What is the FLDS Church?

Origins and Historical Development

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) traces its roots to a schism within the broader Latter-Day Saint movement. After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) officially discontinued plural marriage in the late 19th century, certain members rejected this policy change. Determined to preserve the practice of plural marriage, they established various fundamentalist Mormon groups, eventually culminating in what is now recognized as the FLDS. These groups continued to claim that the original teachings, as they understood them, held a divine sanction for polygamous marriages.

Leaders in the FLDS have historically claimed demonstrations of authority from early Mormon figures, including Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, insisting that the command to practice polygamy was never meant to be rescinded. Over time, the FLDS solidified around individuals regarded by members as “prophets” or final authorities on divine revelation. Throughout its history, the group has often faced legal scrutiny due to its adherence to polygamy and the role of charismatic, centralized leadership.

Key Doctrines and Practices

While the FLDS shares some background with the mainstream LDS Church, it differs significantly on several doctrinal points:

1. Polygamy (Plural Marriage)

Central to FLDS identity is the teaching that plural marriage (i.e., a husband having multiple wives) is a divine mandate necessary for exaltation. From a biblical standpoint, there are numerous Scriptural passages that affirm monogamy as the standard for marriage—particularly in qualifications for spiritual leadership. As it is written: “An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2).

While some figures in the Old Testament practiced polygamy, the New Testament clarifies a return to the original pattern set forth in Genesis—one man and one woman united before God (see Genesis 2:24). Many outside historical analyses note that Joseph Smith’s early introduction of plural marriage within Mormonism was controversial, even among close followers, and that the larger LDS Church formally renounced polygamy in 1890. The FLDS continues to claim it as a present divine command.

2. Prophetic Authority

The FLDS operates under a prophet who is believed to wield near-absolute ecclesiastical authority. This teaching stands in tension with Scriptures that emphasize testing all teachings by the revealed Word of God: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:8). The FLDS viewpoint gives new revelatory authority to its prophets, which diverges from the long-held Christian conviction that Scripture alone provides the ultimate test of doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16).

3. Separatist Lifestyle

Historically, many FLDS members have chosen insular communities largely removed from mainstream culture. In these enclaves, strict adherence to FLDS regulations and communal living have shaped daily life. Isolation has, at times, fostered legal and social conflicts between FLDS communities and civil authorities, largely because of underage marriages and polygamous unions.

4. Salvation and Exaltation

The FLDS concept of salvation involves participation in sacred ordinances under the authority of their prophet and living in strict compliance with FLDS rules, including polygamy for men deemed worthy. This stands in contrast to the Scriptural claim that salvation is through faith in Christ’s completed work (Ephesians 2:8–9). Rather than requiring additional institutions or extra-biblical ordinances, biblical teaching affirms that “there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Controversies Surrounding Leadership

In modern times, FLDS leader Warren Jeffs drew national and international attention due to legal charges relating to marrying underage girls. His leadership style further exemplified the strong hierarchical structure that defines the FLDS. During Jeffs’s tenure, multiple media reports and legal investigations uncovered practices that mainstream society and Christian groups alike condemned as exploitative. Although the FLDS itself may appear in various expressions, it is widely recognized by its emphasis on the prophet’s authority, polygamy, and the insular nature of its communities.

Scriptural Counterpoints

Outside studies have demonstrated that the early church (as depicted in the New Testament) did not incorporate polygamous practices among Christian believers. Instead, the teachings consistently encourage a monogamous ethic of marital commitment. For instance, the apostle Paul addresses both moral behavior and strict marital fidelity in multiple epistles (Ephesians 5:25–31), pointing to marriage as mirroring Christ’s relationship with the Church—a one-to-one covenant.

Such biblical instructions prompt believers to measure any claimed revelation or teaching by the consistent testimony of Scripture. Observers have noted that many acts, documents, and historical accounts attributed to this or that religious teacher must ultimately align with Scripture’s framework (1 John 4:1). In short, from a traditional Christian perspective, the FLDS teachings regarding polygamy and ongoing prophetic revelation do not align with the final authority of the Bible as recognized in historic Christianity.

Archaeological and Historical Observations

From an archaeological standpoint, no evidence confirms that first-century believers in the Middle East practiced polygamy as part of the Christian faith, nor is there a record of an ongoing “new” revelation that superseded established Scripture. Outside documents—including early church fathers’ writings—underscore the importance of adhering to the apostolic teaching (see “Against Heresies” by Irenaeus). This stands in contrast to the FLDS emphasis on a continued unveiling of doctrine under new prophets.

Over the past century, legal action against the FLDS has often led to further documentation, court records, and witness statements, many of which reflect teachings significant to members but contradictory to biblical orthodoxy. In historical and anthropological works, the FLDS is commonly cited as a distinct fundamentalist offshoot of Mormonism rather than a recognizable branch of mainline Christianity.

Points of Caution for Interested Observers

1. Test All Teachings by Scripture

Christian teaching encourages believers to test every doctrine by Scripture. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This principle serves as common grounding for discerning claims of divine authority.

2. Examine the Fruit of Leadership

Jesus stated, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). A community’s ethical and moral outcomes often reveal whether it reflects biblical principles. Reports of abuse or exploitation should invite serious caution, ensuring that any such actions be measured against the standard taught by Christ to love, serve, and protect the vulnerable.

3. Be Aware of Historical Context

The FLDS has existed under heightened public scrutiny because of its distinct beliefs and isolated communities. Individuals exploring FLDS theology should be aware of the significant historical and doctrinal developments that set it apart from historic Christian teaching.

Conclusion

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) is a religious offshoot that maintains plural marriage and ongoing revelation through a supreme prophet. Born from a resistance to changes in the main LDS Church, it continues practices that mainstream Mormonism disavowed. From a biblical vantage point, particularly one that holds Scripture as the final authority, the FLDS stands apart because it promotes doctrines like polygamy and modern prophetic revelation that conflict with the biblical witness on marriage and ultimate revelation in Christ.

For those examining the FLDS tradition, it is crucial to weigh its beliefs against the consistent teachings of Scripture, the testimony of orthodox Christian history, and the ethical mandate emphasized in the New Testament to love and protect others. “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). The biblical emphasis on Christ as the sole Provider of salvation (John 14:6) also remains a guiding tenet in evaluating any claim that seeks to add to or sideline His redemptive work.