Yes, these fringe unorthodox beliefs are far more widespread throughout the LDS community (at least here in the Intermountain West) than one might realize. I believe we've only seen the tip of the iceburg. I have family and friends who are into various forms of Energy Healing and I've tried to warn them for years now when I first learned of it through AVOW and Julie Rowe, who is one of Chad's published authors. It is, in my opinion a dangerous road to be traveling down. This multiple mortal probations doctrine is equally false and dangerous, but a more recent addition to these groups. JR has been excommunicated over these beliefs (among other things), and now we are seeing the fruits of Chad and Lori embracing such damnable practices.
I realize this may be a bit of a sidetrack from the case at hand and helping to find Tylee and JJ, but at the same time it has everything to do with this current case. It is the foundation and driving force of what led us to where we are now. And my purpose in bringing it up is to denounce it and hopefully prevent other cases like this from happening. Multiple Mortal Probations, Energy Healing, Wife/Husband Swapping, and all other practices which many in these groups (and there really is no organized group per se) embrace and practice have no place among the saints and followers of Christ. They are the doctrines of devils and deceiving spirits. Never will you hear anything from the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in support of these evil practices. On the contrary, they have continually warned about looking beyond the mark and extreme beliefs such as these. The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and pure.
I'm sorry for going off on a tangent, but I do feel really strongly about this and I want more than anything to prevent even more tragedies like this case from happening in the future. But I fear this won't be the last. I really do hope that someone, somewhere, will listen and take heed to Melanie Gibb's warnings and turn away from this rubbish and repent before it's too late for them as well.
All MOO.
Edited: formatting issues.