Violent religious group founded by Ervil LeBaron, responsible for dozens of deaths
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Mormonism
Founder: Ervil LeBaron
Founded: 1972
Ended: 1981
Location: Mexico and United States
Size: Estimated around 30 members
Other Names: Church of the Lamb of God, Lambs of God, LeBaron cult
Offshoots: Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times
The Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God, often referred to as the Church of the Lamb of God, was a highly controversial and violent sect rooted in the Latter Day Saint movement. The group was established by Ervil LeBaron in the late 1960s following doctrinal disputes and personal rivalries within his family, who were deeply embedded in the Mormon fundamentalist community.
The origins of the Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God trace back to the early Latter Day Saint movement. Joseph Smith’s teachings on polygamy found followers in many, including Benjamin F. Johnson. Johnson’s grandson, Alma Dayer LeBaron Sr., moved his family to Mexico to continue practicing polygamy without legal repercussions. Alma Dayer believed he was the rightful spiritual successor to Smith, a belief that fragmented his family after his death. His son Joel established The Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times and appointed his brother Ervil as second-in-command. Another brother, Verlan, also held a high position.
By the late 1960s, Ervil began preaching against his brother Joel, claiming he was the true successor to their father. He established his own faction, the Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God, and named himself president. This marked the beginning of a violent era, as Ervil introduced the doctrine of blood atonement, a doctrine, vehemently rejected by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which suggested that the redemption of certain sins could only be achieved through the sinner’s death. Under this pretext, Ervil ordered a series of brutal murders against those he perceived as rivals or traitors to his authority, beginning with the murder of his brother Joel in 1972.
Ervil’s reign was marked by fear and violence. He issued death threats to rival polygamist leaders, demanding their allegiance and tithes. His followers also carried out murders at his behest. Notable victims included Robert Simons, a leader of a small polygamous sect, and Dean Vest, a dissenting member of Ervil’s group. Ervil’s doctrine even extended to his family; he ordered the death of his pregnant teenage daughter, Rebecca, for threatening to expose the group’s activities.
One of the most shocking episodes under Ervil’s command was the orchestrated attack on the small community of Los Molinos in 1974. Ervil’s thirteenth wife and her brothers carried out a deadly raid, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several innocent people. This attack was part of a larger scheme to eliminate Ervil’s brother Verlan, who had succeeded Joel as the leader of their original church and whom Ervil viewed as a significant threat to his own power.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ervil LeBaron expanded his criminal activities beyond murders to include threats, extortion, and eventually, involvement in organized crime, but managed to evade significant legal repercussions for years. He was briefly imprisoned for planning Joel’s murder, but was released on appeal. While in jail, he continued to disseminate writings, asserting his divine authority and calling for the deaths of those he opposed. His freedom was short-lived, though, as he was eventually captured in Mexico and convicted in the United States for planning the murder of Rulon C. Allred, a prominent polygamist leader.
Ervil died in prison in 1981, but this did not spell the end of the church’s violent legacy. Ervil had penned a manifesto, the Book of New Covenants, which listed individuals marked for blood atonement, ensuring that the cycle of violence continued well beyond his demise.
After Ervil’s death, leadership of the cult passed to his eldest son, Arturo, and then to other sons, including Heber LeBaron. Each leader continued to embrace the criminal and violent legacy left by Ervil. Under Arturo, the group expanded into organized crime, particularly auto theft. Following Arturo’s murder, likely by his own followers, Heber took over and revived the policy of blood atonement. He orchestrated a series of revenge killings against those believed to be responsible for Arturo’s death. Heber also embraced plural marriage, marrying multiple women, including his half-sisters and stepsisters, to strengthen his control over the group.
One of the most infamous episodes after Ervil’s death occurred on June 27, 1988, known as the “4 O’Clock Murders.” Cult members simultaneously executed four people in three different locations in Texas, targeting those prominently on Ervil’s blood atonement list. The murders led to several arrests and convictions of key members, including Heber LeBaron. However, some members, including Aaron LeBaron and Jacqueline Tarsa LeBaron, evaded capture for some time.
The Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God stands as a dark chapter in the history of Mormon fundamentalism, embodying the extreme dangers of religious fanaticism combined with charismatic leadership. Its story, marked by violence, betrayal, and the manipulation of faith for personal gain, serves as a cautionary tale of the potential for distortion within religious movements.
image via Stephany Spencer
