The $152 Million Prophet: 5 Shocking Updates On Warren Jeffs And The FLDS Church Today

Few names in American true crime and religious cult history evoke as much immediate, visceral reaction as Warren Jeffs. The former "Prophet" of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) is a convicted child sex offender currently serving a life sentence in a Texas prison. As of today, December 12, 2025, Jeffs remains incarcerated, yet the story of his influence, the fate of his followers, and the financial wreckage he left behind is far from over. New court filings, land disputes, and the ongoing struggle of his victims continue to keep this complex, dark saga in the headlines, proving that even behind bars, his control persists.

The latest updates reveal a shocking picture: a convicted cult leader who continues to exert spiritual and administrative control over his thousands of followers. This article provides a deep dive into the current status of Warren Jeffs, the staggering financial judgments against him, and the dramatic changes—or lack thereof—within the FLDS community and its key properties like the Yearning for Zion Ranch.

The Life and Crimes of Warren Steed Jeffs: A Biographical Profile

Warren Steed Jeffs is an American cult leader and convicted felon known for his extreme interpretation of Mormon fundamentalism, which includes the practice of polygamy and the marriage of underage girls. His rise to power was marked by increasing authoritarianism and the systematic abuse of his position as a religious leader.

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• Full Name: Warren Steed Jeffs
• Born: December 3, 1955, in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Parents: Rulon Jeffs (father) and Merilyn Steed (mother). Rulon Jeffs was the former prophet of the FLDS.
• Education: Attended public schools before being home-schooled.
• Rise to Power: After the death of his 92-year-old father, Rulon Jeffs, in September 2002, Warren Jeffs assumed the role of President and Prophet of the 12,000-member FLDS Church.
• Key Locations: Short Creek (the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona) and the Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch in Eldorado, Texas.
• Fugitive Status: He spent two years on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list before his arrest in 2006.
• Conviction: In 2011, he was convicted in Texas on two counts of sexual assault of a child, related to the abuse of two underage girls he married as "spiritual wives."
• Current Sentence: Life in prison plus 20 years. He is eligible for parole in 2038.
• Wives/Victims: He had at least 80 wives, with at least 20 of them being underage.

Update 1: Jeffs’ Iron Grip—The Prophet Still Leads from Prison

Despite being incarcerated in a Texas correctional facility since his 2011 conviction, evidence suggests that Warren Jeffs maintains an astounding level of control over the FLDS Church. This continued leadership from behind bars is perhaps the most shocking and persistent aspect of the FLDS saga.

How Jeffs Communicates and Controls the FLDS

Jeffs is reported to communicate with his followers through letters, dictated sermons, and phone calls. These messages are often transcribed and distributed as "revelations" to the faithful. His word remains the ultimate law for the FLDS community, dictating everything from marriages and family assignments to business dealings and property management. He is still viewed as the living Prophet by the remaining members.

This remote control has led to bizarre and devastating consequences. He has reportedly ordered followers to destroy personal property, cut off contact with family members, and even relocate based on his "divine" instructions. The authority he wields ensures that the core tenets of the FLDS—including the practice of plural marriage and strict adherence to his rules—remain intact for his most loyal disciples.

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Update 2: The Staggering $152 Million Debt and Ongoing Legal Battles

Warren Jeffs and the FLDS Church are not only facing moral and spiritual crises but also a massive financial reckoning that continues to unfold in courts across the country. The scale of the civil judgments against the Prophet is staggering.

The $152 Million Judgment

One of the most significant legal liabilities is the massive $152 million judgment awarded to victims of sexual abuse. This financial debt is a direct consequence of the systemic abuse carried out under his leadership, particularly the forced marriages of underage girls. The ongoing effort to collect this money has led to the seizure and sale of FLDS assets.

Land Disputes and Court Appearances

Jeffs’ name continues to appear on court dockets for motion hearings and as a witness in various polygamous cases. These legal proceedings are often related to the liquidation of church assets to pay restitution or disputes over the ownership of land previously held by the FLDS, including the community of Short Creek on the Utah-Arizona border.

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A recent example of the financial fallout involves land linked to Jeffs' family. Property in Minnesota, owned by his brother, was put up for sale, highlighting the continued effort by authorities to disentangle and sell off assets connected to the convicted sex offender and the FLDS organization.

Update 3: The Aftermath at Yearning for Zion Ranch

The Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, was once the heavily fortified, secretive hub of the FLDS Church and the site of a 2008 raid that brought national attention to the sect's practices. The status of the ranch today reflects the collapse of Jeffs' physical empire.

The Fate of the Property

Following the raid and subsequent legal actions, the State of Texas took control of the YFZ Ranch. The property, which once housed Jeffs' massive temple and dozens of homes, has been largely dismantled as an FLDS stronghold. The former spokesperson for the church, Willie Jessop, has provided updates on the dramatic changes at the ranch, which is now being repurposed and managed by court-appointed officials. This serves as a powerful symbol of the state’s victory over the church’s isolationist and illegal practices.

Update 4: Where Are Jeffs’ 80 Wives Now?

One of the most human and tragic elements of the Warren Jeffs story is the fate of the women and girls he took as "spiritual wives." Jeffs had an estimated 80 wives, with at least 20 of them being minors. The lives of these women after his imprisonment have been a focus of ongoing media and legal attention.

The Struggle for Autonomy

For many of his former wives, life after Jeffs has been a difficult journey toward independence and healing. Many were raised within the confines of the FLDS and lack the formal education and life skills necessary to navigate the outside world. They often face the challenge of raising their children while dealing with the trauma of sexual and psychological abuse.

Some women have successfully broken away, sharing their stories and advocating for other victims of cult abuse. Others, however, remain loyal to Jeffs and the FLDS, believing that his imprisonment is a test of their faith and that he remains the true Prophet. This split highlights the deep psychological conditioning that Jeffs imposed on his followers.

Update 5: The Short Creek Standoff and the Future of the FLDS

The community of Short Creek, comprising Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, was the historic heartland of the FLDS. The situation in Short Creek today is a microcosm of the church's decline and the slow, painful process of recovery.

A Community in Transition

Since Jeffs’ conviction, the state has intervened in the management of the land trust that controlled most of the property in Short Creek. This has led to the eviction of many loyal FLDS members and the return of apostates and former residents who were banished by Jeffs. New, non-FLDS residents are moving in, and the towns are slowly normalizing, though the influence of the church remains a contentious issue.

However, the struggle for control is not over. There is an ongoing "sacred land" standoff where loyalists continue to resist outside authority, viewing the government's actions as a persecution of their religious freedom. The future of the FLDS is murky. While the church has lost much of its physical infrastructure and membership, its most devoted members remain fiercely loyal to their imprisoned Prophet, ensuring that the dark legacy of Warren Jeffs continues to cast a long shadow over the American Southwest.