Notorious Polygamist: Tom Green’s TV Family, Child Polygamy, & Utah Prosecution (Jacob Vidrine 10 of 13)

Tom Green gained notoriety for appearing on television with his plural family, which led to Utah prosecuting him after discovering one wife was “very underage,” resulting in his conviction for child polygamy and welfare fraud, or child rape according to one account, and a prison sentence

Don’t miss our other conversations with Jacob: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jacob-vidrine

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Tom Green: Polygamy, Prison, & Quest for Community

Tom Green, a controversial figure in Mormon fundamentalism, was a key claimant to the succession of Ross LeBaron, leader of the Church of the Firstborn. Green stuck with LeBaron until his death in 1996. On his deathbed, LeBaron reportedly did not name a clear successor but charged both Tom Green and Jerry Barlow to carry on his work. Green leveraged this instruction, claiming he had received higher temple ordinances from Ross, thereby being “anointed and appointed”.

Green briefly formed a group spanning the late 1990s into the early 2000s, attempting to unite Ross’s followers under his leadership. Green achieved notoriety by making numerous radio and television appearances about polygamy, frequently showcasing his plural family.

Tom Green’s Prison Sentence

However, his public profile led to his downfall when it was discovered that one of his wives was underage. The state of Utah prosecuted him for child polygamy and welfare fraud, seemingly intending to “make an example of him,” particularly because of his media exposure.

Green was convicted in 2002 of child rape and served a prison sentence, which lasted five years. He was released on parole on August 7, 2007. After his incarceration, his group largely fell apart.

Attempts at Succession

Tom Green sought community, particularly as his children grew and needed partners for marriage. He decided to join the Kingston Group, viewing them as a successful example of a united order and plural marriage, noting their economic success in business despite negative press. He maintained, however, that he never recanted the authority he had received from Ross LeBaron. Green remained on parole for at least 14 years before dying from COVID-19 at age 72 on February 28, 2021.

Green represents one of several factions that emerged after LeBaron’s death, alongside the independents and the group led by Fred Collier. LeBaron’s mission centered on ordaining patriarchs and establishing a patriarchal pattern, an effort that continues today through independent groups and men who trace their authority back to Ross and Tom Green. Fred Collier, another key figure who worked closely with Ross (the religious innovator) as the one who “wrote it up” and added stability through systematization, also claimed succession after separating from Ross in 1983.

Tom was one of the best known polygamists in the early 2000’s due to his quest for publicity. It is likely the reason that other fundamentalists avoid publicity, as they see that it often brings more trouble than it is worth.

Don’t miss our other conversations with Jacob: https://gospeltangents.com/people/jacob-vidrine

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