[repinwi]

Because the law does not recognize plural marriages, only the marriage to the first wife is considered valid. The succeeding marriages are deemed invalid by law. Once those wives of the invalid marriages begin producing children, they begin applying for welfare benefits and food stamps. In the eyes of the law, these women are considered to be single mothers.

One of the mandates of Warren Jeffs, the so-called and self-proclaimed prophet, is that the men must pay to the "church" upwards of over $1000 per month. Jeffs can, and regularly does, demand that this amount be increased, depending upon what the needs of the "church" are at the time. This money comes from the welfare benefits that the plural wives are receiving.

Men in the FLDS who own businesses are required to turn over the majority of their profits to the "church." The homes that these followers live in are all owned by the "church" via a Trust that was set up by one of Warren Jeffs' predecessors.

In the Utah/Arizona community of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona, the state prevailed in a lawsuit and is now allowing disenfranchised (or ousted) members of FLDS to buy back the homes that they built with their own money and that were previously owned by the FLDS Trust.

[CindyDawg]

That's interesting. Thanks. The welfare part though.. I don't think Texans get checks anymore. Long star cards, housing and medical yes but I believe the checks were stopped. I could be wrong though. Anyone know?

I do know that Dads are gone after aggressively and unless they put father unknown the fathers would also be having to pay child support.