Polygamous group relinquishes sprawling worship center along Utah-Arizona border

The Fundamentalist LDS Church has relinquished control of its sprawling worship center along the Utah-Arizona border, marking another significant shift in the community once dominated by imprisoned leader Warren Jeffs. The building, valued at $2.8 million and spanning nearly 53,000 square feet, was recently taken over during government-ordered evictions that have displaced about 200 homes and structures. These evictions target members who refuse to pay property taxes and a $100-a-month occupancy fee.

The worship center, capable of seating several thousand, has not been used for at least six months. Jeff Barlow, executive director of a government-appointed organization overseeing a former church trust, noted the building’s decline. The trust, which holds properties in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, has been under state control for over a decade due to mismanagement.

Leadership within the sect has been severely disrupted. Warren Jeffs, the group’s founder, is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered brides. His brother, Lyle Jeffs, is incarcerated for his role in a food stamp fraud scheme and for escaping home confinement. The absence of strong local leadership has left members without clear direction, particularly as the government-appointed organization warned of an impending eviction.

Christine Katas, a community resident and intermediary between the government-appointed organization and the FLDS, described the situation as deeply troubling. She noted that members do not believe they have the authority to take responsibility for the building, leaving both sides in a difficult position. “It’s very sad for the FLDS. I’ve seen people cry over it,” Katas said.

The evictions have prompted many FLDS members to seek shelter in trailers or relocate, while former members have purchased the vacated homes and properties. Members argue they should not be required to pay for assets that were once part of a communal church trust. The community continues to grapple with the consequences of these changes, reflecting a broader transformation in the group’s structure and influence.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by a community that has long been defined by its religious practices and communal living. As the group loses control of its physical spaces, it also faces the erosion of its traditional power and influence. The loss of the worship center symbolizes a shift in the community’s ability to maintain its former way of life, raising questions about the future of its religious and social structures.

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