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Michael J. Pratt: Mormon Seminary Principal Arrested For Sex Abuse Of Student

“Police arrested an LDS seminary principal Thursday after they say he spent several months grooming a 16-year-old student for a sexual relationship. Michael J. Pratt, 37, of Orem, was working as a principal at Lone Peak High School’s LDS seminary program where the girl was a student, according to LDS Church spokeswoman Kim Farah.” Link

Michael J. Pratt picture

What Brother Pratt allegedly did was unequivocally wrong. The girl and her family must be hurting very much. I’m sure Brother Pratt’s family is in enormous pain as well. Brother Pratt’s students and friends are hurt. And, I’d guess that Brother Pratt is quite hurt by the guilt from his own decisions. He has provided wonderful friendship and help to many people. And, if this is true, he also made a horrible, awful mistake. It will take plenty of time, but I know the Savior can heal all parties involved. All I can say is that God is a perfect judge. The law of the land has to take its course (and it will, so wait for the whole story), and consequences come. But, I know we can help by keeping all of those involved in our prayers.

My heart goes out to all those who are hurting. I hope that all of us, including myself, can rally around to help support all those involved as they suffer the necessary consequences and make their way back to the lives they should be following. If there ever was a time when charity is needed, its now. Charity toward the girl and her family, charity toward Brother Pratt and his family, and charity toward all others involved. This doesn’t mean that these things aren’t totally inappropriate, disgusting, wrong and heartbreaking; but, it does mean we can work to build people up instead of tear them down. My prayers are with all involved.

I was a student of Brother Pratt’s in junior high. While I have no 24/7 cameras to prove his innocence, I will tell anyone that Brother Pratt’s demeanor and manners were completely appropriate toward me and all his other students at the time. I made myself incredibly vulnerable, emotionally, to him and he never attempted to take advantage of this. Many times I came into the building alone and he asked me to come back later because he could not be alone with me. He would also do such things as open the door to his office when we were alone with no people in the hallway or classrooms nearby. Even if he did do these things, I am convinced of his goodness and no one has the right to presume his guilt, regardless of any evidence, circumstantial or otherwise.

Better stop calling him Bro Pratt, sure he will excommunicated soon. They quit calling my Bro when I was exed (thank God, I feel so much better now that I am out of that brainwashing sect. You who get mad at that should try getting out some day, how liberating, I have a closer relationship with God now than I ever did as a member of the bigotted, homophobic, discriminating sect)
I served a mission in Switzerland and France, was a Sunday School Teacher, Ward Clerk and worked my butt off for them and when they found out I am gay and would not stop sleeping with the man I LOVE they kicked me out. Now, looking back I wonder why I would have ever done all that for a church who doesn’t want me for who I am. I tell you it is a brainwashing institution and those of you who say different are all in the same brainwashed cycle I was in.

Well at least brother Pratt wasn’t gay!

Alan, we all don’t want to hear your sob story…This is here for BROTHER Pratt! He is an amazing man, my family has known him and his family for years! He would not do something like this! And anyone that says differently doesn’t know the true him! Him and his family are amazing and even though i am no longer in the church, i will ALWAYS call him my BROTHER!! My prayers are with you Brother Pratt, and I’m sure all the people from Viewmont are right behind you 100%!

Pratt is no saint. He was seminary teacher with a closet full of demons and a very good mask. He was a reason I stopped going to seminary at Viewmont. I pray for the lives he betrayed, Not for him. Get your head out of the clouds. Pratt committed these acts. If you can’t see that you’re stupid and ignorant. Enjoy calling someone your brother that sodomizes and object rapes teenagers.

Okay, so I am a mother of a 15-year old and I would have a BIG problem if I found my daughter even TEXTING a man of his age, let alone her freaking teacher! What the hell is he thinking? He has a family for hell’s sake! I don’t care if he did or didn’t have sex with her, he shouldn’t be carrying on with a 16 year old in any way, shape, or form outside of class time period!! Also, being gay has nothing to do with this guy and his allegations so save it for another conversation please. And to “JB”, he probably just wasn’t attracted to you…sorry.

I have to say that this whole thing is definitely sad & disturbing. I think that mormons are so often times guilty of “having their heads in the clouds” as thomas said. we assume that just because someone is mormon, or is a leader in the church, or has a prominent calling, or goes to church every sunday, or appears to be clean cut…that they are god’s chosen and blessings will be poured out upon them. we assume that they could NEVER do anything like this…but believe me people…it happens and i’m sure it happens MUCH MUCH more than we know. i know of many stake presidents, bishops, counselors in stake presidencies, general authorities, mission presidents, and other well respected mormon individuals that have been involved things like this involving sex, pornography, or sexual abuse.

i know that people make mistakes. i know that god forgives, and that he sees me no different than he does brother pratt, even after what has happened. brother pratt is living in his own hell right now & i hope that he’ll find the help he needs over the next while & throughout the rest of his life so that he can have the best life that he can possibly have.

i just think that we need to remember that being a christ-like person is SOOOOOOOO much more than just GOING THROUGH THE ACTIONS!!! it’s not about going to the temple weekly, it’s not about reading the book of mormon & teaching from it daily, it’s not about holding & magnifying your calling, it’s not about having family home evening, it’s not about bearing a beautiful testimony on fast sundays. IT’S NOT ABOUT THAT!! if we think that these things is what life is about, we’re missing the point. life is about knowing who we really are, and it’s about respecting that knowingness enough to make this life all that it can be. it’s about experiencing joy & being a good person…a person of integrity & full of love & understanding for everyone–even people like brother pratt. we need to love more & criticize less…and worry about making OUR OWN lives the best that they can be.

If Brother Pratt is a person who has done wrong then he knows it. He has also done good and changed children for good. My son is one of those. I am not curious if Brother Pratt is guilty or not because it is none of my business. My son is a dear friend to he and his family, while it is tempting to wonder what is true and what is not, brtoher Pratt will be judged by the perfect judge. He and his family will hopefully feel the Atonement in their lives, again, whether he is guilty or not, at this point- would not matter because so much damage has already been done through the news and peoples opinion. My son has felt brother Pratt and his families goodness and fortunately he can remember the good he has done. It takes a disciplined person to be able to do this. I have a daughter as well, I am not saying these things blindly, I am sure that whatever is wrong in his life will be taken to the proper authority. We are all under that same obligation. It is all I can do to keep myself right with God and those who I answer to & am responsibility for. It is not in my best interest to judge Brother Pratt. What ever he has done wrong does not take away all of the good he has done, if we don’t let it. My son refuses to. I am proud of him for this.

To AlanW I am sure that there are many who still call you “brother”. I am sorry for what ever hurt someone placed into your life to cause you the pain that you describe. Perhaps my apology is not good enough, but hopefully you will feel my sincerity. You said you know God better now, for sure He has told you- His gospel is perfect, his people just fall so very short. Again, I am sorry.

April, you are right, it is not about going through the motions ….only. It IS about “doing” and sometimes it can seem ritualistic. It shouldn’t be, but doing good in any mind set is still doing good. It IS about going to the temple every week, studying the Book of Mormon daily and going to church every week. Mostly, it’s everything about praying every day and having a personal relationship with your Father in Heaven begining each morning by asking how you can help and then every evening thanking Him for the opportunity to be able to help. Hopefully those of us who know Brother Pratt’s family can do that for them. Doing good will and Prayer changes things.

Thank you so much Mother Mia! I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. It IS about attending the temple and studying your scriptures. It’s not about pseudo-intellectualism. I know Brother Pratt. I too teach full-time seminary for the Church. However, I live and teach in an area of the country where the Church is not as well established as in Utah. As a result, I think me and my family are “watched” that much more. I have no idea what happened, and I hope, with all of my heart, that these allegations are not true. Nevertheless, it stands as a stark reminder of how vigilant all of us must be…no one is bulletproof!

To mother mia and kg…
So if it is indeed about going to the temple and studying your scriptures, tell me why? What then about all those individuals who are good good people…who are true to themselves, to god, and to others. People who go about doing good…yet they don’t read their scriptures or attend the temple. What about them?? Is god disappointed with them?? Do they not have the spirit?? Are they not going to be blessed?? Really…do you truly believe that?? COULD there be more to this life and the next life than our narrow Mormon beliefs?? I hope to think so and I’m finding that there truly is. I still go to church, but I’m not afraid to look outside of it and see the amazing truths that exist everywhere…it’s not bad to go deeper.

TO ALL:

Everyone is very quick to stand up for Michael Pratt. I am not so quick to do so. The police department is not going to take such drastic actions, and be so public about them, without substantial evidence. I am sure the truth will be revealed, but don’t be overly surprised if it isn’t in “brother Pratt’s” favor.

Who my heart actually feels for is his loving Wife and Children. All of you are very concerned about him, I, however, am not. He has made his own bed, now he has to sleep in it. His wife and children, however, did not ask for this nor do they deserve it. They are good people who have loved, respected, supported, and looked up to “Brother Pratt” and this is how he has repaid them. I am a person who has suffered the pains of infidelity of a spouse. It hurts, you have no idea. His family does not deserve this. It is more than just a “mistake” that he has made. His actions have and will cause long lasting pain and suffering to his wife and children, more than any of you may realize.

I know this family. I know Michael. Don’t be so quick to assume that he is so fantastic. He has lived his life wanting people to admire him. This apparently has been somewhat of a front, and only skin deep. He has drastically hurt those people who are closest to him. Scars and pain has been caused that may never fully heal. There is not any honor in this.

You are all correct in stating that we are not to judge. I agree. At the same time, be hesitant to so quickly defend. Not issuing judgement does not mean that wrong isn’t wrong. Wrong is still wrong. Not issuing judgement also does not mean that you need to defend someone who has acted way out of line.

I hope that you all have a great day. I also hope that “Brother” Pratt can be honest with himself. Feeling the pain of his actions right now would be a good thing. He doesn’t need all of you defending him. He needs to feel the weight of his responsibility.

I am as shocked as the rest of you about this arrest since Pratt is a member of my stake, but I also know that if he has been arrested, they have good reasons. After failing to get a man arrested for drugging and raping my daughter, I know that the police will not arrest unless they have enough evidence to convict. Luckily for my daughter, her assailant repeated his crime, and she will get justice.

To April…
I don’t neither Mama mia or myself are suggesting that going to the temple and reading your scriptures makes you automatically a “good person”. I am also not suggesting the Church has “cornered” the market on goodness. However, to state that you should trade your convictions and covenants in for what is “out there” is a scary statement. Perhaps that is not what you are saying. Be that as it may, my thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family. Sad, sad, sad…

Alan,
WOW, go be with your gay lover. We don’t want you here.

He is probably guilty. We all know people who wear a thick facade. I had a football coach who taught me a lot and a few years later he was found guilty of having sex with some of my team mates. He totally messed up and now everybody knows it and this is no good for anybody.

To Alen: I am neither gay nor supportive of homosexual relations but, I dislike people mocking those who are gay. Even though the church is against homosexual actions it is not against gay people.

In sum, Pratt did some terrible things and will be punished and gay people are people too and we should love them.

Yes on prop 8

Okay, Hey John, You are not a very nice person. Who are you to discriminate on Alan? You’re a horrible person for hating someone because they love someone. Has Alan ever done anything wrong to you? Has he hurt you? So why in the hell would you hurt him? And Alan, I agree with you about the church. That is our opions and if you can’t respect it don’t say anything at all. I don’t care if you don’t support gay and lesbians but you don’t have to call out someone on it and tell them to go away. “we don’t want you here” And if the church is so big on loving one another and not judging, how come they aren’t doing that? They are judging and not loving one another. I don’t get why people are so freaked our about same sex people! IS IT EFFECTING YOU IN ANYWAY? NO SO LEAVE HIM ALONE! QUIT BEING A MEAN PERSON!

regardless if anyone wants to realize it or not, it was a mutual choice for both of them. The girls was not rapped….you have to be stupid to think that, it wasn’t a one time thing, it went on for a few months. She was going with him. She knew it was wrong just as he did. I am not saying that it is her fault, Bro. Pratt is a 37 year old married man with kids, he knows better and he knows it, but he sure didn’t force ANYTHING on this girl, it just bothers me when people call it rape and he forced her and all this when CLEARLY that isnt the case.

I don’t know either of them personally, but I believe both Michael and the girl are guilty. It’s sick that they could let their appetites get out of control! I feel so sorry for Michael’s wife and kids. My heart just breaks. I do know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and that it encompasses all of the sins and pains of the world.

I do want to clarify to John Doe that the reason they call it rape is because she is under 18. They’re not saying she is necessarily a victim, or innocent, it’s just the legal term for having sex with anyone under 18.

AlenW, it’s too bad that you have so much hostility toward the church. I am sure that all of the hard work you put into your calling blessed many lives, including yours, whether you feel betrayed or not. I’m not trying to argue, but I just think it’s sad that you seem to hate the Church so much because you were excommunicated for living an unchaste life. You knew the teachings of Jesus Christ and, and yet lived your life against them and expected to be fully fellowshipped in His Church? Whatever the case, you are a son of God, and He loves you whether you are gay or not, and whether you are a member of the LDS church or not.

soo first off id just like to thank everyone for throwin down their testimonies on the internet…..wow

second alan w…..you are a fag…..like really

third brother pratt is a good dude i went to lone peak and he was my seminary pres
i talked to him many times and he really is a real nice guy
he made a real big mistake
but no one really has the right to get so pissed about it
its like what jesus said in one of the books…..let anyone who hasnt sinned throw the first stone….
so start throwin

and clint…..is thisyour way of coming out that you are gay and you got down with your football coach??

Graduating a year ago from Lone Peak high school iam in disbelief that something like this would ever happen in good ole “Happy valley mormon seminary.” What has happend is tragic for both Brother pratt and the girl he had a sexual realtionship with. I do not feel sorry for either one of them.
They both knew what they were doing and were stupid. Why ruin your long time marriage with your wife and kids? And why destroy your young teenage life becoming a mockery of the whole town?
They both damn well knew what they were doing and with every action is a fucking consequence. I hope they send him off to prison for what he did and i hope that girl learns what she did if i was her i would move out of Utah.
I just dont get why people do this…You know sooner or later you will be caught. Its only a matter a time. Dont be foolish.

Plus if he does go to prison he will be getting all the butt sex he wants! With an inmate called bubba.

“him who is without sin, let him cast the first stone” We have all make mistakes, just reminder. Say what you may about brother Pratt, i know from the button of my heart that the lord Christ bear all the sin’s and pain of the world so he can know how to help us. The lord will forgive who he wants to forgive, who are we to judge? when we walk in unperfictly?

It’s a funny dang thing how something so mutually pleasant, intimate, exciting, bonding, reassuring, and fulfilling can be blown to smithereens so quickly. I feel great pity for everyone – citizens, lawmakers, cops, the media, Pratt, the 16-year-old gal, and you!

If a 16-year-old can be tried as an adult for murder, why can’t a 16-year-old consent to sexual intimacy? What great POWER did Pratt wield? The threat of a failing grade in Seminary? Get real! Are we raising humans or mushrooms? Seems to me she had just as much power to consent or refuse as he did.

My great-great grandmother was 16 when she consented to marry the 37-year-old leader of her pioneer company. And it’s none of my business what they did together. Or what he did in private with his other wives. But I am glad that whatever they did together, it resulted in the birth of my great grandfather.

If Pratt committed a moral transgression, let the Church judge. But what kind of crazy government do we have that goes out of its way to ruin the lives of others?