Although the LDS Church no longer advocates the practice of polygamy (one man married to two or more women) in this lifetime, the arrangement still takes place with many polygamist groups scattered throughout North America. Perhaps no group is better known than the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), which is based in the southern Utah/northern Arizona cities of Colorado City and Hildale. Leader Warren Jeffs has been in federal prison since 2006 and is serving a life sentence for his crime of marrying multiple underage girls. Brody Olson and his wife Liz minister to this polygamous community.
Eric and Sean: Can you explain the purpose of your ministry?
Brody: In 2012 we moved to Colorado City to minister to the Mormon fundamentalists who were exiting the FLDS church. Their extreme sensitivity and loath for organized religion suggested a more practical “bridge-building” approach that displayed the Jesus whom we ultimately wanted to verbally share with them. We partnered with a help organization to provide emergency assistance to exiting families. Not wanting to foster codependency, we started a thrift store and community center where people could learn to help themselves and their own community. In the meantime, we established a Bible study with people who were interested in learning more about the Bible and going deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
Eric and Sean: Although the FLDS people do not belong to the LDS Church, would you say sharing your faith with them is similar to sharing it with mainstream Mormons?
Brody: While there are some obvious similarities in theology, pre-understandings, and traditions, the FLDS are very reluctant to engage in religious discussions on any level. Conclusions to theological matters are not the results of deductive reasoning but divine communication through a bona fide prophet.
Eric and Sean: Is it possible to share the gospel with polygamous people?
Brody: Yes. However, it is important to make the distinction between “polygamous” and “FLDS” people. Mormon polygamists are scattered throughout many communities, especially in Utah, and their level of openness to gospel discussions varies. The FLDS people are largely inaccessible and are very averse to gospel conversations. They believe in their religion because it’s all they’ve known. Most have never been challenged to think otherwise. Gospel topics tend to reveal their ignorance and may result in shame. Expository living, not preaching, on the part of the Christian will likely yield more meaningful gospel discussions.
Eric and Sean: Give a highlight of a recent encounter you have had with a polygamist.
Brody: Recently a man argued that Christianity is too easy. He felt that a simple confession of belief would yield a superficial faith followed inevitably by hypocrisy. I described that saving faith in Jesus demands life transformation; otherwise it devalues the gift as well as the giver. I used the rich young ruler [Mark 10:17-27] as an example of one who undervalued Jesus and highlights the real difficulty in following Him.
Eric and Sean: We have heard that polygamous women and children do not talk to strangers. How do you interact with them?
Brody: FLDS women are indeed very shy. The best method I’ve found is to bring a baby. The women have not been having children since late 2012 because the prophet (Warren Jeffs) commanded them to stop having conjugal relations with their husbands, so it’s a great way to break the ice.
Eric and Sean: What is an approach that you have used to help the people learn to trust you?
Brody: We have provided a plethora of community building and children’s activities. These provide venues for meeting the children as well as the parents. It has served to display a heart of service and not condemnation toward them. We are intentional in trying to gauge people’s interest in the gospel from discussions we have during these outreach events.
Eric and Sean: You have had many out-of-state, short-term mission teams, including some organized by Christian schools, come from all over the United States to help you in your ministry. How does that work?
Brody: Not only do the short-term missionaries get excited about missions, but also the missionary is tremendously blessed. In my years of working with mission teams, I have realized that their presence not only provides accountability, but they promote creativity.
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