Name: Micah Marsden
Age: 21
Location: Mexico

From the day of my birth until now, I’ve proudly been a part of the Family International. I was born and raised in Canada until the age of 15, when I personally decided to leave home and become a full-time missionary in Mexico. Neither before nor after this point in my life have I suffered any form of abuse—none whatsoever! If I ever did, I would not hesitate to notify the proper authorities and have them judged for their actions. –I do believe in justice.

During my childhood, my parents loved me, supported me, and protected me. They concerned themselves for every aspect of my welfare: physical, emotional, educational, moral, spiritual, etc. as did my care-takers and guardians for the rest of my adolescent life. I have worked in several different communities across the continent with many different members from around the world, and I have not observed any intentions, actions, or effects of sexual abuse within any of these communities. In fact, from my own experiences within the Family International, I would venture to say that this organization and its respective communities provide the safest, most well-balanced and child-friendly environment in existence. Is that a coincidence?

-Wait a minute! You said that I was the one that was supposed to be emotionally unstable, imbalanced, and ill-prepared for a life in “regular” society due to sexually abusive exposure. Want me to just crawl over into the arms of “regular” society’s way of doing things and thus free myself from my torturous past? (Where are you coming from?!) -So that my kids can grow up in an environment rampant with drugs, vice, crime and abuse that I so unfairly missed out on?—Poor me?—Do yourself a favor and do a little research about who you are so falsely accusing! Like I said, I am proud to be a part of the Family International. I have no doubt that of any organization out there, there is not one that could surpass the quality of life that I enjoy right here!

Is the Family International to blame for the deaths of Ricky Rodriguez and Angela Smith? Is Angela Smith to blame? I never knew either of them personally, yet they were both figures that I looked up to during my childhood. I can remember my mother reading me stories about them before bed – stories about normal people, leading normal lives, doing normal things. Normal. Not perverse and not violent. If one were to scrutinize the average character of young people within the Family International, they would find that a “killer-instinct” is just not part of us – period. We abhor violence of any kind! We promote peace and love as a Godly way of life! Before you blame me or my Family for this crime, I suggest you educate your opinion by acquainting yourself with the accused. Spend a month, a week, or even a day in one of our communities and you will see for yourself that there is no foundation for this ludicrous accusation. We spend every day of our lives living the Law that God’s Son, Jesus Christ gave to us in the Gospel of Matthew: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” We live selfless lives of sharing all things. We love each other, and we trust each other.

The violent thoughts expressed by Ricky were not possibly natural nor even a result of his so-called abuse. To express his desire to harm and even kill his own mother is inexcusable. How he could even think on these things is beyond my comprehension. Yet, sadly, Angela was the victim of this individual’s hate. He made a choice to violently murder her. He carefully planned it out – step by step. And this “revenge” obviously brought him no satisfaction – he knew it wouldn’t. Why did he do it? I don’t know. But I do know that there is no excuse for it, and though he is not with us now here on Earth, he is still accountable for his actions. –Not me, not the ten thousand other members who make up the Family International, not his mother either – if anyone else is to blame it would be those who bitterly brainwashed this man into believing their lies against us! Be sure your sin will find you out!

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel [unmerciful or vengeful] troubleth his own flesh.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Micah Marsden is a second-generation member of the Family International.