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Christian restorationist movements

The FLDS: history, belief and contested practice.

An archival introduction to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, its origins in Mormon fundamentalism, plural marriage and the social issues associated with the movement.

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Context first

What this page examines

This page separates historical description from criticism of alleged or documented harms. It does not speak for the FLDS or ask readers to adopt any religious position.

Overview

The FLDS emerged in the twentieth century from a network of Latter-day Saint fundamentalists who rejected the mainstream church's prohibition of plural marriage. The movement is commonly described as a restorationist group and has been associated with communities in the United States and Canada.

“FLDS” is an abbreviation for the movement's formal name. It should not be treated as a synonym for the wider Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose contemporary teachings and policies differ substantially on plural marriage.

Historical labels can carry different meanings for insiders, former members, researchers and public agencies. Careful reading requires attention to who is using a term and in what period.

Key themes

Plural marriage

The movement has defended a form of polygyny: one man married to multiple women. The practice is central to discussions of FLDS theology, family structure and legal conflict.

Authority and community

Accounts of the movement often focus on concentrated religious authority, social separation and the effect of community rules on education, family life and personal choice.

Public record

News reporting, court proceedings and former-member accounts describe serious allegations. They should be assessed individually and distinguished from generalized claims about every member.

A short timeline

Origins and public attention

The dates below provide orientation; they are not a complete history of the movement.

1935

Formal separation

The FLDS identifies its beginnings with leaders who had been separated from the mainstream Latter-day Saint church and sought to continue plural-marriage teachings.

Late 20th century

Community growth

Settlements and extended families in the American Southwest and western Canada brought renewed attention to the movement's religious organization and family practices.

21st century

Legal scrutiny

Investigations, child-welfare proceedings and criminal cases placed questions of leadership, consent, education and family separation in the public record.

Section menu

These linked pages preserve the original section's research pathways.

Reader guide

Questions about this topic

Is the FLDS the same as the mainstream LDS church?

No. The FLDS is a separate fundamentalist movement. The mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ended authorized plural marriage and does not identify the FLDS as part of its organization.

Why is plural marriage central to discussions of the FLDS?

Plural marriage is a central theological and historical issue for the movement and helps explain its separation from the mainstream church, as well as later legal and social controversies.

What does this page mean by “polygyny”?

Polygyny refers specifically to a marriage arrangement in which one man has multiple wives. It is one form of plural marriage.

Are all reports about the movement equally reliable?

No. Court records, official investigations, journalism, scholarship and personal accounts have different purposes and limitations. Readers should compare sources and note whether a statement is an allegation, finding or interpretation.

Does Religious Tolerance endorse the FLDS?

No. Religious Tolerance presents educational context across traditions and movements. Describing a belief or practice is not the same as endorsing it.

How can I report an error in this page?

Use the contact page or email info@religioustolerance.en-html.org with the page title and a concise correction.