Conference tecrus::mormonism

429.0. "The rest of the story..." by KOLFAX::ASHFORD () Fri May 07 1993 10:49

For all of you who recently heard about the boy who divorced his real parent.
Now, as Paul Harvey would say, The rest of the story...

    (From Ladie's Home Journal - April 1993)

"I've Got The Family I Always Wanted"
Last fall, a twelve year old boy made national headlines when he did something
no child had done before: Divorce his parents. Now adopted by a loving couple,
He's finally happy. An exclusive interview with the boy who challenged the
law-and the new mom who restored his faith in love. By Sarah Tippit.

[I'll only print the highlights of the Article]

It's as though Shawn Russ has lived here all his life. He plays-and occasionally
squables-with his eight sisters and brothers...
The home that Lizabeth and her husband George, forty-nine, have made for Shwan
and their eight other children-who range in age from four to twent-one-is a
model of warmth and reliability...
On the refrigerator hangs a family chart for the kids to keep track of their
daily chores. But no matter how busy the Russes are during the week, each Sunday
they gather in their kitchen for a large family dinner after church...
Today, Shawn R. Russ lives a peaceful life-at least, as peaceful as it can be
with all the public attention. Since the trial, letters and phone messages from
adults and children alike have piled up. The movie rights to his story are sold,
and CBS has produced the authorized version of his story, to air this spring.

[This did air and my 11 year old daughter and my wifes second cousin, 12, whose
now living with us and has been for 2 months, watched this. They were moved and
it helped my wifes second cousin deal with her own situation. She was abandoned
with her Great Grandmother, 86, 10 years ago. The father who lived close by
always had it in mind to take her back. But even after he moved in with a woman
and had two children by her, he never brought his daughter to live with him. We
assumed responsibility for her just 2 months ago. So, this story was of interest
to my wife and I. Now back to the story...]

He fits in easily with the loving family and their often hectic schedule:
school, music classes, chores,religion lessons. Though the Russes never insisted
he join their faith, Shawn was recently baptized in the MORMON church...

[Shawn was abandoned by his mother who was unable to care for him. He was placed
in a home for abused and neglected children where Brother Russ went to examine
the situation of neglected children in his capacity as a member of a county
commission to determine the need for a children's services council. He liked
Shawn (then George) and took on the challenge of raising him. After 5 months
the mother reappeared and wanted her child back. Shawn, having been
neglected and not provided with a stable home environment, and not wanting to
return to such a situation, turned to the legal system. 6 months of legal
battle ensued. Many witnesses described Shawns birth mothers alcohol and drug
abuse and the years of neglect and abuse of her children. The courts decided to
terminate the parents rights and allowed the Russes to adopt Shawn. The gospel
is wonderful, and if heeded, will bless the lives of all who live it. I'm
thankful for the quiet positive publicity of the church and it's principles. I'm
thankful for the Russes of the world who really try to apply the gospel and help
others. I hope this has been meaningful... Carter...]

    You know, folks often don't know much about the LDS church.  But, one
    of the first things that they think of is big, happy, strong, Christian 
    families.  I rather like that.  :)
    
    Steve