The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) with about 6,000 members is probably the largest polygamist group in North America. It was ruled over by its declared “Prophet” Rulon Jeffs, until his death this month. But Jeffs 92 left his succession somewhat vague, reports the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Warren Jeffs, the deceased leader’s son, wants to fill that vacancy. But to accomplish this he must first overcome Fred Jessop another candidate who is 92. However, if Jessop wins Jeffs will still reach his goal soon enough, since Jessop’s reign would certainly be brief.
In an interesting subplot Canadian FLDS leader Warren Blackmore became a recent casualty of the group’s internal warfare. Rulon Jeffs denounced Blackmore shortly before his death and then Warren Jeffs removed him from key positions, according to the Vancouver Province.
Mayor Dan Barlow of Colorado City, Arizona an FLDS stronghold says, “The leader is chosen by the Lord. It will be revealed.” However, what is revealing is how earthly this power struggle actually is. According to recent reports the FLDS has $200 million dollars in US assets alone. Is that what’s called the “profit” motive?
Rulon Jeffs died Sunday September 8th at the age of 92. He was the leader of the so-called “Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints” (FLDS), which is believed to be the largest polygamist group in North America, reported Associated Press.
Jeffs had 19 wives and fathered 60 children. His extended family gatherings might seem to most, like a town hall meeting.
The FLDS is primarily based within the two twin communities of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. These towns are situated on the Arizona/Utah border and include thousands of FLDS members.
Despite the recent prosecution of polygamists and investigation of their activities the powerful Jeffs clan seems to be immune from such scrutiny.
Rulon Jeffs lived a very comfortable life, often shuttled about on a private aircraft. He had a luxurious home in Utah and ruled over a virtual kingdom as its unchallenged leader and “prophet.” Like some despot who governed by “divine right,” his edicts were final and his commands obeyed.
The FLDS throne is now vacant and the struggle for succession will soon begin. Someone will certainly want the crown, since the assets and cash flow of the organization are quite considerable. As in most kingdoms the FLDS appears to have a dynastic line, so it is likely a Jeffs will soon be designated its new ruler.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that after a spate of bad publicity, Target department stores pulled a Neo-Nazi sportswear line.
It seems that ignorant buyers for Target did not realize they were stocking the store’s shelves with “hatewear,” when they bought caps and clothes with the logo “88.” Amongst Neo-Nazis “88” is code for “HH” or “Heil Hitler.” Two eights, which represent the eighth letter of alphabet “H” repeated twice.
A spokesperson for Target now says, “We certainly apologize that this was out there.”
Forest Gump said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Someone was certainly pretty stupid at Target.
The Naples Daily News recently interviewed Sister Mildred 91, one of the last Shakers.
This peaceful and simple sect is now almost extinct. Shakerism peaked in the 1840s, but has very few surviving members today. This is largely due to the communal society’s requirement that its members be celibate. Shakers only gain new members through conversion. It seems that increasingly fewer people were and/or are willing to embrace the group’s demanding and austere lifestyle.
The Shakers were founded in 1758 by Mother Ann Lee, who they regarded as the “second incarnation of Christ.” They immigrated to the English colonies under her leadership in 1774 and were one of many unusual groups that came to America seeking religious tolerance and freedom.
President Thomas Jefferson found Shaker writings fascinating, though Charles Dickens later said they were “grim.” However the utopian group may ultimately be best remembered for its legacy of simple furniture and folk art, widely appreciated for its craftsmanship.
Newsweek magazine ran a piece titled, “Bin Laden: Is He Dead Or Alive?” (June 29th, Mark Hosenball and Michael Isicoff) in the “Periscope” section.
Well “up periscope,” this cult leader is as they say, “sleeping with the fishes,” or more likely buried somewhere beneath the rubble in a cave at Tora Bora. He is long gone.
It seems though that the US government can’t make up its mind and is conflicted about bin Laden. Some think he is somehow still alive, because his followers supposedly can’t “keep a secret,” at least not that one. While the FBI’s highest ranking anti-terror official Dale Watson admitted that an “egomaniac” like bin Laden couldn’t keep quiet this long.
For once the FBI seems to have it right. Like many other cult leaders historically, Osama bin Laden is little more than a self-indulgent megalomaniac. Some mental health professionals might prefer a more precise clinical description, such as “psychopath.”
Bin Laden, like David Koresh and Shoko Asahara before him, clearly relished the spotlight. He enjoyed the attention he received through interviews, photo ops and his own videos, which he released to the media.
It is impossible to believe that such a man could keep a low profile for this long.
Note: CultNews got this one wrong. Osama bin Laden made this clear through a video played just before the 2004 presidential election.
