The FLDS is a sinister, secretive religious cult. And their prophet Warren Jeffs is one of the most evil men on the planet. Escaping Polygamy s3e2: Give Me Back My Daughters I
The FLDS group is estimated to have 10,000 members across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Their prophet is Warren Jeffs. Warren Jeffs is serving life in prison plus 20 years for the sexual assault of two minors. ibid.
Suzette left the FLDS group years ago with all of her children except for two which are her daughter … She wants us to help try and find her two daughters. Escaping Polygamy s3e3: Give Me Back My Daughters II
‘They are hiding behind polygamy to get away with incest and underage marriages and child abuse.’ ibid. victim’s evidence to committee
Shortly after the hearing, the Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 99 into law, keeping polygamy a felony. ibid.
In Colorado City, FLDS leaders have formed a security force known as the ‘God Squad’ to intimidate unwanted visitors. ibid.
‘Polygamy – it can be hell.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e5: Exposing the Cult, victim
Today, there are an estimated 30,000 polygamists in Utah. ibid. caption
‘The moment you find out your dad is scheduling a time to talk to you about getting married and you sit there thinking of any possible excuse to get out of going to the meeting.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e6: Escaping Wedlock, mom’s message
This is a big deal to have Rachel Jeffs reach out for help – she was Warren Jeffs’ favourite daughter. Escaping Polygamy s3e7: The Prophet’s Daughter
Warren Jeffs was put on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in May 2006 for multiple counts of sexually assaulting minors. After several months eluding authorities, Warren Jeffs was arrested during a routine traffic stop. ibid. captions
‘The FLDS group is known for their strict dress code and their isolation from the rest of the world. They don’t listen to music, watch television, use the internet, read books.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e8: Rebel With a Cause
‘Yes, it’s worth it.’ ibid. escaping Mattie
‘It’s really hard to get people out of the FLDS group because it’s rumoured that the FLDS just move their members all around the country … It’s all about control.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e9: Sons of the Prophet
Isaac moved to Phoenix Arizona where he found a job and a circle of friends. ibid.
‘My father is Warren Jeffs, the prophet of the FLDS church; my mother is Brenda: when I was seven year old I was separated from my mother.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e10: A Risky Reunion, Isaac
FLDS members are ‘sent away’ by leaders to repent for their sins. They often don’t know what sins they have committed. ibid.
‘They can’t even hold hands with their spouse any more. And they listen to him [Jeffs] because he is their prophet.’ Escaping Polygamy s3e11: Forbidden Love
‘I would rather have my son or daughter in the grave than commit sins of immorality.’ ibid.
The AUB [Apostolic United Brethren] is estimated to have over 8,000 members throughout the United States and Mexico. Escaping Polygamy s3e12: A Father’s Secret
‘I do believe that 99% of polygamous relationships are unhealthy; in almost all instances it’s destructive and harmful. ibid. Jesse
When I went into the mainstream LDS church they spoke word for word what I had been taught year after year. Laurie Allen
That just creates a very desensitized human being. A robot. They are essentially breeding criminals. Elaine Jeffs, Warren Jeff’s sister
My life was chaos and fear and pain ... The pain just never stops ... I ran for my life. Flora Jessup
I also believe that it’s a criminal organisation, and it is founded on the exploitation and abuse of children. Flora Jessup, former FLDS member
You have no rights except to build your husband’s kingdom. Flora Jessup
The infants are trained not to cry by waterboarding them. Flora Jessup
My name is Flora Jessop. I was one of twenty-eight children born to my dad and his two wives. At the age of twelve I was carrying his child before it was terminated. No-one listened and no-one stopped it. Escaping the Prophet s1e1, Discovery 2014
This whole place is built, bounded and established on fear and control. Colorado City is a prison. A prison without walls. ibid.
Abuse is a way of life in the FLDS. ibid.
The FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs is serving life in prison for sexually assaulting two young girls ages 12 and 15. Escaping the Prophet s1e2
If Ruth doesn’t leave Colorado City there are going to kill her. It’s that simple. ibid.
It seems to me as if Edwin may be a lost boy. Escaping the Prophet s1e3
In polygamy the women are commodities ... The boys are liabilities. ibid.
My sixteen year old sister is pursued for marriage with a married man with eight children. Escaping the Prophet s1e4
Plans for an underground city ... Their safety net. ibid.
He ordered all the pets to be killed. ibid.
My sister Susie’s children might be being harmed inside the cult. Escaping the Prophet s1e5
People who are supposedly in favour with the cult hand over their life savings in order to stay in favour. It’s a form of blackmail into heaven. ibid.
From an early age children are taught to obey the prophet. To escape you must be willing to leave your entire family behind. Escaping the Prophet s1e6
They will hunt my sister every single day. ibid.
There are nearly 50,000 polygamists living illegal in the southwestern American state of Utah. This is the home of Tom Green and his six wives. One Man, Six Wives and 29 Children, National Geographic 2010
The greater numbers of wives and children one man can have the more elevated his status will be in heaven. ibid.
‘I was married when I was fourteen.’ ibid. Linda
‘Tom married my mother after me.’ ibid. Shirley
He now has 26 children aged 12 years and under. ibid.
To preserve their fundamentalist way of life the children have little contact with the outside world and are educated at home by their mothers. ibid.
This lifestyle is still illegal here in Utah. ibid.
Follow our journey to a hidden world where outsiders are the enemy, loved ones are banished, families are torn apart, and one man – the prophet Warren Jeffs, still calls all the shot even while locked up for life. 20/20 Breaking Polygamy: Secrets of the Sect, ABC 2012
But behind the facade of normalcy is something you can’t see: every aspect of this family’s life, who they marry, what they wear, even what they eat, is controlled by the man they call the prophet Warren Jeffs. ibid.
Jeffs had over 80 wives, but he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the assault of under-age girls. ibid.
It started with an order to destroy all the children’s toys … You cannot eat corn … No sex between husband and wife … He selected fifteen men to father all the children in the community. ibid.
They were taught that Warren Jeffs is the president of the United States. ibid.
They put in long hours, often seven days a week, with no pay. ibid.