Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The arrest of Warren Jeffs, and consequences

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About Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS):

Warren Jeffs, (1956 -) was previously the principal of Alta Academy, a FLDS religious high school which is now closed. ₁ He took over control of the FLDS when his father, Roulon Jeffs died at the age of 92.

In the past, the state governments had minimal intrusion in FLDS affairs. However, the group's legal difficulties appear to have escalating in recent years:

"This isn't about religious persecution. This has nothing to do with polygamy. It has to do with underage marriage. It has to do with leaving these young girls alone so they can have a little more maturity and make their own decisions."

Gary Engels, an investigator for the Mohave County Attorney's Office, said:

"It has all the makings of coming apart. People are scattering all over the place. Most of Warren's faithful are moving on to somewhere else, where there is less focus on them....It's my hope and dream that this place comes back into America, where these people have the same rights as anyone, and where the government isn't run by religious organization. You feel you are in a third-world country here."

Meanwhile, construction continues at Yearning for Zion Ranch -- located on nearly 1,700 acres near Eldorado, TX. It currently has 14 log structures, four large metal buildings, and a large stone temple. An unnamed neighbor said:

"I think eventually something will happen, maybe not tomorrow. I think perhaps Warren Jeffs will be taken out of power, and a new, more moderate prophet might come...The whole thing nauseates me, that these children are not educated, that these women get married so young, that these men work 20 hours a day, and they are all so brainwashed that they don't know any different. It breaks my heart. At 14 you're going to be married to a man who could be your grandfather. Someone chose him for you. You're going to be his fifth wife."

The future of the FLDS:

The arrest of Warren Steed Jeffs appears to have sent a shockwave through the membership of the FLDS. Many members had thought that God would protect him from arrest. It is difficult to assess their precise response because they do not talk to outsiders, particularly the media.

The Salt Lake Tribune stated that:

"Residents of FLDS communities scattered around the country - from Canada to Texas - were said to be initially saddened, subdued and shell-shocked as word spread of Jeffs' capture. No FLDS members would comment for the record for this story." ₃

One item that is liable to cause much consternation and even loss of faith in Jeffs' leadership was rarely reported in the media: When Jeffs was arrested, he was wearing an apparently very comfortable pair of shorts and white T-shirt. One of his wives who accompanied him was dressed in slacks. Both asked to be able to change into their regular religious clothes before being photographed.  Members of the FLDS are required to wear white religious undergarments and are totally covered except for their hands and head. This must cause considerable discomfort in hot weather.

There appears to be no consensus about the future of the group.

"Change will come, but slowly, as more realize they can make choices without repercussions from their religion. In five years, you'll notice a significant difference. It will be like any other place in America."₃

"I would say they were a little shocked. Shocked to the point that they didn’t really even know how to respond....They are reliving a history [of persecution] here. It’s just sort of reinforcing that this is their burden ... and I think it may make them stronger and more insular as a group." ₄

"This arrest will crack his mystique and provide the opportunity for the entire story to be told in a court of law before a judge and jury. ... I think you're going to see a lot of changes within the FLDS community as far as their feelings about him, their fear of him, their loyalty to him. We're hoping that will start to crumble." ₅

"The people may initially show or feel despair or sadness, and then they may feel anger after that at law enforcement. . . . And then maybe after that there is a recognition things are changing. They may have to work a little more with the system. ... I don't see that happening today, tomorrow, next week or next month. It might be a year before this transition takes place, maybe two years." ₅

It is also unclear who will control the FLDS during the immediate future. There are local bishops who control isolated FLDS groups in Bountiful, British Columbia, Canada; Mesquite, NV, Pringle, SD; and Eldorado, TX. One of these may be selected to take charge of the denomination. Some observers speculate that Jeffs will continue to control the FLDS from jail.

There are other problems within this group and among other LDS Restorationist groups practicing polygyny.

Jeffs convicted of conspiracy to rape a child:

Jeffs was convicted on 2007-SEP-25 of being an accomplice to rape. He had married a 19-year-old man to a 14-year-old girl against her will. The girl helped the prosecution. The jury considered the case for about 16 hours over three days. The Associated Press article on the ABC News web site accumulated 148 comments from readers. ₆

William (Beau) Weston, a Sociology professor in Danville, KY commented on his Gruntled Center blog:

"Warren Jeffs, the leader of a fundamentalist Mormon sect, was sentenced to five years for conspiring to rape a minor. His part in the conspiracy was to order a 14-year-old girl in the sect to marry her 19-year-old cousin. Such is the nature of cults that his order, backed by a threat of damnation, was enough to make her do it. She later left the cult and has helped prosecutors make the case."

"This is an iffy use of the rape law, as I have argued before. Still, the guy needed to be stopped. In prison he has tried to kill himself. He says he is not worthy of the Mormon priesthood. Perhaps some of the members of the cult who were on the edge of leaving may be freed of their thrall."

"The history of extreme oppositional cults, though, suggests that most members will see this sentence as confirmation that the forces of evil, including the government, are conspiring against them."

"Perhaps Jeffs himself will have a prison repentance." ₇

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References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. Brooke Adams, "Thou Shalt Obey," Salt Lake Tribune, 2004-MAR-14, in the archives at: http://www.sltrib.com  Reprinted by RelgionNewsBlog at: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/
2. Doug Alden, "Polygamy Sect Leader on FBI Wanted List," Associated Press, 2006-MAY-06, at: http://my.earthlink.net/
3. Brooke Adamns, "Jeffs' attire raises questions," Salt Lake Tribune, 2006-AUG-31, at: http://www.sltrib.com/
4. "Jeffs May Retain His Grip Even From Jail," KUTV, 2006-AUG-29, at: http://kutv.com/
5. Brooke Adams and Lisa Rosetta, "FLDS leader Jeffs captured; future of leadership cloudy. Vacuum at the top: With the prophet jailed, candidates include one of his brothers," Salt Lake Tribune,2006-AUG-30, at: http://www.sltrib.com/
6. Jennifer Dobner, "Polygamist Leader in Utah Convicted of Sex Charges in Arranged Marriage," Associated Press, 2007-SEP-25, at:
   http://abcnews.go.com/
7. William Weston, "Warren Jeffs [sic] Sentence is the Best of a Bad Deal," Gruntled Center blog, 2007-NOV-20, at: http://gruntledcenter.blogspot.com

Copyright © 2004 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2004-JUL-25
Latest update: 2008-APR-25
Author: B.A. Robinson