Fundamentalist Mormons

od to be “the servants of servants.”

That a devout religious sect wishing to be left alone with their faith would choose to settle in Short Creek is understandable. The red rocks of Canaan Mountain loom like sentries above the town. The vast cerulean sky is dark and crisp at 6,000 feet.

There is also a harsh edge to the wind that turns the cheeks of the women ruddy and tousles their carefully constructed braids.

Clad in frocks and simple dresses, they appear trapped in an endless episode of “Little House on the Prairie.” Dust stirs under their footfalls, swirling their long skirts as they walk the quiet streets.

Although it’s hard to study their faces at any length because they’re quick to turn away from strangers, there’s a sense of déjà vu with each high forehead, pointed nose, and reddish-gold mane.

In Short Creek, it’s not uncommon for your sister to be your cousin or your uncle your stepfather. The lack of new blood — this is a sect you must be born into — explains the recurring facial structures.

In a more tragic way, it also explains the town’s baby cemetery, a large plot of land devoted exclusively to the headstones of newborns and infants.

Marriage between close relations can bring out the worst in genetics.

Short Creek is completely dominated by Jeffs. FLDS members control the city government, the police force, the schools, and every aspect of life.

“Obey the prophet when he speaks and you’ll be blessed,” Jeffs has said. “Disobey him and it’s death.”

In late 2004, Jeffs asked his disciples to stand if they would be willing to die for him. No one remained seated.

“He asked them would they die for him. Well, that’s a veiled question,” says Richard Holm, a former elder in the FLDS church who was excommunicated in 2003. “‘Would you kill for me?’ is the subtle question within that question.”

In the two years since he became prophet, Jeffs has ordered all dogs shot; closed the town zoo; forbidden television, holidays, movies and music; banned laughter; forbidden swimming and water sports, and sent “God Squads” of young men to inspect residences and report any violations of his edicts.

Marriages are arranged and performed exclusively by Jeffs in order to keep his chosen people pure. “The devil is trying to get people to go out and marry and mix with the world,” he preaches, “even different colored people. That is why we marry only who the prophet says.”

Strangers (“gentiles”) touring the town are met with glances ranging from hostile to fearful. Outsiders, residents have been told, are “wicked.”

Everywhere visitors go in Short Creek, they are shadowed by an entourage of men SUV and pickups watching their every move, taking note of where they go and who they speak with — a silent intimidation of both the visitors and anyone who accommodates them.

Now they’ve bought some land in Eldorado, a small town in Texas – only 260 miles from Waco.