Public Officials in Polygamous Sect Communities Resign After Elections

Public officials in the towns of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, have resigned from their positions following recent elections that saw non-Fundamentalist LDS (FLDS) residents gain seats on city councils and the mayor’s office. The resignations, which include nearly a dozen city and utility board employees, reflect tensions between the FLDS community and those who have left the group.

The towns are home to the FLDS, a polygamous sect that has faced state and federal scrutiny. FLDS leader Warren Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence for the sexual abuse of children. The resignations came after the 2017 election, in which members of the FLDS lost city council seats and the mayor’s position to individuals who are not affiliated with the group.

One resigning official cited religious conflict as the reason for his departure. In his resignation letter, he stated that it is against his faith to follow a woman or to work with “apostates,” a term used by the FLDS to describe those who have left the church. Members of the FLDS typically avoid contact with apostates, who may have left by choice or been expelled.

Donia Jessop, the newly elected mayor of Hildale, is an apostate who left the FLDS about four years ago with her family. She is the first woman and the first apostate to hold the mayor’s office in Hildale. Jessop expressed respect for those who resigned due to their beliefs.

Despite the resignations, Jessop and other council members were not entirely surprised. Rumors had circulated prior to the elections about potential changes in leadership. The sudden loss of municipal staff leaves the towns with vacant positions, raising concerns about governance and continuity.

The situation highlights the complex dynamics between religious beliefs and public service, as well as the challenges faced by communities where religious practices intersect with civic responsibilities.