"There is no official legal or psychological definition of a cult," said Livia Bardin, a licensed clinical social worker and an authority on such groups.

In a presentation that made many members of polygamous groups uncomfortable, Bardin laid out trouble signs of an isolated authoritative group — starting with its leadership and discussing efforts to control members' lives and squelch any criticism or hide from the outside world.

She was particularly critical of the Fundamentalist LDS Church.

"They are a very closed society," she said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "The fact that you're in a group where the leader determines the process, can change the process at will, puts you at risk."

Bardin herself faced scrutiny for some of the data she used in her presentation, especially by child protective services case workers.

Heidi Mattingly Foster, a member of the Kingston group, said she had hoped more time would have been devoted to debunking stereotypes of people in plural marriage. Instead, she worried about stereotypes being perpetuated.

"It's the same old problem we're always dealing with everywhere. We're trying to help people understand that you can't judge us all the same," she said.

Marlyne Hammon, a member of the fundamentalist community of Centennial Park, said the discussion and dialogue was a good start.

"Sometimes it helps to stir things up," she said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com