The ongoing drama of Chad and Lori Daybell, entangled in accusations of extreme beliefs, child disappearances, and murder, continues to baffle and horrify. Chad Daybell's impending trial and Lori's potential upcoming trial raise profound questions about their mindsets and the extent of their culpability. Renowned author Leah Sottile, in her book “When the Moon Turns to Blood,” delves into this perplexing case, shedding light on a story that seems far from reaching its conclusion.

 

 Sottile began her investigation in December 2019 when news broke of the missing children and Lori's disappearance. Her interest was piqued by the Daybells’ association with fringe beliefs on the periphery of the LDS church. “It started with a question,” Sottile explains, “about the fringes of the LDS church.” Her previous work on far-right extremism in the Western United States and the fringes of the LDS church provided a foundational understanding that helped unravel the Daybells' belief system.

 

 The Daybells' journey into notoriety is rooted in extreme survivalist, prepper, and end-times communities. These groups often operate on the fringes of mainstream religious beliefs, exploring and endorsing apocalyptic narratives. “It’s a sort of end-times community,” Sottile remarks, highlighting the Daybells' involvement in such circles.

 

 The story of Chad and Lori Daybell is not just about two individuals but about the broader context of religious extremism. Sottile’s deep dive into their world reveals a complex interplay of personal beliefs, extreme interpretations of faith, and a lethal concoction of manipulation and control. The Daybells met at a conference, a meeting ground for like-minded individuals drawn to apocalyptic and fringe Mormon beliefs. “Lori was very interested in his ideas,” Sottile notes, emphasizing Chad's role as a speaker and influencer in these circles.

 

 Leah Sottile's research also sheds light on the broader dynamics within the LDS church that may inadvertently facilitate the emergence of such extreme beliefs. She talks about the church’s encouragement of personal revelation and a relationship with God, which, while empowering on one level, can lead to problematic interpretations when mixed with fringe ideologies. Sottile delves into the history of the LDS church and its leaders, such as Ezra Taft Benson, whose conspiratorial views may have indirectly influenced the mindset of followers like the Daybells.

 

 The Daybells’ case is a stark reminder of the thin line between faith and fanaticism. As the trials proceed, one wonders if either Chad or Lori will ever recognize the gravity of their actions or if they are too far gone in their delusions. Their story is a complex tapestry of belief, manipulation, and the human capacity for self-deception.

 

 As the legal proceedings against Chad and Lori Daybell continue, the world watches with bated breath, wondering what new revelations will come to light. Will their trials provide closure and justice for the victims, or will they simply unravel further layers of this disturbing saga?

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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com