To really get the most out of this, you should probably read Part 1 of the Handy Dandy guide, where I explained the doctrines that set these groups apart from mainstream Mormonism. Yeah, you know what polygamy is, but what’s the Adam-God theory?
Today’s post outlines the groups themselves. This was going to be all one post, but it turned out to be too big, so I split it into more. Possibly three. Look forward to it!
Apostolic United Brethren
Flock: between 5,000 and 8,000
Locale: most in several towns in Utah and Ozumba, Mexico, where they have a temple; Pinesdale, MT; Lovell, WY; Mesa, AZ, Humansville, MO.
Extracurricular beliefs: the Adam-God doctrine, Law of Consecration, and Plural Marriage. The last was the main reason they split from the mainstream LDS church in 1886.
Mannerisms: church leaders do not organize marriages, people under 18 do not marry, and no one marries close relatives. One of the more liberal groups.
Trivia: in 1977 the leader, Rulon C. Allred, was shot by Rena Chynoweth , a follower of another Mormon splinter group.
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church)
Flock: between 6,000 and 8,000
Locale: Hildale, UT and Colorado City, AZ (formerly both known as Short Creek); recently built a temple in Eldorado, TX at the Yearning For Zion ranch. You may have read about it in the news.
Extracurricular Beliefs: Blood Atonement, the Law of Consecration, and Plural Marriage.
Mannerisms: girls are assigned to men based on a revelation by the prophet, Warren Jeffs, when they reach marriageable age. Jeffs’ definition of “marriageable age” has gotten him a ten-to-life jail sentence. Wives are required to be subordinate to their husbands, and everyone is subject to a strict dress code, which apparently derives inspiration from the stylite monks of yore: the higher the hair, the closer to God.
Trivia: Hilade / Colorado City has a gobsmackingly high occurrence of the rare genetic defect fumarase deficiency-about 60% of the world’s cases (about 20 out of 33) have occurred there. Variety in your sexual partners, folks. Don’t date people who look like you.
Latter Day Church of Christ, aka the Kingston Clan
Flock: 2,000
Locale: Salt Lake City and surrounding areas
Extraccurricular Beliefs: Polygamy is the only one I can find for sure (some of the important men have 30+ wives), but the Law of Consecration seems likely.
Mannerisms: Owns at least $70 million worth of gaming equipment throughout the Southwest, selling tp casinos, bars, etc. via the Davis County Cooperative; most members live in abject poverty. Routinely marry off underage girls.
Trivia: They specialize in incest, since the second leader of the group, John Ortell Kingston, believed he had to keep the bloodlines pure. Marrying first cousins, nieces or nephews, or half-siblings is pretty common.
Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Flock: 100-200
Locale: Modena, UT.
Extracurricular Beliefs: Mainly polygamy, but since they’re an offshoot of the AUB (outline above), I assume they also believe in the Law of Consecration and the Adam-God doctrine. The former leader, Gerald Peterson Sr., claimed that Rulon Allred’s ghost visited him after Allred was murdered and handed leadership to him.
Mannerisms: dress modernly, and claim to not marry off underage women. However, in 2001 there was a big court case in which Tom Green, a member of the church, was convicted of marrying (and having sex with) a 13-year-old, and they had a child. They are still married. Therefore, draw your own conclusions.
Trivia: Finding info on this group is pretty tricky. The best I have for this section is that, surprise, they’re secretive, but have a pyramid-shaped temple in Utah. One webpage claimed that the temple had something to do with the mainstream LDS church allowing black men to take the priesthood, but it didn’t really clarify.
The Illegiterati 
What i really like about the Mormons is that there women have modesty and cover themselves just like we see as the Muslim women do, i wish society would values these ideas more today as they once did back in the 30’s and 40′ and even the 50’s now everything is getting worse.
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Polygamy is legal in Canada. Section 51 of the Saskatchewan Family Property Act allows people to have multiple same time spouses. Recent court cases have upheld this view. One man claimed it was unconstitutional to force him to be the spouse of a person who already had a spouse. Judges disagreed and legally formed his spousal relationship ( common law marriage) into law for him! See tami Thurlow under http://www.canli.org Saskatchewan
Did Tami Thurlow have the consent of the second man to be her spouse? If so, the he should be charged with Bigamy or Polygamy. If not, criminal charges should be laid against the local judge and government.
I looked up Tami Thurlow in the canadian law cases. http://www.canlii.org. Under Saskatchewan then type in polygamy and she DID NOT have the mans consent to be her spouse while she had a spouse. It appears the trial judge forced the man to her will of having a second spouse.
I thought that was illegal even if a judge “sanctions” this second spousal union?
Tom Green didn’t marry a 13 year old while a member of the Branch. The doctrines to the Branch are true no matter what the unbelievers have to say. Be careful who you persecute, it will come back to dam you…
Hey, nice page. Where did you find info on the Righteous Branch? Also is there any pictures of the temple?
Good stuff. I like the history of FLDS groups. As s closet Fundamental Mormon I like to see where others stand. Modern Revelation needs to be held accountable by someone/thing. I want to be a Mormon, not a “Joe Blow” prodestant.
From June 1842 March 1847 a 57 month period ,Brigham Young marreid 41 WOMAN ( of a total of 55)many on the same days is there a pattern here on the same days he marries# 18 & #19 who were SISTERS 20 & 25 years of age as were# 42 & 43 sisters aged 16 & 19And this is your equivalent to the Apostle PAUL ???? && this is all less than 200 years ago ..you speak of . grow as a community as a reason to justify POLYGAMY ? Why was it then that there were not a equal amount of males to be within MONOGAMOUS relationships andhave children ?? Was it that men did not buy into the beliefs of SMITH ?Was it that the MORMON Church and the Men within were able to persuade many woman without any meansfrom this country and those fleeing famine such as what existed in Ireland at the time that THIS lifestyle wastheir only HOPE ???YOUNG was a sick man especially when you look at the very public record of his wives -I am surprised ANY woman today and especially those with daughters would stay within this Religion How do you deny the history and tell this to your daughters coming of age ?????????????????With the status of BYU how do woman there cope with the founders / namesakes life ?Opportunist , Pedophile , Sexual Deviant , Con Man , Snake oil salesman are just but a few of the words needed to describe both YOUNG and Smith +1Was this answer helpful?
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To anyone interested in the Righteous Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, feel free to check out our blog. https://gospelfullness.wordpress.com You can also call us anytime and we will be happy to answer your questions 801-769-6279
I would also like to clarify that Tom Green was excommunicated from the church BEFORE all the stuff with underage girls happened. He was no longer welcome here once his proclivities and perverted desires were known. So he left us because we do not allow underage marriages. This is proof of our commitment to sane marriages between adults, not a sign that we are weak on the issue.