Arizona-Utah towns transform after polygamous sect loses control

Once shrouded in secrecy and dominated by a polygamous sect, the towns of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, have undergone a significant transformation. Located near Zion National Park, these towns now resemble many other communities, with features like weekend soccer games and local bars.

The change followed the courts taking control from the sect led by Warren Jeffs, who was jailed for sexually assaulting minors. The transformation was so rapid and profound that court supervision ended last summer, nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Willie Jessop, a former spokesman for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who left the sect, remarked, “What you see is the outcome of a massive amount of internal turmoil and change within people to reset themselves. We call it ‘life after Jeffs’ — and, frankly, it’s a great life.”

A Troubled Past

Some former sect members recall a tight-knit community with supportive mothers and children playing together. However, after Jeffs took over in 2002, he imposed extreme control, breaking families apart and dictating every aspect of life, from school attendance to daily meals. “It started to go into a very sinister, dark, cult direction,” said Shem Fischer, who left the area when his family was divided by the church.

Founded in the 1930s by members who split from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to continue polygamy, the towns were left largely unregulated after a botched police raid in 1953. Jeffs’ capture in 2006 ended his leadership, and in 2011, he was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting minors.

Legal and Structural Changes

Years after Jeffs’ arrest, federal authorities accused the towns of functioning as church extensions, denying non-sect members services like building permits and police protection. In 2017, judicial supervision was imposed to separate church influence from local government. A community board began managing and selling the church’s real estate holdings.

Roger Carter, the court-appointed monitor, noted the towns were learning to operate as a democracy, having been controlled by the church for decades. With private property ownership introduced, residents had to adapt to transparency and fair governance, regardless of religious ties.

A New Identity Emerges

Today, the influence of the FLDS has diminished, with many former members leaving the sect or relocating. Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop highlighted the community’s progress, reconnecting with estranged family and overcoming past divisions. “The love was still there,” she said, describing a reunion with her sister.

Isaac Wyler, once shunned after being expelled by the FLDS, now experiences equal treatment in local businesses and interactions with law enforcement. The towns have welcomed new residents without FLDS connections, drawn by the scenic landscape and outdoor activities.

Gabby Olsen, who moved from Salt Lake City, recalled skepticism about relocating to a town once known for polygamy. Her husband, Dion Obermeyer, noted the surprise of friends discovering the town’s modern amenities, including a winery.

Challenges and Ongoing Issues

Despite progress, the towns face new challenges, including societal problems like drug use. Some residents continue to practice polygamy, as highlighted by a recent case involving a Colorado City sect member sentenced to 50 years in prison for crimes involving underage girls.

Briell Decker, once Jeffs’ 65th “wife,” now helps others leaving polygamy. She believes full recovery will take generations, citing denial and reluctance to accept accountability as obstacles. “Still, they want to blame somebody,” she said.