Imagine a world where women are totally controlled, isolated, raped and beaten, denied education, dressed in oppressive clothing, have no say in their own childbearing, and are forced to practice polygamy as child brides.
Most of us would picture a scary Totalitarian state like Sudan, but this scenario is playing out on a daily basis here in America in a dangerous cult called the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints—an offshoot of the Mormon Church. In isolated pockets out west, mainly in Arizona and Utah, this monstrosity exists.
A closed society is more prone to abuse, but the FLDS is off the charts. Since the late 1800’s, this cult has been allowed to flourish while the authorities turned a blind eye. (In 1953, there was a well-publicized raid that turned into a disaster. Afterwards, the FLDS and polygamy in general were considered hands-off by the courts.)
Members of the FLDS distrust outsiders and have very limited contact with the secular world. Their every move is dictated by the whims of the leadership who arrange marriages, “unseal” families and reassign them, own all of the property—including members homes & businesses—and run the schools.
Their leader is a false prophet called Warren Jeffs and he is truly the personification of evil, judging by the excellent book written by Stephen Singular. When Men Become Gods is a perfect title, because these delusional “leaders” consider themselves divine representatives here on Earth and rule with an iron fist.
Jeffs inherited his position of power when his father died. Groomed from birth to rule, he was a fanatic who worshipped Napoleon and Hitler. Through fear and intimidation, he controlled the community, abusing their trust at every turn. His every whim was catered to by 180 “wives” and he became exceptionally wealthy, living off the largess of his devoted disciples and the charity of the U.S. Government. (Because polygamy is illegal, the majority of FLDS women are considered single mothers and are entitled to Welfare.)
As expected under conditions this intolerable, brave souls tried—sometimes successfully—to break free. The tales shared by these women are unreal: married at 14 to men decades their seniors, rampant incest, grinding poverty, and, worst of all, forced removal of children. Two of the most moving accounts are documented by Carolyn Jessop and Elissa Wall. I challenge anyone to read their books and still consider the FLDS a religion. (In my opinion, it’s nothing more than a criminal racket like the Mafia, masquerading as a religion.)
Because of Carolyn, Elissa, and other courageous folks who were willing to testify, Warren Jeffs was finally charged, tried, and convicted. His sins were many and the suffering he caused will be felt for generations.
Unchecked power is always a recipe for disaster. Had the authorities intervened sooner, countless women and children could’ve been protected. Religion should never be used as a shield to hide illegal acts, nor as a torture tool for rogue leaders to bend innocents to their will. There are no modern day prophets, just disturbed individuals that need to be exposed. When Men Become Gods shines a light on this insanity, and should serve as a warning to all. The FLDS is not a religion, it’s a perversion and it must be stopped!