Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
OK
Colorado City Polygamists: An Inside Look For The Outsider Paperback – July 20, 2004
Colorado City historian Benjamin Bistlines first deeply documented book, The Polygamists: A History of Colorado City, Arizona was written to present the truth of the beginnings of the group and its original religious doctrine. Over the years, that doctrine has been verbally "rewritten" by religious leaders to support their claim of Gods approval of their one-man tyrannical dictatorship. For "outsiders" to whom Colorado City and polygamy are new, the first book was overwhelming with deep documentation. So we offer you this book, condensed, simplified, and easy to follow. People across America are asking how it is: That girls as young as thirteen can be forced to marry, and not even to young men but old men; And how it is that women are treated as chattel and belong not to themselves or their husband, but to the Priesthood; and how it is that wives and children can suddenly be reassigned to a "more obedient" man; And how it is that teenage boys are cast out alone into the world so older men can have more wives. And finally, how is it that tax dollars of American citizens are not only supporting many large polygamist families, but helping their communities expand. Polygamy abuses in America remain in the public eye thanks to Oprah, CNN, ABC Primetime, A&E Television and other media sources, including newspapers The Salt Lake Tribune, The Spectrum of St. George, Utah, The Phoenix New Times, The Arizona Republic, and the Deseret Morning News. With polygamists setting up an enclave in Texas, The Eldorado Success, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, The Dallas Morning News, and others are working to make their citizens aware.
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAgreka Tm Llc
- Publication dateJuly 20, 2004
- Dimensions7.5 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-101888106859
- ISBN-13978-1888106855
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
The family moved to Short Creek, Arizona, in 1945 to join a united order movement, also known as The United Effort Plan. His father soon became discouraged by John Barlow's ineptness in governing his Order, and by 1948 he had repented of his decision to join with Barlows' group at Short Creek. He then decided to rejoin the Mormon Church, but his wife refused to leave, taking a firm stand. Bens father died in April of 1949, before rejoining the LDS Church because of their policy of a one year repentance probation period after being excommunicated.
Bens mother had always wanted to live polygamy and this gave her the opportunity to do so. She married Richard Jessop as his fifth wife and they moved into his large household of four wives and about thirty children.
Ben lived in this polygamous household for the next three years until the raid on Short Creek in 1953. While living with his stepfather, he became romantically involved with one of the daughters, but the Raid interrupted the courtship. Ben was eighteen and Annie was fifteen. All minor children in the community were declared wards of the state of Arizona, and were transported with their mothers to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1953. They were released and allowed to return to Short Creek in 1955
Annie and Ben were married June 24, 1955, and remained in the society where they parented and raised sixteen children. He was never allowed to marry any other wives, after being deemed unworthy of the privilege by polygamist leaders because of his "rebelliousness." His refused to take what he was told at face value, he refused to join one of the leadership cliques, and he refused to live in blind obedience Thus he was never a polygamist. He and his wife would have accepted plural marriage.
In the early 1980s Ben became discouraged with the polygamists due to their changes in religious doctrine. He now lives on his own property in an area called Cane Beds, about two miles south of Colorado City. He and his wife are still very much involved with the polygamists due to extended family relationships.
Ben and his wife Annie joined the LDS Church in 1992. They believe the same doctrine as the LDS Church in regards to polygamy. They are members of the Kaibab Moccasin Ward where they have served in several church callings. Ben has served on the high council of the Kanab, Utah Kaibab stake.
Product details
- Publisher : Agreka Tm Llc; 1st edition (July 20, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1888106859
- ISBN-13 : 978-1888106855
- Item Weight : 15.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.5 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,833,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,763 in Religious Cults (Books)
- #5,630 in Mormonism
- #78,219 in U.S. State & Local History
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
You will be shocked at how this community was able to control its citizens with religious doctrine as law and how their young male followers were ostracized for the most trivial of offenses. Absolute power always leads to absolute corruption, which is demonstrated plainly in this book.
This is the first time that the reader gets a REAL look at polygamy and the distortions of old testament plural marriage beliefs. Believe me, I felt myself taken back to the times that I had to go to Colorado City on business and the constant observation by locals. Ben Bristline provides both, an excellent insight AND accurate portrayal, of life in Colorado City.


