The compound is run by the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints",
Near San Angelo, Texas, authorities continue to investigate a polygamist compound and allegations of child sexual abuse. On April 3rd, police carrying automatic weapons, backed by an armored personnel carrier entered the Yearning for Zion ranch and seized more than 400 children.
The compound is run by the "Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", but many so-called main stream Mormons say they should not be confused with their church.
The "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" got its start in Palmyra, New York in Wayne County. The church runs a sprawling tourist attraction there with many exhibits explaining how mormonism began in 1820. Believers say their first prophet, Joseph Smith received a divine revelation at his family's homestead in Palmyra and tranlated the book of Mormon.
"We use the King James version of the Bible and we use the Book of Mormons as well, both as scriptures that testify to Jesus Christ," according to Church Elder Neil Pitts.
To escape religious persecution, the church eventually settled in Salt Lake City, Utah where it both flourished and underwent its own internal transformation. Pitts says the church rejected polygamy, causing "fundamentalists" to split off.
"Polygamy ended in the late 1800's. The fundamentalist group really is an off-shoot that in 1930 I think left the church. Many churches have splinter groups," says Pitts.
Today Pitts says the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 13 million members worldwide who look to Palmyra for their religious roots.
For more information on this religion, click on the link below.
