Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) is a Mormon fundamentalist religious group that practices polygamy and claims to preserve the original teachings of early Mormonism. Founded in 1929 when it split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the suspension of polygamy, the FLDS has been led by Warren Jeffs since 2002 and is variously classified as a cult, sect, or new religious movement [1][3].

The FLDS represents one of several fundamentalist Mormon groups that rejected the LDS Church's 1890 decision to abandon polygamy, maintaining that plural marriage is essential for salvation and exaltation in the afterlife. With an estimated membership in the thousands, the group has faced extensive legal scrutiny and public controversy due to allegations of child abuse, forced marriages, and financial crimes.

Origins and Split from Mainstream Mormonism

The FLDS Church traces its origins to 1929, emerging from a schism within the broader Mormon community over the practice of polygamy [3]. When the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially discontinued polygamy in 1890 under pressure from the U.S. government, some members refused to accept this change, believing it contradicted fundamental religious doctrine established by church founder Joseph Smith.

These dissenting groups argued that the LDS Church had abandoned core principles of early Mormonism. According to some fundamentalist perspectives, groups like the FLDS "are much more in line with the Mormon Church of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young than the modern" mainstream LDS Church [2]. The split crystallized around the belief that polygamy was not merely a temporary practice but an eternal principle necessary for the highest degrees of salvation.

The FLDS formally organized as a separate entity, establishing its own leadership structure and communities. Unlike the mainstream LDS Church, which adapted to legal and social pressures, the FLDS maintained strict adherence to 19th-century Mormon practices and teachings, including plural marriage, communal living arrangements, and patriarchal authority structures.

Beliefs and Practices

The FLDS Church maintains that it preserves the original doctrines of Mormonism as revealed through Joseph Smith and practiced under Brigham Young. Central to FLDS theology is the belief that polygamy is not optional but required for men to achieve the highest level of salvation in the afterlife. Members believe that only through plural marriage can men become gods and rule over their own worlds in eternity.

The church operates under a strict patriarchal system where the prophet holds absolute authority over all aspects of members' lives, including marriage assignments, living arrangements, and even clothing styles. Members typically live in isolated communities, with the largest settlements historically located in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, along the Arizona-Utah border.

FLDS communities practice a form of religious communalism called the "United Order," where property and resources are collectively owned and distributed according to the leadership's direction. Members are expected to contribute their earnings and property to the church, creating a system of economic dependence that makes leaving the group extremely difficult.

The group maintains distinctive cultural practices, including modest dress codes that require women to wear long dresses and men to wear long-sleeved shirts. Hair styles are also regulated, with women typically wearing their hair in elaborate braids and updos. Education within FLDS communities often emphasizes religious instruction over secular learning, and members are discouraged from pursuing higher education or careers outside the community.

Leadership and Warren Jeffs

Warren Jeffs has served as the president and prophet of the FLDS Church since 2002, wielding unprecedented control over the organization [1]. Under his leadership, the church has become increasingly isolated and authoritarian, with Jeffs claiming direct revelation from God to guide all aspects of members' lives.

Jeffs's tenure has been marked by significant legal troubles. He was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list in 2006 and was eventually convicted in 2011 on charges related to sexual assault of minors. Despite being sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years, Jeffs continues to lead the FLDS from behind bars, issuing directives and revelations to his followers through intermediaries.

The church has also faced leadership challenges involving other members of the Jeffs family. Lyle Jeffs, Warren's brother and a prominent church leader, disappeared in 2016 while awaiting trial on fraud and money-laundering charges [6]. These legal issues have highlighted the complex financial arrangements within FLDS communities and raised questions about the use of church resources.

Legal Controversies and Government Intervention

The FLDS has faced extensive legal scrutiny from federal and state authorities on multiple fronts. The most significant intervention occurred in 2008 when Texas authorities raided the Yearning for Zion Ranch, an FLDS compound, based on reports of child abuse. The raid resulted in the temporary removal of over 400 children from the community, though most were eventually returned after court proceedings.

Investigations have revealed patterns of underage marriages, with girls as young as 12 being married to much older men within the community. These practices have led to numerous criminal prosecutions of FLDS leaders and members on charges including sexual assault, bigamy, and child abuse.

The group has also faced civil litigation related to property rights and financial practices. The United Order system has been challenged in courts, with former members claiming they were defrauded of property and assets. In some cases, state authorities have taken control of FLDS-owned properties and businesses to ensure proper management and distribution of assets.

Impact on Families and Former Members

Leaving the FLDS presents extraordinary challenges for members, particularly women with children. Research on mothers who have left the organization reveals significant struggles with "familial relationships, career and financial experiences, and overall mental health and well-being" [7]. The insular nature of FLDS communities means that departing members often lack education, job skills, and social connections necessary for life in mainstream society.

The practice of "shunning" means that former members are typically cut off from all contact with family and friends who remain in the church. Children may be separated from parents who leave, creating lasting trauma and legal battles over custody rights. The economic system within FLDS communities also means that departing members often leave with no personal assets or financial resources.

Support networks and organizations have emerged to assist former FLDS members in their transition to mainstream society, providing resources for education, job training, legal assistance, and psychological counseling. These efforts highlight the complex challenges faced by individuals seeking to leave high-control religious groups.

Relationship to Mainstream Mormonism

The mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has repeatedly emphasized that the FLDS is not affiliated with their organization and that "FLDS are not Mormons" in the contemporary sense [8]. This distinction is important given public confusion about the relationship between the two groups, with surveys showing that many people incorrectly believe the FLDS is part of the mainstream LDS Church [8].

While both groups share historical roots and some theological foundations, they have diverged significantly in practice and doctrine over more than a century. The mainstream LDS Church has evolved to embrace monogamy, gender equality in many areas, racial integration, and engagement with broader society, while the FLDS has maintained 19th-century practices and beliefs.

The mainstream church has also distanced itself from polygamy both doctrinally and legally, excommunicating members who practice plural marriage. This represents a fundamental theological shift from the FLDS position that polygamy remains a divine commandment essential for salvation.

Related Topics

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Mormon fundamentalism
• Polygamy in the United States
• Warren Jeffs
• Apostolic United Brethren
• Religious freedom and government intervention
• Cult recovery and exit counseling
• Yearning for Zion Ranch raid

Summary

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist group that split from mainstream Mormonism in 1929 over the practice of plural marriage and has since faced extensive legal challenges under the leadership of convicted felon Warren Jeffs.