FLDS Members Mark First Anniversary of Raid at Fort Concho

Patricia Johnson, a mother of five and member of the Fundamentalist LDS Church, described the contrast between her April 2008 visit to Fort Concho and her recent trip there as “night and day.” She stood in the stables, where she and dozens of other mothers had once slept with their children on a floor covered with cots during the state’s raid on the sect’s Eldorado ranch. Johnson, one of the last mothers sent to the fort, and about 100 other FLDS members, some from the YFZ Ranch and others from Arizona and Utah, gathered at the stables to commemorate the first anniversary of the raid.

The gathering served as a moment of reflection and healing for members, who said it allowed them to process the trauma of the state’s Child Protective Services agency removing all 439 children from the ranch. All but one of the children have since been returned to their families. “It brings back a lot of memories, for sure,” said Sarah Steed, whose six children were taken in the raid and were eventually reunited with their family.

The event highlighted the complex relationship between the FLDS community and the authorities. While the raid was conducted to protect children from abuse and exploitation, the FLDS members viewed the intervention as an intrusion into their religious practices. The gathering at Fort Concho, a national historic monument, symbolized both the community’s resilience and the ongoing struggle to balance religious freedom with the welfare of children.

The anniversary of the raid also brought attention to the broader implications of the incident. It underscored the challenges faced by religious groups that operate outside mainstream societal norms and the difficult decisions governments must make when intervening in such cases. The FLDS community, which has long been the subject of scrutiny and legal action, continues to navigate its place in society while maintaining its distinct beliefs and practices.

The event at Fort Concho reflected the community’s efforts to move forward, emphasizing unity and the importance of family. Members expressed gratitude for the support they received during their time at the monument, which provided a safe space for healing and reflection. The anniversary served as a reminder of the past but also as a step toward the future, with the community striving to rebuild and find a path forward.

The anniversary of the raid also prompted discussions about the role of religious freedom in the United States. While the FLDS community has faced legal challenges and public scrutiny, the event at Fort Concho highlighted the complexity of these issues. The gathering brought together members of the FLDS and others who had been affected by the raid, creating a space for dialogue and shared experience. The anniversary served as a reminder of the need for compassion, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable.

Source: Read the original report