52 Girls Removed From Fundamentalist Compound
Put forth on April 5, 2008 by XicanoPwr
Posted in News/Noticias, Texas, patriarchy
Post Updated: 04/05/2008 05:00 PM CDT
Post Updated: 04/07/2008 06:45 PM CDT
Officials from Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) removed 52 girls, ages 6 months to 17 years, from the from the Fundamentalist LDS Church’s compound near Eldorado, TX. Update: A total of 183 young women, girls and boys - 97 girls, 40 boys and 46 young women over the age of 18 - have been removed. GOOD GOD, now it is being reported a total of 400 CHILDREN have been removed. The last we had this much activity regarding a cult here in Texas was back in 1993 in Waco with the Branch Davidian. Good thing this one is ending positively unlike in Waco.
The investigation into the safety of the children living at the ranch was initiated after Child Protective Services were notified by someone that a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse. Eighteen of the girls removed from the compound were put legally into state custody because they appeared to have “been abused or were at immediate risk of future abuse.” The rest of the young girls children are currently staying at a local civic center until authorities find them foster homes.
YFZ Ranch is the site of FLDS’ first-ever temple. The 1,900-acre property was purchased in 2003, where the polygamous sect completed building the ranch in 2006. “YFZ” stands for “Yearn for Zion,” after a song penned by FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
The community was led by Warren Jeffs, who succeeded his father Rulon Jeffs in 2002. Warren Jeffs resigned his leadership of the FLDS Church in 2007, shortly after being convicted of being an accomplice to rape by the state of Utah. It is still unknown who is leading the FLDS church. However, several enclaves can be found in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, South Dakota, and in British Columbia, Canada.
It is important to keep in mind that Mormon fundamentalism, like FLDS, is considered a splinter group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. Mormon fundamentalists embrace the doctrine and practice of polygamy, also known as “plural marriage” or “plurality of wives,” as it is generally referred to. Polygamy is not practiced by any, active contemporary member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons have stopped practicing polygamy since 1890, after the Mormon Church officially disavowed polygamy.
Mormon Fundamentalists, however, believe that acceptance into the American mainstream came at way too high a price. They contend that the Mormon leaders sold them out and splintered off from the Church. Fundamentalists have formed numerous small sects, often within cohesive and isolated communities in areas of the Western United States, Western Canada, and northern Mexico.
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Tags: FLDS, fundamentalism, Mormon Church, religion, Texas, YFZ Ranch | 
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This is the blog of Edmundo "XicanoPwr" Rocha, a social worker, an activist, freelance writer and founder and editor of The Sanctuary. My interests include: immigration reform, critical race theory and it's interaction with equality/inequality and freedom/oppression as they relate to the experiences of people of color in the Americas.
Para Justicia y Libertad is a Latino-centered political blog focusing on the humanistic perspective of politics, history, and society as they relate to the Latina/o community throughout Texas and the United States.
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XP, if you haven’t already, I would suggest reading “Under the Banner of Heaven.” It talks about how the LDS church created an environment for this behavior even though they don’t officially sanction polygamy today. Very interesting stuff. It is a quick read, and Jon Krakauer has a good narrative.
I haven’t read it, but I did notice that book being mentioned a lot when I was looking up Mormon Fundamentalists. I will certainly check out the book. Thanks
In Canada in 2007, CBC’s news show, The Fifth Estate, aired an episode called “Bust Up in Bountiful” focusing on Warren Jeffs and his rival Winston Blackmore, former Bountiful leader. You can also watch it online.
Mormonism and polygamy and being a PERVERT are 3 separate things. Most Mormons I know were attracted to the religion because of the high emphasis on the family. Which is what most people want, a family.
I’ll cut to the chase.
Whack the perverts! The Chicano justice system has its merits.
Now keep in mind that the age of “womanhood” is not in question here.
What is in question is the mindset of men who have to have a 14 y.o. virgin in order to play ball.
whake’m
Speak your mind
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