Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) : Apologetics research resources

Warren Jeffs

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About This Entry
This entry provides a brief look at Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). For indepth information we refer you to our collection of research resources. • About this page • Color Key • Blue border = Quoted material

Theologically, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) is a sect of Mormonism.
Theologically, Mormonism -- formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) -- in turn is a cult of Christianity
Theologically, the FLDS is also considered to be a cult of Christianity
Sociologically, the FLDS is a high-demand, high-control, destructive cult. Among other things, it teaches and practices polygamy, breaks up families and marriages, and has engaged in arranged and forced marriages.
Explanation: Sociological vs. theological definitions of the term 'cult.'
In contrast to the Mormon Church, the FLDS practices a more original version of Mormonism. Mormonism's doctrines constantly change in response to outside pressure and realities.

A Sect of Mormonism

Rooted in the early ministry of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith [...], polygamy was later denounced by the church but embraced by fundamentalists, who now number in the thousands. About 10,000 claim membership in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The ranks of the Apostolic United Brethren number about 7,500. The Kingston family has approximately 1,200 members, and about 2,000 belong to the Centennial Park, Ariz., group.

Source: Polygamy Leadership Tree

The Salt Lake Tribune.

The FLDS is one of several sects of Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)). (Note 1)
FLDS members consider themselves to be the only true Mormons.
Mormons, meanwhile, consider themselves to be the only true Christians.
However, Mormonism of any variety denies, changes and/or adds to the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, and therefore is incompatible with orthodox, biblical Christianity.
Therefore the Mormon Church is, theologically, considered to be a cult of Christianity. (See definitions: cult; sect; sociological vs. theological definitions)
Since the fundamentalist offshoots of the Mormon church (along with their respective sects) adhere to the fundamental ('foundational') teachings on which Mormonism was founded, the offshoots are in turn also considered to be - theologically - cults of Christianity.

"The [FLDS] is highly secretive and its leaders rarely grant interviews. It is one of the polygamist sects that have been the target of allegations of welfare abuse and forced marriages of teen girls." (Note 2)

In recent years the FLDS, currently led by 'prophet' Warren Jeffs, has been in the news for a variety of issues:

It's been a difficult spring for Warren Jeffs, the reclusive leader of a secretive polygamist sect that is building a large settlement and an imposing stone temple a few miles outside of town.

In Texas, the governor recently signed into law measures aimed directly at the polygamists, including raising the age of consent to marry from 14 to 16 and outlawing "stepfather marriages."

In Utah, a state judge in late May removed the trustees — including Jeffs — who had controlled the multimillion-dollar trust that owns most of the land, homes and businesses used by sect members.

In Arizona, officials two weeks ago seized control of the public school district in Colorado City — Jeffs' former stronghold. The district, which had been run by the polygamists, is heavily in debt and assets are missing.

And on June 10, in the first fruits of a long-running criminal investigation into underage marriages within the sect, a grand jury in Kingman, Ariz., indicted Jeffs on two felony charges.

Source: Eldorado sect is hammered on all sides

San Antonio Express-News, June 20, 2005.

See also this timeline of issues surrounding the FLDS -- and in particular its 'prophet,' Warren Jeffs.

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Footnotes

Aside from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, other sects of Mormonism include the Apostolic United Brethren, the Kingston Family ("The Order," also known as the Kingston Clan), and the Centennial Park group. For a more complete, albeit not exhaustive, listing, see Polygamous Sects [back]

Polygamist Leader Rulon T. Jeffs Dies, Associated Press, Sep. 9, 2002. [back]

About This Page:

• Subject: Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS)
• First posted: Jan. 13, 1997
• Last Updated: July 16, 2005
• Editors: Anton and Janet Hein
• Copyright: Apologetics Index
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