! I have no keys in the priesthood other than those pertaining to the office of an elder, and I have not received an endowment because I have found noone worthy to administer such ordinances, having changed even the simplest ordinances like healing the sick and the sacrament. When I have pointed out mens' faults or false doctrines for their own benefit, they almost immediately declare that I have lost my priesthood and that I am a son of perdition, because they have gathered their little flocks as a result of easy to swallow doctrines of satan.

I believe that ascetics are the most important key to obtaining spiritual purity and favor before God, and my personal experience has proven that fasting and prayer are very necessary to receive the greatest benefit from the Holy Ghost. This is the doctrine for which men persecute me and my wife, because we teach(or at least attempt it) that physical purity is the key to spiritual purity, while others ignore the physical, or temporal, aspect of salvation. They do not take into account that Lecture 1st on Faith says that there is no difference between temporal and spiritual salvation. To neglect one means that you are neglecting the other, but this is too hard for most men to apply to their lives. If you are interested to know all I believe in regard to this, I will be writing a book that explains it very well. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours in Christ, Christopher Fink

President Harmston does not respond to inquiry e-mail and forwarded Mr. Fink's e-mail to Jeff Hanks, President of the Quorum of Twelve for distribution to one of the brethren for a response. President Harmston forwarded Mr. Fink's e-mail as follows:

Jeff, would you have someone respond to this man. He came into the offices this morning and Gale gave him some pamphlets...so he is real. His name really is Christopher Fink. Thanks, Jim

President Hanks forwarded Mr. Fink's e-mail to Scott Koller for a possible response with the following narrative:

Scott Koller, how would you like to handle this inquiry? My discernment tells me that he has become a law unto himself and may have some specific health code that he is trying to promote. Just ask him what he means by the temporal and spiritual laws being the same and you will probably find out. Jim forwarded this to me as you can see below. Thanks, Jeff

Scott Koller does not recall ever responding to Mr. Fink's e-mail. However, Christopher and Kendra Fink with their baby, David, came into TLC offices a few days later requesting some literature on TLC beliefs. TLC Office Manager, Gale Harmston, gave them some pamphlets, visited with them and took them to the TLC Assembly Hall which was under construction. She introduced the Finks to Ammon Trimble who was working on this building project. Ammon visited with them and upon finding that they had been camping out, had not eaten that day, and had no place to go, he offered for them to come to dinner at his home and spend the night. At the Trimble home they ate pizza for dinner and slept on their hida-bed. Kendra Fink nursed the baby boy during this period. The Finks wanted to stay a day or two to look around Manti and talk to a couple of the brethren working on the Assembly Hall. TLC offered to let them stay at a Bed and Breakfast facility that some of the TLC members were involved in. They stayed a couple of days spending most of their time in their room or watching TV. They did not eat meals with those living there when invited. Between nights there, they attended the Sunday TLC General Meeting. The next day they left informing the brethren at the Assembly Hall that they "could not have anything to do with anyone that has had an abortion" since a sister member of TLC had had an abortion as a youth being forced to do so by her parents. They said they were going to Arizona. No one in the TLC membership or leadership has seen them since. There was no further communications with the Fink's until 25 January 1998.

On Sunday, 25 January 1998, President Harmston received the following e-mail correspondence from Mr. Fink:

From: "christopher fink"
To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject: further investigation and study
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 19:27:19 PST

Dear Mr. Harmston, I am aware that you are a very busy man, but still I must beg your personal attention in the matters at hand. My salvation is dependent upon recieving and acting in accordance with the truth, and for my present concerns you are the man with the truth that I seek. About three months ago I visited with numerous people in the Manti gathering including yourself, for the purpose of investigating your beliefs and gaining enough information to ascertain if your group is indeed the chosen of Israel. Some matters of doctrine and behavior must be addressed and explained for my benefit and understanding. I am well aware of the doctrine of multiple mortal probations but will still appreciate any help in this area of study.

In speaking with several members of the gathering, I have found that your group has a practice called, "setting the family of God in order," which involves divorcement of a woman from her present husband and remarriage to another man for no serious cause or transgression. I seem to conflict with this practice for the scriptures maintain that if a woman that is with any man other than her original husband, and he has not committed a capital crime in the eyes of God, she is in adultery. As far as D&C states it, "and if she be found with any other man she has committed adultery and shall be destroyed." "Setting the family of God in order" as presented to me seemingly defies the scripture, and I would appreciate it if you could disabuse my mind by providing scriptural evidence that a man with the priesthood can be justified in conjugal relations with another's wife. If you can substantiate this in reason and scripturally, you will be one step closer to obtaining a new convert.

Another issue I must address concerns abortion. In speaking with several of your apostles, I have been told that a woman in the gathering had an abortion when she was a teenager. How can one who has shed innocent blood be accepted into the church and baptized when it is contrary to all scripture to even, "take satisfaction for the life of a murderer, who is worthy of death." The early brethren strictly warned about having any association with those who have shed innocent blood, and so this creates a conflict in considering membership in the gathering. If you can reasonable overcome this objection as well, I can see no further reason not to join your society. Please give this reply your personal attention at your earliest convenience so I may make intelligent and informed decisions in seeking the ordinances of the House of the Lord.

Thanks, Christopher Fink

President Harmston sent Mr. Fink's e-mail to President Hanks as follows:

Jeff: Would you please respond to this man. Thanks, Jim

President Hanks forwarded Mr. Fink's e-mail to Randolph Maudsley with the following:

Randy, Jim sent this E-mail to me to deal with. Do you remember Christopher Fink? It sounds like he is connected with either of the (deleted) or (deleted) or any host of others that have problems with the the doctrines he asks about below. I believe he is not sincere, myself, and that he has an agenda. None the less, it may be helpful to the brethren here to see how you answer these doctrinal points. Thanks, Jeff

Randolph Maudsley responded to Mr. Fink with the following:

To: Christopher Fink
From: RMaudsley
Subject: Re: "Further Investigation and Study"
Cc: Bcc: PriesthoodDist X
Tuesday, January 27th, 1998

Brother Fink,

Your letter has been referred to me by Pres. Hanks. Wherein you wrote -

"About three months ago I visited with numerous people in the Manti gathering including yourself, for the purpose of investigating your beliefs and gaining enough information to ascertain if your group is indeed the chosen of Israel."

To begin with, Brother Fink, we are not a break-off "group" as I will surmise you are referring to us as, when you call us a "group" - we were cast out of the LDS Church for righteousness sake. We are an organized church - organized by and through the authority of the holy priesthood and apostleship, restored to this dispensation through the administration of angels to James D. Harmston, for the building up of the kingdom of God on this earth and to the establishment of Zion. This was necessary due to the failure of the LDS Church to do so, even the total and complete apostasy of the same. We are not a break-off "group", as we claim no authority from the LDS Church - for those that do, lay claim to nothing at all; for the LDS Church lost it all and all those who claim some sort of a connection with the LDS Church in this day, lay claim to the same nothing that the LDS Church claims - this includes all the Fundamentalists Mormons.

"Some matters of doctrine and behavior must be addressed and explained for my benefit and understanding. I am well aware of the doctrine of multiple mortal probations but will still appreciate any help in this area of study."

I will send you a few papers I've written on this topic.

"In speaking with several members of the gathering, I have found that your group has a practice called, "setting the family of God in order," which involves divorcement of a woman from her present husband and remarriage to another man for no serious cause or transgression. I seem to conflict with this practice for the scriptures maintain that if a woman that is with any man other than her original husband, and he has not committed a capital crime in the eyes of God, she is in adultery. As far as D&C states it, "and if she be found with any other man she has committed adultery and shall be destroyed." "Setting the family of God in order" as presented to me seemingly defies the scripture, and I would appreciate it if you could disabuse my mind by providing scriptural evidence that a man with the priesthood can be justified in conjugal relations with another's wife. If you can substantiate this in reason and scripturally, you will be one step closer to obtaining a new convert."

Well, brother, you seem to have all the answers already! So why ask? We do not proselyte, nor do we bend over backwards to get or keep new converts - people are converted by the Holy Ghost, not by anything we might say or do in the form of a sign. Those who gather here are brought here by the Spirit of God, for the elect of God hear his voice and obey; those who leave us failed to obey, lost the Spirit and are not the elect of God. However, I will address your lack of understanding of the principle of "Rescue" and the setting in order the House of Israel, in this way -

James D. Harmston holds all the keys of the holy priesthood and only one man at a time on this earth can hold them all -

"... (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred)..." (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7.)

And these keys give a man the power that -

"... whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (KJV Matthew 16:19.)

"And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven." (Doctrine and Covenants 132:46.)

In other words, Brother Fink, if a woman was sealed to one man and then goes to another man before that binding was loosed, then there is cause for your concern. But, if that binding was previously loosed by him who has power and authority to do so, then you're barking up the wrong tree. As to whether or not there was transgression on one or the other's part previous to the disolution of one marriage, before another is set in place, I suggest you consider the words of the Prophet Brigham Young -

"There was another way - in which a woman could leave a man - if the woman preferred - another man in higher authority and he is willing to take her. And her husband gives her up - there is no bill of divorce required in the case it is right in the sight of God." (Brigham Young, October 8th, 1861, Beck's Note Book Vol. 1.)

Brother Fink, are you asking such questions because you fear your wife will leave you one day? Or that some future wife might leave you one day? A man can have many wives and concubines, but a woman gets her choice of but one man - do you not believe she ought to have her choice in a man? Or are you as the Fundamentalist Mormons who believe a woman cannot leave them so long as they deem themselves to be righteous? Do you believe a wife is your property? Do you think that for one moment that a woman has no recourse of action or escape from a man who might well be righteous according to the law, his brethren and in his own eyes, but to her he's a damnable jerk? The early brethren had plenty to say about this very subject. I will give you but a few for your consideration -

"No where in the world are women freer than in Utah. As God hates putting away (divorce), husbands among this people can put their wives away only for causes mentioned in holy writ; but wives, on the other hand may claim freedom and support on other and more numerous grounds." (Moses Thatcher, August 28th, 1885; Journal of Discourses 26:314.)

"For a man to seek a divorce is almost unheard of. The liberty upon this point rests with the woman, and as regards a separation, if her position should become irksome, or distasteful to her, even and she should desire a separation, not only is the man bound to respect that expressal of her wish to that effect, but he is bound also to give her and her off-spring a proportionate share of his whole property." (George Q. Cannon, 1879; 'Cannon' pg 36.)

"... and when your daughters have grown up, and wish to marry, let them have their choice in a husband, if they know what their choice is. But if they happen to only guess at it, and marry the wrong man, why let them try again, and if they do not get into the right place the second time, let them try again. That is the way I shall do with my daughters and it is the way I have already done." (Brigham Young, April 16, 1854; 'Teachings of the Prophet Brigham Young'-Collier Vol 3, pg 292.)

"Brigham Young said, Joseph taught... that there was no law in heaven or on earth that would compel a woman to stay with a man either in time or eternity." (Joseph Smith; 'Willford Woodruff's Journal 1857; 'Mormon Polygamy'-Van Waggoner, pg 49.)

And finally -

"When a woman becomes alienated in her feelings and affections from her husband, it is his duty to give her a bill (of divorcement) and set her free." (Brigham Young; 'Beck's Notebook, 1861 address; 'Mormon Polygamy'-Van Waggoner, pg 93.)

"It would be fornication for a man to co-habitate with his wife after she had thus become alienates from him." (Brigham Young; 'Beck's Notebook, 1861 address; 'Mormon Polygamy'-Van Waggoner, pg 93.)

And I tell you, Christopher Fink, that any man who would force himself upon a wife or any woman, is guilty of rape, out of order and is a most contemptable coward. I ask you, Brother Fink, what kind of a man wants a woman that doesn't want him? What kind of man would imprison or hold fast to a woman who would leave him? I tell you no man at all! Any man who does such, will most assuredly lose his wife and all his wives, and obtain no more - lest he repent.

So far as "setting in order the house of Israel" goes, what do you think it means when God told Joseph Smith -

"And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;" (Doctrine and Covenants 85:7.)

Brother Fink, what is the House of Fink? What is the House of Williams? What is the House of Israel? What is the House of God? They are families! They are not churches. The "one mighty and strong"'s job is to set in order God's family! Fathers to sons and sons to fathers, parents to children and children to their father, husband to wives and wives to their husband. For as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end; and as it shall be in the end as it was in the beginning - think about it in light of multiple probations. God is a just God, and down through six thousand years of history, is it not possible that the family order in the beginning has gotten a little out of wack? Just considering additions and losses, it's enough to get a headache! The order of God's family is primarily father to son, and man to man - women, it would seem, have greater freedom with regards to their proper place in that family. This is all I feel to say to you concerning this topic at this time.

"Another issue I must address concerns abortion."

Okay.

"In speaking with several of your apostles, I have been told that a woman in the gathering had an abortion when she was a teenager. How can one who has shed innocent blood be accepted into the church and baptized when it is contrary to all scripture to even, "take satisfaction for the life of a murderer, who is worthy of death." The early brethren strictly warned about having any association with those who have shed innocent blood, and so this creates a conflict in considering membership in the gathering. If you can reasonable overcome this objection as well, I can see no further reason not to join your society."

Brother Fink, the Doctrine and Covenants clearly points out -

"The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord."

We have had but two men, and two men only, who have commited the unpardonable sin and are now sons of Perdition by direct revelation >from God - Spencer Hill and Ivan Douglas Jordan. I am unaware of anyone else, either amongst us now or those who've departed (other than these two men), who've ever committed such a damnable act as to shed innocent blood - even the blood of Jesus Christ, the only innocent man in any dispensation.

Not that it's any of your business, but yes, there is a woman amongst us who when a minor, was compeled by her parents to have an abortion - her parents will never be allowed into our association or this church. God, through revelation and in the True Order of Prayer, told us that she was not responsible for her actions. Now, if you can't catch the spirit of justice in this matter, then trouble us no more. You see, Brother Fink, if the holy ghost bears witness to you that this work and our testimonies are true, then you'd better not worry about the things you seem to be so concerned about. Because if we've got the truth and we are who we claim to be, and the Spirit witnesses to you that this is so - I suggest that you obey the promptings of the Spirit. If you have no such witness, or you desire further evidence to establish truth - take care that you seek not a sign.

We have had many come to us and we've had many leave us - over three thousand! Yet, we are but a remnant, even that remnant which was to come forth in these the last days; to again, a second time, gather the elect of God in unto one place. Now, may God's blessing be upon you as you consider the things I set before you this day; that you might receive of the Holy Ghost a witness to these and all things which are before this time, during this time and remain yet to come, even the truth; which I bear you witness that we are who and what we proclaim to be, even the righteous remnant cast out and then to come out of the Gentile (LDS) Church. I testify to you that He lives, for I have seen him, even Jesus Christ, whose apostle I am. Amen.

Randy Maudsley

No further communications were ever received from Mr. Fink. Therefore, Brother Maudsley send a final e-mail to Mr. Fink's e-mail address. It is as follows:

To: Christopher Fink
From: RMaudsley
Subject: "MMP's"

Monday, June 29th, 1998

Brother Fink,

I haven't heard back from you since I sent you a copy of my "The Doctrine of Multiple Mortal Probations" a month ago (Note: Brother Maudsley not realizing it had been so long since the last post of 27 January 1998). So, I thought I might contact you once again and ask what you thought?

So, do you live in Flagstaff? I've been through Flagstaff a couple of times in the past couple of months. Do you know young gal by the name of (deleted) that worked at the real fancy restaurant near the mall? I can't remember the name of the place... somebody's name or something, near the Red Lobster, I think? Anyway, we had the pleasure of teaching her one evening last May, and she was very responsive to our message... I don't know how she feels at this time. I suppose she's back up in Oregon for the summer, as she just graduated from the university at Flagstaff. Who knows? I thought I might tell you about her, in the event you are aquainted with her.

Oh yes, I thought I'd point out to you that in your last letter you asked that I send you information "general delivery". Chris, I never do such a thing for anyone, as I am not ashamed of the Gospel in it's fulness and neither should anyone be. If you are afraid of someone finding out that you've been in contact with us, then you do not have the faith sufficient to do the things required by the Lord unto your own exaltation; and, you needn't worry about our knowing your where abouts, as we do not go to people's homes or persue them if they have not shown some sort of an interest and show us they are going to do it! Chris, I am called of the Lord to warn the wicked of the Desolation of Abomination soon to come upon the wicked of the world, and if they repent and get out of the Devil's employ, then we will teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ along with the rest of Adam's posterity. If they don't repent, then we will wash our feet of their blood and sins that our skirts will be clean of them in the resurrection, and as a testimony against them.

This will be my last correspondance to you, unless you desire otherwise. So in closing, I testify to you that the things we have told you are true and that we are who we say we are, and that we are doing what the Lord would have us do at this time; that I am one of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness I bear to the world that He lives, for I have seen Him. I leave these words with you and seal them upon your head in the of Jesus Christ, whose apostle I am. Amen.

REMaudsley

TLC asserts that is the sum and substance of all and any "connection" to the Finks. They were "transients" passing through Manti with a special religious agenda. They did not fit into the belief system of TLC and its members and went their way as many others have done.

KSL TV on Sunday 10:00 PM News did a spot on the Fink kidnapping in which TLC was implicated. President Harmston contacted Mr. Bob Jones of the FBI on Monday morning following inquiry about the statements that Mr. Craig Phillippe, FBI Agent, had stated as aired on KSL TV. He told Mr. Jones that the Finks were not nor have been members of TLC and that TLC members were not "affiliated" with the Finks.

Mr. Jones stated that his Task Force Agents had conclusive proof that the Finks were so associated with TLC. Mr. Harmston challenged Mr. Jones stating that the FBI had never contacted a single individual in TLC to make inquiry to see if the Finks were associated with TLC. Mr. Jones stated that they had found among Mr. Finks effects e-mail correspondence to TLC.

After a heated converstion Mr. Jones said he would send a couple of Agents to talk to the leadership of TLC and that they would be in Manti in a couple of hours. Two hours passed and Mr. Harmston received a cell-phone call from a Mr. John Graber, former Special Agent, Intelligence Unit, Utah Dept. of Public Safety -- now Seargent UHP, stating that he was on his way to visit TLC with two others, Mr. Jim Phelps, Deputy U.S. Marshal and Mr. Roy Orton, Deputy Sheriff, SL County. The three of them were part of the FBI Fugitive Task Force searching for the Finks. Shortly after John Graber's call, Mr. Harmston received a cell-phone call from John Hollenhorst, Senior Correspondent, KSL TV, stating that he would appreciate an interview when they arrived in Manti as they were on their way to Manti. Mr Harmston told Mr. Hollenhorst that he would have to wait until TLC leadership had finished assisting the FBI Fugitive Task Force. TLC leadership and members, who had contact with the Finks when they passed through Manti, gave every Fink e-mail in their archives to the Task Force and reiterated all they could remember about the Finks to them. TLC leadership clearly, plainly laid all that they had out to the Task Force and President Harmston told John Graber that "all that was left for TLC to do was to give them the keys to TLC offices and vaults" as they had given everything they had.

TLC leaders and members abhor the abduction of the Fink child and have no sympathies for or with these people. TLC leaders and members want to see the Fink child safely secured by the FBI.

President Harmston has tried repeatedly to talk to FBI Officers Jones, Phillippe, Linda Vitti and Deputy Marshall, Jim Phelps. The FBI has spurned these efforts as they have new leads and TLC is not important any more. Yet, the media abuse continues. John Hollenhorst, KSL TV told President Harmston, Wednesday morning, 23 Sept. 1998, that the FBI told him on the previous Tuesday afternoon that TLC had members sympathetic to the Finks. President Harmston at 10:50 AM, Tuesday, 22 September 1998 was able to reach Marshall Phelps at the FBI's office and talked to him about the FBI media abuse of TLC. President Harmston told Mr. Phelps that TLC would release the entire narrative of the Fink experience to the media if the FBI's media abuse were to continue. Mr. Phelps asked President Harmston not to release it. President Harmston further pressed Mr. Phelps about the matter and he said he would confer with the Task Force Team leaders and return a call to President Harmston within 5 or 10 minutes -- that was at 10:55 AM, Tuesday, 22 Sept. 1998. At this writing, 12:40 PM, Wednesday, 23 Sept. 1998, there has never been a return phone call to TLC from Jim Phelps. Yet, the FBI media abuse continues.

Speculation: Is it possible the FBI is using TLC and Manti as a media diversion? KSL TV reported that Federal Officers were amassing a man hunt in the mountains of Manti for the Finks. Yet, Sanpete County Sheriff, Stan Anderson and Deputy John Cox in separate phone conversations with President Harmston on Wednesday morning, 23 Sept. 1998 stated that the FBI had never contacted them and that there was no such man hunt in progress in the mountains above Manti. However, both Sheriff Anderson and Deputy Cox stated that they had had many false reportings of the Finks being seen in the environs of Sanpete County. Is this media abuse of TLC and Manti simply a means for the FBI to create a diversion and so what does it matter who it hurts? After all, TLC is restoration religion, fundamentalist in nature and because of the media hype over polygamy the FBI could certainly use and abuse TLC. Why not? They are just polygamists -- not real people.

TLC finds the FBI's and KSL's characterization of TLC and its leadership and members as unfounded, mean spirited, abusive, offensive, unwarranted, and that they have prejudiced the minds of the unsuspecting public toward TLC. Where is the justice and truth in this matter? The FBI's objective is to secure and safely find the Fink child. However, they seem to have selected who they will run over in the process.