The Price

I woke this morning with a feeling to get out my copy of “The Price.” I went up to the attic and found the box marked Mormon Books and found my copy. I have kept many of my books in the attic because they contain information that makes some people uncomfortable. Over the years I have been led to these books, they have helped in my awakening process. These books have opened my eyes to further light and knowledge.

The Price is a story out of Nazi Germany. It recounts the experience of several young German boys who decide to stand up for the principals of freedom. Some paid the ultimate price with their lives. Karl Schnibbe tells his story of survival and triumph. As a boy in his early teens he describes the gradual transition that took place around him. First in the community, and then in his church. 

Karl was a Mormon in Nazi Germany. He saw the young boys join the Brownshirts. They began wearing these uniforms to church. In the beginning the Nazi takeover brought a temporary relief from high unemployment and the out of control inflation. In 1936 Karl joined the “Cub Scouts” of the Nazi party. Recruiters came through each neighborhood carefully registering each youth. He said at first it was very exciting with overnight hikes, marching, and mock battles. Indoctrination took on a regular basis. When he was 14 he went into the Hitler Youth, where each got a dagger with the words, Blood and Honor stamped on the blade. 

He became disillusioned with the Nazi party because he saw they were diametrically opposed to the principals of freedom.

He said that many of those around him adopted the “wait and see” attitude with Hitler and the Nazis. He watched as people began to disappear. Church members were supportive of Hitler, referring to the 12th article of faith which says: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. He said that members tended to be a bit naive in political matters.

A special church meeting was held when an angry church leader, President Soellner, learned his own typewriter had been used to write anti propaganda leaflets. Karl ultimately spent 7 years in prison serving hard labor. He is a survivor. His friends weren’t as fortunate.

We have now facing us, many of the same challenges that Karl faced in Nazi Germany. Our freedom is at risk. We are living in a police state where anyone can be arrested without reason and held indefinitely as an enemy of the state. It is time to wake up and speak out.

Hiding behind a locked door or a naive church will not help us. We are at war with our own neighbors, who claim they are only doing their job. It is time to quit working for those who manipulate us and make a difference. 

Abuses are rampant among us. Families with multigenerational physical, mental, and sexual abuses are being quietly swept under the rug. Leaders at risk are advising us to forgive and forget, while they continue the abuses behind closed doors. Depression, suicides, and drug use is pandemic among us. It is time to come out and declare to the world that, “We are mad as hell, and not going to take it any longer.”

Living in Manti, Utah in 1993 I found myself facing discrimination in renting a home. I contacted the Fair Housing Authority in Colorado with my complaints. They stood ready to help in my case. I also contacted the channel 4 news in Salt Lake City. Paul Murphy brought down his camera truck to do an interview. There I was on the 6:00 o'clock news telling my story. When I talked to my Bishop, I was advised to forgive and forget.

There is a seething current just underneath the surface of public view. It is filled with deception, abuse, and control. Leaders need to wake up, report, and correct  these abuses. 

In my own extended family, there is first hand accounts of sexual, physical, satanic, and mental abuses. It has destroyed lives. Only a very few have had the courage to speak out against their abusers. Fear of reprisals against family members have created more abuses. Leader have warned family not to associate with those who have been excommunicated. If you do ... we will come after you.

The “wait and see” attitude will destroy us. 

Forgive and forget will bury us.

It is time to pay the Price for freedom by SPEAKING OUT LOUD.