Aid sought for church's victims

They are boys banished from their own families because polygamous FLDS Church leaders said it should be so.

Now, the nonprofit group Diversity, founded by Dan Fischer, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is asking for the public to help more than 400 of these boys, many of whom are forced to live out of cars and behind Dumpsters.

Two of these so-called "lost boys" spoke out publicly for the first time on the state Capitol steps Saturday afternoon. Joining them were dozens of former FLDS teens and young adults — a few were females or girlfriends — along with Jon Krakauer, author of "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith," and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

"We just want everyone to become aware that this is really happening in the United States," said Richard Gilbert. "There's a lot that goes on that people need to see and help with."

Gilbert, 19, was kicked out of the FLDS Church, which is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when he was 16, in part, because he wanted to attend public schools. Gilbert said his father was banished first, followed by the rest of the family after his mother refused to remarry at the direction of FLDS leadership.

Tom Steed, 19, also was excommunicated by FLDS leader Warren Jeffs two years ago. Steed's supposed sin was "associating" with non-FLDS members and watching three movies.

Steed looked into TV cameras Saturday and told current FLDS members, "Take responsibility for your children and your actions — ignorance is not acceptable."

The two teens were part of a press conference that often focused on the "fanatical" leadership of Jeffs, who rules over an FLDS sect of about 10,000 located in the adjoining towns of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah.

More FLDS members are said to be living in Canada and Texas. Where Jeffs is staying at this time remains unclear.

The challenge, Steed said, was coming forward, knowing that some of the faces in the crowd on the Capitol steps might mean excommunication or a harder life for some families who are still FLDS members.

The goal, say former members, is for more to come forward with their stories. Some, including Krakauer, say reform within the FLDS church needs to start with getting Jeffs out of his leadership role.