Life in Bountiful

Life in Bountiful

LIFE IN BOUNTIFUL

Executive Producers: Steve Hoggard, Daphna Rubin, Michael Cascio
Story Producers: Daphna Rubin, Olivia Ahnemann

Bountiful, Canada is home to a breakaway polygamist community shepherded by charismatic leader Winston Blackmore. With more than 23 wives and over 100 children, Blackmore lives the life he teaches.

The Blackmores split from the fundamentalist Mormon sect led by convicted child rapist Warren Jeffs several years ago, after refusing to murder a young bride Jeffs designated for assassination.

Now, the polygamists of Bountiful are setting out on their own path and want to convince the Canadian government to legalize their way of life.

PROJECT SLIDESHOW

Winston's daughters and nieces serve as flower girls for the latest Bountiful wedding.

Joseph Smith claimed that god commanded him to engage in polygamy but didn't tell his first wife or his followers until several years after the revelation. Initially Smith claimed god only allowed him to engage in polygamy. But later, he said god changed the commandment to approve polygamy for all Mormon men.

Winston with one of his 100-plus children...

Two of the Blackmore women. In all, Winston has more than 23 sister-wives but the family is circumspect as to the exact number.

These photos of Jeffs 'marrying' girls as young as 11 were used by prosecutors during his trial. Jeffs is now serving a life sentence in federal prison.