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COLORADO CITY POLYGAMISTS: An Inside Look for the Outsider
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By Benjamin G. Bistline
Retail Price $18.95 Soft Cover 7.44
x 9.69 236 p. 18 photos and documents.
Agreka™ Books ISBN 1-888106-85-9
Library of Congress 2004109458.
Click
here to read: It was up to the women. The search goes on for
sexual sins. Teenage boys victims of the Gestapo-like goon squad.
Ultimate power over families.
Click here to read:
All about Warren Jeffs.
Foreword Table of Contents
Scripture References for the
Reader
About The Author
Introduction Teenage Boys Victims of the
Gestapo-like Goon Squad
Interview with Author on Texas Situation
Short Creek, Arizona, whose development from
the 1920s has been a central point of polygamy in America, and from which other
polygamist groups have split off, was renamed Colorado City in the 1960s.
Warren Jeffs in his late 30s. He is
now in his late 40s. Drawing
by Arianna Alexis. Double click drawing for
larger image.
Benjamin Bistline submitted his
ten-years-in-the-writing manuscript to us in late 2003. While we were familiar
with polygamy outside of Colorado City, having published three books, we soon
discovered that Colorado City was in a world of its own. His writing covered
seven decades of development, events, and the religious power struggles that
eventually produced the scandalous abuses reported by worldwide media.
His critically important history was written
to present the truth of the beginnings of the group and its original religious
doctrine. Over the years, that religious doctrine had been verbally "rewritten"
by religious leaders to support their claim of God’s approval of their one-man
dictatorship. So careful had been the rewriting that, as older people died off,
the remaining polygamists believed it was indeed fact. And they had long been
taught not to question their leaders; to do so put not only their eternal
salvation in jeopardy, but also their homes, their jobs, and their wives and
children.
Ben wrote this history to restore the truth
and to tell the story of the development of the town of Colorado City, its
dedicated, faithful, and trusting people, and their struggles to survive.
Not only has his book been well received by
those in Colorado City who want the truth restored, but also countless others,
including those who chose to leave the dictatorship, those who were evicted from
their homes and cast out of the community, the girls who escaped from forced
childhood marriages, the boys forced to leave the community so older men could
have more wives, and those whose parents and grandparents had escaped years
before.
But for "outsiders" to whom Colorado City and
all its issues are new, the book was overwhelming with facts, events, and deep
documentation. So we offer you this book, condensed, simplified, and easy to
understand. People across America are asking how it is that girls as young as
thirteen can be forced to marry, and not even to young men but old men; and how
it is that women are treated as chattel and belong not to themselves or their
husband, but to the Priesthood; and how it is that such wives and their children
can be reassigned to a more worthy man; and how it is that tax dollars of
American citizens are not only supporting many large polygamist families, but
helping the community expand.
Polygamy abuses in America remain in the
public eye thanks to Oprah, CNN, ABC Primetime, A&E Television, and other media sources,
including newspapers The Salt Lake Tribune, The Spectrum of St. George,
Utah, The Phoenix New Times, The Arizona Republic, and the
Deseret Morning News. With polygamists setting up an enclave in Texas,
The Eldorado Success, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star
Telegram, The Dallas Morning News and others are working diligently to make their citizens aware.
As a publisher, we believe the public needs
to know how all this developed, what methods were used and by whom, and for what
purpose.
Americans are asking: How is such a society
allowed to exist in this country?
Agreka Editor – Linda Taylor
Table of Contents
Foreword
Scripture References for the Reader
Introduction
Birth of the Fundamentalists
Was it From Man or God?
Polygamy Goes Public
Trying To Have All Things In Common
First Discovery of Short Creek
Excommunication
Arrests Begin
The United Order Revolt
Failed United Order Now A United "Effort"
World War II & Prosperity
Developing Their Religion And Town
Three Priesthood Cliques
Gasoline-powered Washing Machines
Aunt Emma Digs A Well
Charges Filed Against Key Priesthood Leaders
Parole By Deceit
Dissidents Demand Written Leases
John Yates Barlow Passes The Torch
Joseph Musser & Rulon Allred Create A New Group
Post Office & General Store
The Infamous Short Creek Raid
Polygamy Or Taxes?
Utah Women & Children Flee
Removing The Children
Placing Children In Homes
Polygamist Men Released
States Looking For Permanent Solutions
Town Disintegrating Financially
Joseph Musser & Charles Zitting Pass Away
Saving Short Creek
Finding Money To Pay Debts
Warning Signals
Church Houses & Temples Not Needed
Child Brides Begin
Love Unnecessary & Women Inferior
Teenage Boys Put To Work For The UEP
Electricity & Running Water
Elizabeth Builds her Own House
Fred Jessop Finds Good Paying Jobs For Members
Building A High School
Sawmill & Lumber
Home Industry
Welcome, Hildale
Storing Wheat For Hard Times
Dairy, Highway & Telephones
Developing Farms And Home Industry
Accepting Government Money
Acquiring Farm Lands
A Successful Community
Hammon vs. The Barlows
Guarding The Girls
Samuel Stevens
Bountiful, Canada
Job Opportunities For Women
Hammon’s School Lunch Program Dropped
Strategy To Unseat Marion Hammon
The Barlow Takeover
Marion Hammon Finally Sees The Danger
Marion Hammon Plans A New United Order In Idaho
Confiscating People’s Homes
Revelation From God Or Satan?
Evicting The Sinners
Sam Finds "Wickedness"
The Search Goes On
Teenage Boys Victims Of The Goon Squad
Ultimate Power Over Families
Challenging The Gestapo-Like Goon Squad
Another Eviction, Entitled "Notice To Vacate"
Attorney Cautions Leroy Johnson
Sexual Abuses Against The Girls
Barlows Want A Government Funded High School
The Polygamist Community Splits
A Town Divided
Colorado City Academy Gets New Leaders
Leroy Warns The Slaughter Will Soon Begin
Marion Hammon Blackmailed
Barlows Strategy To Shut Down The Academy
Secret Cavern With Guns
ATF Finishes Investigation
Sam Barlow Removed
Homeowners Seek Legal Advice
New High School Wins The Vote
Using Leroy To Make Money
Legal Action To Get The Academy
Mail Fraud
The Battle To Win
Academy Destroyed
Second Ward Builds A Church & School
Colorado City Incorporates
Threat Of Violence By The LeBarons
Sam Barlow Back In Business
Chief Protector Loses Certification
The Baptists Bring Changes
Leroy Johnson Passes Away
Centennial Park Second Ward Launches
Basketball, Plays, & Dances Stopped
Marion Hammon Passes Away
Controversy Splits The Group
The UEP Leaders Move Forward Aggressively
UEP Doubles Its Land Assets
"Tenant At Will" Puts Homes At Risk
Defending Their Homes
First Ward Hiding Its Assets
Case Against The United Effort Plan
Testimony Of Fred M. Jessop
Testimony Of Rulon T. Jeffs
Testimony Of Lynn Cooke
Testimony Of Samuel S. Barlow
Plaintiff’s Attorney Summarizes The Case
UEP Attorneys Respond
Dissidents Running Out Of Money
Apostates To Be Evicted
The Trial Begins
Court’s Final Decision
Colorado City Back In Business
The LDS Church Sees A Missionary Opportunity
Priesthood Takes Care Of Its Own
Guns Outlawed
Blood Atonement
Warren Jeffs Becomes First Counselor
End Of World Warnings & Preparations
Warren Jeffs Takes Over
No More Public School
Winston Blackmore vs Warren Jeffs
Warren Evicts Disobedient Mother
Molding Girls To Become Obedient Wives
Police Officer Rodney Holm Charged, Sex With A Minor
Rulon Jeffs Passes Away
Barlows Worst Fears Realized
Government Programs & The Polygamist
Warren Jeffs Ordained Prophet
Fred Jessop Disappears
The Barlows Fight Back
Violence Threatened
Ross Chatwin
Ross Chatwin Wins Court Decision
Freedom & Industry Gaining Ground
Summit Meeting In St. George
Changing The Polygamy Laws
Centennial Park Women Begin To Speak Out
Third Ward
New Arizona Law Against Marrying A Child
An Interview with Ben Bistline
Conclusion
Bibliography
About the Author
Top
Scripture References for the Reader
To assist the reader in understanding topics about the diverse positions
taken by the Fundamentalists in Colorado City over the course of many decades,
listed here are some of the scriptures they rely on. Most are from the Doctrine
& Covenants, considered to be the Law Book for the polygamists.
The three standard works of Mormon scripture used by The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) are the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants,
and Pearl of Great Price. And they use the Holy Bible. The polygamists claim to
be the true Church, and only temporarily a sub-culture of the LDS Church. They
believe that the LDS Church is out of order for discontinuing plural marriage,
and that one day God will hand over the LDS Church to the polygamists and they
will rule.
A critical issue within the polygamist group is "who" among them holds the
"keys" or the authority to act in God’s name, and how that authority is carried
out.
When Brigham Young was president, he acted on his own regarding decisions for
the Church and its members, not necessarily consulting with his counselors or
the other apostles. But after John Taylor became president, Wilford Woodruff, an
apostle to Taylor, was in Arizona with a group of sheep herders and was praying
about the many challenges the Church was having. He then received the 1880
Revelation regarding the leadership decision-making of the Group. It came in two
parts: There was to be a senior man, by order of ordination (the prophet) who
would lead the group, and they (the prophet, his two counselors, and the twelve
apostles) would vote and make decisions together. President Taylor and his
counselors and apostles then voted to accept this revelation as coming from God.
From that time forth this has been the policy in the LDS Church. The prophet,
his two counselors, and the twelve apostles must always be in agreement
regarding any action taken. The prophet does not arbitrarily act alone without
the approval and support of his counselors and the twelve apostles. Nor does any
person within this group do so. Within the group of twelve apostles, the senior
man by date of ordination is considered the president of that group.
These are the same guidelines of leadership given to the early
Fundamentalists by Lorin Woolley, who claimed to be one of five men commissioned
by LDS Prophet John Taylor in 1886 to carry on the principle of plural marriage.
But over the years, the polygamist leadership has evolved into a One-Man Rule
that many call a dictatorship. During this evolution, various Priesthood Council
Members disagreed, some strongly and others not so strongly, and eventually the
early teaching of all holding common power wherein they make decisions as a
group fell by the wayside. A key verse in the Doctrine & Covenants seems to
explain what has happened. D&C 121:39 "We have learned by sad experience that it
is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little
authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous
dominion."
As the reader follows the developing and ever-changing leadership doctrines
of the early polygamists, he will encounter references to "keys of the
priesthood," and the question of "who" legitimately holds the keys to act in
God’s name: a group of men or one man assuming supreme authority over the people
and their eternal salvation.
In the LDS Church, it is understood that the current prophet holds the keys
delegated to him by Jesus Christ, and each prophet beginning with Joseph Smith
has held the keys. Beginning with John Taylor none acted arbitrarily, but as a
group with his counselors and apostles. The prophet holds the keys for the
entire church and from that position he delegates a portion of the keys to
various male priesthood members to carry out certain responsibilities. Also
discussed is the high priesthood of the LDS Church.
The following verses address these topics.
Melchizedek Priesthood
Hebrews 5:4
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was
Aaron.
Hebrews 5:6-10
6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order
of Melchisedec.
7. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had
offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that
was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered;
9. And being made perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10. Called of God an high priest after the
order of Melchisedec.
D&C 107:22-27, 30
22. Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the
body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence,
faith, and prayer of the church, for a quorum of the Presidency of the Church.
23. The twelve traveling councilors are called
to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the
world–thus differing from other offices in the church in the duties of their
calling.
24. And they form a quorum, equal in authority
and power to the three presidents previously mentioned.
25. The Seventy are also called to preach the
gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world–thus
differing from other offices in the church in the duties of their calling.
26. And they form a quorum, equal in authority
to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.
27. And every decision made by either of these
quorums must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in
each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their decisions of
the same power or validity one with the other –
. . . .
30. The decisions of these quorums, or either
of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of
heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith and virtue, and knowledge,
temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity.
The Keys of the Priesthood
D&C 65:2
2. The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from
thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth. . . .
D&C 64:4-5
4. I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom.
5. And the keys of the mysteries of the
kingdom shall not be taken from my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means
I have appointed, while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.
D&C 107:64-66
64. Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
65. Wherefore, it must needs be that one be
appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be
called President of the High Priesthood of the church,
66. Or, in other words, the Presiding High
Priest over the High Priesthood of the church.
D&C 81:2
Unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belong always unto the
Presidency of the High Priesthood. (speaking of Joseph Smith, Jun)
D&C 110:16
Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; . . . .
One Man Rule Justification (quoted by the polygamist leadership)
D&C 132:7
And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are there: All
covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances,
connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into
and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well
for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and
commandment through the medium of mine appointed, whom I have appointed on the
earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold
this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a
time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are
of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead;
for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.
(italics added)
The polygamist group now called First Ward in
Colorado City quotes the above verse as their justification of the one-man rule.
The Reassignment of Wives
D&C 132:44
And if she hath not committed adultery, but is innocent and hath not broken her
vow, and she knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then shall
you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, to take her and give her
unto him that hath not committed adultery but hath been faithful; for he shall
be made ruler over many.
The polygamists consider a wife to belong not
to the man, but to the priesthood, and if the husband is out of favor, the
wife/wives (and children) are reassigned to another man.
Holding the Women’s Eternal Salvation in Their
Hands
D&C 132:64
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the
keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as
pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or
she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I
will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.
A powerful verse that controls the women who
fear for their heavenly salvation.
The Acceptance and Dispensing of Donations to
the Polygamist Priesthood
D&C 51:2-9
2. For it must needs be that they be organized according to my laws; if
otherwise, they will be cut off.
3. Where, let my servant Edward Partridge, and
those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people
their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his
circumstances, and his wants and needs.
4. And let my servant Edward Partridge, when
he shall appoint a man his portion, give unto him a writing that shall secure
unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this
inheritance in the church, until he transgresses and is not accounted worthy by
the voice of the church, according to the laws and covenants of the church, to
belong to the church.
5. And if he shall transgress and is not
accounted worthy to belong to the church, he shall not have power to claim that
portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop for the poor and needy of my
church; therefore, he shall not retain the gift, but shall only have claim on
that portion that is deeded to him.
6. And thus all things shall be made sure,
according to the laws of the land.
7. And let that which belongs to this people
be appointed unto this people.
8. And the money which is left unto this
people–let there be an agent appointed unto this people, to take the money to
provide food and raiment, according to the wants of this people.
9. And let every man deal honestly and be
alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have
commanded you.
A major issue within the polygamist group over
the past several decades is that the leadership has evicted men from the homes
they built with their own money, because the man was out of favor. Men coming
into the group since the 1930s were expected to donate all they possessed,
including money and lands, plus ongoing donations of money and community work to
build the town. All assets were donated to and held in a Business Trust owned by
the Group. Thus the land homes are built on belong to the Trust. Lawsuits were
filed and fought in the courts for a number of years.
The Adam God Doctrine
D&C 107:54-55
54. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and
called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
55. And the Lord administered comfort unto
Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of
nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.
There are many other doctrines among the
polygamists, but these listed will aid the reader in following the course of
events throughout this book.
Top
Born in Logan, Utah on April 21, 1935. Son of
John Anthony Bistline and Jennie Johnson Bistline. The sixth of ten children.
Ben G. Bistline, 2004. Click photo for
larger image.
Benjamin G. Bistline was born in Logan, Utah,
on April 21, 1935, the son of John Anthony Bistline and Jennie Johnson Bistline.
He was the sixth of ten children. His parents were active members of the Mormon
Church but became involved with a few polygamist families in Milville, Utah, and
were excommunicated by LDS Church authorities in 1937.
The family moved to Short Creek, Arizona, in
1945 to join a united order movement, also known as The United Effort Plan. His
father soon became discouraged by Barlow's ineptness in governing his Order, and
by 1948 he had repented of his decision to join with Barlows' group at Short
Creek. He then decided to rejoin the Mormon Church, but his wife refused to
leave, taking a firm stand. Ben’s father died in April of 1949, before rejoining
the LDS Church because of their policy of a one year repentance probation period
after being excommunicated.
Ben’s mother had always wanted to live
polygamy and this gave her the opportunity to do so. She married Richard Jessop
as his fifth wife and they moved into his large household of four wives and
about thirty children.
Ben lived in this polygamous household for the
next three years until the raid on Short Creek in 1953. While living with his
stepfather, he became romantically involved with one of the daughters, but the
Raid interrupted the courtship. Ben was eighteen and Annie was fifteen. All
minor children in the community were declared wards of the state of Arizona, and
were transported with their mothers to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1953. They were
released and allowed to return to Short Creek in 1955
Annie and Ben were married June 24, 1955, and
remained in the society where they parented and raised sixteen children. He was
never allowed to marry any other wives, after being deemed unworthy of the
privilege by polygamist leaders because of his "rebelliousness." His refused to
take what he was told at face value, he refused to join one of the leadership
cliques, and he refused to live in blind obedience Thus he was never a
polygamist. He and his wife would have accepted plural marriage.
In the early 1980s Ben became discouraged with
the polygamists due to their changes in religious doctrine. He was a plaintiff
in a lawsuit filed in 1987 in an attempt to win title to the property on which
he had built his home. The court granted him equity ownership in his home but
not ownership of the property (land). In March of 2003, Fred Jessop, bishop for
the polygamists, negotiated an equity agreement with Ben whereby he was able to
move away from the community. He now lives on his own property in an area called
Cane Beds, about two miles south of Colorado City. He and his wife are still
very much involved with the polygamists due to extended family relationships.
Ben and his wife Annie joined the LDS Church
in 1992. They believe the same doctrine as the LDS Church in regards to
polygamy. They are members of the Kaibab Moccasin Ward where they have served in
several church callings. Ben has served on the high council of the Kanab,
Utah Kaibab stake.
Top
Books
on polygamy. Click to read more.
1)
A Teenager's Tears: When Parents Convert to Polygamy
2)
Murder
of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy
3) Polygamy Under
Attack: From Tom Green to Brian David Mitchell
4) The Polygamists:
A History
of Colorado City, Arizona
5) Colorado City Polygamists: An
Inside Look for the Outsider
6) Polygamy's Rape of Rachael Strong: Protected Environment for Predators
