Unearthed Video Shines Light Into FLDS Culture Of Polygamy

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Once upon a time, a group of southern Utah polygamist decided to put on a play — the Sound of Music. OK so they went off script a bit. Still, this is epic;?as Buzzfeed?writer Jim Dalrymple II said, it’s an “unprecedented look at polygamous culture.”

This ?1995 production was staged in Short Creek — a community on the Utah-Arizona border — by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). The religion includes polygamy in its doctrine and its origins are traced to the same founders as the Mormon church, but the two sects have no affiliation. The FLDS is perhaps most famous for its criminal “prophet,” Warren Jeffs.

The play — titled “Re-Sound of Music” — begins with young Maria and her family on a farm in Austria. Maria is apparently still single and is being courted by a young man. After her suitor leaves, Maria’s father says that “our way of living does not condone courtship.”

The plot centers around young Maria,who is instructed by her father to “be prayerful, do your duty, and always keep sweet.” “Keep sweet” is apparently a mantra in the community of FLDS. The ending is strikingly different from that of the original production starring Julie Andrews, however. Maria becomes the second wife to an older man named “Captain.”

Jim Dalrymple was awesome enough to clip some parts of the videos into Vines so that we don’t have to sit through the (very long) snoozefest. There are a few here and the videos are at the bottom of the article. To turn on the sound in a Vine, click the little speaker icon in the top left corner. Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can read more at Buzzfeed. Watch the videos below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3


Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.

I had a successful career actively working with at-risk youth, people struggling with poverty and unemployment, and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. In 2011, I made the decision to pursue my dreams and become a full-time writer. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.