"It is true, FLDS children are not perfect, yet they are teachable, and mothers delight in the privilege to raise up their children in light and truth," it said.

In a schedule for FLDS children from the fourth grade to high school, the boys and girls are separated into different classes. The day ends with chores, singing and reading from the Book of Mormon before bedtime.

"Together with the rest of the family, the children join in prayer and song. They tell each other 'good night,' close their eyes in peaceful slumber, and dream of the bright future ahead."

Texas CPS created its own guide for foster care providers based on input from ex-FLDS members, child advocates with experience dealing with polygamous families and government officials. A CPS spokeswoman said she had not seen the FLDS guide.

Even without their parents, some who have been looking after the children have noticed their routines.

"We see a lot of time devoted to prayer," said Cheree Godwin-Smith, the director of development for the Presbyterian Home for Children in Amarillo. "They play outside, they jump rope, they crochet, they do handwork, they help cook."

She described the elementary school-aged girls in her facility as "adjusting as well as any child that's taken out of their home in a case like this."

Foster care

Last month's raid on the YFZ Ranch was prompted by a phone call from someone claiming to be a 16-year-old "Sarah," who said she was pregnant and in an abusive marriage to an older man. When child welfare workers responded to the Eldorado ranch, they said they found evidence of other abuse.

That led to a judge ordering the removal of all of the children from the YFZ Ranch. They have since been placed in foster care facilities scattered across Texas.

The commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has been touring some of those facilities.

"He's been to a few of them," Meisner said of Commissioner Carey Cockerell's visits.

Authorities are still investigating whether the original phone call was a hoax. A Colorado woman is considered a "person of interest" in the case. Meanwhile, FLDS faithful have created a new Web site in their public relations campaign in the aftermath of the raid. Truthwillprevail.org resembles a newspaper, with articles, editorials and even political cartoons.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com