"I was always frustrated in trying to tell the story of polygamists because they rarely wanted to be involved in telling their story," he said. "There was a tension from the beginning from people asking questions and those who were being asked the questions. Even the most thoughtful reporters, when they would come into Colorado City and Hildale, there were these images of children fleeing from the cameras."

Isolation and secrecy lead people to suspect the worst, Murphy said.

"That's why we've been trying to open up the dialogue so people can know the good and the bad — not just the bad," he said.

Legalization?

The Centennial Park Action Committee, a pro-polygamy group, insists that one way to end all the isolation and secrecy is to legalize polygamy.

"Right now, you can't tell why so many plural families are closed and secretive. Is it because it's a felony and they're protecting their families or is it because there's some sinister activity taking place? The grand majority are just trying to protect their families," said Steed.

Polygamy is prohibited by the Utah and Arizona constitutions and bigamy is a felony. Mohave County, Ariz., Supervisor Buster Johnson spoke out against decriminalization in a statement he issued on the town hall.

"It is past time for Arizona to do the right thing," Johnson wrote. "Sitting on panels with those who are violating the law is a slap in the face to the children who have been abused and will continued to be abuse (sic) because of inaction and apathy by elected officials."

The Arizona Attorney General's Office said it remains focused on enforcing laws, especially crimes of abuse within polygamous communities.

"We haven't really entertained any change in the law regarding the piece in the constitution prohibiting polygamy," said Irvine.

The Utah Attorney General's Office said anyone seeking a change in laws has to work through the state legislatures.

"The polygamous communities have to deal strongly with the problems of child abuse and domestic violence," Murphy said.

It would most certainly be an uphill battle, but Steed remains hopeful.

"We are citizens that want to uphold the laws, protect our children and raise our families," she said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com