Former members of the polygamous Mormon sect led by Warren Jeffs have alleged that he continues to lead the sect from behind bars.
Husband and wife team Sam and Melissa recently appeared on an episode of the Cults To Consciousness podcast to discuss the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints Church (FLDS).
Jeffs, who grew up outside Salt Lake City, Utah, was sentenced to life in prison in 2011 after being convicted of sexually assaulting two children, ages 12 and 15.
However, the duo claim that he continues to share his “dangerous revelations” with his followers behind bars.
Husband and wife team Sam and Melissa recently appeared on an episode of the Cults To Consciousness podcast to discuss the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints Church (FLDS).
Jeffs, who grew up outside Salt Lake City, Utah, was sentenced to life in prison in 2011 after being convicted of sexually assaulting two children, ages 12 and 15
Sam and Melissa sat down to discuss the current situation within the FLDS with hosts Shelise Ann Sola and Jonathan Rosales.
Jeffs' father Rulon became the spiritual leader of the religious sect in 1986 and was considered a prophet of God.
But his son positioned himself as his successor before officially taking over as prophet after his father's death in 2002.
He implemented strict controls and initiated deplorable abuses before being sentenced to life in prison in 2011 after being convicted of sexually molesting two children.
However, the cult is believed to still have around 4,000 followers – half of whom are “very loyal and devoted” – who believe the allegations against Jeffs were “fabricated”.
“If he dies there, he will be a martyr and it will be another faith boost for the FLDS people,” Melissa explained.
Sources say Jeffs is still able to communicate with the group from behind bars – he usually invites scribblers to visit, who then “write down everything he says.”
“He tries to speak in a way that sounds like it's coming from a celestial being rather than a human, and so he likes to use words and say things in ways that we mortals won't really understand,” Sam explained.
Sam and Melissa sat down to discuss the current situation within the FLDS with hosts Shelise Ann Sola (left) and Jonathan Rosales (right).
The couple argued that there are still people “waiting and believing” that Jeffs, who had an estimated 79 wives (pictured), will be released
Among the “dangerous” messages she says Jeffs spread are those about the cult's “celestial sessions,” which involved sexual relations with underage girls in a temple under the guise of spirituality.
Sam said: “Although many of his followers knew it – and, unfortunately, they were even part of these events – he had convinced them that it was not what he wanted.”
'[Jeffs said] He didn't want to take part in these “heavenly meetings” and he didn't want to exploit these women in this way, that's what God asked of him.
'[He claimed] “He would suffer for the sins of the world and be in pain during these sessions and all that – that was the message that was given to these people to convince them that this was all OK.”
Melissa added: “As soon as he is released from prison, the 'heavenly sessions' are to begin again.” He announces that they will begin again.'
Sam admitted: “A lot of these revelations and things that we hear and are told to us from various sources are passed on to the authorities.”
“The authorities know everything we know at this point.”
The couple revealed that Jeffs is currently in solitary confinement, but he could soon be released into the prison's general population
The couple revealed that Jeffs is currently in solitary confinement, but he could soon be released into the prison's general population.
“They're going to put him in the gen pop and don't expect him to last a year because pedophiles don't stay in prison long,” Melissa shared.
However, the couple argued that there are still people “waiting and believing” that Jeffs, who had an estimated 79 wives, will be released.
Digging deeper into other revelations Jeffs made from prison, Melissa began, “There's a lot of craziness in these revelations.”
“One of the things that has come up in revelations recently is the suggestion that everyone has to die to be translated,” meaning going from Earth to Heaven, which Sam agreed was Jeff's suggestion of mass suicide.
As a result of the charges, Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence plus 20 years
He continued: “When he says everyone has to die, I really hope it's not what it sounds like, but that it's this spiritual thing where maybe they go in and there's this ritual and then it's going to be like that.” He claims: “Okay, now you have died and now you are this resurrected person…”
“I hope so, but it sure sounds scary.”
“It's scary and I have loved ones and family members that still follow him and believe in him with all their hearts and the thought that they could just be gone because he said to do something is just terrifying,” Sam added.
Melissa said the couple had a friend who had left the FLDS church – but their three daughters were still members.
“She was like, 'I hope the next time I see my daughters I don't identify their bodies,'” she shared.
“It is heartbreaking to see a mother not knowing whether her children are safe or not…”
“I just can't imagine being in this situation. It’s so heartbreaking and heartbreaking to see.”