Category: Polygamy

Research resources: Apologetics Index entry on Polygamy

Polygamous sect on charm offensive

High profile prosecutions of fundamentalist Mormons who engaged in child marriages have shone an unwelcome spotlight on polygamous believers.

But the members of one polygamous sect — that does not allow underage followers to marry — say they are tired of living in secret and want to demonstrate plural marriage as a normal, loving lifestyle.

Texas authorities move to seize FLDS cult ranch

FLDS Temple The State of Texas on Wednesday took steps to seize the Yearning For Zion ranch where underage girls were involved in marriages to adult followers of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).

Last year the cult’s leader, Warren Jeffs, was sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting two underage followers he took as brides in what the FLDS considers “spiritual marriages.”

Under Texas law, law enforcement can try to seize property that was used to commit or facilitate certain criminal conduct.

Utah AG ordered to pay for takeover of FLDS sect’s property trust

United Effort Plan The state of Utah must help pay more than $5.5 million in past-due bills owed to an accountant appointed to run the FLDS sect’s United Effort Plan property trust after it was taken over by the state, the Utah Supreme Court decided Friday.

Utah courts seized control of the trust in 2005 amid allegations by state attorneys that the cult’s leaders had mismanaged its assets.

Warren Jeffs’ appeal is rejected by Texas state court

Warren Jeffs In August, 2011, a Texas jury convicted polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs of child sexual assault in a case stemming from two young followers he took as brides in what his church calls “spiritual marriages.”

Jeffs has appealed his conviction with ‘revelations’ in which Jesus Christ allegedly demands his release, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has turned down the appeal.