FLDS History 101 - Warren Jeffs' torment in prison

On August 28, 2006, Warren Jeffs’ long flight from justice ended. He turned in his Priesthood suit and gentile disguise for a prison jump suit. However, his days of leading the day-to-day activities of the FLDS Church were far from over. His dictates would continue to have far reaching effects from Short Creek to Eldorado, Texas. He would give specific instructions to the leaders on the lands of refuge including his counselors Wendell Nielson and Merril Jessop. He would also issue directives to Bishop William E. Jessop looking after the Church’s assets and money in Short Creek.

Warren only remained in a Nevada prison for a few days. On September 5, 2006 he was transferred to the Purgatory Correction Facility in Utah. He would be in lock-down for 23 hours each day, given just one hour for showers and phone calls. He would receive visitors for two hours each week. He was held without bail, awaiting his trial to face rape charges.

After four months in prison Warren believed things were starting to unravel. He began to have a series of intense and violent “visions” that eventually led up to his stunning declaration that he was “the most wicked man in this dispensation” (for the past 170 years).

On January 16, 2007, he saw a “vision” of his family falling away in unbelief and that the Lord would punish them with great trials. He saw great persecution coming on his followers who would even be murdered and defiled. Many who fell away from the FLDS would become bitter apostates and even resort to human sacrifice in satan worship.

He saw that his wife Naomie would die in two days “without blood being shed, and without a police investigation.” She would be honored as a faithful witness of the work and of Warren.

The next night, more strange “visions” came to Warren in his prison cell. The FLDS would be driven from their homes by violence, scattered, destitute, driven to starvation. They would have to hide among the wicked. Warren would come to the rescue to gather those who were really faithful. They would then travel to Jackson County, Missouri to start building a temple there. He offered more prayers and then received a revelation that Naomie was near death.

On the next night, he work up at 3:30 a.m. in his quiet, dark, cell and believed the Lord told him that Naomie Jeffs was dead. “He allowed me to hear her voice how happy she is and how beautiful father (Rulon Jeffs) is, and that the record she had with her was hidden in the lining of her luggage.” He was told by the Lord to hold Naomie’s funeral that Saturday and that she would be buried in the YFZ cemetery. The Lord told him Naomie was “enveloped in Celestial fire and will be a ministering spirit to her kind.” Well, things didn’t quite work out the way Warren saw in “vision.” Naomie was alive and fine.

On January 18, 2007, he compiled his strange visions into King James scripture form, making it read like a revelation from the Lord. The Lord looked upon all the nations of the earth and found “none that doeth good,” except, of course, the faithful FLDS. The world was now ready for destruction. His revelation revealed that wicked men, through conspiracy had taken Warren captive. But Warren had already accomplished a great work by visiting all the stake capitals and cursing the entire country to be destroyed. But Warren’s work wasn’t done. He would be delivered from bondage and continue to prepare Zion for the second coming of the Lord. Things wouldn’t go well for those who persecute the FLDS. They would see “a heavy hand of judgment.” The Mormon Church was in big trouble for giving up polygamy in 1890, “an agreement with hell.” They would experience “overflowing scourge and desolating sickness” with “devouring fire.” Wow, clearly Warren blamed the Mormon Church for all his miseries. They “imprisoned” innocent ones (including himself) and caused that laws be established “to persecute my people who seek to obey my laws.” The revelation goes on and on about how wicked the Mormon Church is. The revelation then railed on the government officials for persecuting the FLDS and taking away their lands (UEP). The Lord was very angry and would humble them all with his “Almighty power.”

On January 19, 2007, Warren received more strange “visions.” Some of his family members would be taken and offered as human sacrifice in satan worship. There would also be attempts on his own life. But, he would be delivered from prison in a “miraculous way” which would make his enemies become even more angry. All those things would happen before September, 2007. (None of it did). Nations would then send representatives to the USA to demand Warren’s destruction and the destruction of the FLDS. This would justify the Lord sending destruction to other nations. Warren would stand before the world at a news conference and deliver a message to the world, calling down the judgements of God. This would cause even greater persecution against the FLDS. They would be hunted and driven, but angels would be sent to provide them with necessaries of life. Warren would be given great power from God to lead those who survived the destructions that would come. “The Lord showed me that I would be that sacrifice of blood atonement to earn the glorious appearing of the Lord to the nations of the earth, and that I will be caught up in the cloud when He descends to earth in glory.”

During the next day, in his cell, Warren compiled this strange vision into King James style scripture. It reads of great violence and destruction for everyone except those who followed Warren. “Let there be a place prepared for my servant, Warren Jeffs, that shall be called holy . . . and provide for him and those appointed to assist him with every needful thing for their support; that I may have a place to visit and guide my servant, to reveal to him the revelations of my will.”

On January 20, 2007, Warren’s visions started to become even more personal toward himself. He was chastised for being too “earthly minded” and weak. He was shown that he would be taken by the government officials and be “unsexed and be beaten and starved.” He would be taken to watch his own family ravished and killed before his eyes. He would then be put in prison to die. But, he would be healed miraculously and would still father more children. He would then call down judgments from God upon his enemies who would be swept off the earth. Warren was shown that by September 2007, he would be back performing work in the YFZ temple. Those who had been slain would be raised from the grave to continue their mission at the YFZ Ranch. (None of this happened.)

Everything came crashing down upon Warren. He started a three day fast and on January 23, he claimed Lord appeared to him in his prison cell. He gave Warren a test and he failed it. He would rather defy the Lord than obey him in this test. “Tests” seem have a strange prominence among the FLDS beliefs. Just as Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, the FLDS seem to believe they are given frequent unreasonable tests to see if they have enough faith to go ahead and obey. When one of Warren’s prophesies fail, it is proclaimed just a “test” to see how the people would respond.

Warren’s brother Nephi came to the prison two days later on January 25, 2007. The conversation was recorded.

Warren Jeffs: “Okay, just a minute. I am not the prophet. I never was the prophet, and I have been deceived by the powers of evil and Brother William E. Jessop has been the prophet since Father's passing, since the passing of my father.”

It was rumored that Warren’s father, Rulon had ordained William Timpson (later named William E. Jessop) an apostle. Rulon, while ill, was supposed to ordain William to be an assistant bishop to Fred Jessop, but he slipped and gave William the whole package, including apostleship. William was told by Warren to ignore the other things, he was just a bishop.

Warren continues: “And I have been the most wicked man in this dispensation, in the eyes of God. In taking charge of my father's family, when the Lord, his God, told him not to because he could not hear him, could not hear his voice, because I did not hold priesthood. And I direct my former family to look to Brother William E. Jessop and I will not be calling today or ever again. Get rid of the former message. Write this down also.”

Nephi Jeffs: “Okay.”

Warren had called William E. Jessop by phone the previous day and said, ““I have not held priesthood since I was 20 years old, having been immoral with a sister and a daughter. And father [Rulon Jeffs] pointing his finger to me was father's test on all of us. I know of your ordination, that you are the keyholder and I have sent a note with my signature verifying it so that there is no question. . . . All the ordinance work since father's passing has to be redone and there's many men that were sent away that do hold priesthood and their families will need to be put back. . . . I am one of the most wicked men on the face of the earth since the days of Father Adam.”

Warren continued his conversation with Nephi:

Warren Jeffs: “As far as I possibly can be, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. And write this. The Lord, God of Heaven, came to my prison cell two days ago to test and detect me and he saw that I would rather defy him than obey him because of the weaknesses of my flesh. I am hesitating while I'm giving this message as the Lord dictates these words to my mind and heart. The Lord whispers to me to have you, Nephi, send this message everywhere you can among the priesthood people and get a copy of this video, letting anyone see it who desires to see it. They will see that I voice these words myself. I ask, write this down. The Lord told me to say, and I yearn for everyone's forgiveness for my aspiring and selfish way of life, in deceiving the elect, breaking the new and everlasting covenant and being the most wicked man on the face of the Earth in this last dispensation. Farewell all of you, for the Lord has promised that I would be, I would have a place in the Telestial Kingdom of God, if I had my brother Nephi write these words down. The Lord came yesterday, no, two days ago and bestowed upon me the gift to understand his words. Then he spoke to me, without the powers of evil interfering, so that I could have this opportunity to undo what I have done. And I ask for everyone's forgiveness and say farewell forever you who are worthy for Zion, for I will not be there.”

Nephi Jeffs: “Yes you will. This is just a test.”

Warren Jeffs: “Give this to all the priesthood people, this message to you, alright?”

Nephi Jeffs: “Okay.”

Warren Jeffs: “Let everyone see the video who wants to. The Lord wants me to . . . (crying) that he finally shed a tear for the Lord, his God, who has redeemed his son. He whispers that you, Nephi, need to get a copy of this video before you leave, if you can or order it. You can tell he's still dictating to me to tell you, Nephi, before he leaves me to my punishment. To Nephi, you can tell anybody who wants to read this message, or see the video, that they can see it, even apostates and gentiles. That they may know that I have been a liar and the truth is not in me. Tell the family I will not be calling anymore, not even today. Thank you.

Nephi Jeffs: “We love you. This is a test. You are the prophet.”

On that same day, the YFZ Ranch went completely dark. For two weeks they didn’t turn on a single light.

Three days later, on January 28, 2007, Warren tried to take his own life by hanging himself in his cell. He was interviewed the following day and his mood was described as “somber and dull.” He complained that he was feeling “anxious.” The prison put Warren on suicide watch and on January 30, and February 2, saw Warren throw himself against the wall and bang his head on the wall.

On March 27, 2007, Warren tried to present a note to the court proclaiming that he hasn’t been a prophet and wasn’t a prophet.

In April during an examination Warren said he wasn’t really trying to kill himself.

Somehow during April Warren figured out that this whole experience had only been a test. He claimed that for over 45 days that he was attacked continually by evil powers. He compared his experience to that of Jesus Christ when the devil tempted him for 40 days in the wilderness.

“Finally in the early morning hours of Monday, April 16th, (and even many times before) [The Lord] directly intervened, and directed me to call and give His message that I am to continue on and stand in my place and do His will.” Warren claimed he was over-anxious in proclaiming that he was unworthy and that others were more worthy. “Then the Lord intervened and showed me to rely on Him through these greater trials.” So it was all a huge test. “Whatever the Lord requires and allows us to go through, may I and we stand faithful and true.”

Warren was back in charge. He immediately started to write letters of specific instruction to families and leaders and then went back to issuing doomsday revelations.

FLDS History 101 - Becoming a prophet again

After a short two-plus months of stepping away from being the FLDS prophet, Warren Jeffs was back in charge and communicating with his loyal flock again in May, 2007. In prison in Southern Utah, awaiting his trial, Warren still believed that he would be freed. He quoted from the Bible in Isaiah, “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered.” He was convinced that “none can stay the Lord’s hand.” He asked his leaders to pray night and day that a “desolating sickness and other whirlwind judgments will be sent forth by the Lord” on everyone except the faithful FLDS.

He started to set his sights on the upcoming rape trail and planned to just sit silently through the trial, “whatever the Lord allows to be said or done, His will be done.” He was firm his determination to defend the “Celestial laws” (plural marriage). He believed he was being attacked by the “powers of evil” through this court trial, but “I am exerting faith and hope that I will be delivered.”

One thing that really concerned him is that his private Priesthood Record for 2004-2006 had been seized when he was arrested. These had many of his secret thoughts and actions. Most of all he worried about having his followers read those things without being prepared. It would be devastating if they learned those things from the news media or apostates. He was also very worried that the prosecutors in Utah were going to make public the “Redemption of Zion trainings” recorded on February 21, 2005. These are the trainings that are given to those invited to move to the XFZ Ranch.

In early 2007, Warren gave strict instructions to his followers that they should only get “truth” from “authority” (Warren) and not from their enemies (anyone else). One FLDS member observed, "When all the documents and dictations were released to the public, they got up in meeting and pretty much said you’ll lose your salvation if you read some of the things in those “sacred documents.” It appeared that after this directive that there were fewer FLDS defenders making comments on Internet blogs. The FLDS must have been ordered to stay off the Internet.

Back in the saddle again, Warren started again to micro-manage his followers from his prison cell. He determined who should move to YFZ in Texas and the compound in South Dakota, what houses they should stay in, and what their duties should be: kitchen, storehouse, sewing, garden, canning, upholstery, etc. There appeared to be no input on this, Warren’s edicts far away in prison must be followed.

On April 30, 2007, Warren ordered that FLDS member, Vivian Barlow Musser, get a legal divorce from Wendell Musser who he branded as an apostate. Wendell had just filed a lawsuit against Warren to force him to reveal where Wendell’s wife and son were. He hadn’t been allowed to see them for months. Warren had previously taken Vivian and his son away from Wendell against his wishes and married her off to another man. It took months of legal action for Wendell to finally see his wife and son at Short Creek for just a short time. Warren sat in prison condemning the evil people who were keeping him from his family, yet he saw no parallel towards his own actions of ripping other men away from their families. He showed no compassion towards those who still loved their families and wanted to see them. Wendell was “like the other apostates . . . demanding to find his former family.” He referred to these men as enemies. Warren had a dream where he was being chased by wolves, but was given power to strike them down. He wrote, “I was shown this first attacker was Wendell Musser, a traitor. . . He has knowledge of the houses of hiding.” That was Warren’s great worry about Musser.

Warren sent orders to hold conferences in May at the lands of refuge (YFZ, Mancos, Colorado, and Pringle, South Dakota) and the “houses of hiding” scattered in Colorado and Nevada. Families of the First Presidency (Jeffs, Nielson, and Jessop) were in the houses of hiding. Many of those families would be invited to come to the lands of refuge. Preferential treatment was still being given to these chosen families as others were being ignored back at Short Creek. Those back in Short Creek were still financially supporting all these people in hiding or on the lands of refuge.

His important objective now was to undo any damage made because of his declarations and letters in January that he wasn’t the prophet and was one of the most wicked men ever to have lived. How could he regain the confidence of his followers? He needed to give them revelations as proof.

On May 1st, Warren, now a prophet again, issued a new revelation that he put into Kings James scripture language. The revelation confirmed that Warren had been “tested and tried beyond measure by the powers of darkness” during his two-month torment when he thought he wasn’t the prophet. The revelation promised that Warren would be delivered from his enemies and that those who fight against him would be wiped off land. He was coming to grips why he was in prison “among my enemies.” He was going through this to put a curse on them all, to bind them up to be destroyed because they were fighting against the “work and people of God.”

Warren worried about all the things he said or wrote during his two months of torment when he said he wasn’t the prophet. He realized that those words may have “tested or tried” his most loyal followers. He instructed to have those letters and transcripts gathered, and sealed away “until I can write the true history of those experiences.” Apparently Warren again wanted to alter FLDS history as he had done before. He told Naomie to not include any of those items in the official Priesthood Record.

One strange difference in his writings during early May, 2007 is a more humble tone. He admits his imperfections and even recognizes the faithfulness of his loyal followers. Prior to his two-month torment, his words were only full of condemnation for the weakness and sins he saw in others. Now he was inviting more people to go to YFZ and had a much more humble and kind tone in his letters. He expresses much more thanks for support and prayers in his behalf. He even signs his letter to his counselors, “your unworthy brother.”

Since Warren had been put in prison, all general meetings and ordinances were again taken away from his people. But in May he instructed that meetings be held on the three lands of refuge and five houses of hiding. His followers were told that “this is the day of final preparation” for the end of the world. “We must be full of the Holy Ghost to survive.” Ordinances in the temple had not been performed because the Key Holder (Warren) was locked up. He asked his followers to exert faith “for the doors of deliverance to open” so that the work could continue. The rest of the meeting instruction involved quotes from past leaders describing the terrible destruction that they believed would soon come to pass.

On May 4, 2007, Warren received yet another revelation. In it, he claimed the Lord told him, “I have allowed you, my servant, to be taken by mine enemies that you may be a witness against them” because they are “seeking to destroy my Church and Kingdom from off the face of the earth.” All this was a conspiracy against the FLDS to stop the progress being made in the “redemption of Zion” effort at the YFZ Ranch, and to hinder performing the temple ordinances there.

Warren’s revelation told him that the Lord had forgiven him. Warren had passed the test of torment during these past three months and didn’t deny the Lord. He was promised that he would be delivered “out of the hands of thine enemies in a manner you know not, through your faith.” He was told to stay in his holy calling as prophet. His revelation then turned dark, condemning his people, instructing him to send forth judgments down on the “ungodly” among his people. But then there was good news. Ordinances could again be performed. Warren’s most chosen leaders should hold sacrament meetings with their families with a few others invited. Baptisms could again be performed. Young men could receive the Aaronic Priesthood. However, no ordinances or meetings could be held back at Short Creek.

This revelation was read twice at a special priesthood meeting held at YFZ on May 11, 2007 attended by 24 selected men. All present voted unanimously to accept the revelation. In this way Warren had them accept a revelation that he was their chosen leader, despite his claims to the contrary three months earlier.

Warren wrote a letter to his mother explaining that his two-month behavior was only a test and training from the Lord. He knew that many accusations would come against him because of his experience. He also knew that his Priesthood Records that would be made public would be used to attack the FLDS. He knew the “half-hearted” would fall away, but the faithful would be loyal to him. “My declarations of January and later were declarations of feeling unworthy and an anxiousness to not hold the work of God or individuals back from qualifying for eternal blessings. The Lord has given me a great deliverance in encouraging me to carry on in this mission of the redemption of Zion.”

FLDS History 101 - Warren Jeffs waiting for his trial

In May 2007, Warren Jeffs was again in control over his followers. He stayed very busy as he waited for his trial and still had faith that he would be delivered miraculously from jail before the trial. He spent his hours in prison writing directives and revelations to his family and very dedicated followers.

Warren asked for lists of unmarried girls and women to be sent to him with their ages. He was ready to again start to make marriage assignments. However, it is likely that these marriages couldn’t be performed until he was freed from prison. He asked Naomie to inform on any slackers in his family, including those who “are being too social in the kitchen.”

Warren worked on an appeal document to the Utah Supreme Court asking them to disallow evidence seized by the FBI when he was arrested to be used in his trial. In it, he stated: “I am already guilty in the eyes of the people of the world, and they would ‘crucify’ me if they could.”

Warren’s next hearing was on May 25, 2007 to hear motions to let evidence be made public. Warren ordered that all the people on the lands of refuge and houses of hiding go on a three-day fast starting on May 23. Despite the fasting and prayer, the sealed items were released to the media.

Near end of May, Warren spent his time composing lessons, calling the YFZ Ranch, and issuing orders. He wrote letters to his wives living on the compounds at Mancos, Colorado and Pringle, South Dakota. They revealed a little of what life was like there. He told his family to make sure they stayed separate from the other families of chosen leaders living there. “Do not just carry on in socializing and light-minded talk. Be busy in caring for the house, sewing, gardening, and kitchen and other duties. . . . Keep to yourselves as a family, and do not start to gossip or mingle where you could compromise yourself around men or boys on the land. Keep focused on your Priesthood head (Warren in prison) as though he was right by you.” He told them to send to him letters of confession “concerning troubles in morals and other sins or weaknesses.” “In the garden, work as a family group. . . . Conserve on food. Do not demand expensive things. Do not live on tinctures and health food extremes requiring purchase of expensive supplements. Have what you need.” He tried to say “Howdy” and list all his family living there, but “If I missed any names, send me a letter.” He did really know all members of his huge family -- an obvious challenge when you have more than 60 wives.

Warren worked hard far away in prison to keep his wives in line. His directives frequently included motivations of fear. For example, writing to one of his very young wives, “Work on not talking so much. A woman who cannot keep the Lord’s confidence and the privacy of her husband secret and sacred will never be allowed in the temple. . . . Write a brief daily report to me, that you keep for now, listing the jobs done each day by you. Stay busy! Stay prayerful. Read a good book each day. Be on time to the trainings. You are no longer a little girl.” Sadly, she likely was still a little girl in her teens.

Writing to his wives living at YFZ, he instructed them to do something that seemed mentally cruel, to put in their minds a threat if they didn’t stay in line. “The Lord directs that all of you have your bags packed as you were instructed, along with the children’s, and stored in your closets without the children realizing what you are doing. . . . These packed bags will be a daily reminder to each of you what could happen if we do not do our part in qualifying for the promised blessings, even to be scattered among the Gentiles.” The threat put in their minds is if they didn’t stay totally loyal to Warren, they could be turned out into the wicked world which was about to be destroyed. Only on the lands of refuge could they be protected.

Warren wanted to keep his family away from any news reports about him with the approaching trial. “Our enemies think they have destroyed the 'One Man Rule' and thus the work of God by holding me prison and joining in their secret combinations to bring evidence against me to hold me in prison until they can do with me as they planned. Do not listen to the news reports or reports from apostates or the halfhearted, or government officials to learn what they say about me or what I have done. “

He let his wives know that he had gone through a great test in prison, but the truth behind this is explained in his recent “revelations.” “I verily believed I was unworthy of the key position I hold . . . I called in January, and many of you went through the test you know about; and thus far all of you passed the test of going to the Lord and confirming your testimony of where the keys of Priesthood are.” (Still with Warren). “This was the Lord’s test upon us.” He explained that the FLDS back at Short Creek still don’t know about the new revelations that declares he is still the prophet. The last thing they heard was his declarations that he wasn’t the prophet. Warren just didn’t seem to care that the thousands left at Short Creek even knew he was back in control. They were the “half-hearted” that he frequently condemned.

Warren wanted to do some doctrinal research. He instructed Rachael Nielsen (Warren's sister) to do research and send him quotes about such topics as Plurality of Gods, Baptism for the Dead, Temple ordinances, and eternal judgment. He wanted the research to be done in secret.

Warren was very concerned about a hearing to be held on June 13, 2007 in St. George to hear a motion to not allow the revelations and records seized during his arrest be used during his trial. “All my private doings, marriages, travels, and revelations will be accessible to the prosecution.”
Warren instructed that a special meetings be held during the week of June 10 on the lands of refuge. His counselor Wendell Nielson would travel to Mancos and Pringle to reveal the recent revelation that proclaimed that Warren was still the prophet, that he had only went through a test. There should also be another three-day fast June 11-13 to pray for success in the upcoming court hearing about the records. He didn’t let his people know about these records, he only told them that they should pray for deliverance “from the revelations of Satan that soon will be poured out upon this people by the world.” Interesting that he would refer to his own records as “revelations of Satan.” He appeared to be preparing their minds for the day when those records could be made public and he could deny them as evil lies written by his enemies.

Warren was so worried about the recordings being made public by the courts that he even issued orders for those not on the lands of refuge, who lived in Short Creek and Bountiful, Canada to join in the three-day fast. The purpose for the fast wasn’t revealed, but it would be a test to see who was with the Lord.

He wrote to all his followers, “I have been imprisoned now for these nine months because of the acts and influence of traitors and apostates bringing the world upon us, which has brought a test upon all the Lord’s people. The Lord has had me answer them nothing.” “Answer them nothing” was Warren's mantra in relation to the government. He believed if any of his followers answered charges they would be traitors.

To start things over again, he instructed that everyone on the lands of refuge be baptized again by total immersion in water while wearing white clothing. They were then reconfirmed as members of “the Holy United Order.” This was a renewal of their covenants, “and to give them confidence that the Lord has forgiven them their sins, and to not look back, and to put everyone on equal standing before the Lord as cleaning up their lives and living clean and pure from this time forth.”

On June 6, 2007, Warren wrote a curious message to his counselors, “The Lord has shown me that there is a secret combination organized to take my life. The Lord directs that this be kept quiet, and that we now seek unto the Lord for Him to open the way of deliverance.” He asked them to keep this information secret.

Warren sent an amusing directive to YFZ. He banned cold cereal from the land. “It is usually white flour and sugar. Please have it removed.” Perhaps he had a bad experience with Captain Crunch while in prison.

With all his time in prison, he had plenty of time to write letters to micro-manage the building projects on YFZ. The most important project going was building a “Printing Establishment.” Workers weren’t allowed to eat their lunches on this sacred site, they had to eat them elsewhere. He ordered that a 10-foot high cement wall be built around the entire lot, with a two-foot-high railing on top. The inside needed 7 coats of white paint. The doors should be 9-feet high and thick. An incinerator would be needed to burn papers that could have sacred print on them. This may explain the mysterious furnace that people have wondered about.

Warren fully intended to personally use this printing building once he was freed from prison. “Have a large desk for me and a small desk for a helper, with a 7-foot couch, a recliner, and 12 arm chairs besides the desk chairs.” This appeared to be a setting for his future “heavenly sessions.” His office would be similar to another one already built in the temple annex. He even sent details about how the garbage cans should look and the need for white garbage bags

On July 1, 2007, the judge ruled against the FLDS motions. It was ruled that the Nevada traffic stop of the vehicle carrying Warren was legal and that evidence subsequently discovered by police can be used in his criminal trial. Defense attorneys had challenged the traffic stop, stating that Nevada's laws require license plates to be completely visible only if the plates are for Nevada vehicles. The license plate on the car in which Warren was traveling had a temporary Colorado registration tag that was partly covered by the license bracket.

The traffic officer (Dutchover) revealed some interesting facts about the traffic stop. The trooper noticed the driver's hands were shaking and inside there was a radar detector and global positioning device. Possessing such devices is legal in Nevada, but Dutchover knew from experience they often are used by people transporting illegal drugs. Dutchover became more suspicious when the driver, Isaac Jeffs, said he lived in Hildale, Utah, but the car was registered to a Colorado company and a John Wayment of West Des Moines, Iowa. The trooper also found it unusual that Isaac Jeffs was in front, Warren was seated behind him and in a row behind that sat another passenger, later identified as Naomi e. In addition, Isaac and Warren gave conflicting accounts of where they had been and were going. Dutchover also was suspicious of the fact that Warren would not make eye contact, was quickly eating a salad and his demeanor was so visibly nervous that the trooper said Warren was making him nervous. Warren at first refused to give his name and then denied he was Warren Jeffs, which alone subjects him to arrest in Nevada, the judge stated in an 11-page written ruling.

Warren was also very worried about another hearing to be held on July 18,20, Warren knew there would be a hearing for the judge to decide if his prison phone and video recordings could be made public at the trial. He was especially worried about the January recordings when he confessed his sins and proclaimed that he wasn’t the prophet and didn’t hold priesthood. He has for prayers. Finally he was very worried that Bruce Wisan (UEP fiduciary) would be allowed to look at his private records. “If he gets hold of them, they will trace the Church assets, tithing and consecration use, and all the other activities I was involved with.”

On July 13, 2007, an Arizona Grand Jury indicted Warren with 8 more counts of sex offences. On July 18, the Judge ruled that Warren’s jailhouse recordings would remain sealed (not available to new media) so allow for a fair trial. However, the prosecution still hoped to use the evidence in Warren’s upcoming trial. A week later the Judge ruled that these recordings would not be allowed as evidence for the trial. This was good news to Warren.

The court ordered Warren to provide information that would allow Wendell Musser to have continuing contact with his former wife and child. Warren refused to provide the information as ordered. Warren considered Musser to be an evil apostate and had no desire for him to have contact with the family that Warren had reassigned to another man. On July 27, 2007, Warren was questioned by attorneys about the matter, but Warren took the Fifth Amendment on all of their questions. The attorney commented, “I asked him if he would meet privately with Wendell if he came to the jail to see him, and he wouldn't answer the question. He seemed almost like a lost boy, looking to his lawyer for guidance. It's sad that he has to invoke the Fifth Amendment. I don't think it even applies; this is a civil matter."

Utah court documents show that Warren lost 30 pounds fasting while in jail awaiting trial, and that he was hospitalized for treatment of fasting, dehydration and sleep deprivation.

On Septembere 7, 2007, Jury selection started on Warren's trial.

FLDS History 101 - After the trial

On September 26, 2007, Warren Jeffs was found guilty of being an accomplice to rape. He showed no expression with his hands folded as the verdict was read.

Warren left the courthouse under heavy security. A helicopter ferried him from the Courthouse back to the Purgatory Jail where he remained in isolation. Deputies checked in on him frequently to make sure he was OK.

On November 1, Warren’s January jail recordings were unsealed and the world learned about his confession and that he renounced being a prophet. What people didn’t know yet was that he back-tracked on all this in April. It was all a test.

On November 9, Warren was again again kicking men out of the FLDS and taking their families away, even men at YFZ. “There is a conspiracy on the land R17 (YFZ).” He sent orders that one man had to leave YFZ and go to live in Oregon, “to have no contact whatsoever with his former family, with apostates, with his relatives, or with any Priesthood people.” If that wasn’t enough he sent orders that the man should keep the YFZ mission secret. So, he loses his home, wives, children, career, and friends. Then he is thrust out to Oregon, at state that Warren cursed to be destroyed. And finally he orders the man not to tell anyone about their secrets at YFZ.

Warren still needed to see money flow from the “half-hearted” people in Short Creek who weren’t yet prepared to have a place on a land a refuge. He ordered that his henchman, Big Willie Jessop, go around Short Creek and get people to write the judge involved in the UEP case demanding that their home rights be protected. Notice how Warren was still behind all policy decisions involving the government. If he would not have issued this order, Short Creek residences would have done nothing. But he was careful, he didn’t want to expose any of the Church leaders to have to testify in these cases, that way they could follow “the Lord’s will” in “answering them nothing.”

Warren had received another one of his revelations on October 4. He had Nephi Jeffs travel to Mancos Colorado and Pringle, South Dakota to read the revelation to them.

Warren was still involved in every detail even when to seek medical help. The FLDS needed his permission to send their sick children to the hospital for treatments. Warren was sent a question, “The hospital is pressing for his son to have immunization because of his Leukemia condition. What is your directive on this?” The answer, “Do what is needed.” (November 9, 2007)

On November 20, Warren was sentenced to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison. That evening, he was taken by plane to his new home, the Utah State Prison at the Point of the mountain. The Sheriff said, “We were able to get him changed out of his suit into prison clothes, moved him up to the airport, put him on a fixed-wing aircraft and flew him out.” From Salt Lake airport he was drive to the Utah State Prison. Authorities described his mood as “down.” His communications both by phone and letter would be monitored. His first parole hearing would not be until November, 2010.

On December 4, Warren’s attorneys filed an appeal for a new trial, arguing that “error and improprieties occurred during the trail. They also objected to some of the jury instructions given.
On December 5, a statement was issued by Warren attorney. "Mr. Jeffs has asked that the following statement be released to the media and to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," according to the complete statement. "Mr. Jeffs resigned as President of the Corporation of the President of The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Inc., on November 20, 2007."

It is believed that this resignation was just a legal maneuver to detach Warren from the business arm of the FLDS. Warren’s picture remained prominently hung in FLDS homes. He also continued to issue teachings from prison as if he were the prophet.

On Feburary 22, 2008, Warren was sent to Arizona and booked into Mohave County Jail in Kingman. He was given his own cell and would be in it for 23 hours a day. He would be allowed outside for one hour of exercise and fresh air. He was given access to meet with his attorney and visitors. On February 26th he was brought to court charged with counts of sexual conduct with a minor, incest, and conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor. Warren pleaded not guilty to the charges. He wore a standard orange jumpsuit.

On March 23 Warren was visited in jail by family and friends. He preached to them the usual things, preparing for the redemption of Zion. He didn’t talk about somehow being freed from prison by miracle. Instead, he seemed to be consigned to the fact that he was in there to stay for a very long time. He said he prayed to allow his dead father and other prophets to come among them since he couldn’t. His family replied, “We need you, we cannot go on without you.” He even talked to them about their future opportunity to help the returning Ten Tribes. But he made no mention that he would be there with them. It had the tone of a farewell message. He said that he didn’t want to be a burden.

He mentioned that he had been through a lot but recently has been singing songs that they had been sending him on cards. “I have been praying fervently for deliverance. . . . we will see what the Lord does with me.”

They asked him about his meals. Breakfast: oatmeal or cornflakes with bread. (Oops, he had banned cold cereal from XYZ earlier). That morning he had potatoes and eggs. Lunch is bologna sandwiches. Dinner is either noodles or beans. Once a week he had chicken or hamburgers. He didn't get bottled water but he is given a cup. He weighed 150 pounds, up from 143.

His cell was 7 feet by 12 feet. His bed was soft enough and he used pillows to kneel on when he prayed. His knees were bandaged because of the sores from kneeling so long. He was allowed to walk outside in a yard about 40 feet by 40 feet. The sun shined on part of it. He was allowed to shave every other day. A camera was videoing him all the time in his cell.

Apparently his phone calls and visits were much less frequent than it was the previous year in the Washington County jail. He was only allowed to have soft-bound books and only a few of them.

He told them, “Oh if only I could tell you what I have been through.” He kept talking about his dead father Rulon as if he communicates with him. “I yearn to be among you, to teach and train, as the Lord allows.

Three days later he gave another lesson to family and friends visiting him who he spoke to through a glass barrier. When he said hello, he showed them his mug shot attached to his wrist. During this visit he gave counsel to his children, telling them to behave. To his daughters he asked them to pray for the privilege of being a plural wife someday. He then gave the usual preaching about preparing for the end of the world. “Great blessing await the faithful; thus great tests and trials and great experience is coming upon the people. . . . Pray night and day for deliverance, asking the Lord to open the way that we can be together again in the Lord’s time and way. . . . I love you all and ask the Lord to bless you. Be encouraged. Keep sweeter and sweeter. I say this with a smile. Smile father's (Rulon's) smile. Live in the law of sacrifice."

It is clear that Warren had now delegated things to “presiding brethren” because his communications to them was probably less frequent. He mentioned several times that they should get their instructions from the Presiding Elder.

He was able to read the newspaper at times and was convinced that times would get very tough, “your conveniences may not be around soon." He had wanted to sing a song to them, but the guards had not let him bring a card to the visiting area. A guard came in to take him away. He smiled and winked at his family members.

Just three days later, on March 29, 2008, “Sarah” made the phone call which provoked the YFZ raid on April 3, 2008. The FLDS were paraded before the world as they experienced their greatest “test” in history. They believed their children had been taken into homes of wicked gentiles who would poison their minds with worldly evil. Most likely when Warren heard about this he believed it was the Lord pouring his wrath upon the FLDS for their unworthiness.

FLDS History 101 - The temple

Around December 2003, Warren Jeffs announced to his most trusted followers on the lands of refuge that a temple would be built on the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas. This was the first time the FLDS had made any serious plans to build a temple. The scriptures they believe in and the words of Joseph Smith make it clear that a prime reason for gathering followers together is to build a temple. The FLDS temple would not be a meetinghouse, but it would be a place for sacred and secret rites to be performed, including marriages.

A prime motivating reason to build a temple at this time was their belief that they would soon be asked by the Lord to return to Jackson County, Missouri to build a temple there when Jesus Christ returns for his second coming. They needed to prepare for this by learning how to build a temple. The FLDS claim roots back to the early Mormon era when temples were built in Kirtland, Ohio, Nauvoo, Illinois, and in Utah: St. George, Manti, Logan, and Salt Lake City. It seemed reasonable to assume they would have similarities to those buildings.

Manti Temple

Warren found the YFZ property in 2003. He claimed that the Lord directed him to the spot and told him to purchase the 1,691 acres. They purchased the property claiming it would be used for a hunting retreat. But on March 25,2004, the truth was learned, the FLDS was building a community. Warren had identified the locations for both the temple and the quarry. Just as Brigham Young had done for the Salt Lake Temple, Jeffs had walked around the property and put down a marker to identify where the temple would be built.

In early 2004, the cornerstones were laid for the temple. Warren patterned the procedure and dedication roughly after the procedure used by Joseph Smith for the Nauvoo Temple in 1841. First the southeast corner stone was laid and dedicated, most likely by the First Presidency (Jeffs, Jessop, and Nielson). Next the Southwest corner stone, then the northwest and finally the northeast, probably by the Bishop (Merril Jessop). In Joseph Smith’s day one of the stones was dedicated by the apostles, but because of the FLDS “one man rule” doctrine, there is no need for apostles.

The YFZ property and the temple construction were funded by liquidating some valuable UEP property within ten miles of Short Creek. (Priesthood Record, May 15, 2005)

Before starting to do any work on the temple, Warren instructed that all the structures built by former owner must be removed. They burned the wood deer feeders and removed the ashes from the property. The barn was removed, loaded up and hauled away. They tilled the ground to show no traces of it. Apparently they wanted no traces left from the former unworthy land owners.

As construction began, Warren ignored laws regarding permits and protecting the environment. On May 11, 2004, a representative from the Environmental protection department was turned away at the gate. He was told that this was their land and that he would not be allowed in. They claimed that authorities had shown a “spirit of persecution, looking for any so-called infraction against the rules” to try to stop them. They were willing to communicate with authorities, but were determined to go forward with the building project. (Priesthood Record, May 11, 2004).

Later, because of government pressure, the FLDS did start seeking some permits. But in 2006, the FLDS assessed $34,000 in fines for environmental violations. These were for failing to get permits or approved plans for a sewage system, an injection well, a concrete plant, waste dumping, disposal of used oil and bulk mineral storage. The FLDS are very experienced in doing commercial construction and knew the laws well. In this case, they apparently felt above the law, and just did what Warren pleased.

Warren did not have a complete design in mind in the beginning. He believed he needed to received that from the Lord and he recorded struggles to know details about the temple design. On May 11, 2004 he recorded: “I described how there would be four levels – a full basement where the baptismal font would be, then there would be a first floor, the telestial floor, the second floor, the terrestrial floor, and the top floor a celestial floor; and in the celestial floor would be the rooms for the school of prophets and that even many of them could be allowed to be part of the school of the prophets. I described to them that a school of the prophets is a training for men how to come into the presence of God, and this is what they were earning.” (Priesthood Record, May 11, 2004)

The reference to telestial, terrestrial, and celestial levels have reference to the levels of heaven in FLDS beliefs. Levels in the temple have some consistency with the early Mormon temples, however those temples did not have floors representing each level, so this is a new FLDS departure. Texas Ranger Aaron Grigsby described the interior of the completed YFZ Temple. He said the first level was earth-tone and the second level was white and sky blue with blue furniture. The third level was all white with white carpet and walls.

The idea of having a room for a School of Prophets has parallels to the first Mormon temple in Kirtland, Ohio, which conducted a School of Prophets in that temple in the 1830s. The scriptures that the FLDS use, named Doctrine and Covenants, has sections that give instructions about the Kirtland Temple and of how to conduct the school of prophets. (See D&C section 88).

The importance of this section of scripture to the FLDS even led them to engrave D&C 88:119 on the eventually completed temple. It reads: "Organize Yourselves, Prepare Every Needful Thing, And Establish A House, Even A House of Prayer, A House of Fasting, A House of Faith, A House of Learning, A House of Glory, A House of Order, A House Of God."

During May, 2004, Warren continued to reveal more about the temple design. “The Lord is showing gradually how He wants the temple to be build, the color of the flooring on each floor, the chairs. The celestial room [holiest room on the top level] will have chairs that are separate from each other. As far as I remember it was the telestial room [room on the first floor] the chairs would be connected and fold up and down, almost like benches. They would be like the theater chairs, they fold up and down, like the choir chairs in the meeting house at Short Creek, in the telestial room. The terrestrial room [room on the second floor] has not been revealed except that the furniture, the carpet and chairs should be a light green in the telestial room In the terrestrial room, it should be a light blue, in the celestial room, it should be white.”

"Besides the circular staircase in the design of the building like the Manti temple, where is to be another staircase in the building. From the telestial to terrestrial room, it is to be light blue flooring, or carpet. From the terrestrial to the celestial the staircase is to be a white carpet. So once they step toward the celestial room, it has white flooring.” (Priesthood Record, May 20, 2004) The design implies that participants in the FLDS temple rites would make a progression between these rooms using stair cases.

“On the telestial floor there should be four other rooms besides the large room – two records rooms, one office, and one sitting room, like a praying room.” (Priesthood Record, June, 2004)

The lowest level, basement, would include a baptismal font. The font would be used to perform both baptisms for the living and the dead. The FLDS decided to start doing proxy baptisms for the dead as described in their Doctrine and Covenants. “The baptismal font should rest on three foot cube blocks and the bowel should be made out of cement, six inches at the top and one foot thick down in the bottom middle, which dips down between the blocks. And the platform walking into the font will be five feet off the floor and the ceiling above would be seven and a half feet above that making the ceiling there twelve and a half feet.” (Priesthood Record, June 2004)

This is another departure from the early Mormon temples. All those temples (except Kirtland) had baptismal fonts resting on twelve oxen. This departure is probably because the FLDS just didn’t have the time or skills to do ornate sculptures such as oxen.

Ground was to be broken on May 16, 2004, but it was apparently posponed. By June, the men were still searching for the right rock to build the temple with. They explained to Warren that they had searched the entire property but had not found clear white rock, free from voids, seashell, or marble patterns. Warren was not satisfied and told them to dig deeper, that the Lord had told him that the white rock was there. When they took a look at the southeast cornerstone again, they observed that by being in the sunlight, it had become more brightly white.

In June 2004, Warren started to give specific instructions about the foundation, allowing them to make plans to start construction. “The foundation would be fourteen feet tall, seven blocks of two foot size each." The foundation would be six feet thick. "Since then the Lord showed me there would be a vault build in the basement also. I gave him [Edmund Barlow] the details that the stairs should be between twelve and eight feet wide – twelve feet at the bottom, eight feet wide at the top, a circular stairway, like an arch, not a true circle.”

Apparently the vault was later moved to an annex building, a small building that connects to the temple with a bridge walkway. Warren gave instructions to build the annex in August, 2005.

As utility lines were planned for, Warren instructed that no utilities should be buried in the road base. He explained that the future city of Zion (in Jackson County, Missouri) would have streets paved with gold, so they shouldn't disturb the roads in this city either. One big difference for YFZ: In this city, the roads would be paved with cement, not gold.

Warren believed that the Lord had revealed to him a new secret formula for cement that would be stronger and last far longer than the world’s cement. He ordered that this should be very safe-guarded secret because if the formula was discovered by others, it would “disrupt all the money making in that industry.” In this secret formula there would be no sand used. Warren showed what the secret formula was: “One part pumice, two parts lava powder, and one part cement – that was the grout we did. Then we went further and mixed the gravel.” He placed the worker under an oath and covenant to “keep sacred and secret this mixture and also that we must keep it private for our very life’s sake because . . . the world, in its greed, would come against us and try to take it or stop the development of these better materials.”

Well, the secret cement formula was a failure. Warren then says the Lord told him the missing ingredient was white sand near the gulf of Mexico. But still, he couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working. Finally, in typical Warren fashion, he blamed others. He charged Jim Jessop for betraying the secret formula to three other workers. Finally, as is typical with Warren’s failed revelations, he declared that this was just a test. “I can see that in the cement mixture test, the Lord gave us a formula that was not the true formula, just to see if we would keep confidence, to test us to see if we could be trusted with the right formula. And I don’t know if He has even told us the right ingredients or not, but He tested us, and that confidence has been betrayed. . . . I now see more clearly why the Lord has not revealed the design of the temple because we would betray Him and His secrets.” Warren blamed the entire “Zion’s Camp” at YFZ for being sinful and demanded that they all repent and send him letters of confession. “I have felt the Lord’s displeasure towards the New Zion’s Camp. I pray the Lord to forgive them as far as they can repent and allow this mission to go forward.” (Priesthood Record, July 12, 2004)

It appears from this incident that Warren was copying an event in history from the first Zion’s Camp back in 1834 when Joseph Smith had to call his camp to repentance because of their rebellion and fault-finding. He warned that the camp would suffer a scourge, and they did when cholera broke out. Cholera didn’t break out on Warren’s Zion’s Camp, but some did have to suffer the courge of Warren after he read their letters of confession. Several would have to return to Short Creek.

In July 2004, suitable rock had still not been located. Warren, away in hiding, ordered that a three-day fast be held pleading with the Lord to perform a miracle. On July 25, 2004, back at YFZ, Warren was still struggling with the temple design and finding the temple rock. He took a four-wheeler and drove to each corner of the YFZ propery. At each corner he knelt down, and offered a rededication prayer, “rededicating this land as a sacred place for the Lord to dwell and a temple to be built.” He visited Allen Steed at the temple site quarry who showed him cores drilled from 50 feet below ground. The rock was all broken up and not solid. He felt that the stone had to be found by August 1st. On July 26, Warren believed the Lord told him where the quarry should be on the west side of the property. He gathered the leaders to dedicate the spot with a circle prayer. Hard rock was found at that location.

Twelve men were named to be called on a special mission as temple builders at the end of July. Edmund Allred was named the temple architect. At the beginning of September, Warren called additional temple builders, some who were young men as young as 13-years old who were expected to put in many hours of labor each week. They started work pouring footings, hauling rock, working in the sawmill, and putting water and power lines in. October 1, was the goal to start laying the stone.

The young temple builders were given grave warnings about their work: “Before you receive
this setting apart on a mission, you must understand the importance of this work that to be allowed to participate to build the temple you must keep sacred things secret, even to where you don't inquire all the details unless you need to know. The penalty of breaking this covenant is the loss of Priesthood and of your eternal blessings. To even know where the rooms are, the size of the rooms, and what goes into a temple, the furniture, the placement of the decorations, the colors and so on, to even name that where you are not appointed, you could be a traitor unto God and lose your place.” (Priesthood Record, September 8, 2004).

Warren explained somewhat about other ordinances the temple builders would need to one day have a higher calling as a temple worker. 1. Having the love of God sealed in your mind and heart. 2. Become acquainted with the all consuming fire from heaven in oneness with the Keyholder (Warren). 3. Holy anointings. “That prepares you to go into the temple and be a temple worker. So to be a temple worker where you can go inside the temple and administer the temple ordinances is another calling that you must earn.” (Priesthood Record, September 8, 2004).

Warren gave strong warning about never allowing wicked people (unbelievers) on the temple site which explains why the men formed a human chain in front of the temple when government officials came to enter it. "If any wicked person goes on the temple site . . . he will reject us and he will destroy this place. He will not come into unclean temples, so it will be your responsibility to defend that which is sacred." (Priesthood Record, September 8, 2004).

Warren taught that contrary to what the Mormons do, they would not open their temple to the public to come and look at it before it was dedicated. It must be kept sacred and secret. No one must know how it was constructed, the position of rooms, furniture, decorations, colors used, etc.

On January 1, 2005, author Jon Karkauer flew over the temple site and observed what looked like a dedication meeting. The foundation was complete, ready for the building walls to be raised. As the plane flew over, the crowd quickly huddled together around the speaker as if to protect him. Close up photographs show a man that looked like the fugitive, Warren Jeffs.

On January 10, Warren was traveling in Southern California. He called in to check on the progress with temple architect, Edmond Barrlow. "'Surely the foundation is finished now?' He said, 'No.' The equipment broke down. At least 300 yards was not poured and they now have a cold joint in the cement foundation. . . . They were just starting the pouring again." Warren blamed the delay on unfaithfulness, lack of unity. "Zion's Camp fell short again." I called up Wendell Nielsen, his counselor there, to crack the whip.

It is believed that Warren originally hoped to have the temple complete by April, 2005, but construction and adjustments were still being made after that. The inside of the temple was complete on August 13, 2005. Warren reviewed every detail about the temple planning, even looking at carpet samples and approved chair designs. Warren hadn’t liked the drapes uses, so they were replaced. “The new white drapes replacing the old ones, the new ones have a more majestic, beautiful look. I told him that the old drapes should not be used elsewhere. They should be burned. I told him where to put the extra arm chairs that were blue in the second floor hallway, scattered about neatly for people to sit and wait for their training sessions. (Priesthood Record, August 13, 2005)

Another building, the meeting house, a white building across from the temple also started contruction in May 2004. It would include an “an upstairs ordinance area” (44X35), a meeting room (44x80), with a little “sound room” probably used to record meetings and lessons. Building the meeting house was a test to see if they would be worthy to be called as temple builders. Once completed, the ordinance room in the meeting house was used to perform some temple ordinances before the temple was complete.

FLDS Beliefs 101 - Is Warren Jeffs the "marred servant?"

It appears that Warren Jeffs believes he is the “marred servant” referred to by the ancient Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. During his years in hiding, Warren gave secret training to select wives to assist him in “heavenly sessions” during the night. During these sessions he would experience intense suffering and received supposed dreams and revelations. What is this all about? What explanations are possible for this experience or behavior?

The prophet Isaiah prophesied that in the last days when Zion would return and Israel would be redeemed that a marred servant would come forward. “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” (Isaiah 52:14) The Book of Mormon explains some more about this servant: “But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.” (3 Nephi 21:10).

Most Christian scholars believe the marred servant is Jesus Christ. Mormon scholars believe there is a dual meaning, referring first to Jesus Christ, but with the Book of Mormon passages included, there is also a symbolic reference to Mormon founder Joseph Smith who was martyred in 1844. However, this subject is debated, and the servant could yet be another person. Some believe it could be John the Revelator returning, who was marred toward the end of his mortal life. Warren Jeffs appears to believe that he is this servant, but he was careful to keep this teaching secret.

During Warren’s travels around the country, while in hiding, at night he would experience “heavenly sessions.” He explained that sometimes he was conscience during these sessions, other times unconscious. During these sessions he would feel the “all consuming fire from heaven.” He would at times experience severe trembling and suffering. Sometimes he would come out of it paralyzed for awhile. At times he would vocally say things during these sessions that would be recorded by one of his wives who was trained. Other times he would remember intense dreams that he believed were from the Lord.

Evidently he needed to have someone assist him during these sessions. He was very careful to only allow a most trusted wife, full of faith and loyalty to him, assist him. This assistance involved "the ordinance of comfort and renewal." Usually it was his young wife Naomi, but Ida also was trained.

He recorded, “I went into session, conscious at times and unconscious at times, with Ida sitting against the wall watching. She was so determined to do this right, she was writing down the times certain things happened, and I would have her report to me every hour or two, and I marveled what the Lord was allowing her to see. The physical twisting and turning and suffering was more than she had seen before and brought her to tears many times, yet in her reports she rejoiced in the Lord and prayed for me to be strengthened and knew I was in the Lord’s hands.” (Priesthood Record, July 2004)

Warren gave some more clues as to what he believed these sessions were when he trained Ida to assist. “I took her into immediate training. I read her about the marred servant out of the Book of 3rd Nephi chapters 20 and 21. I read to her from four revelations, some of them the private revelations about my suffering and blood atonement. I explained with a lot of detail what I went through and how Naomie had learned to conduct herself. . . . I then had her lean toward me and I laid my hands on her head and set her apart on the mission to be a witness and helpmate and strength during the heavenly sessions and in every way and also to be able to endure the presence of God through her faith, calling on her to be more fervent.” (Priesthood Record, July, 2004) It seems clear that Warren believed he received private revelations from the Lord revealing that he would be the marred servant. He therefore believed that he would be go through intense suffering and would be physically marred by his enemies, but he would be healed.

But Warren took this even further. During these heavenly sessions, he believed he was atoning for sins of his followers, similar to the way Jesus atoned for the sins of mankind. He actually believed that if he went through suffering during these “heavenly sessions” that he could make an atonement, allowing his followers to be forgiven for particular short-comings. He referred to this as the "marred servant principle of atoning for the people."

“I retired, and Ida lay to the side of the bed, very determined to do this mission right. And I went through the heavenly sessions through Saturday night into Sunday morning, and in Ida’s reports she said she witnessed greater suffering physically than she had ever witnessed in her life. She has been with me through some heavenly sessions, but they have generally been mild or after the severity is complete. I can see at times, though our experience with her Sunday, that she was in tears watching me go through what I was going through.” (Priesthood Record)

Eventually, Warren told his counselors, Fred Jessop and Wendell Nielson about these sessions and invited them to witness and feel the “all consuming fire from heaven.” “[The Lord] is taking me through a change through these heavenly sessions. . . . The most severe physical shaking I have experienced in a conscious state was Tuesday afternoon when the First Presidency came into my bedroom. Just before they entered the room, I went through the most severe suffering and shaking, asking the Lord to not hold back, but to give these brethren a witness as they desired, that I was in the Lord’s hands.” (Priesthood Record)

Once, Ida fell asleep during the session which angered Warren. “And all through that early Monday morning through the night, Ida just slept. I would go through, I could awake from a heavenly session, with that severity upon me, to wake her up to pray more fervently for me, but she did not do it. And by 5:00 a.m. in the morning I saw it was enough. Even she had failed me and offended the heavenly powers.” Notice the parallel between this experience and the experience of Jesus Christ in the garden when experienced great agony. His disciples also fell asleep when they should have been on watch (see Luke 22). It makes you wonder if Warren believed he was having similar experiences as Jesus Christ. Perhaps to be the marred servant, he needed to have these similar experiences.

Coming out of this session was intense. “When I came conscious I was nearly completely paralyzed, unable to move, and I cried unto the Lord to deliver me and strengthen me and then He took me through the most severe shaking until I was thrown out of the chair onto the floor, and stood up and I was able to move around. He answered my prayers immediately.”
Apparently these sessions at times involved some sort of physical touching by those assisting. Warren describes going into these sessions, having wives rub his feet, hands, head and back, sometimes four at once. In his writings he never implied anything of a sexual nature was part of these sessions.

“The Lord allowed Millie and Ida to come and feel the all-consuming fire of heaven again at the end of the heavenly session as I had them touch my hands and head. I was in an atoning session. And they went through a training and felt the difference of the spirits of the world, compared to the heavenly powers.”

Naomie once left a recorded testimony of one of Warren's heavenly sessions. "The Lord took you into session last night at 12:30. Your boddy started to tremble. I could feel it coming on you for about an hour before that. . . . You body tembled and jolted and jerked. You turned on your right side in your chair. You were in that position for most of the night until about 4:00 this morning." Naomie recorded detailed sleep-talking. For example: "At 4:00 you said, 'Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir . . . The Lord wants them to make sure the footings on the temple are exact before they are poured that they can make sure that their wall are straight.'" Warren also mentioned during this session who should called on temple missions and who should move into different houses. (Priesthood Record, September 8, 2004)

When he trained another wife for these sessions, he would always ask them if they felt the “all-consuming fire of heaven.” If they waivered in their answer, he concluded they lacked faith and were not ready for the training.

With the notes taken down by and his memories of dreams, he would react and make decisions. Frequently they involved decisions to “handle” men who he believed were unfaithful and needed to be removed from their family. Other times he had violent dreams. Evil people in his dreams were usually of the black race, and they were trying to kill him. He also had vivid dreams of people like the Barlows who he believed were traitors seeking his downfall. His dreams were always about wickedness and destruction in the last days. One has to wonder why his dreams seemed to never be centered around love, kindness, and forgiveness. Warren apparently believed the time was past for that. Even doubters who were half-hearted could no longer be tolerated. The time was short. The end was soon.

What can explain these sessions? Several alternatives seem to be possible:
1. They were indeed heavenly sessions from God.
2. They were sessions when he was possessed by evil spirits.
3. They were faked.
4. They were self-induced, perhaps related to a physical ailment.

After reading through many of these sessions, I’ve concluded the answer is likely #4. I appears that Warren sincerely believed that he was going through a heavenly experience. What can explain the trembling, twisting, paralysis, in a conscious or unconscious state?

Self-induced seizures seem to be the answer. This condition is experienced by many people. “Self-induction is a mode of seizure precipitation employed by entirely normal or mentally impaired patients to produce seizures for themselves.” It involves jerking and twisting. “The objective of self-induced seizures is relief of tension and anxiety, and escape from a disturbing situation.” The attacks may be pleasurable.

People who are able to do this, usually bring on this condition through visual stimulation of lights, blinking eyes, flickering, etc. However, others are able to trigger these seizures through somatosensory stimuli (touching). “Typically this it triggered by tapping, rubbing, or prickling part of the body. A localized or regional hypersensitive trigger zone can often be defined.” This could explain why Warren needed assistance and often mentioned rubbing. “Consciousness is preserved at least on the onset.” Self-induced seizures can also be triggered by thinking, usually “by a task requiring a spoken answer to an orally presented arithmetic or spatial problem.”

Does Warren have a physical condition causing this? Consider his aversion toward the color red. (He banned the color red from Short Creek, explaining it was the color of Satan). For those who experience photosensitive epilepsy, “the color red is particularly dangerous due to its longer wavelength that stimulates cones in the retina.” Red flickering is far more likely to cause seizures than other colors.

Also interesting to consider are common characteristics for those with an aversion to red: “A person who has an aversion to red may be over-active, too impulsive, hot-tempered, aggressive and egocentric, or have difficulties with people with such characteristics. It can also symbolize deeply hidden fears and rejection of his own assertiveness.” For those who know Warren, this seems to fit his personality.

Is Warren the “marred servant?” It seems certain that he believes he is. To make this a reality he has had to self-inflict suffering, but also no doubt believes the suffering he is experiencing in prison is all part of this mission.

“The Lord showed me that I would be that sacrifice of blood atonement to earn the glorious appearing of the Lord to the nations of the earth, and that I will be caught up in the cloud when He descends to earth in glory with the faithful saints of all generations.” (Warren Jeffs journal in prison, January 19, 2007)

“[The Lord] showed me that I would be taken and scourged and tortured by the officials of the government, and that I would be unsexed and be beaten and starved to stand as a witness against this generation of their wickedness and abominations; and that I would be taken by my enemies and made to watch my own family ravished and killed before my eyes. They would then put me in prison and hold me there to die. The Lord showed me that I would be healed and renewed by His miraculous power.” (Warren Jeffs journal in prison, January 20, 2007).

One final theory. The bed found in the temple could have been used by Warren for these heavenly sessions, attended by kneeling wives.

FLDS History 101 - Warren Jeffs in hiding

On August 20, 2003, Warren Jeffs withdrew from the public eye, even from his own people, after he condemned his followers in Short Creek for their sins. No more public church meetings were authorized to be held and no baptisms would be performed for two years. Warren taught that because of their unfaithfulness, the Lord had withdrawn him from the people. “If I had stayed, many of them would have been judged and found unworthy, so instead the Lord withdrew me to give them a little more time to repent.”

For the next year, Warren would spend most of his time at the “lands of refuge” code named by R1 (Mancos, Colorado) and R17 (YFZ, Eldorado, Texas). (See article on the lands of refuge). He would keep in close contact with his most loyal followers and oversee the massive building efforts in YFZ.

At first, his main reason for taking precautions to hide was due to a fear of being killed by those who he had “handled.” He had kicked out of the church over 100 men, and taken away their homes and families. He feared the Barlows the most, who he was convinced were conspiring against him. He also believed that government officials were trying to gather evidence against him.

On July 30, 2004, Warren received word that his nephew, Brent Jeffs was including him in a lawsuit involving sexual abuse. Warren decided that it was time to go into deeper hiding. He recorded, “I can see more clearly why John Taylor went into hiding as the government and the courts would demand he betray the Lord’s trust and also to take his life as they did Joseph Smith, as the world did against Joseph Smith, and the Lord has shown me this, that my enemies don’t just want me to be taken prisoner, but they want me dead. But the Lord has directed that I go into deeper hiding, and continue to gather the faithful, develop the lands of refuge and keep the redemption of Zion mission progressing. I have been instructed of the Lord to have my scribe and helpmate Naomie, get better disguise clothes. And we are working on whatever the Lord directs.” (Priesthood Record, July 30, 2004)

On August 28, 2006, Warren’s hiding came to an end when his car was pulled over on I-15 in Clark County, Nevada. Naomie, (his father’s young wife who Warren married at his death) was still with him to the end, after traveling tens of thousands of miles with him.

Where was he during those years of hiding and what did he do? How did he avoid being detected? Who helped him?

Warren started to spend more time on the move in cars. During his three years in hiding, he visited every one of the lower 48 states of the union. To blend in better, he traveled in disguise. This involved wearing “gentile” clothes, short sleeves and even shorts at times.

In 2004, Warren showed his disguise to his counselors in the First Presidency. “They wanted to see me in my costume, or rather my disguise, that I dress in different clothes as I travel among the gentiles. It weighs upon me to make sure I am not partaking of the spirit of the world, but the Lord has directed that I be careful. They were pleasantly impressed as they saw that I didn’t look like I normally do. But our bodies are covered, we just wear a hat and dress in clothes that don’t draw attention to us.” (Priesthood Record)

In May, 2004, Naomie wore disguise clothes for the first time. “The Lord’s Spirit keeps pressing me to make sure that she and I are disguised when we are among the gentiles. Among our people she wears a dress over those gentile clothes until she gets in the car. I just depend on the Lord to blind the eyes of everyone to not recognize us, and we have been doing some effort of shopping for clothes that will keep us covered. The Lord has warned me to do my part in being careful, as there are people seeking to kill me.” (Priesthood Record, May 4, 2004)

Warren and Naomie would also often visited tanning solons to further help their disguise. “The Lord directed that I go to the sun tanning salon and get sun tanned more evenly on their suntanning beds that have the lights so Naomie and I went and did that in the afternoon.” At times Warren would also have Naomie dye her hair.

Naomie’s devotion to Warren and tireless service was impressive. She was scribe for him on his long dictations and recordings. At night, she would watch by his side as he went into “heavenly sessions” that involved some sort of seizers, trembling and suffering. She had to sit by him for hours praying for him during these sessions. But in July 2004, when she was worried about her mother, Ruth Jessop, who had wanted to leave her marriage with Merril Jessop, Warren became angry with Naomie. He released her from her duties as scribe and sent her back to Short Creek. “’Naomie, you are guilty of having bad feelings, and you have sinned against knowledge.’ She weeping said, ‘I know.’ She acknowledged she let her feelings concerning her mother turn her from the Lord. After sending her away, Warren tried using other wives to assist him, but he missed Naomie terribly and pled with the Lord to let him atone for her. Finally after only a few days, Naomie was allowed to return.

Naomie would carefully manage the recordings and records. Many of these montotone recordings would be sent back to YFZ for instruction and to be safeguarded. “We have sent one of the disk drives holding the sacred record with Patricia back to R17 (YFZ) to be put in the temple. It holds the computer files of my testimony and dictation and Naomie’s testimony up to that point. I carry on my person two other small disk drives containing the sacred record, and thus we put it into our luggage when it is guarded. We keep the computer and record, and disk drives and the books with any revelations printed in it always under guard.” (Priesthood Record)

During his travels during 2004, in disguise he visited sites related to Mormon Church history, including Nauvoo, Illinois, Palmyra and Fayette, New York, and Sharon, Vermont. At each of these places, he felt a closeness to Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, but he mocked the Mormon Church’s efforts to “commercialize” their religion in seek converts. “I walked through the Sacred Grove with Naomie. We sat on the bench deep in that forest area, away from everyone, and I offered a dedication prayer with my arm to the square and in the authority of the Priesthood. . . . I offered a dedication prayer, being in the place where the Godhead met in the spring of 1820 and yearned for the blessings of God to roll forth now.” (Priesthood Record, June 12, 2004)

The building of the YFZ and its temple took a lot of Warren’s personal attention. “My mind was awakened to the reality that I was on that land of refuge almost constantly from October 12, 2004 to June 12, 2005, only taking a few short trips away. And most of the time I was at R17 (YFZ), the Lord withheld me from the family and the people.” (Priesthood Record, July 28, 2005)

In July, 2005, Warren felt the need to get false identification. “I had sent Ben Johnson with $51,000 to go and get the false identification two weeks ago. “ (Priesthood Record, July 28, 2005) On another occasion, “I told these brethren what their mission was, and handed to John Wayman disks that contained digital pictures of Isaac, myself, and Naomie, and sent John Wayman on the mission to get our false identification. I am yearning unto the Lord to protect him and us in that mission. I told him that I would be traveling to foreign lands, and perhaps he would even be traveling to foreign lands to help us.”

Warren’s long miles traveling by car also involved a mission. “[The Lord] is now sending me on the mission to bind up the law and seal up the testimony against this wicked nation.” Beginning in early 2003 and ending in mid 2005, Warren visited the 48 continental states, stopping at most of the state capitals. He would perform the ordinance of dusting off the feet, declare that “none doeth good here,” raise his arm to the square and leave a curse on the people of the state. “I performed the ordinance, arm to the square with Naomie sitting beside me holding the recorder. I delivered the state of New Hampshire over to the judgments of God and asked the Lord to remove the Spirit of protection from that state, and that the state and people would not be a stronghold against Zion. Always in these ordinances I kick the dust of my feet against them as a witness and testimony on earth, binding the law, sealing up the testimony against this wicked generation.” (Priesthood Record, August 2, 2005)

“As of now, the Lord has had me go to every state of the United States on the main land; forty eight states, in kicking the dust of my feet off as a witness against them, and also through prayer, arms to the square. . . . This work has been done, binding up the law and sealing up the testimony against this nation.” (Priesthood Record, August, 2005)

Later in prison, Warren received a "revelation" on January 18, 2007. Verse 9-12 relate to this mission he accomplished. "I have sent him throughout the nation where the Zion of our God shall be built; and I have caused that he perform the work, in my name and by my power, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony against you; and to witness continually before the heavens against all your corruptions and abobmination. . . . And he has, by my word and authority delivered the nation of the United States of America over to the judgements of Almighty God."

Warren seemed to never tire in riding in the cars for hour after hour. He spent much of his time reading letters from his followers. Once he had all his loyal followers gathered at the places of refuge send him letters of confession. He would spend hours pouring over those letters. His replies would be by phone. When in cell phone coverage, he would spend hours on the phone with leaders and family members. After reading letters he would make phone calls to instruct leaders which men needed to be “handled” and removed from their families. At times he believed he could avoid having his calls traced by having them be transferred by another person. For example, when he wanted to call YFZ, once he had a man travel 40 miles away to receive his call and then transfer it to YFZ.

With the long hours on the road, Warren would even avoid bathroom breaks. “The Lord strengthened me to not have to get out to a restroom or for any other reason, removed the need. Just didn’t have the need to get out of the car. Every time we stopped for Naomie to get out, I was shown I should not get out of the car at the rest stops, and the Lord kept His word that He showed me that He would open the way that we could pass through our enemies and not be seen.” (Priesthood Record, August 27, 2005)

From June 12 – August 27, 2005, they traveled 26,800 miles by car. As Warren spent months on the road he would observe the wickedness of the world both in person and on television. “I obeyed the Lord’s directive and went out in the sunshine for one and a half hours. I witnessed some things on the television what the world delights in, and it was a marvel, shocking – open promotion of prostitution, sowing full nudity and corruption on the television.”

Night after night, Warren would watch violent and sexually provocative movies (R and likely X-rated) with his wives in motel rooms. He claimed that the Lord directed him to do this to see the wicked state of the world. While in New Orleans he went slowly down Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter to observe wickedness and then watched dirty movies on television that night with his wives until 2 a.m.

At one point, Naomie became visibly upset. “She acknowledged that this morning, as she witnessed some things this week, she wanted to just get away from it. I gave her a training. I reviewed the training with the ladies that we must be at perfect peace and keep Zion growing no matter what we witness, and the Lord has a purpose in us witnessing this wicked world, that we will be at peace while He sweeps the wicked off the land through the whirlwind judgment, and also that we will be at peace as Priesthood people are persecuted, driven, and some killed.” (Priesthood Record)

Warren recorded disturbing and callus reactions after viewing news reports about Hurricane Katrina. As the massive hurricane approached New Orleans, Warren recorded, “New Orleans was that wicked city where the Lord sent me three times to witness that place. And each time, by ordinance and prayer, delivered that city over to the judgment of God. . . . I yearned that the Lord would sweep that place clean.” As Warren watched news reports of the destruction and many deaths, he reacted, “The Lord performed a work here. I thank Him for answering prayers and fulfilling His purposes. . . . It is a marvelous experience to witness, and yet it is very small compared to what is about to happen. . . . I ask the Lord to particularly destroy the French Quarter of New Orleans. . . . Praise God from whom all blessing flow.” On that day, Warren was in St. Louis and bought a TV with a DVD player and watched with his wives “immoral videos” late into the night as part of their training. (Priesthood Record, August 30, 2005)

Warren was convinced that his efforts caused this Katrina’s destruction. “[The Lord] specifically had me deliver that city again over to the judgments of God. About the time I left was when this hurricane began to form in the Atlantic Ocean. The Lord sent me on other errands.”

When Warren visited YFZ, he gave instructions to increase the security. Guards had to stay alert, awake and active. More guards were placed around his house and around the perimeter of the property. He would tour the property and identify spots for additional houses to be built. The Lord had told him to build 25 homes. On his visits he would really crack the whip and push the workers to put in longer hours and work harder. He put a stop to those who were wasting money by buying “four hundred dollar boots and bottles of fifty dollar cologne.” (Priesthood Record, September 7, 2005) On these visits Warren would also conduct plural marriage ceremonies.

Warren was in frequent contact with his families who were in places of hiding and refuge. He would call them so he could instruct them by his voice and at other times he would send messages. “I told him to call the men that are watching over the family in the scattered houses in hiding (in Nevada and Colorado) . . . and tell them to read from the book Priesthood Articles and read the article called ‘Prepare for the Day of Visitation.’” (Priesthood Record, August 22, 2005). Warren would also call in frequently to Sunday School meetings at YFZ. Through his letters he obtained information at times that would lead him to believe that some women at YFZ were on the verge of committing adultery. He would then order special lessons to be given to warn his followers that they would be destroyed if they gave into temptation.

On one particular occasion, he received word that a wife had been wavering. He ordered an unusual punishment for this naïve and sheltered young woman. “I told him to take her and she was to walk down the Las Vegas strip where all the casionos are. I named the places she should walk, and that he would drop her off and then pick her up at the other end of the street. I estimate it was a two-mile walk, and that would be Saturday night. I told him that she had to dress as a gentile and she will experience what it is like to be away from the Priesthood. . . . She was a spoiled, protected girl that was not grateful unto the Lord. . . . I called her three times as she walked down among the wicked.” Next he had her locked up in a room at Mandalay Bay. “I told her to watch and go through the channels and look at what the world glories in, in their entertainments and ways and news.” She had to do this for about two hours and then stay in the room alone until morning.

Somehow Warren got in his mind that he needed to learn how to ride motorcycles. “I thank the Lord for this next mission as He is having us travel west and be trained in how to ride the motorcycles. This is a preparation for a future experience.” (Priesthood Record) He took lessons and enjoyed riding in Wyoming.

Warren would receive reports that the authorities were searching for him and that he had been placed on the FBI most-wanted list. It amused him when he heard reports that he had been spotted in Salt Lake City airport or in Florida. That gave him an idea. He ordered Willie Jessop to “travel to Florida and Georgia and put on a diversion for me, for the government would watch him. He would actually look for certain lands, but not buy them. Just part of the diversion so I can go into Short Creek.” (Priesthood Record, August 22, 2005)

Warren made a rare visit to Short creek in August 2005 to perform plural marriages. He did it under strict secrecy and was only there for three hours. He believed that the Lord blinded the eyes of those looking for him.

He knew that authorities were trying to gather information about underage marriages. “I told him about these men that were being brought into trial for marrying so-called underage girls. The ones that were arrested I said, ‘The general council is answer the courts nothing. Do not testify in your own trial. If you testify, you could be found a traitor against God and Priesthood.’” (Priesthood Record, August 25, 2005)

On October 28, 2005, Warren’s brother Seth, was arrested in southern Colorado after a traffic stop. It became obvious that Seth had been harboring a fugitive, Warren. Seth had $142,000 in cash and $7,000 worth of prepaid debit cards. Worst of all, he had many of Warren’s personal records. Seth was probably on a trip from Colorado Springs to YFZ. On a previous occasion, two months earlier, Warren met Seth at the home in Castle Rock, Colorado, to send Seth as a courier to YFZ. “I had Seth take a package of moneys with him. I put on record that he took $130,000 with him. I told him to put $10,000 in the safe at his house for future directives. I told him to take $5,000 out of his safe to give to Jonathan Allred in Albuquerque as he passed through. He took $120,000 to R17 (YFZ).”

Hundreds of thousands of dollars were continually collected from the people in Short Creek and their businesses to fund Warren’s travels, support his families in hiding, and fund the various projects on the lands of refuge. In Warren’s record he never expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made for this money. To him, it was the Lord’s money and Warren could use it however he wished. A budget report for a period showed 1.2 million dollars collected from Short Creek. $700,000 went to YFZ, $40,000 went to R23 in South Dakota, $15,000 went to R1 in Colorado, and $150,000 went to scattered houses of hiding in Nevada and Colorado.

Warren’s days of freedom on the run came to an end one night on I-15 in Nevada, on August 28, 2006. He had been on the FBI’s top 10 Most Wanted List since May. A trooper pulled over his red Cadillac Escalade that had been bought in Colorado. Among the items in the car were: 27 stacks of money, each containing $2,500, two wigs, 14 cell phones, three Ipods, and a picture of Warren with his father Rulon. But the item that Warren worried about most was his Priesthood Record for 2004-2006. He prayed and hoped that these records would not be made public, especially seen by his faithful followers without being prepared. About a quarter of it has been made public.

Warren and Naomie in disguise at the time of his arrest.