Known For His Violent Legacy, Ervil LeBaron Had A Turbulent Past.

Who was Ervil LeBaron?

Ervil LeBaron was the leader of a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist group in the mid-20th century.

LeBaron was born in Mexico in 1925. He claimed to be a prophet and began preaching his own brand of Mormonism in the 1950s. He attracted a following of about 500 people, who lived in several communes in Mexico and the United States.

LeBaron's sect was known for its violence and polygamy, which caused tensions with the authorities. He was arrested several times and served prison sentences for bigamy, kidnapping, and assault. He was also accused of ordering the murders of several people who opposed him, but he was never convicted of murder.

LeBaron was killed in 1981 by a group of his former followers who were tired of his violence and extremism.

Ervil LeBaron

Ervil LeBaron was a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist leader who led a violent sect in the mid-20th century.

• Founder: LeBaron founded his own sect of Mormonism in the 1950s.
• Polygamist: LeBaron practiced polygamy and had over 50 wives.
• Prophet: LeBaron claimed to be a prophet and received revelations from God.
• Violent: LeBaron's sect was known for its violence, including murder and kidnapping.
• Criminal: LeBaron was arrested several times and served prison sentences for bigamy, kidnapping, and assault.
• Murdered: LeBaron was killed in 1981 by a group of his former followers.

LeBaron's sect was a controversial and dangerous group. His followers were often isolated from mainstream society and subjected to physical and psychological abuse. LeBaron's violence and extremism ultimately led to his downfall.

Founder

Ervil LeBaron was a charismatic and influential figure who founded his own sect of Mormonism in the 1950s. He claimed to be a prophet and received revelations from God. He attracted a following of about 500 people, who lived in several communes in Mexico and the United States.

LeBaron's sect was a breakaway group from the mainstream Mormon Church, which had renounced polygamy in the 19th century. LeBaron believed that polygamy was a commandment from God, and he practiced it openly. He also taught that he was the only true prophet of God, and that all other Mormon leaders were false.

LeBaron's sect was controversial and dangerous. His followers were often isolated from mainstream society and subjected to physical and psychological abuse. LeBaron himself was arrested several times and served prison sentences for bigamy, kidnapping, and assault. He was also accused of ordering the murders of several people who opposed him, but he was never convicted of murder.

LeBaron's founding of his own sect of Mormonism was a significant event in the history of Mormon fundamentalism. It led to the creation of a new and more radical group of Mormon fundamentalists, who were willing to use violence to achieve their goals.

Polygamist

Ervil LeBaron was a polygamist, meaning he had multiple wives. He believed that polygamy was a commandment from God, and he practiced it openly. He had over 50 wives, and some of them were as young as 12 years old.

• Religious justifications: LeBaron believed that polygamy was a way to increase his followers and spread his religious teachings. He also believed that it was a way to provide for his large family.
• Control and power: LeBaron used polygamy to control his followers. He assigned wives to his followers and could take them away at any time. He also used polygamy to increase his wealth and power.
• Social isolation: LeBaron's followers were often isolated from mainstream society. They lived in communes and were not allowed to interact with outsiders. This isolation made it easier for LeBaron to control them.
• Violence: LeBaron used violence to enforce his authority. He ordered the murders of several people who opposed him, including his own brother.

LeBaron's polygamy was a major factor in his downfall. It led to his arrest and imprisonment several times. It also alienated him from mainstream society and made it easier for his followers to control him.

Prophet

Ervil LeBaron's claim to be a prophet was central to his leadership of his polygamous Mormon fundamentalist sect. He used his supposed revelations from God to justify his actions, including polygamy, violence, and murder.

• Religious authority: LeBaron's claim to be a prophet gave him religious authority over his followers. They believed that his revelations were the word of God, and they obeyed him without question.
• Control and power: LeBaron used his prophetic authority to control his followers. He could tell them what to do, who to marry, and even who to kill. He also used his authority to amass wealth and power.
• Isolation: LeBaron's followers were isolated from mainstream society. They lived in communes and were not allowed to interact with outsiders. This isolation made it easier for LeBaron to control them and to prevent them from questioning his authority.
• Violence: LeBaron used violence to enforce his authority. He ordered the murders of several people who opposed him, including his own brother. He also used violence to intimidate his followers and to keep them in line.

LeBaron's claim to be a prophet was a major factor in his ability to lead his sect for over two decades. It gave him the religious authority, control, and power that he needed to maintain his grip on his followers.

Violent

Ervil LeBaron's sect was known for its violence, including murder and kidnapping. This violence was a major part of LeBaron's control over his followers and was used to intimidate and silence those who opposed him.

One of the most notorious examples of LeBaron's violence was the murder of his own brother, Verlan LeBaron. Verlan had criticized Ervil's leadership and had begun to question his authority. Ervil ordered his followers to kill Verlan, and they did so in 1977.

LeBaron's violence also extended to those outside of his sect. He ordered the murders of several people who had spoken out against him or who had tried to leave his sect. He also kidnapped several women and forced them to marry him.

The violence of LeBaron's sect was a major factor in his downfall. It alienated him from mainstream society and made it easier for his followers to control him. It also led to his arrest and imprisonment several times.

The connection between Ervil LeBaron and the violence of his sect is a clear example of how violence can be used to control and intimidate others. It is also a reminder of the dangers of religious extremism and the importance of religious freedom.

Criminal

Ervil LeBaron's criminal activity was a major part of his life and played a significant role in his downfall. He was arrested several times and served prison sentences for bigamy, kidnapping, and assault.

LeBaron's criminal activity was a direct result of his religious beliefs and his desire to control his followers. He believed that he was above the law and that he could do whatever he wanted. He used violence and intimidation to silence his critics and to keep his followers in line.

LeBaron's criminal activity had a devastating impact on his followers. Many of them were arrested and imprisoned, and some were even killed. LeBaron's violence and extremism also alienated him from mainstream society and made it difficult for him to recruit new followers.

The connection between Ervil LeBaron and his criminal activity is a clear example of how religious extremism can lead to violence and crime. It is also a reminder of the importance of the rule of law and the need to hold religious leaders accountable for their actions.

Murdered

The murder of Ervil LeBaron was a significant event in the history of Mormon fundamentalism. It marked the end of LeBaron's reign of terror and the beginning of a new era for his followers.

• Power struggles: LeBaron's murder was the result of a power struggle within his sect. Several of his former followers had become disillusioned with his leadership and his increasingly violent behavior. They plotted to kill him and take over his sect.
• Revenge: LeBaron's murder was also an act of revenge. Several of his former followers had been victims of his violence and abuse. They killed him as a way to get back at him and to prevent him from harming others.
• Fear: LeBaron's murder was also a way for his former followers to protect themselves. They feared that LeBaron would continue to target them if he remained alive. By killing him, they were able to remove the threat to their safety.
• Symbolism: LeBaron's murder was a symbolic event. It represented the end of his reign of terror and the beginning of a new era for his followers. It also showed that even the most powerful and dangerous leaders can be defeated.

The murder of Ervil LeBaron was a complex event with multiple causes. It was the result of power struggles, revenge, fear, and symbolism. It marked the end of a dark chapter in the history of Mormon fundamentalism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ervil LeBaron

Ervil LeBaron was a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist leader who led a violent sect in the mid-20th century. His life and crimes have been the subject of much discussion and debate.

Question 1: Was Ervil LeBaron a true prophet?

Ervil LeBaron claimed to be a prophet, but there is no evidence to support this claim. He did not fulfill any of the biblical prophecies of a true prophet, and his teachings were often contradictory and bizarre.

Question 2: Why did Ervil LeBaron practice polygamy?

Ervil LeBaron practiced polygamy because he believed that it was a commandment from God. He also used polygamy to control his followers and to increase his wealth and power.

Question 3: What was the significance of Ervil LeBaron's murder?

The murder of Ervil LeBaron was a significant event in the history of Mormon fundamentalism. It marked the end of LeBaron's reign of terror and the beginning of a new era for his followers. It also showed that even the most powerful and dangerous leaders can be defeated.

Question 4: What are the lessons that we can learn from Ervil LeBaron's life?

There are many lessons that we can learn from Ervil LeBaron's life. We can learn about the dangers of religious extremism, the importance of the rule of law, and the need to hold religious leaders accountable for their actions.

Ervil LeBaron was a complex and controversial figure. His life and crimes have had a lasting impact on the history of Mormon fundamentalism. By understanding his life and teachings, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid repeating them in the future.

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Conclusion

Ervil LeBaron was a complex and controversial figure. He was a charismatic and influential leader who founded his own sect of Mormonism. He was also a violent criminal who ordered the murders of several people. LeBaron's life and crimes have had a lasting impact on the history of Mormon fundamentalism.

There are many lessons that we can learn from Ervil LeBaron's life. We can learn about the dangers of religious extremism, the importance of the rule of law, and the need to hold religious leaders accountable for their actions. We can also learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid repeating them in the future.