What is FLDS? The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist denomination. It originated in the early 20th century as a breakaway group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which had officially renounced polygamy in 1890.
The FLDS Church believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible, including the practice of polygamy. They believe that men should have multiple wives, and that women should be subservient to their husbands. The church is led by a prophet, who is considered to be the only person who can receive revelation from God. The current prophet of the FLDS Church is Warren Jeffs, who has been convicted of child sexual assault and is serving a life sentence in prison.
The FLDS Church has been controversial since its inception. Critics have accused the church of being a cult that brainwashes its members and forces them to live in poverty. The church has also been accused of child abuse and sexual assault. In 2008, the Texas Child Protective Services raided the FLDS Church's Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, and removed over 400 children from the property. The raid was the largest child custody case in American history.
The FLDS Church continues to practice polygamy, despite the fact that it is illegal in the United States. The church has been raided by law enforcement several times, and many of its members have been arrested and convicted of polygamy and other crimes.
FLDS
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist denomination that originated in the early 20th century as a breakaway group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Key aspects of the FLDS Church include:
- Polygamy: The FLDS Church believes in the practice of polygamy, which is the marriage of one man to multiple women.
- Patriarchy: The FLDS Church is a patriarchal society, in which men hold all the power and authority.
- Isolation: The FLDS Church is a closed community, and its members are discouraged from interacting with outsiders.
- Prophecy: The FLDS Church is led by a prophet, who is considered to be the only person who can receive revelation from God.
- Controversies: The FLDS Church has been involved in a number of controversies, including allegations of child abuse and sexual assault.
These key aspects of the FLDS Church have a significant impact on the lives of its members. Polygamy, for example, can lead to a number of social and economic problems, such as poverty, child abuse, and domestic violence. Patriarchy can also lead to discrimination against women and girls. Isolation can lead to a lack of education and opportunity. Prophecy can lead to blind obedience to authority figures. And controversies can damage the reputation of the church and its members.
Polygamy
Polygamy is a central tenet of the FLDS Church's beliefs. The church teaches that polygamy is a commandment from God, and that it is necessary for men to have multiple wives in order to achieve salvation. Polygamy is also seen as a way to increase the church's population and to strengthen the bonds between its members.
The practice of polygamy has a number of social and economic consequences. Polygamy can lead to poverty, child abuse, and domestic violence. It can also lead to a lack of education and opportunity for women and children. Polygamy is also illegal in the United States, and FLDS members who practice polygamy can be arrested and prosecuted.
Despite the challenges, the FLDS Church continues to practice polygamy. The church believes that polygamy is a commandment from God, and that it is necessary for its members to follow God's commandments in order to achieve salvation.
The practice of polygamy by the FLDS Church has a number of negative consequences, but the church continues to practice polygamy because it believes that it is a commandment from God.
Patriarchy
The patriarchal structure of the FLDS Church has a profound impact on the lives of its members. Men hold all the power and authority in the church, and women are expected to be subservient to their husbands. This can lead to a number of problems, including domestic violence, child abuse, and discrimination against women.
One of the most visible examples of patriarchy in the FLDS Church is the practice of polygamy. Polygamy is a system of marriage in which one man is married to multiple women. In the FLDS Church, men are encouraged to have multiple wives, and women are expected to be obedient to their husbands. This can lead to a number of problems, including poverty, child abuse, and domestic violence.
Another example of patriarchy in the FLDS Church is the way in which women are treated. Women are expected to be subservient to their husbands, and they are not allowed to hold any positions of authority in the church. This can lead to a lack of education and opportunity for women, and it can also make it difficult for women to leave the church if they are unhappy.
The patriarchal structure of the FLDS Church is a major problem that has a negative impact on the lives of its members. It is important to understand the patriarchal structure of the FLDS Church in order to address the problems that it causes.
Isolation
The isolation of the FLDS Church is a key component of its identity. The church teaches that its members are a chosen people, and that they must separate themselves from the outside world in order to avoid contamination. This isolation has a number of consequences, both positive and negative.
On the one hand, the isolation of the FLDS Church helps to create a strong sense of community among its members. Members of the church rely on each other for support and guidance, and they develop a deep sense of loyalty to the church and its leaders. This isolation can also help to protect the church from outside influences, such as government regulation and social change.
On the other hand, the isolation of the FLDS Church can also have negative consequences. It can lead to a lack of education and opportunity for members, and it can make it difficult for members to leave the church if they are unhappy. The isolation of the church can also make it difficult for members to access healthcare and other essential services.
The isolation of the FLDS Church is a complex issue with both positive and negative consequences. It is important to understand the isolation of the church in order to understand its impact on the lives of its members.
Prophecy
Prophecy is a central tenet of the FLDS Church's beliefs. The church teaches that its prophet is the only person who can receive revelation from God, and that his teachings are binding on all members of the church. This gives the prophet a great deal of power and authority, and it can be used to justify a wide range of actions, both good and bad.
One of the most important aspects of prophecy in the FLDS Church is the belief that the prophet is the only person who can lead the church to salvation. This belief gives the prophet a great deal of control over the lives of his followers, and it can be used to justify a wide range of abuses, including polygamy, child abuse, and financial exploitation.
The FLDS Church's belief in prophecy has had a number of negative consequences for its members. The church's isolation from the outside world has led to a lack of education and opportunity for its members, and it has made it difficult for members to leave the church if they are unhappy. The church's belief in prophecy has also been used to justify a number of abuses, including polygamy, child abuse, and financial exploitation.
It is important to understand the role of prophecy in the FLDS Church in order to understand the problems that the church causes. The belief in prophecy gives the prophet a great deal of power and authority, and it can be used to justify a wide range of abuses.
Controversies
The FLDS Church has been involved in a number of controversies over the years, including allegations of child abuse and sexual assault. These controversies have damaged the reputation of the church and its members, and have led to increased scrutiny from law enforcement and the media.
- Child Abuse: The FLDS Church has been accused of child abuse on several occasions. In 2008, the Texas Child Protective Services raided the FLDS Church's Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, and removed over 400 children from the property. The raid was the largest child custody case in American history. The children were allegedly being abused and neglected, and some of them were married to adult men.
- Sexual Assault: The FLDS Church has also been accused of sexual assault. In 2011, the prophet of the FLDS Church, Warren Jeffs, was convicted of child sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison. Jeffs was accused of marrying and sexually assaulting underage girls.
- Financial Exploitation: The FLDS Church has also been accused of financial exploitation. The church's leaders have been accused of using church funds for their own personal gain. In 2014, the FLDS Church was ordered to pay $2 million in restitution to former members who had been financially exploited.
- Isolation: The FLDS Church is a closed community, and its members are discouraged from interacting with outsiders. This isolation can make it difficult for members to leave the church if they are unhappy, and it can also make it difficult for law enforcement to investigate allegations of abuse.
The controversies surrounding the FLDS Church are a serious concern. The church's leaders have been accused of child abuse, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and isolation. These allegations have damaged the reputation of the church and its members, and have led to increased scrutiny from law enforcement and the media. It is important to continue to investigate these allegations and to hold the church's leaders accountable for their actions.
FAQs about the FLDS Church
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist denomination that originated in the early 20th century as a breakaway group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The FLDS Church has been involved in a number of controversies, including allegations of child abuse and sexual assault. Here are some frequently asked questions about the FLDS Church:
Question 1: What are the beliefs of the FLDS Church?The FLDS Church believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible, including the practice of polygamy. They believe that men should have multiple wives, and that women should be subservient to their husbands. The church is led by a prophet, who is considered to be the only person who can receive revelation from God.
Question 2: What are the controversies surrounding the FLDS Church?The FLDS Church has been involved in a number of controversies, including allegations of child abuse, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and isolation. The church's leaders have been accused of using their power and authority to abuse and exploit their followers.
Question 3: Is polygamy legal in the United States?Polygamy is illegal in all 50 states of the United States. The FLDS Church believes that polygamy is a commandment from God, but the government does not recognize this belief. FLDS members who practice polygamy can be arrested and prosecuted.
Question 4: What is the role of women in the FLDS Church?Women in the FLDS Church are expected to be subservient to their husbands. They are not allowed to hold any positions of authority in the church, and they are expected to focus on their roles as wives and mothers.
Question 5: How does the FLDS Church interact with the outside world?The FLDS Church is a closed community, and its members are discouraged from interacting with outsiders. This isolation can make it difficult for members to leave the church if they are unhappy, and it can also make it difficult for law enforcement to investigate allegations of abuse.
Question 6: What is the future of the FLDS Church?The future of the FLDS Church is uncertain. The church has been weakened by a number of factors, including government crackdowns, financial problems, and internal divisions. It is possible that the church will continue to decline, or it may be able to adapt and survive.
It is important to note that these are just a few of the many questions that have been raised about the FLDS Church. There is still much that we do not know about this secretive and controversial group.
For more information on the FLDS Church, please consult the following resources:
- HB 72 - Relating to the crime of bigamy
- F.B.I. Raids Polygamist Sect, Rescuing Girls and Seizing Boys
- Former FBI agent provides new details in raid on FLDS sect
Conclusion
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church) is a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist denomination that originated in the early 20th century as a breakaway group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The FLDS Church has been involved in a number of controversies, including allegations of child abuse, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and isolation. Over the years, the FLDS Church has faced increased scrutiny from law enforcement and the media, leading to numerous investigations and legal actions. The controversies surrounding the FLDS Church, including serious allegations of abuse and exploitation, underscore the need for continued vigilance and efforts to protect vulnerable individuals within these closed communities.
While the future of the FLDS Church remains uncertain, ongoing efforts by law enforcement and social service agencies are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals affected by harmful practices within the group.
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