Polygamists
.
The Polygamists
by Leandro Sanchez
On a recent trip to Utah, I discovered an off-the-grid community in the middle of the desert, a surreal desolate
world to the outsider, but a vibrant place of happiness and homliness to the residents: 15 families living right
inside a massive wall of rock.
During my multiple conversations with locals, as I scouted for locations of interest, a few people started to
mention a community of desert dwelling polygamists. I launched my investigation into how to find them and
gain access to their community.
I was introduced to the polygamists by Enoch. The son of the founder of the community which began in the
1970s, Enoch is one of the group's leading figures. At first Enoch hesitated, but I explained that my goal as a
photographer is to show how different and extraordinary we as a human race can be. I aim to be non-
judgmental when photographing people's lives.
In the photographs, you will see how unique their world is. The families live in a tiny community that is not
only in the middle of a vast desert, but as well they live completely off-the-grid. Only solar power feeds their
energy needs. Their houses are carved into the rock cliff wall towering above them, maintaining a solid
temperature in winter or summer. Their water comes from an on-site well (which feeds impressive vegetable
gardens) and they receive fresh local meat from neighbouring farmers; the community's way of life is extremely
self-sufficient. But one thing in particular inspired me so much. The community was fiiled with happy, healthy
children energised by an enormous curiosity and playful joy.
In the 1970s, Enoch's father had a vision. He moved his family to Utah where he purchased land that included
a vast rock wall. They lived for years in trailers until they started to carve into the rock. Explosives made the
soft rock crumble to make space for their first home. As the years went by and the polygamist community grew,
they started to build the village of houses that can be seen today.
The pictures below are very rare and will, I hope, introduce you to their world.
On a recent trip to Utah, I discovered an off-the-grid community in the middle of the desert, a surreal desolate
world to the outsider, but a vibrant place of happiness and homliness to the residents: 15 families living right
inside a massive wall of rock.
During my multiple conversations with locals, as I scouted for locations of interest, a few people started to
mention a community of desert dwelling polygamists. I launched my investigation into how to find them and
gain access to their community.
I was introduced to the polygamists by Enoch. The son of the founder of the community which began in the
1970s, Enoch is one of the group's leading figures. At first Enoch hesitated, but I explained that my goal as a
photographer is to show how different and extraordinary we as a human race can be. I aim to be non-
judgmental when photographing people's lives.
In the photographs, you will see how unique their world is. The families live in a tiny community that is not
only in the middle of a vast desert, but as well they live completely off-the-grid. Only solar power feeds their
energy needs. Their houses are carved into the rock cliff wall towering above them, maintaining a solid
temperature in winter or summer. Their water comes from an on-site well (which feeds impressive vegetable
gardens) and they receive fresh local meat from neighbouring farmers; the community's way of life is extremely
self-sufficient. But one thing in particular inspired me so much. The community was fiiled with happy, healthy
children energised by an enormous curiosity and playful joy.
In the 1970s, Enoch's father had a vision. He moved his family to Utah where he purchased land that included
a vast rock wall. They lived for years in trailers until they started to carve into the rock. Explosives made the
soft rock crumble to make space for their first home. As the years went by and the polygamist community grew,
they started to build the village of houses that can be seen today.
The pictures below are very rare and will, I hope, introduce you to their world.
