I am pleasantly surprised that the author has permitted me to write this foreword.
Let me begin by making it abundantly clear, as Tricky Dick used to say, that I am a citizen of the United States and a U.S. citizen only. My love for Mexico and her people notwithstanding, I currently reside with my beloved wife Tereza at an undisclosed location within the United States. Since 11 September 2001, I would live nowhere else.
My heart aches for all those who have given their lives in the war against international terror. I especially mourn the loss of thousands of our men and women of the American Armed Forces, who have willingly sacrificed their lives at the altar of human freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. If there be a greater cause than human freedom, I have not discovered it. If there be a greater evil than tyranny, I cannot imagine it.
Unfortunately, there is much violence in this book. The story of my life and family has indeed been a violent one. This is a bloody saga of good at long last conquering evil. I did not, nor did my family, seek out this horrible conflict with the underworld. Evil came looking for us, just as Lucifer so long ago went to and fro upon the earth searching for Job.
My story is also that of one man’s quest to overcome the natural man within. There is no doubt within me that the natural man is an enemy to God. However, while some may think it a racy thing to be married to more than one woman, these memories are sacred to me. The story of the suffering and uncommon valor of these wonderful women begs to be told. I have not seen such heroes among men.
And now, let me confess that I entered into these marital unions as an Irish Catholic. My sincere apology is therefore extended to the Roman Catholic Church. The old priest who performed these marriages is long since dead, and he did what he thought was right at the time. He was a righteous man and left a legacy of goodness within my heart and within the hearts of many others. I shall forever be in his debt.
At that point in my life where I left the Catholic faith and became a Latter-day Saint, only my dear Tereza remained alive, and plural marriage was no longer a legal issue in my life. Nevertheless, the tragic deaths of both Maria and Urraca continue to leave a gaping hole in my heart. I long for the day I shall meet them at the feet of our dear Savior, Jesus the Christ.
I also apologize to anyone, especially any member of my current faith, who finds my family history in any way offensive. To those who perceive their union of spirit and flesh to be impervious to sin, I counsel, “Beware of the Refiner’s fire and the incineration of pride!” I glory in my Jesus. I glory in the reality of my continual spiritual rebirth and eventual victory over evil, both within and without.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dear friend Rudy Thompson, who narrates the last of these three stories. He gathered a wealth of information and deserves that honor. I admit that I didn’t have the stomach for it.
Finally, a stern warning. I leave my solemn and everlasting curse upon any man who seeks to gratify his baser desires by reading the stories of my life and family.
Daniel Malone
You need to be a member of REAL CONSERVATIVES to add comments!
Join REAL CONSERVATIVES