Relations thaw between "Believers" and "Non-believers" in polygamist community
 
By Brent Hunsaker
ABC 4 News
Right to refuse service

It is hardly open rebellion. But some of the rules handed down by polygamist prophet Warren Jeffs to his followers are being bent, if not broken.

For one thing, the apostates (those who do not follow Jeffs) who live in Colorado City and Hildale say Warrenites (those who do follow Jeffs) are starting to be friendly again. For a long time, the apostates say they were ignored. Warrenites looked the other way when they walked by. They would not speak to them or even look at them -- only to kick them out of their store or restaurant.

But now, several apostates report that Warrenites are exchanging the occasional wave, making small talk with them and even serving them with a smile. It may not sound like much, but for people who have been treated as if they were ghosts for several years, it is big.

Also, the sounds of barking dogs are again being herd around the community. For years there had been none. Warren Jeffs allegedly ordered them all destroyed. Jeffs also supposedly demanded that his followed "black out" their windows with blinds, heavy drapes or cardboard -- anything to block the outside world. Now a few of the coverings have been removed and sheers put up in their place.

Another reported mandate: No more Sunday meetings. As he left his home in Hildale, he is said to have ordered his followers to stay home and listen to tapes of his sermons instead.

Last year Isaac Wyler, a longtime Colorado City resident and now an agent for the UEP trust, posted delinquent tax notices on just about every house in both Colorado City and Hildale. He said he heard a lot of people playing Warren's tapes. This year as he's posted another round of notices he has not heard Warren's voice once. A few people, he said, were playing classical music (also apparently forbidden) and a couple were playing tapes of Wendell Nielson. Nielson runs New Era Manufacturing in Las Vegas (formerly Western Precision), is the first counselor to Warren Jeffs and is considered by some to be a potential replacement for Jeffs.

brent@abc4.com
 
ABC4.com
Originally broadcast March 28, 2007
 
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