PDF Summary:The Colony, by Sally Denton

In her work The Colony, Sally Denton explores the complex history of the LeBaron family, lifelong adherents to Mormon fundamentalism. Beginning with their origins as followers of key leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, she traces their migration to Mexico in search of refuge from persecution over polygamy.

Denton unfolds a story marked by unyielding devotion to faith, violent disputes over power and resources, and even ties to Mexican cartels. This saga depicts the family's entanglement with local communities, law enforcement, and criminal groups — all shaped by the women and children working to maintain the colony's legacy.

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• These firms were instrumental in facilitating land purchases and ensuring that the settlements were legally recognized, which involved navigating both U.S. and Mexican legal systems.

The LeBaron family entered into negotiations to obtain the necessary approvals for water utilization and to broaden their control over farming operations.

The writer highlights that during the migration to Mexico in the final years of the 19th century, the Mormons brought with them Brigham Young's foundational guidelines for setting up communities, which proved particularly suitable for developing societies in isolated and challenging locales. They were skilled in water management, innovative in farming techniques, and proficient in forming settlements, quickly obtaining water rights by engaging directly with local officials, including the principal authority in Chihuahua. In Salt Lake, similar to Young, they transformed barren lands into prosperous agricultural and livestock operations that became essential for providing food and animals to neighboring regions. The adherents of Mormonism demonstrated proficiency in managing intricate bureaucratic processes to obtain water and mineral rights, and to convert land from shared to private ownership, as noted by Denton. The communities of Mexican and Indigenous origins felt envious because of the prosperity that had been attained.

Context

• The LeBaron family is part of a group of fundamentalist Mormons who settled in Mexico, often due to conflicts with mainstream Mormon practices, such as polygamy, which was banned by the LDS Church in the late 19th century.
• Young's guidelines emphasized the importance of organized community planning, including the layout of towns, communal resources, and shared responsibilities, which helped ensure the success and sustainability of new settlements.
• The success of Mormon settlements often led to economic growth in the regions they inhabited, as they were able to produce surplus crops and livestock, contributing to local markets and trade.
• In arid regions like Chihuahua, water rights were crucial for survival and economic success. Control over water resources allowed communities to thrive agriculturally, which was a significant advantage in these areas.
• The settlers had to adapt to the unique environmental challenges of the Great Basin, including limited rainfall and harsh winters. Their success in doing so demonstrated their resilience and ingenuity.
• The drive to secure resources was partly motivated by religious beliefs in self-reliance and community building, which were central tenets of Mormonism. This religious framework provided a strong incentive to master the necessary bureaucratic processes.
• The process of converting land from communal to private ownership required navigating Mexican land laws, which were influenced by both Spanish colonial practices and later reforms aimed at modernizing agriculture and land use.
• The Mormon settlers brought with them distinct cultural and religious practices that set them apart from the local Mexican and Indigenous populations, sometimes leading to tensions or misunderstandings.

The LeBaron family's involvement in sectarian strife included clashes with nearby communities and their ties to drug trafficking networks that extended across Mexico.

The LeBaron family's history is characterized by prolonged disputes with neighboring communities over the control of water and land resources.

Denton reveals the story of Mexican Mormons who have endured ongoing oppression because of their religious beliefs, while simultaneously securing a position of control and wielding power to sustain their farming and spiritual supremacy. Upon settling into their new residence, their sense of superiority over the surrounding community grew, fueled by their seclusion, fervent religious beliefs, and financial prosperity. The local inhabitants, particularly those living on the community lands allocated after the Mexican Revolution, have consistently regarded the Mormon settlers as foreigners with an unquenchable thirst for territory, acquiring lands rich in minerals and precious water rights through dubious means.

The assertions of the LeBaron family regarding their agricultural projects and entitlement to water rights sparked disputes with local farmers and ranchers, who were collectively known as the Barzonistas.

The account by Sally Denton chronicles the escalating dispute over limited water resources involving the LeBarons and the neighboring agriculturalists and ranchers, known as the Barzonistas. Situated amidst the unforgiving terrain of the Sierra Madre Occidental, the region is known for its elevated desert climate, minimal rainfall, and extreme weather variations, where both the Barzonistas and the LeBarons rely on ancient aquifers to support their farming practices, vulnerable to extended periods of drought and unpredictable heavy rains. The Barzonistas contend that the introduction of pecan and walnut orchards by the Mormons, which require a substantially greater amount of water compared to typical crops, is responsible for the diminishing water table and the resulting shortage of drinkable water for many local residents.

Context

• The dispute highlights broader social justice issues, such as the equitable distribution of natural resources and the rights of indigenous and local communities versus those of more powerful or wealthy groups.
• Power dynamics, such as socioeconomic status and political influence, can affect how water disputes are negotiated and resolved, with more powerful groups often having an advantage in securing resources.
• This mountain range in Mexico is characterized by its rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems, which can impact water availability and distribution.
• Changes in climate patterns can exacerbate water scarcity, with increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns leading to more frequent and severe droughts.
• There are modern irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, that can reduce water usage for orchards, but these require investment and technology that may not be accessible to all farmers.
• Over-extraction of water from aquifers can lead to long-term environmental degradation, affecting not just agriculture but also local ecosystems and biodiversity.

The confrontations between the LeBaron family and the Barzonistas escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of several activists within the Barzonista group.

Denton highlights the history of conflicts between the LeBaron family and the Barzonistas, marked by intense confrontations in which the LeBaron's Mormon adherents resorted to using live ammunition to repel protesters who trespassed on their land in search of proof of unauthorized water wells and questionable property deals. The Barzonistas, during these confrontations, have typically not carried weapons, but they have fought back by demolishing fruit groves, burning down homes, torching crop lands, and setting ablaze vehicles and agricultural equipment.

Context

• The conflict between the LeBaron family and the Barzonistas is rooted in broader issues of land rights, water access, and economic disparities in rural Mexico.
• Questionable property deals often involve allegations of fraud, corruption, or exploitation, where one party may feel that land was acquired through unfair means, leading to legal and physical confrontations.

Other Perspectives

• Resorting to lethal force could be seen as a violation of human rights if the protesters were unarmed and not posing an immediate threat to life.
• Not carrying weapons does not necessarily imply nonviolence; the destruction of property is a form of aggression that can contribute to the cycle of violence and may be seen as a provocation that could lead to violent retaliation.

The LeBaron family's dealings were intricately intertwined with the operations of the Sinaloa narcotics cartel.

The Sinaloa Cartel was permitted by the LeBaron family to set up monitoring stations along their pathways, which showed a degree of collaboration and peaceful cohabitation.

Denton explores the shifting relationships between individuals within the Mormon community and the dominant entities that manage drug smuggling in Northern Mexico's border regions. The La Mora and LeBaron communities coexisted with significant narcotics syndicates, especially those led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán of the Sinaloa faction and the Juárez group, through an unspoken agreement to avoid interfering with each other's activities. A person hailing from La Mora recounted their experiences, mentioning that at community equestrian events, they would greet the sicarios with a nod and jointly savor the flavor of pomegranates. Since the 1980s, when El Chapo first rose to power, the LeBarons have been allowed to carry out their operations undisturbed, on the condition that they cooperate with the groups overseeing the checkpoints on the routes into the United States.

Context

• Northern Mexico, particularly the areas near the U.S. border, has long been a hotspot for drug trafficking due to its strategic location for smuggling routes into the United States.
• The interactions between the Mormon communities and cartel members can be seen as a form of social negotiation, where mutual recognition and informal agreements help maintain a fragile peace, allowing both groups to pursue their respective interests without direct conflict.
• A nod as a form of greeting can signify respect or acknowledgment without verbal communication, which might be a strategic choice in tense or dangerous environments.
• These events likely serve as social gatherings that reinforce community bonds, providing a neutral ground where different groups can interact without conflict.
• The historical and socio-political dynamics of Northern Mexico contribute to the unique challenges faced by these communities, as they must constantly negotiate their autonomy and safety in a volatile environment.
• El Chapo, whose real name is Joaquín Guzmán Loera, was a notorious Mexican drug lord who led the Sinaloa Cartel. He became infamous for his prison escapes and was considered one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world until his capture and extradition to the United States.

Other Perspectives

• The term "peaceful cohabitation" may be misleading, as it suggests a level of harmony that may not exist under the shadow of a powerful criminal organization.
• The use of the word "permitted" suggests that the LeBaron family had the authority to allow or deny the cartel's activities, which could misrepresent the situation if the cartel was actually imposing its will.
• The notion of undisturbed operations could be misleading, as it may not account for the indirect impacts on the community, such as the influence of the cartel's presence on local law enforcement and governance.
• The term "unspoken agreement" is vague and does not provide evidence of explicit consent or mutual understanding between the parties involved.
• The idea that the LeBarons have been undisturbed since the 1980s might overlook instances of conflict, tension, or disruption that have not been publicly documented or widely reported.

The arrest of "El Chapo" Guzmán marked the end of the previously nonviolent relationship between the LeBaron family and the Sinaloa Cartel, leading to increased hostilities that ultimately resulted in the heartbreaking murder of women and children belonging to the LeBaron community in 2019.

The author reveals that the alliance began to deteriorate as the Mexican officials initiated measures to dismantle the narcotics cartels, particularly during the time El Chapo was incarcerated and later extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The widespread belief is that the sorrowful killings of the three LeBaron women and their children in 2019 originated from a conflict for dominance between the descendants of El Chapo and a rival narcotics kingpin, leading to chaos in the region. In their quest to exploit the void created by El Chapo's absence, cartel gunmen, reportedly hailing from distant places including China, escalated their aggression towards members of the Mormon faith living in the area, coveting their property, access to water, armaments, and vehicles, under the assumption that the LeBaron family would not resist or fight back.

Practical Tips

• Enhance the security of your property by installing modern surveillance systems. Research and invest in security cameras and motion detectors that can be monitored remotely. This will deter potential threats and give you peace of mind knowing that your property is being watched over even when you're not there.

Other Perspectives

• The nonviolent relationship could have been an exception rather than the rule, with the potential for violence always present due to the inherently volatile nature of interactions with drug cartels.
• The focus on high-profile targets like El Chapo might have overshadowed the need for comprehensive reforms in law enforcement and the justice system to sustainably reduce the power of narcotics cartels.
• The involvement of El Chapo's descendants in the killings has not been conclusively proven; it is possible that other members or factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, acting independently of the family, were responsible.
• It is unlikely that cartel gunmen from China would be involved in local cartel operations in Mexico, as the dynamics of drug cartels are typically regional and not international in terms of their foot soldiers.
• The LeBaron family, despite being a peaceful community, may have had measures in place for self-defense that the gunmen underestimated or were unaware of.

The story explores the experiences of women and children as they navigate through the complexities of Mormon fundamentalist communities, particularly their encounters with criminal elements and the tumultuous disputes in Mexico.

Accounts from women connected to or who successfully escaped from communities like Colonia LeBaron, known for practicing polygamy.

In her book, Sally Denton explores the existence of women against the backdrop of Mormon fundamentalism, particularly focusing on their experiences in Colonia LeBaron. The tales of women who remained steadfast or opted to embrace the religion paint a complex portrait of endurance, difficulty, and a surprising level of autonomy. Mormon fundamentalist communities across the United States and Mexico established unique customs designed to shield women from outside forces when polygamy was abandoned by the LDS Church in the 1890s, a condition for Utah to achieve statehood. The organization's intentional isolation and secretive activities eventually attracted the attention of the authorities, leading to the exposure of their wrongdoing and subsequent legal consequences for those who broke civil and religious laws.

Polygamy significantly limits the independence and liberty of women, frequently resulting in coerced unions, household violence, and obstacles to educational opportunities.

The author uses narratives from women who escaped Colonia LeBaron, illustrating how the community's secluded polygamous lifestyle has both protected and oppressed women and children over an extended period. The accounts penned by these women detail the traumatic experiences they endured, including forced underage marriages, compulsory pregnancies, and various forms of domestic violence. Women are instructed early on that their adherence to this lifestyle is essential for securing their eternal salvation and plays a major role in advancing the spiritual development of men. The book describes the way in which the male leaders oversaw the community's economic affairs and illustrates how women and their numerous children were taught to utilize the United States government to gain financial benefits. The characteristic is not solely found within the LeBaron family line. An expert on Mormon fundamentalist customs noted that the practice of plural marriage is unvarying across different environments. Women are valued and shaped solely for their role as obedient supporters, with their importance rooted in their ability to bear, raise, and educate children.

Practical Tips

• Volunteer your time with local organizations that support women's rights and education. While you may not have specialized skills, offering to help with administrative tasks, fundraising, or spreading the word about the organization's work can make a significant impact. This hands-on approach allows you to contribute to the cause and learn more about the challenges these women face.

Other Perspectives

• There are instances where women in polygamous relationships report having a sense of community, support, and shared responsibility, which they find empowering and liberating.
• The framing of pregnancies as "compulsory" may not fully capture the complex social and personal dynamics at play, including factors such as societal pressure, personal beliefs, and individual agency.
• Domestic violence is not exclusive to polygamous communities and can occur in any type of relationship or marital structure, including monogamous unions.
• The concept of salvation is subjective and can be interpreted in various ways within different religious or spiritual contexts, not necessarily requiring adherence to a polygamous lifestyle.
• The oversight of economic affairs by male leaders in polygamous communities is not universally applicable and can vary greatly depending on cultural, religious, and individual family dynamics.
• The statement may unintentionally stigmatize women and children in polygamous communities by implying a misuse of government benefits, rather than acknowledging their legitimate need for assistance.
• Legal frameworks in different countries have a profound impact on the practice of plural marriage, with some nations having strict regulations that can alter its practice considerably from one environment to another.

The psychological and emotional well-being of individuals in these strict religious communities, especially the younger members and females, suffered considerably.

The author intertwines the stories of women who escaped from the Mormon enclave with the wider chronicle of the LeBaron family, placing particular emphasis on the harrowing ordeals faced by those who suffered greatly from the practice of "blood atonement" executions. The story covers the horrific occurrences of 2019, when three mothers and their children were tragically slain, in addition to the prolonged period of homicides committed by Ervil LeBaron and his descendants within their own family.

As a child, Ruth Wariner endured a harrowing event when her mother's demise was brought about by another of her father's spouses. In a brutal act deemed to be a form of blood atonement, a rival spouse took the life of a mother in the presence of her children and subsequently wed the bereaved partner, following a ceremony steeped in customs linked to the foundational doctrines of the "Latter Days". She subsequently characterized her relationship with Mormonism as one characterized by cautious doubt, but with a commitment comparable to that of someone who is agnostic. She believes in a higher power and trusts in the capacity for human spiritual growth, but she is bewildered by the cruelty and deceit of those who cloak their barbarism in a veneer of devoutness.

Practical Tips

• Develop a personal journaling habit to explore and understand your emotional well-being. Through daily reflections, you can identify patterns in your feelings and thoughts that may be linked to your religious environment. This could involve setting aside time each evening to write about your day, focusing on moments that triggered strong emotions and considering alternative perspectives or responses.
• Educate yourself on the legal and human rights aspects of religious freedom and coercion to better advocate for those at risk. This could involve taking free online courses or attending webinars that focus on religious rights and the legal protections against coercive practices. With this knowledge, you can inform and advise others on how to seek help or legal recourse if they find themselves in situations akin to those described.
• Start a personal safety initiative in your community by organizing workshops on emergency response and self-defense. Partner with local law enforcement or self-defense instructors to provide training sessions. This proactive approach can empower individuals and foster a sense of security within the community.
• Create a family tree that includes emotional relationships, not just biological ones. By mapping out your family relationships, including notes on how each person relates to the others emotionally, you can gain insights into the health of your family's interpersonal connections. This visual tool can help you recognize patterns of behavior that may be harmful and consider ways to address them.
• Create a safe space for open dialogue with family members by initiating regular family meetings where everyone can share their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice can foster understanding and healing. For instance, if there's a history of conflict, these meetings can be a step towards reconciliation by providing a platform for everyone to express their grievances and work towards resolutions.
• Engage in a community discussion group focused on interfaith and cultural relationships to gain diverse perspectives. By listening to and sharing experiences, you can better understand the complexities of marrying within or outside one's faith or culture, which can be a significant decision following a partner's bereavement.
• Volunteer for a cause that aligns with your values, not necessarily your religious beliefs, to put your convictions into action. Choose a local charity or community project that resonates with what you feel strongly about, regardless of its religious affiliation. This hands-on approach allows you to express and test your commitment to your values in a practical setting.
• Create a personal ethical code to navigate spiritual communities. Write down a set of principles that you believe a truly spiritual person should embody, such as kindness, honesty, and non-violence. Use this as a benchmark when interacting with individuals or groups, to evaluate if their behavior matches your understanding of spirituality. For instance, if someone preaches about peace but acts aggressively, they would not meet your criteria.

Women played a crucial role in upholding the steadiness and endurance of the LeBaron family and their surrounding community, even when faced with challenges and conflict.

In her book, Denton reveals that within the confines of Colonia LeBaron, women, often overshadowed by the patriarchal framework of Mormon fundamentalism, play crucial but often overlooked roles in preserving the cohesion of their families and the community despite ongoing violence and societal upheaval. Following the disaster of November 2019, the men engaged in public oration and established a mutual protection alliance, as their partners organized the memorial services. They offered support and aid to each other and their numerous descendants, guaranteeing the perpetuation of a legacy that extended across several generations. The women appeared to have embraced their positions, viewing everything as decreed by a superior force, even in the face of losses that defied understanding.

The reporter who arrived at the location soon after the event observed a calm demeanor among the individuals, even as they discussed the solemn duty of burying their family members. "Whatever fear they felt, they hid it very well. Perhaps it was discernible in their gaze. However, they managed to conceal it from our observation. And this wasn't just the adults. Youngsters were participants as well. The view was entirely distinct from anything she had encountered before.

Women in the LeBaron family have progressively assumed crucial leadership roles.

The author highlights a significant shift in the community's dynamics, characterized by increased collaborative endeavors, as men started to include women like their wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters more in leadership and decision-making roles, especially in business affairs, after extensive discussions with the LeBaron family and various media outlets. A member of the LeBaron family shared with me their hopes for progress. Our destiny was determined by divine selection. We made the decision to support one another regardless of the circumstances.

Context

• The community has faced various challenges, including issues related to polygamy and conflicts with drug cartels, which may have influenced the need for diverse leadership.
• This shift might also be a response to external pressures or challenges faced by the community, necessitating a more inclusive approach to problem-solving and governance.
• Involving women in business affairs can lead to economic growth and innovation, as diverse leadership teams are often more effective in problem-solving and strategic planning.
• The change in the LeBaron family reflects wider societal movements towards gender inclusivity and empowerment, influenced by global discussions on women's rights.
• The involvement of media outlets indicates that the community's changes are of public interest, possibly due to past events or the unique nature of their societal structure.
• This belief can strengthen the community's identity, providing a shared narrative that justifies their social structures and decisions.
• The family's commitment to mutual support might also be a response to past experiences of persecution or marginalization, reinforcing the need for solidarity.