FLDS say faith requires giving food stamps purchases to church

SALT LAKE CITY — Accused Fundamentalist LDS Church members say donating food obtained through a government program to their church is no different than bringing goods bought with food stamps to a PTA bake sale or potluck dinner.

Members of the polygamous sect made that argument in a new federal court filing Friday asking for the criminal charges against them to be dismissed. They continue to argue the Religious Freedom Restoration Act allows them to share Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits as part of their communal living.

Seth Jeffs contends his religious rights would be burdened if he is prohibited from donating food to the FLDS bishop's storehouse. In addition, Jeffs worked at the storehouse accepting food and donations from church members.

"It would be akin to asking a PTA president to verify and reject any baked goods for the school bake sale that came from SNAP families or worse, holding the PTA president criminally responsible if he or she accepted such a donation," Jeffs' lawyer Jay Winward wrote.

Read more: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865665363/FLDS-say-faith-requires-giving-food-stamps-purchases-to-church.html