Warren Steed Jeffs, the polygamist leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that has 10,000 followers, has numerous wives and nearly 60 children.
These relationships can teach about the dangers of allowing a person such as Jeffs to have so much control over others' lives, especially the lives of young girls.
After being put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List in June 2005, he was arrested in August 2006. He was convicted in 9/2007 and sentenced to prison on 11/20/2007.
Here is more information about Jeffs and his relationships.
4/09/2008: Warren Jeffs built the 1,700-acre Yearning for Zion Ranch compound in Eldorado, Texas where over 400 children were rescued by Texas state officials.
2/27/2008: Jeffs pled not guilty to four counts each of incest and sexual conduct with a minor. He is awaiting trial.
Warren Steed Jeffs: December 3, 1955 in San Francisco, California. Warren Jeff's mother was the fourth wife of his father.
Although the actual number of wives is unknown, it is estimated that Warren Steed Jeffs has between 40 and 70 wives.
It is believed that approximately 12 of these women were married to his father.
It is thought that Warren Steed Jeffs has approximately 56 children.
Jeffs lived at one time in Eldorado, Texas in a 29,000 sq. ft. mansion. He also had residences in Eldorado, Texas; Mancos, Colorado; Pringle, South Dakota; Colorado City, Arizona; Hildale, Utah; British Columbia; and a farm near Pioche, Nevada.
A fugitive and on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since June 2005, Warren Steed Jeffs became the leader/president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) in September 2002.
He was also the principal at Alta Academy near Little Cottonwood Canyon, Arizona.
- Women must be submissive aka "keep sweet" to their husbands. Women are kept semiliterate. They have no access to television, radio, or the Internet.
Pam Black, former member: "Keep sweet, it's exactly that. No matter what, it's a matter of life and death. You don't ask why. You don't do anything except do what you're told."
Source: Dan Harris, Chris Strathmann, Kiran Khalid, Imaeyen Ibanga, "The Life of a Polygamous Woman", ABCNews.go.com, 4/08/08. - Wives become the property of their husbands for eternity.
- Men need to have at least three wives and produce many children in order to be accepted into heaven.
Warren Steed Jeffs graduated in 1973 from Jordan High School. He did not attend college. Jeffs is said to enjoy writing songs and singing.
2/27/2008: Jeffs pled not guilty to four counts each of incest and sexual conduct with a minor. He is awaiting trial.
11/20/2007: Warren Jeffs was sentenced to two consecutive prison terms of five years to life. "It will be up to the Utah parole board to decide how long he actually stays behind bars."
Source: SFGate.com
9/25/2007: Warren Jeffs was found guilty of being an accomplice to rape. Facing five years to life in prison, his sentencing is set for 11/20/07. He still faces charges of fleeing to avoid prosecution and being an accomplice to both incest and sexual misconduct.
9/25/07: Warren Jeffs was found guilty of being an accomplice to rape. Facing five years to life in prison, his sentencing was set for 11/20/07. He still faces charges of fleeing to avoid prosecution and being an accomplice to both incest and sexual misconduct.
9/10/07: The trial of Warren Jeffs began in St. George, Utah.
5/14/07: Another civil law suit has been filed against Jeffs adding to the number of several civil cases currently pending against him.
8/29/2006: Warren Steed Jeffs was arrested north of Las Vegas on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, sexual misconduct charges, and two felony counts of rape as an accomplice.
