Polygamous Mormon fundamentalist
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Polygamous Mormon Fundamentalists are sects devoted to Mormon fundamentalism who continue to practice plural marriage (a form of polygamy), even though that practice has been abandoned by the larger mainstream denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. Many polygamous Mormon fundamentalists belong to sects that have separated themselves from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which officially abandoned the practice in 1890. Almost invariably, the practice of plural marriage in these sects consists of polygyny, where men are married to multiple women simultaneously, which is what they believe is after the manner of Joseph Smith, the church's founder and prophet, though some groups practice polyandry as well. According to one source, there are as many as 37,000 Fundamentalist Mormons, with less than half of them living in polygamous households. In some of these sects, it is considered acceptable for a much older man to marry underage girls as young as 13-15 years of age. This practice, which apart from polygyny, itself, is illegal in most states, has generated recent public controversy. Examples include the Elizabeth Smart case, the Tom Green case, and the case in which a man married his 15-year-old cousin, who was also his aunt ([1]).
[edit] The Apostolic United Brethren
The Apostolic United Brethren, commonly called AUB, is estimated to have about 5,000 to 9,000 members throughout Utah, Montana, Mexico and elsewhere. The AUB is one of the more liberal of the Mormon groups practicing plural marriage. The AUB does not arrange marriages nor authorize plural marriages for people under 18, or for those who are closely related.
[edit] Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called the FLDS, is estimated at around 6,000 to 8,000 members. A succession crisis has been brewing in the church since 2002, when Warren Jeffs became president of the church. There has been extensive litigation regarding the church for some time, as property rights of disaffected members are weighed against the decisions of church leaders who hold trust to the land their homes are built upon. A large concentration of members live in the twin cities of Colorado City, Arizona and Hildale, Utah, as well as in Bountiful, British Columbia. In 2004, the church started construction on a temple near Eldorado, Texas. The FLDS tend to be very conservative in dress and lifestyle.
[edit] Latter-day Church of Christ (Kingston clan)
The Kingston clan, also known as the Latter Day Church of Christ, includes approximately 1,200 members. The group runs several businesses including pawn shops, restaurant supply stores, and a coal mine. The Kingston clan is one of the clans which has allowed the marriage of underage girls.
[edit] Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a small group of about 100-200 people, most living in Modena, Utah, west of Cedar City. The Righteous Branch Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized on April 6th, 1978 by Gerald Peterson Sr., who claimed that, after Rulon C. Allred (leader of the Apostolic United Brethren from 1954-77) was murdered, he appeared to him to pass on the presiding keys of the priesthood. They have subsequently built a pyramid-shaped temple, and Gerald Peterson, Jr. is their current leader. Like the AUB they are modern in their dress and don't allow women under 18 to be sealed into plural marriages. Mormon Fundamentalist Tom Green was a member of this church for a short time.[citation needed]
[edit] True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days
The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days, often called TLC, is headquartered in Manti, Utah. Membership is estimated at 300 to 500. Organized in 1994, the TLC was a new "restoration" for the "very last days" previous to the second coming of Jesus Christ. While the Church initially grew rapidly, it has since stagnated and declined in numbers and converts since it ceased missionary efforts in 2000.
[edit] Centennial Park Group
About 1,500 people are members of a group located in Centennial Park, Arizona. In the 1980's there was a conflict of leadership in the FLDS church. some of the members were very unhappy with the changes being made by various influential families in the community. Disputes over a 'One-man doctrine' led to a split in the church. Those that wanted to keep the leadership the way it was previously founded Centennial Park in 1986, Just south of the twin communities of Colorado City, AZ and Hildale, UT. Members of this group denounce violence and abuse. They dress in modern, modest attire. They have built a meeting house for weekly services and a private high school. A high-class Charter School was built in 2003 for the town's growing elementary-age population. About 200 members of this group live in the Salt Lake Valley, where they hold meetings monthly. Members living in Salt Lake often travel to Centennial Park every month to help in building the community. This group is led by a council of men who, members believe, was called of God, by revelation, to lead and teach the people.
[edit] Neilson / Naylor Group
Around 200 members trace their authority through Alma Del Timpson, and Frank Naylor who had been a member of his Priesthood council. They are based in the Salt Lake valley, where they have about 200 members (most - if not all - of whom were previously associated with the Centennial Park or Colorado City groups).
[edit] Other Groups
There are many hundreds of small polygynous clans, with membership in the tens or hundreds, located in many parts of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
[edit] Independent Polygynous Mormon Fundamentalist
There is also a large movement of Independent Polygynous Mormon Fundamentalist. Independents do not belong to organized fundamentalist groups, and do not generally recognize any man or men as their "prophet" or leaders. Because Independents are not one cohesive group, they are very diverse in their beliefs and interpretations of Mormonism, therefore, their practices vary from one Independent to another. Many Independents come from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while others come from Christian backgrounds, and still others from Fundamentalist or polygynous backgrounds (both Independents and group fundamentalists). (The LDS Church regularly excommunicates its members for practicing polygyny.)
Independents rely upon personal inspiration and revelation to guide them; there is no eccliastical structure among the Independents, although Independents often socialize with each other and may meet together for religious services.
Statistically, it is difficult to estimate how many Independents there are, but a recent estimate indicates that there may be more independent fundamentalists than there are in any one of the formally organized polygamous groups. According to a recent estimate, there may be as many as 15,000[2]. According to this informal survey, about half of Mormon Fundamentalists, both those in groups and those outside of groups, currently practice polygamy. There is a large concentration of Independents in Utah, Arizona and Missouri.
Bill Henrickson, the fictional character in HBO's 2006 series Big Love, is probably one of this independents.
[edit] Views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding Mormon Fundamentalists
According to a news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 29, 2006:
- There is no such thing as a "Mormon Fundamentalist" or "Mormon Sect." The term "Mormon" is a nickname commonly applied to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no such thing as a "Mormon fundamentalist," nor are there “Mormon sects." A correct term to describe these polygamist groups is "polygamist sects." The inclusion of the word "Mormon" is misleading and inaccurate.
Many Mormon Fundamentalists disupte this view, however.
[edit] External links
- Recent polygamy-related stories in the Salt Lake Tribune
- Polygamy Leadership Tree (PDF document)
- Shield and Refuge: A Christian ministry to Mormon Fundamentalists
- Polygamists' children rally for their families
- An overview of Mormon Fundamentalist doctrine
- Journal of a Mormon Fundamentailist woman
[edit] See also
- Ervil LeBaron
- Fundamentalist publications such as Truth magazine and Messenger magazine
- Big Love HBO series about an independent polygamous Mormon fundamentalist family
[edit] References
- Quinn, D. Michael, "Plural Marriage and Mormon Fundamentalism", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Summer, 1998, p. 1-68.
