FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Polygamist sect that broke from the LDS Church after the 1890 Manifesto. Under Warren Jeffs (Prophet 2002–present, imprisoned 2011) the FLDS practised forced underage marriages, expulsion of teen 'lost boys', and total community control. Heavily documented in court records and federal raids.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
+2 for documented child sexual abuse, forced underage marriages, and severe exit costs.
In context
The FLDS, headquartered in Short Creek (Hildale UT / Colorado City AZ) and the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado TX, was led by Warren Jeffs from 2002. The 2008 Texas raid, Jeffs' 2011 conviction for child sexual assault (life + 20 years), and the 'Keep Sweet' Netflix docuseries (2022) provide extensive documentation. Carolyn Jessop's and Elissa Wall's memoirs, plus the 'lost boys' lawsuits, expose forced marriages of girls as young as 12 and the systematic expulsion of teenage males to reduce competition.
Key control doctrines
- Plural marriage (polygamy) as essential for exaltation
- 'Keep sweet' obedience teaching
- Prophet's absolute authority over marriages and assignments
- 'Re-assignment' of wives and children at Prophet's direction
Notable public ex-members
- Carolyn Jessop
- Elissa Wall
- Sam Brower (investigator)
- Brent Jeffs (Warren's nephew)
Legal cases & controversies
- Texas v. Jeffs (2011)
- BC Polygamy Reference (2011 Canadian court ruling)
- Multiple 'lost boys' civil suits
- YFZ Ranch raid 2008
Timeline
- 1890LDS Manifesto ends polygamy; fundamentalist Mormon offshoots persist
- 1953Short Creek raid by Arizona governor Howard Pyle
- 2002Warren Jeffs becomes FLDS Prophet
- 2008Texas raid on YFZ Ranch removes 462 children
- 2011Jeffs convicted; sentenced to life + 20 years
Sources
- Texas v. Jeffs (2011)
- Carolyn Jessop, 'Escape' (2007)
- Elissa Wall, 'Stolen Innocence' (2008)
- Netflix 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey' (2022)
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Search the source title plus the group name to find the original.