Polygamy Sect Leader Gets 5 Years To Life

Warren Jeffs Sentenced For His Role In Arranged Marriage Of Teenage Cousins

(CBS/AP)  A judge on Tuesday sentenced a polygamous-sect leader to five years to life in prison for his role in the arranged marriage of teenage cousins.

In September, a jury found that Warren Jeffs, 51, used his authority as leader of his religious sect to force a then 14-year-old girl to marry and then have sexual relations with her 19 year-old first cousin, CBS News correspondent Steve Futterman reported.

The sentences are to be served consecutively. It will be up to the Utah parole board to decide just how long he stays behind bars. The average for Utahns convicted of rape or other first-degree felony sex offenses is seven years, said Jim Hatch, a state parole board spokesman.

Since his capture 15 months ago, Jeffs has been held in jail, where he has attempted suicide and told his flock that he is not their prophet.

Jeffs is head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose members practice polygamy in arranged marriages that have often involved placing young girls with older men. Most FLDS members live in the twin communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., about 350 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

Washington County prosecutors said Jeffs enticed Elissa Wall into marriage and sex against her will by telling her the relationship was commanded by God and that any refusal would place her salvation at risk.

Jurors said Wall's age was a major factor in their decision. Under Utah law, a 14-year-old can consent to sex in some circumstances. But it is not considered consensual if a person under 18 is enticed by someone at least three years older.

Wall, now 21, testified that Jeffs failed to help her when she protested the marriage and when she later asked for a divorce because she was uncomfortable having sex with Allen Steed.

Steed, now 26, told a different version of events. He said Wall initiated sex and denied that she had cried during their wedding ceremony.

Weeks after the Sept. 25 verdict, the judge unsealed court documents that disclosed a suicide attempt by Jeffs in jail. He apparently attempted to hang himself in January, months before trial. Authorities have declined to discuss the incident, although Jeffs was taken to a hospital for just a few hours.

The documents also included selected jail transcripts of phone calls and visits between Jeffs and members of his church. Although he has been president, or prophet, since 2002, following the death of his father, Rulon, Jeffs said in jail that he had not been worthy of the "priesthood" for decades.

"I was immoral with a sister and a daughter when I was younger, so the Lord showed me I'm one of the most wicked men on the face of the Earth since father Adam's time," Jeffs said.

He never elaborated on the immoral acts.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who allege sexual abuse, but Wall has made several public statements about the case using her maiden name. Citing safety concerns, she and her attorneys have declined to disclose her current legal name. Wall was granted an FLDS divorce by Jeffs after she became pregnant with another man's child; she left the faith and is married.

Steed was charged with rape the day after Jeffs' conviction. His case is pending.

Jeffs faces similar criminal charges in Arizona.

The mainstream Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, renounced polygamy more than a century ago, excommunicates members who engage in the practice and disavows any connection with the FLDS church.

[michellem99-2009]

Thank you crzmeat. I went to every meeting sunday school,the ladies meetingsm sactamantmeetings,hold family home evening, gave to them money wise . I lived it years ago. One of my foster mothers was mormon. In high school went to their wed nite meeting they had for pupils in school and their sunday meetings. In the foster home I was forced to go. I was a member from 76 to 84. In 84,I DEMAMAND out and became an ex lds. Yer want to fall for the lies. I had it. I dumped the lds library I had. Everything mormon. The mormon dress code is based on byu. I was the only legally blind person in the Portland Ward. Whem I was a member blacks were not allowed to have any callings in the meeting house until after 78. If they wanted their family blessed they had to call up on white males that could do so. Women are 2rd class in mormonism. Their good for one thing ,breeding. Women are treated as dirt mindless things. The handicap worse. The men are in control. God done gave me a mind. The gospel of Jesus Christ was never lost. They are brain washed mormons. They believe their temple underwear will save them from shootingd and the like..They won''t. Joe Smith don''t know where he got his craziness. Them plates in his mind. No angel helped him. Had he lived today he would join the list of mentally ill.

[guysdigdirt]

crazymeat,
talking with you is like wresting in the mud with apig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it. You are an uneducated self-important know it all. I would loan you a machette for your intellctual thicket but you would think you do not need it.

Get an education, then get some ethics so you stop twisting things, then we can talk. Until then have fun in the mud.

[Krazcarl]

guythatplaysinmud...Michelle is a outstanding poster here her word is good and far better than yours, Go take a look at joes tablets you know so much and everyone else is stupid oh that''s right they don''t exist never did never will you bought into a scam admit it your an idiot..What kind of a sane human would believe I have golden tablets but I* can''t show you or anyone but I will allow plural marrages untill we desire statehood then I''ll backtrack a little. You believe that your stupid so go make fun of everybody else, your the village idiot and not worthy to do MichelleeM99''s laundry stupid boy.

[guysdigdirt]

Michelle, please give us some substantiation to back up what you say is true. Personally, I doubt you were ever a Mormon based on what you say, if you were I would then highly doubt you were active and more than a Sunday Mormon, meaning you were Mormon in name only.

[michellem99-2009]

I was a mormon. Went to their meetings. Was a visting teacher. I was lied to by them. Not a word of it is true. Joseph Smith. I HAD TO DEMAND OUT. I had it with their lies. They made no sense. I have seen a side of mormonism that I knew I had to get out. Sure they like those who will do every thing their told. They are sad and lost.

[guysdigdirt]

nose, typical of a loser you are twisting words, thoughts, teachings and doctrine. You quote from devout anti-Mormons and expect to get the truth. Go to the source and find out what the Mormons truly believe.

Would you believe the world is flat if you read it in a book, that seems to be yourlogic.

[guysdigdirt]

brigham young did not say anything of the sort, just because you read it does not mean it happened you naive weak minded coward

[guysdigdirt]

noseonface, once again you show youself to be uneducated on the topic you speak of, get educated, stop being afraid of that which you do not know about, then voice an opinion based on fact not fear.

[dmhphils]

One of the marks of pagan cults is the fear and bondage which absolute authority and contradictory revelation breed, which is the power that Warren Jeffs was using to manipulate young girls, and the main Mormon church does the same thing.

Every faithful Mormon must believe that the work which Jesus established failed and had to be "restored" in the last days through Joseph Smith, whose work will not fail.

This is a disgusting, blasphemous religion.

[dmhphils]

Brigham Young, second president of the Mormon Church and Joseph Smith''s successor, declared this:
"no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the Celestial Kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. i cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys to rule in the spirit world and He rules there triumphantly, for he gained full power and a glorious victory over the power of satan while he was yet in the flesh."

[dmhphils]

In spite of the name of Jesus Christ being on the Church letterhead, it is to Joseph Smith that the Mormons look for their redemption. He, not Jesus, holds the key to the eternal destiny of every person now upon earth. President Joseph Fielding Smith made that clear when he wrote:

"There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth when he said that he stood in the presence of angels sent from the Lord, and obtained the keys of authority, and the commandment to organize the Church of Jesus Christ once agaiin upon the earth, then this knowledge is of the most vital importance to the entire world. No man can reject that testimony without incurring the most dreadful consequences, for he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

[dmhphils]

Jesus never offered godhood to anyoone. Instead, He called His disciples to deny self and take up the cross to follow Him.

Mormonism rests upon the "revelations" which Joseph Smith allegedly received from visiting humanoid space travelers from "Kolob."

This only gets better folks.

[dmhphils]

Mormonism also holds to the belief of polygamy and regardless of what they say, is still in their Doctrines and Covenants scripture.

They also formerly forbid negros in their church, because they believe that when Cain slew his brother Abel that the Lord put a mark on Cain, which is the flat nose and black skin. Weird huh?

This is only touching the tip of the iceberg.

The thing is, all this information is freely available from many sources....this is not an isolated source.

[dmhphils]

A book entitled "The God Makers" by Ed Decker and Dave Hunt is an excellent read if you want accurate info on the Mormons.

Mormonism is a modified form of paganism which is so carefully camoflaged with a facade of Christian terminology that it even deceives most Mormons.

Mormons teach that man can become a god. Christianity teaches that God became a man for the purpose of becoming the sacrifice of God for our sin.

[guysdigdirt]

Crzmewt,
looks like you are frustrated with the fact you do not know what you are talking about and blame you ineptitude on someone else, describing you own jr high mentality. I am not mad at you, just wish you would look into it before you decide to be a bigot.

[guysdigdirt]

toolman,
you seem quite confused about God''s image. Check out Genesis 1:27. God created man in his own image. May e you do not have arms and legs but most of the rest of is do, that is to say normal people do. If you think that stops him from going awhere he wants you need to think on a higher level.

[guysdigdirt]

Toolman,
you can show me where Christ says it is done, there is no more? In john 16:10 he says there are others he needs to attend to. Do you really think God would withdraw his guidance and spirit from his children on the earth? Would you stop talking to your kids and helping them for some reason? I doubt God would. Tell me, where did you get your education regarding the Mormons? Was it biased teaching?

[Krazcarl]

guysplayinmud..Yessss your in a corner and have no idea what your taking about so make fun of your adversaria that''s what they teach you in Jr.high which is where your intellect is...

[guysdigdirt]

crzmeat,
you have a vivid imagination and no education about that which you talk. Look into it, get an education, then pop off meathead.

[toolmangler-2009]

I am still waiting for you to enlighten me with some substantiation as to your thoughts here, or cn you not come up with any?
Posted by guysdigdirt at 03:47 PM : Nov 21, 2007


Christ sacrifice was the last interaction of GOD on earth. With his death and resurrection there was no need for anything else. Jesus said "I am come to fulfil the prophesys." He didn''t say but when the Smith boy gets here things will really happen. He gave his disciples the needed power to complete his works. when he died on the cross, he said "It is finished" not almost finished but finished.