FLDS church member delivers letter for Pres. Bush

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Mary Richards and AP reportingAn uninvited guest showed up at the wedding for one of President Bush's daughters this weekend. A member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) delivered a letter for the president at his Texas ranch.

While President Bush danced to the song "You are so Beautiful" with his newly-married daughter, Jenna, a polygamist came to the ranch gates.

Willie Jessop didn't get past President Bush's staff, so he gave them a 10-page letter for the president.

Mr. Bush didn't mention it when talking about the wedding. "This Mother's Day weekend was awfully special for Laura and me. Our daughter, Jenna, married a really good guy, Henry Hager. The wedding was spectacular," President Bush said.

The letter says the raid on the FLDS ranch was an act of terrorism.

Jessop asks President Bush for help in returning hundreds of children back to their homes. It also says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is looking for federal money to carry out an agenda of hatred toward the FLDS people.

Jessop said he had a cordial conversation with presidential staffers who promised to get back to him.

Jessop's letter includes an invitation for the president, first lady Laura Bush and members of the president's staff to visit the Yearning For Zion ranch.

Last month, Texas authorities raided the group's Eldorado retreat over allegations of sexual abuse in the polygamous community.

Jessop has also asked Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for help.

E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com