PALESTINE, TEXAS: Former members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) have come forward with shocking allegations, asserting that their missing children did not run away, as court records suggest, but were instead abducted by the Mormon group. These disturbing claims revolve around a twisted prophecy allegedly orchestrated by disgraced FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
Where is Warren Jeffs?
Four mothers, Lorraine Jessop, Miranda Johnson, Elizabeth Roundy, and Sarah Johnson, believe that their eight missing children have been abducted by their former church, contrary to the official narrative. The mothers' conviction stems from their deep connection to the FLDS and the knowledge of the group's continued influence under Warren Jeffs' leadership, even as he serves a life sentence for sexually assaulting underage girls at the Louis C Powledge Unit prison in Palestine, Texas.
According to experts, while behind bars, Jeffs continues to share prophecies that hold sway over the FLDS community. In one prophecy, obtained by ABC News, Jeffs allegedly demanded the return of children from former members. Law enforcement officials have previously claimed that the missing children ran away, but the mothers strongly reject this explanation. Although the children are officially reported missing in a national database, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with their disappearance. This discrepancy between the mothers' claims and the official position further complicates the investigation.
Mothers' testimonies
Lorraine Jessop, whose three youngest children Nathan,16, Summer,13, and Benjamin,12, have been missing since February 2023, shared her harrowing experience with ABC News. Recalling the night her children vanished, she revealed that she had checked on them at midnight, finding her daughter awake—an odd occurrence. However, when she woke up at 5 am, she was met with a chilling scene—the front door wide open and her children gone. "I feel like that either someone took it upon themselves or were told by church authorities to gather up these children," Jessop told ABC's Nightline. Elizabeth Roundy, another mother entangled in the distressing ordeal, also alleged that her children were taken by the church. "I am positive that FLDS are hiding Elintra," Roundy said.
The claim of children being hidden by the FLDS finds chilling parallels in previous incidents. One ex-member's missing 10-year-old daughter was discovered last year, having been concealed by the church and subsequently returned to her parents. Additionally, Warren Jeffs' nephew, Heber Jeffs, faced charges last December for allegedly kidnapping his 10-year-old niece, whose parents had departed from the FLDS. The charging documents suggested that Heber had followed his uncle's prophecies and directives, including the return of ex-members' children.
Apostate stigma and fear
Departing the FLDS comes with its own set of challenges. Labeling ex-members as "apostates," the community treats them harshly, compounding the emotional struggles of those who leave. Roger Hoole, an attorney representing some of these mothers, explained, "When you leave, you're considered an apostate, and are treated severely by the people who remain in the church... It's often a very long process before somebody leaves, and then it's a long process before they emotionally are able to make the real adjustment. It's not something that's done overnight."
The FLDS fosters a culture where women are relegated to a subordinate status, expected to be subservient to men. Sarah Johnson, a mother who has been searching for her missing son Salome since March 2021, shared her experience of being betrothed at 17 to a man 25 years her senior. "Growing up, it was our purpose… to be married," she said. "I decided in the very beginning that I was going to be the most obedient, the most perfect wife I could be." In the polygamous household, one of her sister wives happened to be her biological sister. Together, they bore witness to the birth of over 30 children.
Dark legacy of Warren Jeffs and FLDS
The FLDS, established over 130 years ago as a polygamous offshoot of Mormonism, gained infamy after polygamy was banned within the mainstream Mormon Church. At the center of the FLDS stood Warren Jeffs, a convicted pedophile currently serving a life sentence for his crimes. With an estimated 80 wives, many of whom were underage, Jeffs wielded immense power and control within the FLDS community. The recent Netflix documentary 'Watch Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey' further exposed the activities of Jeffs and the FLDS, bringing them back into the spotlight.
