This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The following is a transcript of the letter Hildale and Colorado
City Marshal Fred Barlow wrote to Warren Jeffs. Federal authorities
seized the letter on Oct. 28, 2005, when Jeffs' brother, Seth Jeffs,
was found in Colorado with correspondence and materials believed
destined for Jeffs. Barlow told Arizona police regulators he wrote
the letter in October 2005. The Tribune is withholding names of
children discussed in the letter.
Dear Uncle Warren,
I would first like to acknowledge you as the one man that was and is
called of God to stand at the head of his priesthood and the Kingdom
of God on the earth in this day and time. I rejoice in the peace that
comes over me when I follow the directives that you have sent to me
through Uncle William. I have felt a unity between the peace
officers. They have all stated to me their desire to follow the
directives that are placed before us. I feel that I am the weakest
one among them, but I want to fill the position that you would have
me fill and do the job the way that you would like it done. The two
men that are in the police academy in Utah are graduating on Oct. 21,
2005. They will still have to pass the waiver in Arizona before we
will be able to use them in Arizona. They last word that I had
received through Sam Roundy was to use Sam Johnson fill [sic] time.
We will continue with that directive unless you would like us to do
something different. I have not had any official word on the
investigation of our police department but my understanding is that
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has formally requested that
the Department of Justice Alberto Gonzalas [sic] investigate the
Colorado City/Hildale police Department for civil rights violations.
Also on the 19th of October, Arizona Police Officers Standard and
Training board will meet to decide to decertify Sam and Vance. I do
not know exactly what we have ahead of us but I do know that I and
all of the other officers have expressed our desire to stand with you
and the priesthood. I fill [sic] that without priesthood I am
nothing. The community has been getting harassed by many news
reporters. They are asking us why no one will talk to them. As law
enforcement we get many calls and I have explained to them that the
media have never told the truth about this people and that the people
are not trying to justify themselves to the world. One more thing, I
have received several calls from Washington County Detective Nolan
Grey about the 2 [name withheld] girls, [names withheld] that have
been reported missing. He stated that The Division [sic] of Missing
and Exploited Children are wanting to get involved.
I need to report on the family that has been placed in my care. As I
reported in my last letter we had a beautiful little son. We now have
3 girls and 3 boys, myself and Rebecca White Barlow Jeffs, making 8
total in our family. Our son Fred Jr. has started school this year at
Twin City Academy. We have been reading both morning and night and
have felt how much sweeter the family has been. I am praying for you
to be protected and yearn to be with you again. I know that God is
the helm and that his work will go forward. I rejoice in the tests
and hope and pray that I will not offend God. I pray to be always
filled with his spirit and to live by inspiration. I hope to hear any
directives that you have for me. I know that I still have thing to
purge out of my life and have bee [sic] striving to get them out. I
know that Heavenly Fathers help I can succeed. I love you and
acknowledge you as my priesthood head. And I know that you have the
right to rule in all aspects of my life. I yearn to hear from you.