Murder of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy [Paperback]

John R. Llewellyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

Utah polygamy is a hot topic. While many are productive citizens, their leaders are predators, selling salvation, wives, and position for money. A fact-based novel of the murder of polygamist leader Rulon Allred, a story of intrigue, murder, and sex.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Both sides of polygamy must be addressed. As an anthropologist, I have often presented the positive sides to plural marriage. Llewellyn, using actual events from polygamy's history, creatively presents many of the negative sides. His fiction novel reflects the vastly diverse experiences inherent in contemporary Mormon fundamentalism. -- Anthropologist & Author of Women of Principle:Female Networking in Contemporary Mormon Polygyny. Oxford University Press

Mr. Llewellyn's investigative background makes him uniquely qualified to catch the real flavor of the dark side of Mormon polygamist cults. An excellent read for anyone wishig to explore this world. -- David R. Bishop, Caption (Retired) Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

Murder of a Prophet is a true-to-life scenario. Llewellyn's investigative background well qualified him to write this book. As a former U.S. Federal Agent, I found his book spellbinding, accurate, and entertaining. -- Rod Williams, Former U.S. Secret Service and Border Patrol Agent

From the Author

A recent criminal case in Utah continues to receive worldwide attention. A father beat his 16- year-old daughter unconscious when she tried to leave her uncle/husband, of whom she was the 15th wife. Left horribly bruised and alone in an abandoned barn miles from home, she staggered seven miles late at night to a pay phone and called 911. The father and uncle were found guilty of child abuse, but the state did not file polygamy charges a touchy issue in Utah.

Polygamy is a subject that stirs curiosity. Even in Utah, many people do not know much about the underground life of polygamists. The recent two-hour "Investigative Report" by A&E is revealing and, after reading this book, one can easily follow that program and recognize the various groups.

Polygamy has become a public relations nightmare for Utah, especially with the Olympics coming. A new task force is being put together to "deal with it." Yet, it is a sticky issue, not only from a constitutional point of view (where same-sex marriages are being quoted as a similar issue to polygamy), but from a practical one. What does one do with all the children if a man is removed and sent to jail. What does one do with all the women who are untrained for the outside world. Political pressure is being brought to bear on the governor to prosecute polygamists, yet he is a descendant of polygamists, as are many Mormons. In fact, there are many thousands of non-Mormon polygamists in the U.S.

People call me an insider expert on polygamy because I am known and trusted by most of the polygamist leaders. This fact-based novel illuminates the issue of Polygamy in a new way. The reader gets an inside view of the day-to-day life of what it all means and how it is lived by each group and their very real men, women, and children.

The hot button today is the abuse that goes on within that community. It is a topic that will not die down because the Media has seized upon it for "news" and as the Olympics for Salt Lake City draws closer, this will only intensify.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Agreka Books; 1st edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188810693X
• ISBN-13: 978-1888106930
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a new author, but one with talent, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy (Paperback)

The author may not be a John Steinbeck, it's his first novel, but with a little more experience, he could be. Nevertheless, his knowledge of the subject is beyond dispute. The novel made front page review in the Salt Lake Tribune, and the author has been interviewed on national and local television. Murder of a Prophet has caused quite a stir in Utah, especially among the 60,000 odd polygamists believed to live in Utah and the surronding states. According to the Tribune, it has been banned in the polygamist communities of Colorado City, Arizona and Hildale, Utah. The story, which incidently is very good, gives the reader a peek in the minds of polygamists prone to violence, which is not an unusual scenario in Utah. I was raised in a polygamist family, rejected the religon, but still have contacts among the subculture. Utah polygamists, paranoid by nature, are doing what they can to discredit both the author and his story, which is why I read it. They are afraid it paints all polygamists as abusers. It dosen't. It is an intense story about abuse of power and demented cult mentality. The polygamists would rather cover up their dark side than deal with it. It is interesting that those most critical of the book have read it cover to cover and are in the process of writing their own book, that is suppose to counteract Murder of a Prophet.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book had familiar stories,, April 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy (Paperback)

but coming from a polygamist background myself, I see that the author has mixed up and disstorted a lot of facts. One fact that is kept very quiet is that Mr. Llewellyn was for a number of years a member of the apostolic united bretheren, a polygamist group located in Bluffdale, UT. Also, he only left after being rebuffed while trying to court a second wife. His story sure has changed!! I was born in Colorado City and have friends and family in 3 different polygamist groups and know a lot of the true stories. It is true that the Kingston group and the Colorado CIty bunch engage in forced marriages, and incest...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A suspenseful, compelling and fascinating insider's view, June 25, 2000

By 

C. Campbell "corinne cardinal" (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy (Paperback)

John Llewellyn possesses a unique insider's view of both the law enforcement world and polygamist culture. His investigative background and journalistic expertise combine in this fascinating, compelling and entertaining work. The characterizations are both believable and ironic and the plot is unique and intriguing.