In an interview with the Deseret News just after the gathering, Allred said his people had "accepted" information from state officials, who divided AUB followers into groups for men, women and young people, and talked about family violence, domestic abuse, appropriate conduct between children and adults, power and control issues, and the effects of emotional abuse.

Allred said then he was committed to eradicating any of the bad behaviors associated with polygamous communities.

"If we have such a thing among our people, we want to help to correct it," he said.

The meeting did create contention within AUB's leadership, and some members said privately at the time Allred came close to losing control over his community.

There were a few who didn't believe the state should be allowed to look in on AUB families, Allred told a reporter after the 1998 visit from state officials.

"But that is contrary to my wishes, to my beliefs, and it's something I want to fight against," he said.

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Contributing: Nancy Perkins

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com; lucy@desnews.com