Unfinished: Short Creek is a podcast about abuse in the FLDS Church, a fundamentalist and polygamous sect of Mormonism. The hosts are Ash Sanders and Sarah Ventre. Sanders and Ventre talk about the growth of the FLDS community in Short Creek, Arizona and how it was taken over by a leader who would eventually go to prison for sex crimes. In this series, you hear the stories of survivors of this religious organization. Unfinished: Short Creek is a thrilling podcast that will maintain your attention.
At the beginning of the podcast, Sanders and Ventre talk about the origins of Mormonism in the United States. Mormons were expelled from numerous states in the United States until they settled in Utah. After numerous battles with the United States over polygamy, the Mormons denounced it as a way of existing without government oversight. This was strictly enforced and those who practiced polygamy were excommunicated. Some of them formed a sect of called Fundamentalist Church of Jesus and Later Day (FLDS) and settled in Short Creek. Saunders and Ventre give a concise summary of Mormonism and the origins of FLDS that provides helpful background information.
Saunders and Ventre talk a lot about the leaders of FLDS. One includes Leroy S. Johnson who was a leader of the church beginning in 1949. He is described as being similar to an uncle by interviewees to this podcast and he was very popular. However, he set a negative precedent by consolidating power for himself and removing council members from leadership roles. Warren Jeffs, son of former leader Rulon Jeffs, becomes ‘prophet’ of the community in 2002 and he enforces a cult-like loyalty to him. Some of his rules include forced marriages, loyalty oaths to him and strict dress codes for women. The hosts illustrate how the community gradually comes under the rule of Warren Jeffs.
Elissa Wall, a survivor of the FLDS community under Warren Jeffs, describes her traumatic experience of living at Short Creek. She was forced to marry her first cousin when she was fourteen. She pleaded against the marriage but she was forced into it by Warren Jeffs and she was told that she would go to hell if she did not consent to the marriage. While married, she was abused by her husband. Wall reported Warren Jeffs to the FBI when her two younger sisters disappeared from Short Creek. Listeners will appreciate Wall’s strength and courage in spite of the horror she experienced.
At the end of the podcast, you learn that Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life imprisonment in after raping two minors. Learning so many of the evil acts that he committed, listeners will be satisfied by this punishment. Unfinished: Short Creek is a gripping series that will fascinate true crime fans.
Due to descriptions of violence and sexual abuse, Unfinished: Short Creek is recommended for mature audiences only.
You can listen to Unfinished: Short Creek online or apps such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Michael Walsh
Adult Services-Will Branch