The trial opened Thursday, of Warren Jeffs, the polygamist sect leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). He is charged with forcing a 14 year old girl into marrying an older cousin in 2001.The woman has stated that she was only acting to preserve her eternal salvation and that Jeff had told her to submit to her husband 'mind,body and soul.' Jeffs is on trial for rape as an accomplice for using his Church authority to force the marriage.Originally part of the Mormon church the FLDS broke away from it almost a century ago. Memmbers of the FLDS believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven.However the practice is banned in the Utah Constitution and is a felony offense.Jeffs has led the FLDS Church since 2002.He is reputed to rule with an iron hand and demands total obedience from his followers.Arrested after nearly two years on the run,Jeffs could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty.
Jeffs took over leadership of the FLDS upon the death of his father.His father died at the age of 92 leaving behind an estimated 75 widows and 65 children.His followers believe that God speaks directly to Warren Jeffs to reveal His will.Through the prophet God directs which male members are worthy of entry into heaven. Females can only be invited into heaven by satisfied husbands. Only Jeffs can perform marriages, and it is through him that wives are assigned to their husbands.Pleasing the prophet can result in loyal members being rewarded with one or more wives.In order to reach the highest degree of glory in heaven, a man must have at least three wives.The prophet derives his power from his ability to punish followers by reassigning his wives, his children and homes to another man.Jeffs is supposed to have more than 50 wives and controls a trust worth more than $100 million.
An estimated 20,000 to 50,000 people in the US are estimated to practice polygamy.But since such groups are highly secretive the exact number is not known.
One of the reasons why Jeffs' trial is attracting so much attention is that the outcome could affect the Republican Presidential candidate Matt Romney.Romney's Mormon beliefs could reflect upon him in a negative way.The focus of public attention is bound to be the questionable moral practices of the FLDS and they are likely to be equated with Mormons.This raises the question whether we should hold people guilty by association.The sad truth is that when such an incident happens people risk being labeled and are no longer viewed objectively.