Warren Jeffs: From FLDS Leader To Prison - The Full Story

Can a single individual's actions truly shatter the foundations of a community and leave an indelible mark on history? Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), stands as a stark testament to the devastating power of unchecked authority and the harrowing consequences of abuse.

The tale of Warren Jeffs is one of spiritual manipulation, systemic abuse, and the exploitation of faith for personal gain. His rise to power within the FLDS, a sect born from the outlawing of polygamy within the Mormon Church, marked a dark chapter in American religious history. Under his leadership, life for church members became rigidly controlled, with every aspect of their existence dictated by his increasingly erratic pronouncements. This control extended to the most vulnerable, as evidenced by the numerous accusations of child sexual assault and forced marriages involving underage girls.

The seeds of Jeffs' dominion were sown in 2002, upon the death of his father, Rulon Jeffs, the previous leader of the FLDS. At that point, the younger Jeffs inherited the mantle of authority. However, his journey to the top began much earlier. In the late 1970s, at approximately the age of 21, Jeffs assumed the role of principal at Alta Academy, an FLDS private school. This early exposure to positions of authority and influence foreshadowed his future trajectory.

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His life sentence, plus an additional 20 years, reflects the severity of his crimes. His actions were not confined to the confines of religious doctrine. They bled into the realm of criminality, with convictions for child sexual assault, and his alleged involvement in facilitating marriages between underage girls and adult men led to him being placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in May 2006. Charges were brought against him in both Utah and Arizona, underscoring the breadth of the legal repercussions he faced.

In 2003, a pivotal moment occurred in Short Creek (Colorado City and Hildale), when Jeffs, in a Sunday church service on August 10th, declared that the blessings of the priesthood had been removed from the community. Following this pronouncement, he suspended all further religious meetings, yet continued to accept tithes and offerings from his followers. This divergence fueled unrest and set the stage for significant upheaval within the community.

The year 2004 proved to be another turning point, marking the beginning of the unraveling of Jeffs' world. His nephew, Brent Jeffs, initiated a lawsuit, leveling allegations of anal rape that had occurred during his childhood. Simultaneously, Jeffs expelled a group of 20 men from the community, further fracturing the already strained social fabric.

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In the aftermath of Jeffs' actions, the authorities unearthed a pervasive pattern of child abuse within the inherently polygamous community. The tragic details of the widespread maltreatment underscore the true cost of Jeffs' abuse of power, revealing a dark reality hidden beneath the veneer of religious doctrine.

The full extent of Jeffs' story is chronicled in "Preaching Evil: A Wife on the Run with Warren Jeffs," available on Peacock+. The narrative offers a glimpse into the lives of those trapped within the confines of his influence and the courageous steps they took to break free. Similarly, Roy Jeffs, the first of Warren Jeffs' children to publicly denounce his own molestation, played a role in exposing the truth. He, along with his sister Becky, appeared on Lisa Ling's CNN show, "This is Life," in 2015, bravely recounting their experiences. The story of Roy, like that of Rebecca Wall, a participant in "Keep Sweet," are examples of defiance and the pursuit of justice.

The repercussions of Jeffs' actions extend beyond his convictions and into the realm of the living. He is still the president of two corporations in Utah, despite his imprisonment. The legacy of his actions is visible in the ongoing civil lawsuits brought by his victims and the potential for a mental breakdown reported within the confines of the prison. Seven bodies must be relocated, including that of Barbara Jeffs, one of Warren Jeffs' wives, whose remains will be moved near the Utah/Arizona border.

The physical location of Jeffs is currently the Louis C. Powledge Unit in Palestine, Texas. He is ineligible for parole until 2038, serving out his life sentence. His physical imprisonment, though, has not extinguished the impact of his actions, which continues to resonate within the FLDS community and beyond. The narrative of Warren Jeffs serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the profound effects of unchecked power, the importance of safeguarding the vulnerable, and the enduring search for justice and healing.