Photos from Inside the FLDS

Known collectively as Short Creek, the towns of Hildale and Colorado City, on the border of Utah and Arizona, respectively, have a total population of about 8,000, the majority of which are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is the largest polygamist enclave in America. For generations, the FLDS leadership has had total control over this desert outpost on the edge of the Grand Canyon, selecting the mayors, the city council and even the town marshals without issue. But in recent years, the DOJ has been investigating allegations that the two towns have been violating residents' civil rights, allowing the church to use public officials to run members who left the faith — "apostates" in FLDS parlance — out of town, denying utility hookups and even spying on citizens.