Polygamous groups assert their Mormon heritage

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Polygamy-practicing fundamentalists with religious roots in early Mormon theology are rankled by a campaign to direct the way media groups define those sects.

The campaign is led by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A statement today from the Principle Voices Coalition says members object to efforts to deprive them and others of the freedom to name and describe themselves by the terms they choose.

Fundamentalists revere the same prophets as the mainstream Mormon church, including founder Joseph Smith and Brigham Young -- both of whom practiced polygamy. They also share the mainline church's use of the Book of Mormon as a primary text.

On June 24th, a Mormon church attorney sent a letter to newspaper, magazine and broadcast media outlets asking that the term "fundamentalist Mormon" be dropped from news reports.

The letter is primarily aimed at drawing a hard line between the Salt Lake City-based faith and the Utah/Arizona-based Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

That Utah/Arizona group practices polygamy and has been prominent in news reports since authorities in April raided the sect's West Texas ranch.

More than 400 youngsters were seized during an investigation of child abuse allegations. The children were later returned to their parents.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.