“Residents of the rural West Texas town of Eldorado are concerned by the arrival of a polygamist sect known as the FLDS, or Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members derive their polygamous theology from the teachings of early Mormon leaders, but Mormons abandoned polygamy long ago.”
Concerns about firearms follow these folks around back to their citadels in Utah and Arizona where armed “God Squads” provided bodyguards for their current leader, Warren Jeffs, son of the group’s original prophet. One small town in Utah had control of the police department taken over by FLDS members — prompting decertification by the state.
The states of Arizona and Utah are offering a joint $10,000 reward for Warren Jeff’s arrest on charges relating to “sexual conduct with a minor”. The growing controversy over the group’s stronghold in Eldorado is prompting state politicians to change Texas laws on marriage and consensual sex. Texas has considered fourteen the legal age of consent for decades — with parent’s consent. If the parents are members of Jeff’s sect, that’s a moot point.
Unlike Koresh and his followers in Waco, the FLDS sect in Eldorado built their temple of stone. Have the Texas Rangers, the ATF and FBI learned anything from the last disaster?
I’ve driven through Colorado City AZ, one of this group’s storngholds, as recently as two weeks ago. Spooky place, with huge, crudely built dormlike structures. No temple as far as I could see.
Las Vegas has had a problem with teenage boys that have been kicked out of the church (probably so there are more young women available for the elders–few teenage girls are kicked out) and given a one way bus ticket to Vegas. They arrive penniless with little education, knowing almost nothing about the real world.
There’s a guy in town who was in the same boat once, who takes them in and takes care of them. Without this guy I have no idea what would happen to these kids.
One wife is bad enough. More than one?! Geez.
Can gay Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members marry multiple same sex partners in their church? Would they have to go to Canada to do this or could the church marry them?
I’m a believer in self-determination. If a guy wants to have sex with thirteen year olds then he should fulfill his wants BUT he should respect the laws of where he is. There are countries like Mexico and Thailand where this is tolerated, legal or not enforced. “Pedophiles” should go there.
First, let me say David is sick. I take it he may have an interest in 13 year olds. UGH I am a mother, grandmother and great grand mother and I will never agree it is “ok to fulfill your wants” if it means destroying any child, boy or girls life. The compound in question and it’s leader who is no doubt a pedopfile should be shut down. Using the constitutional right of freedom of religion to abuse and control others, including juviniles, is no more than a way to satisfy the need to control and lust. They should be forced to live by the law of our land. One wife of legal age and that should be older than 14.. Down with compound and it’s leader I say.