The Polygamists: A History of Colorado City, Arizona [Paperback]

First: Warren Jeffs will take a select group with him and escape to Mexico. He has borrowed millions of dollars on the property and homes that the people have built and paid for with their own money. He will abandon Colorado City, leaving those who stay to try and pick up the pieces from the destruction he has created.

Second: The civil authorities will indict him for his crimes. These include extortion, exploiting and destroying the lives of teenage girls, income tax violations, money laundering, and overall fraudulent activities.

If either of these happen, the way will be clear for the Barlows to take over. The community was promised to them by their father John Yates Barlow as their heritage in the Barlow dynasty. Perhaps the Barlows truly believe the Keys of Priesthood remain under in their family. I strongly suspect the Barlows have long waited for an opportunity to assume full leadership of the Group. I believe Rulon Jeffs and Warren Jeffs both knew this and it would account for why Warren has acted swiftly in excommunicating so many Barlows. An underlying power struggle has gone on for years. Given all that has occurred, I suspect the Barlows will create a somewhat more open atmosphere within First Ward. Because of all the public and government scrutiny, it would be politically smart to do so, and the Barlows are very articulate and very politically astute.

There is still the problem of what to do to protect the young people of the society and to free the people from bondage. In the case of the young people, the state authorities must take some action to protect them from further exploitations. There are very few polygamist wives who will leave the community to seek a better life. We can only hope to make changes that will affect the next generation. State authorities must have facilities in place (local sheriff’s sub-station, for example, staffed by law enforcement from outside Colorado City) to accommodate any young people who wish to flee the society. There will be more boys wanting to leave than girls. This, however, is only a short term solution.

Much has been done to help victims of domestic violence leave their abusers and restart in society. Similar action is needed for our people. Safe houses, education, child care, learning a skill or trade – all are needed to help these polygamist girls and women (and boys), some of whom have lived in a third-world environment and will feel frightened about entering mainstream society. Those helping them must remember that the people leaving have never been taught to think for themselves. Many are easily misled, easily manipulated. Therapy is needed. Patience and kindness are needed. Creating a new life structure in which they can live day to day is essential.

The bottom line solution that may produce the greatest gain to free the people is to decriminalize polygamy. We can see what making polygamy illegal has done, not unlike prohibition in the last century. Let these people come out into the world. And as they do so, they will see clearly that they have choices. Stay in polygamy. Or leave. But the choice is theirs. And I suspect fewer people will enter plural marriage.

If it is decriminalized, over zealous leaders will have less control. It would remove the power of self-proclaimed religious leaders in controlling its people and their marriages, particularly of young girls. The child rape trial of Tom Green and the new book by John Llewellyn teach the world a great deal about why Tom wanted his wives "young," so he could "train" them. A girl must be allowed to mature so she can make a legitimate decision about her future. And it would be good if First Ward children returned to public school.

The next step would be to dissolve the United Effort Plan Trust, placing ownership of the homes and property in the hands of those who paid for and built the houses, so that the threat of being evicted for perceived infractions to their leaders is removed.

A comparison between First Ward at Colorado City and Second Ward at Centennial Park shows a significant difference. The people living in Centennial Park are much freer and live a more normal lifestyle. Their dress is more modern and less conspicuous than their First Ward neighbors. Two reasons for their freedom and open-mindedness: Young girls are not forced to marry older men, and the people own the property on which their houses are built. Thus they can’t be threatened with losing their homes for disagreeing with or for perceived lack of devotion to their leaders.

In associating with the people in both communities (my wife and I are related to 90 percent of them), the attitude and feelings we encounter are many times more friendly and truly warmer among those of Centennial Park Second Ward than those of Colorado City First Ward.

We have a daughter living in a polygamist relationship in First Ward and another living in a polygamist relationship in Second Ward. We have a good relationship with both. They each chose their lifestyle and are happy and satisfied with their choice. They feel they have the right to make this choice and desire to be left to pursue their own mode of happiness. This is not the case with all polygamist wives living in the society, however.

There are many human rights abuses of men, women, and children, and these abuses must be addressed. Evicting people from their homes must stop.

We face a monstrous problem that must be overcome, but I do believe that all things are possible.