The once-thriving polygamous communities in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, have undergone a remarkable transformation since the arrest of their leader, Warren Jeffs, in 2006. Gone are the days of restrictive rules and a rigid control by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), which had governed the towns for over 90 years.
The FLDS' authoritarian rule, characterized by a strict code of conduct, was marked by the forced segregation of communities, the prohibition on public gatherings, and even the denial of basic services such as building permits. However, with Jeffs' imprisonment, the towns were finally able to break free from this shackled existence and adapt to modern society.
The residents, now freed from the FLDS' grip, have been embracing their newfound freedoms with open arms. Weekend soccer games, cocktail hours, and even a winery have become part of their social fabric. The once-strict rules have given way to a more relaxed atmosphere, as people reconnect with one another and rediscover the joys of community life.
Former members of the FLDS, such as Willie Jessop, who later broke away from the sect, now look back on their past experiences with a sense of nostalgia and regret. They acknowledge that the church's strict rules were necessary for survival in a hostile world but recognize that they were not sustainable in the long term.
Jessop describes the transformation of Colorado City and Hildale as "life after Jeffs," a phrase that encapsulates the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the townspeople. While acknowledging that there is still much work to be done to overcome the FLDS' dark legacy, Jessop believes that the towns are on the right path.
The court-appointed monitor, Roger Carter, has also been instrumental in guiding the transformation process. His efforts have helped to establish a more representative government, ensuring that residents' needs take precedence over those of the church.
However, not everything is rosy. Some former members still grapple with the traumas inflicted by the FLDS, including child abuse and coercion. The lingering presence of polygamy in some communities has also raised concerns about continued exploitation and abuse.
For individuals like Briell Decker, who was forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager, the road to recovery is long and arduous. While she acknowledges that progress has been made, she believes it will take several generations to fully overcome the damage inflicted by the FLDS under Jeffs' leadership.
Despite these challenges, the people of Colorado City and Hildale remain hopeful about their future. As they navigate this new chapter in their lives, they are rediscovering community, connection, and a sense of purpose that was previously denied them by the strict rules of the FLDS.
In the end, it is clear that the transformation of these polygamous communities is not just about shedding the past but also about building a brighter future for themselves and their children.
The FLDS' authoritarian rule, characterized by a strict code of conduct, was marked by the forced segregation of communities, the prohibition on public gatherings, and even the denial of basic services such as building permits. However, with Jeffs' imprisonment, the towns were finally able to break free from this shackled existence and adapt to modern society.
The residents, now freed from the FLDS' grip, have been embracing their newfound freedoms with open arms. Weekend soccer games, cocktail hours, and even a winery have become part of their social fabric. The once-strict rules have given way to a more relaxed atmosphere, as people reconnect with one another and rediscover the joys of community life.
Former members of the FLDS, such as Willie Jessop, who later broke away from the sect, now look back on their past experiences with a sense of nostalgia and regret. They acknowledge that the church's strict rules were necessary for survival in a hostile world but recognize that they were not sustainable in the long term.
Jessop describes the transformation of Colorado City and Hildale as "life after Jeffs," a phrase that encapsulates the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the townspeople. While acknowledging that there is still much work to be done to overcome the FLDS' dark legacy, Jessop believes that the towns are on the right path.
The court-appointed monitor, Roger Carter, has also been instrumental in guiding the transformation process. His efforts have helped to establish a more representative government, ensuring that residents' needs take precedence over those of the church.
However, not everything is rosy. Some former members still grapple with the traumas inflicted by the FLDS, including child abuse and coercion. The lingering presence of polygamy in some communities has also raised concerns about continued exploitation and abuse.
For individuals like Briell Decker, who was forced into an arranged marriage as a teenager, the road to recovery is long and arduous. While she acknowledges that progress has been made, she believes it will take several generations to fully overcome the damage inflicted by the FLDS under Jeffs' leadership.
Despite these challenges, the people of Colorado City and Hildale remain hopeful about their future. As they navigate this new chapter in their lives, they are rediscovering community, connection, and a sense of purpose that was previously denied them by the strict rules of the FLDS.
In the end, it is clear that the transformation of these polygamous communities is not just about shedding the past but also about building a brighter future for themselves and their children.
I feel kinda weird about how fast they've moved on from all the weird stuff that went down under Jeffs. Like, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that people are finally free to live their lives without all those rules, but at the same time...I mean, child abuse and coercion? That's some heavy stuff. I'm sure it'll take a while for everyone to really heal from that.
I'm glad to see Colorado City & Hildale are finally living life freely 
after all those years of FLDS control 
. It's like they've been waiting for the 'man' to let go 
, and now they can just enjoy their weekends without worrying about rules 
. Willie Jessop is totally right - it's time to move on from that toxic past 
. The court-appointed monitor has done a great job in setting things straight 
. But there are still some tough issues to tackle like the abuse & coercion 
... can't forget that 
#FLDS #ColoradoCity #Hildale #NewBeginnings #PolygamyReform
.
. Not saying I'm against progress or anything, but can we please not forget where these towns came from?
I mean, can you imagine being stuck in a community where you can't even hang out with your friends or family without permission from the church? It's crazy how far they've come since Warren Jeffs got locked up! 
The fact that people are starting to reconnect and rebuild their lives is really inspiring. But at the same time, it's sad to hear about all the trauma and abuse that still lingers 
i mean, on one hand its great that people are finally able to live their lives freely without all those rules, but at the same time its like, what happened to all those ppl who were traumatized? its not just about "life after jeffs" its about dealing with the trauma and abuse thats still out there