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

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

A riveting fact-based story of intrigue, murder, and sex. Lusting for worldwide power and recognition, the fanatical leader of a Utah polygamist cult launches a plan to become "the prophet" of all the polygamist cults—and then to take over the entire Mormon Church. Detectives encounter a doomsday Waco-type standoff with women and children. As the drama unfolds, the personal background stories of individuals portray a realistic portrait of: 1. Easy manipulation of deeply faithful people taught unquestioning obedience by unscrupulous leaders. 2. Depictions of the negative social and genetic effects of many polygamous cults. 3. Vibrant, playful little girls often devolving into lifeless, emotionless women. 4. Occasional men, sexually intimidated by mature women, and having absolute control over their children, fall into pedophilic behavior as they train girls "when they are still young" to become a pleasing wife to the husband. 5. While claiming polygamy is simply a mandate by God to raise up a righteous progeny, and that men are being "holy" as they fulfill this directive to qualify for Celestial Glory, two polygamist leaders lustfully pursue a beautiful new woman convert, each wanting her as wife.A riveting fact-based story of intrigue, murder, and sex. Lusting for worldwide power and recognition, the fanatical leader of a Utah polygamist cult launches a plan to become "the prophet" of all the polygamist cults—and then to take over the entire Mormon Church. Detectives encounter a doomsday Waco-type standoff with women and children. As the drama unfolds, the personal background stories of individuals portray a realistic portrait of: 1. Easy manipulation of deeply faithful people taught unquestioning obedience by unscrupulous leaders. 2. Depictions of the negative social and genetic effects of many polygamous cults. 3. Vibrant, playful little girls often devolving into lifeless, emotionless women. 4. Occasional men, sexually intimidated by mature women, and having absolute control over their children, fall into pedophilic behavior as they train girls "when they are still young" to become a pleasing wife to the husband. 5. While claiming polygamy is simply a mandate by God to raise up a righteous progeny, and that men are being "holy" as they fulfill this directive to qualify for Celestial Glory, two polygamist leaders lustfully pursue a beautiful new woman convert, each wanting her as wife.

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.

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

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

Carolyn Campbell, author of Together Again: True Stories of Birth Parents and Adopted Children Reunited. "The characterizations shine with insight, authenticity and humor. The plot is engaging and intriguing."

David R. Bishop Captain (Retired) Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office "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 wishing to explore this world."

Llewellyn has appeared on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Fox Cable News with Paula Zahn, and other television and radio shows. He also wrote A Teenager's Tears: When Parents Convert to Polygamym, published in 2001. Investigator John R. Llewellyn was a deputy sheriff for twenty-three years in the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. Considered an expert, he spent a number of years in prolonged investigation of polygamy cults. He was often placed on loan to do special investigations for the County Attorney, District Attorney, and Attorney General.

Conducting the preliminary investigation of mass murderer Ervil LeBaron, who was convicted of ordering the murder of Dr. Rulon C. Allred in 1977, Deputy Llewellyn complied an extensive intelligence profile of the infamous polygamist. He also assisted French, British, and local television companies—all wanting to film documentaries—in making contact with appropriate members of polygamous groups. Mr. Llewellyn writes feature articles on the subject for newspapers and magazines.

The author pioneered the Morals Squad of the Sheriff Department, which handled the investigation of polygamous complaints. He also wrote a sex crimes manual for the Utah State Police Academy, where he taught Sex Crime Investigation, Interview, and Interrogation.

So compelling was the polygamist position that Mr. Llewellyn finally became one and associated with the Allred Group after he retired from the Sheriff's Office. But when he discovered the corruption that was going on, he disassociated himself from the group, and is no longer involved.