Unveiling the Mysteries of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saint Movement

The Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saint (FLDS) movement has been shrouded in controversy and mystery for decades. Comprising a loose network of Mormon fundamentalist communities, the FLDS has been characterized by its practice of polygamy, a deviation from the mainstream Mormon Church's ban on the practice in 1890. Understanding the intricacies of the FLDS movement requires delving into its history, doctrine, and the experiences of its members.

At its core, the FLDS movement is an offshoot of the larger Mormon faith, which emerged in the mid-19th century. The movement gained significant traction in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1930s, as a result of a series of events that led to the excommunication of Mormon fundamentalists from the mainstream church. This included the imprisonment of Mormon leader Brigham Young's grandson, and the subsequent formation of the first fundamentalist community in Short Creek, Arizona. Since then, the FLDS has grown into a global movement with thousands of adherents in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Despite its relatively small size, the FLDS has made headlines for its practices, including forced marriages, child labor, and the subjugation of women. The movement's leaders have been accused of exploiting their followers, often by manipulating biblical interpretations to justify their actions. At the same time, the FLDS has also been seen as a bastion of faith and tradition by many of its adherents, who view their practices as a manifestation of their devotion to their deity.

History of the FLDS Movement

The FLDS movement emerged in the early 20th century as a result of the ban on polygamy by the mainstream Mormon Church. In 1890, the church, led by President Wilford Woodruff, officially renounced polygamy, citing growing public pressure and the threat of federal prosecution. However, this did not stop Mormon fundamentalists from continuing to practice polygamy, often in secret.

The first recorded instance of a Mormon fundamentalist community was in 1933, when the Short Creek community in Arizona was established. This community was founded by Alma Dayer and John Barlow, two former Mormon fundamentalists who had been excommunicated from the church. Short Creek became a thriving community, with over 500 adherents and multiple wives. The community's prosperity was largely due to the presence of Warren Jeffs, a charismatic leader who joined the community in the 1980s.

Under Jeffs' leadership, the Short Creek community flourished, and its membership grew significantly. Jeffs, who became the community's prophet in 2002, implemented a strict system of governance, with a focus on discipline and obedience. He also promoted the idea of "celestial marriage," a term used to describe the marriage between a man and multiple women. Jeffs' leadership was marked by controversy, particularly with regards to his treatment of women and children. He was accused of forcing women to marry against their will and of exploiting children for labor and other purposes.

Polygamy and Forced Marriages

Polygamy, or the practice of marrying multiple wives, is a central tenet of the FLDS movement. The movement's leaders believe that polygamy is a divine commandment, ordained by God. In the FLDS, polygamy is seen as a way to increase the population and ensure the survival of the community.

However, polygamy has also been criticized for its impact on women and children. In the FLDS, women are often forced into marriage against their will, often with older men who have multiple wives. This can lead to a situation where women are trapped in a cycle of abuse, with little hope of escape.

One such case was that of Elissa Wall, a former FLDS member who was forced to marry her cousin at the age of 14. Wall's experience was marked by physical and emotional abuse, which eventually led to her escape from the community. In her book, "Stolen Innocence," Wall details her experience and exposes the FLDS' treatment of women and children.

The Role of Women in the FLDS

Women play a crucial role in the FLDS movement, often serving as caregivers, educators, and domestic workers. However, their roles are also heavily restricted, with little autonomy or freedom. In the FLDS, women are expected to submit to their husbands and to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers above all else.

This has led to a situation where women are often forced into roles that are not of their choosing, with little opportunity for education or career advancement. Women are also often subjected to strict dress codes and social restrictions, which can limit their social interaction and mobility.

One such example is the case of Christine Hrdy, a former FLDS member who was forced to marry at the age of 15. Hrdy's experience was marked by abuse and neglect, which eventually led to her escape from the community. In her book, "Eyes Wide Open," Hrdy details her experience and exposes the FLDS' treatment of women.

Leadership and Governance

The FLDS movement is governed by a hierarchical system, with a strong emphasis on obedience and discipline. At the top of this hierarchy is the prophet, who serves as the leader of the movement. The prophet is seen as a divine representative, who is tasked with guiding the community and interpreting scripture.

In the case of the FLDS, the prophet is also the leader of the community, responsible for its spiritual and temporal well-being. This has led to a situation where the prophet has significant power and control over the community, often at the expense of individual freedom and autonomy.

One such example is the case of Warren Jeffs, who served as the prophet of the FLDS from 2002 to 2011. Jeffs was accused of exploiting his followers, often by manipulating biblical interpretations to justify his actions. He was also accused of physical and emotional abuse, as well as of forcing women to marry against their will.

Confronting the FLDS

The FLDS movement has been the subject of controversy for decades, particularly with regards to its treatment of women and children. In 2008, the movement's leader, Warren Jeffs, was arrested and charged with two counts of child rape.

This marked a turning point in the movement's history, as it led to a significant increase in scrutiny and criticism from authorities and human rights groups. In 2011, Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison, marking a major victory for those who had long criticized the FLDS movement.

However, the FLDS movement remains a contentious issue, with many of its adherents continuing to practice polygamy and to restrict the rights of women and children. The movement's leaders continue to face criticism and scrutiny, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency.

Human Rights and International Pressure

The FLDS movement has been criticized for its treatment of women and children, with many labeling it a form of human rights abuse. In 2011, the United Nations condemned the FLDS movement, stating that its practices "constitute a grave and serious human rights violation."

This condemnation was echoed by other international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Human Rights Watch. The organizations stated that the FLDS movement's practices, including forced marriages and child labor, were a clear violation of international human rights standards.

International Responses and Cooperation

In response to the FLDS movement's practices, international organizations have called for greater cooperation and action. In 2019, the Canadian government banned the FLDS movement from entering the country, citing concerns over its treatment of women and children.

The US government has also taken steps to address the FLDS movement's practices, with the House of Representatives passing a resolution condemning its treatment of women and children. The resolution called for greater accountability and transparency from the movement's leaders, as well as for greater support for victims of abuse.

Conclusion

The FLDS movement remains a complex and contentious issue, with many of its adherents continuing to practice polygamy and to restrict the rights of women and children. However, as international pressure and scrutiny continue to grow, it is clear that the movement will face significant challenges in the years to come.

The movement's leaders will be forced to confront their practices and to provide greater accountability and transparency. Meanwhile, those who have been victimized by the movement will continue to speak out and demand justice.

Ultimately, the fate of the FLDS movement will depend on its ability to adapt and change. Will it be able to reform and become a more inclusive and compassionate community, or will it continue to cling to its outdated and abusive practices? Only time will tell.