By The Way

By Alice Gilroy Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon - Floydada, Texas

I have debated for quite some time over whether or not I should write this column. It may very well lead to "killing the messenger" from those who disagree with my views - or simply from those who preferred not to think about this subject. It is easier to pretend a problem doesn't exist than it is to face it head on. I know because I wanted to pretend. I'm writing this column not because of my dislike for another human being and their lifestyle, but because of my love for the good people in this County. You are about to be faced with situations that you have never confronted before. I'm writing because I believe it is better to face a challenge when you know the facts. You may have heard recently that the Tye Company was selling to a man who was going to bring a "furniture making business", or a "cabinet making business" to Lockney. Depending on who you talked to, the business was going to hire 3 people, or 100 people, or no "outside" people. The man who is buying the business, Samuel C. Fischer described himself as a Mormon from the town of Hildale, Utah. As a member of the Lockney Economic Development Committee (and By the Way, my thoughts are my own - I am not speaking for the EDC), the news first brought great jubilation. But it was very short lived. It was pointed out to me that Hildale (of which I had never heard), was the home base of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The group, called FLDS for short, is not connected to the modern Mormon Church, and Samuel C. Fischer is not the kind of Mormon that you are familiar with. The group of almost 10,000 is a polygamist sect of Mormon fundamentalists that has a long history of skirting the law. The FLDS is ruled by their prophet, Warren Jeffs, who was recently arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, on warrants out of Arizona and Utah on four total counts of Rape of a Child, stemming from his practice of arranging child marriages to older men. He was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List and featured on America's Most Wanted TV show. The Temple for the FLDS (and new world headquarters of Warren Jeffs) has recently been built, along with a city, in the hillsides of Eldorado in Schleicher County. The city has large houses, a concrete plant, and even its own waste-water treatment plant. Before I go any further it must be emphasized the FLDS is separate from the Mormon Church. The FLDS have developed their own rules, their own interpretations of the Book of Mormon, and added their own prophet -- Warren Jeffs. Hildale is the twin city of Colorado City, Arizona. They are basically one in the same. The history of the fundamentalists of Hildale, Utah (located at the border of Utah and Arizona) began with the town originally known as Short Creek (and is still referred to that way by some Fundamentalists). Mormon doctrine research and polygamy research dates back to July 1843 when Joseph Smith recorded the Church's doctrine by what he said was a vision. The doctrine provided the foundation for polygamy. Political pressure in 1904 led to a "Second Manifesto" which forbade polygamy. A few refused to accept this. Within this new group arose new leaders and they needed new locations to congregate. Short Creek, Arizona became the settling place for the fundamentalist Mormons as early as the 1930's. Early financiers in the movement were Nathaniel Baldwin, Lorin Woolley, John Y. Barlow, Israel Barlow, Leslie Broadbent, and Lyman Jessop. (I tell these names because the surnames will continue to surface throughout the FLDS history). As laws became stricter against "unlawful cohabitation" the border town became attractive as a place where practitioners of plural marriages could step across the Utah line to avoid arrest. More laws in Arizona created an even better deal as polygamist could escape prosecution in either direction. Eventually bad press led the FLDS to rename Short Creek to Hildale in Utah, and Colorado City in Arizona. In 2002 Warren Jeffs took over as the FLDS prophet when his father, Rulon T. Jeffs, died. Rulon Jeffs (after taking power in 1986) was responsible for abolishing the 7 member Priesthood Council that had previously governed the sect. He now claimed "One Man Rule". Jeffs is considered "God's Mouthpiece". Warren Jeffs says a man must have at least 3 wives to secure a place in Heaven while a woman gets there only if married to a worthy man. The prophet decides who marries whom and when. Many times the girls will only get a few hours notice before being taken to her new husband. Many of the girls have been young teenagers - 13 and 14 years old. Many have never met the man who is now called their husband. "Getting" a wife requires the men to be useful and ready to serve. It also often requires you to have the right last name-be in the right position - or just give the right amount of money to the church. Then - maybe, Jeffs will put you on the list for a 2nd or 3rd wife. (Jeffs himself is rumored to have as many as 70 wives). Dating is prohibited. The first contact with the opposite sex comes in the marriage ceremony performed by the prophet. If a married man falls "out of favor" the man is sent to repent "from afar" and his wives and children may be told to leave him. They are often given to another. This is the power of the prophet. If the man continues to work hard for the church and tithe he hopes Jeffs will allow him back in the fold. This very rarely happens. In January 2004, Jeffs expelled a group of 20 men, including the mayor, and gave their wives and children to other men. According to news reports Jeffs said he was acting on the orders of God. The men said they were expelled for disagreeing with Jeffs. There is not a single newspaper or magazine in Hildale/Colorado City. Television and radio are banned. The sounds you hear coming from the homes will be Jeffs teaching on tape. Because of no outside communication, Jeffs' recent arrest in Las Vegas was not even known. The fact that he was driving a red Cadillac Escalade (red is a forbidden color), and his "wife" was wearing jeans (also forbidden) was never known. You may wonder how this cult gets around the laws of polygamy. For one thing the polygamy laws aren't inforced. They also admit to having only one legal wife. The other wives are then technically single women with many children entitled to all the welfare benefits of the state. The Hildale/Colorado City area (according to Wikipedia) has the world's highest incidence of fumarase deficiency, an extremely rare genetic condition which causes severe mental retardation. This is attributed to the prevalence of cousin marriage between descendants of two of the towns founders - Joseph Smith Jessup and John Yeates Barlow. At least half, according to Wikipedia, of the population of 8,000 inhabitants (of the two towns) are descended from one or both. The way to Heaven for the followers of FLDS is following the words of their prophet. They are very hard working because they believe the hard work affords them a better chance at Heaven. Jeffs has issued more than one "end of the world" date. Followers are encouraged to work hard and turn over more money to show their faithfulness before the date arrives. When the date comes and goes followers are simply told it is their own fault Jesus didn't come. If they had been found worthy and worked harder Jesus would have come. While his followers work and the women and children are reduced to slavery, Jeffs (and his lieutenants) live high on the hog. When Jeffs was arrested in his Cadillac, authorities also found ten sets of keys to other luxury cars - a Porsche Cayenne sports SUV valued at more than $100,000, a Volkswagen Touareg, a BMW, and an Audi just to name a few. Also in his possession were envelopes containing letters from Jeffs' repentant followers begging to be forgiven. Referring to their tithes and donations lawmen assumed the letters contained cash. The letters had been opened with a narrow slit so the money could be removed. The letters, however, had never been read. And, a large amount of cash - $54,000 was found when Jeffs was arrested. The stories of abuse of the child brides are horrendous. The women and children who know no other life, and have no idea there is freedom or a place to escape to, seldom get away from the bondage of the cult. But there have been some. Those testimonies will be heard at Jeffs' trial. Many can be found on the website: childbrides.org. Christians in the community who believe they will be able to "witness" to the FLDS are simply uninformed about the ways of the cult. You will not be allowed anywhere near the women and children. In fact, according to the Eldorado editor you will seldom see the women and children in the community. If you do they will not be alone. You will see the men walking around but their dress will not distinguish them from anyone else. The women and children will be dressed in long dresses. The members work hard but the society is closed and very very secretive. So secretive in fact, that anyone in this community who deals with a member of FLDS needs to know that "lying for God" is the new rule. You will find that there will be many different answers to questions because you are told what you need to hear at the time. Telling you (a Gentile) anything about what goes on in their church is deemed a sin. The fear that the FLDS will come and snatch up your children is ungrounded. In fact, the FLDS wants nothing to do with "outside" people. The FLDS does not engage in missionary work or proselytizing. Their money does not go to "spread the Word", it appears most of it goes to the prophet and whatever he deems necessary. According to the editors at the "The Eldorado Success" some of the businesses owned by FLDS include cabinetmaking and candy making-to name a couple. Samuel Fischer has also been to Floydada and inquired as to the purchase or lease of the Labor Camp. He has also stated that he has bought several homes in Plainview - but that can't be confirmed at this time. The FLDS is looking to expand their communities and the panhandle is attractive because of lots of land at a better price. Homes and buildings are also cheaper than in Utah. When I first started making my calls to find out more about FLDS, Hildale, etc., I was told that rumor had it that the FLDS was expanding into the Panhandle - but no one was sure where. Now, it is apparent that they want to expand here in Floyd County. I have no idea how many families will move to the area, but I do know that this business will not bring new jobs for local people - not unless you happen to be a member of one of the FLDS families. I have been told that the property appraisals actually go up when FLDS move into an area. In Eldorado they are the 4th largest taxpayer in the County next to oil and gas. I was told that probably in the near future they will be listed as the 2nd largest taxpayers (as a group). The group will be very self contained. More than likely they will bring in young men to work for the prophet. This business will be established to be an income base to support the Eldorado compound. In answer to the question, "Is the sale of the Tye Company a 'done deal'. The answer is Yes and No. There has been a contract signed with intention to buy and earnest money has been given. Until the closing I suppose the buyer could back out. Do not despair. Do not fear. Be prepared. Who knows, FLDS may decide the Bible Belt of Texas was more than they bargained for. ******** I encourage everyone to do their own research on Warren Jeffs, Hildale, FLDS, child brides, and the "Lost Boys". Get on the internet or go to the Library. A book that has been recommended to me, but which I have not read, is "The Polygamists - A History of Colorado City, Arizona", by Benjamin G. Bistline. On the Internet, check out the site: "Banking On Heaven", or the book "Under the Banner of Heaven", by Jon Krakauer. Read stories and see photographs about the Eldorado compound at the website of "The Eldorado Success" at www.myeldorado.net Learn about efforts to rescue young children from polygamist relationships at: www.childbrides.org ******** I have tried repeatedly to contact Mr. Fischer by phone but have been unable to do so. I welcome his comments on this story.

hesperianbeacon.com Originally published May 3, 2007

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