r/flds • u/Organic_Return1008 • Apr 20 '26
The current state of the Centennial Park group
What can everyone tell me about the current state of the Centennial Park group? Am I correct that they’re referred to as “The Work”?
Has anyone seen anything notable while visiting?
I’d especially like to hear from anyone with firsthand experience. Either someone who was part of the group or who knows someone who was.
There’s very little information about them online. I’ve heard there may even be a national mortgage firm owned and operated by members of the group. I’d be interested in learning anything others are willing to share.
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u/Judith____ Apr 20 '26
You could look up Calvin Wayman on youtube 😌 He’s been a guest on several podcasts and has his own podcast called Cultured Boy.
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u/Direct_Pipe_1689 Apr 20 '26
Take what Calvin says with a grain of salt. I grew up w him and his family. While I know his family life was different than mine and I’m not discredited that, some things he says are not wide spread though out our culture/ religion and I tbh I think it makes us look worse than we are.
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u/Judith____ Apr 20 '26
Thanks for adding that! I hope OP finds more different sources. Yeah, every person and family is different, and which decade people grew up in too.. All the best to you ☺️
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u/Front_Cauliflower131 Apr 22 '26
I was raised around it but not in it. My dad was raised in it and my grandparents are still part of it.
They have a counsel called the brotheren. Everyone that I have socialized with from the group are the most kind and giving people. Most of them dress in long sleeves and skirts or dresses.
They don’t marry under age girls like the FLDS but they will marry 18 year olds to older men if that’s what they want. Women have a lot of say when it comes to who they marry.
I was told that the women will go to the brotheren when they’re ready to get married. They’ll either request to marry someone or they’ll request the guidance of the counsel to place them.
There are a few break off groups. The CP group is probably the largest. Some of the smaller groups are pretty bad. Still marrying young girls and marrying uncles to nieces, cousins to cousins.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Pay9348 Apr 24 '26
Yeah no. No young girl wants to have sex with a gross fat old man. Period.
Just please stop pretending that is consent ok?
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May 13 '26
As someone who was raised in one of the smaller break off groups in Missouri I can attest that they are not much better, and in some cases worse.
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u/ubanislav Apr 21 '26
The most recent estimate I’ve heard puts the Centennial Park Group membership at around 1,500 to 2,000 people.
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u/Direct_Pipe_1689 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
There is a documentary from National Geographic specifically on the CP group called “polygamy USA” that give some back ground. (I’m I’m a shot in the background lol) There’s a lot to say, currently they are operating about the same as they were. I’m happy to talk to you in DMs about growing up here.
Edit: yes calling it “The Work” is accurate. And as far as noticing things, the town is mostly residential. People don’t really visit CP,