A primer on the abusive FLDS church, from its self-proclaimed prophet to forced underage polygamy

The documentary series “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” explores the history and practices of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a radical offshoot of Mormonism. The series highlights the abuses committed by the church’s leader, Warren Jeffs, who was regarded as the “one true prophet.” Jeffs promoted child sexual abuse, bigamy, and unlawful marriage, all under the guise of religious doctrine. The series features accounts from former members who describe the intense spiritual control and trauma they endured.

Warren Jeffs was convicted in 2011 of two felony counts of child sexual assault, for which he is serving a life sentence plus an additional 20 years. The documentary notes that Jeffs had 78 wives, 24 of whom were underage. The FLDS is currently classified as a hate group and a totalitarian cult by the Southern Poverty Law Center, reflecting the severity of its practices and the harm inflicted on its members.

The FLDS was founded in 1890 when a group of Mormons who opposed the ban on polygamy in Utah broke away from the mainstream church. Seeking to avoid legal repercussions, they relocated to the border regions of Utah and Arizona, specifically Hildale and Colorado City. These remote areas allowed the group to maintain their polygamous practices with minimal interference from law enforcement.

Throughout the 20th century, the FLDS faced several government crackdowns, including a significant raid in 1953. During this pre-dawn operation, over 300 members were arrested in Short Creek, Arizona. The raid, however, backfired, drawing public sympathy and strengthening the FLDS’s position. The event also damaged the political career of the governor who ordered it, John Howard Pyle.

The FLDS has had multiple leaders since its inception. The first was John Y. Barlow, followed by Joseph Wh

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