Cops Find Family of Five Murdered Inside Barn

Jeffrey Lundgren, initially a tour guide at the Kirtland Mormon Temple, gained followers by presenting himself as a true prophet and seer. He used extensive memorization of the Book of Mormon to engage in 'scriptural warfare,' debating church members and citing passages (like Deuteronomy's call to put 'strange gods' worshipers to death) to justify his radical interpretations. He convinced followers he spoke directly to God and was chosen to restore the church, despite having stolen $40,000 from the temple.

He told his cult members, his followers, that he was the true prophet. He basically memorizes the Book of Mormon and he engages in what he calls scriptural warfare where he will debate citing scripture alone anyone in the church. And we read from Deuteronomy, if we have those who want to worship strange gods, what were you to do? You were to put them to death. (03:18, 04:12)

Lundgren systematically exploited his followers for their assets. He convinced them that selling their possessions and contributing the money was 'God's will,' mirroring biblical narratives of apostles' feet. He then moved his followers to an isolated farm, fostering a sense of separation from the 'wicked' outside world, which intensified his control.

Any possessions that I brought with me. Jeff had a big sale and sold all of it. I even sold my house while I was there and I never saw that check. They cashed it and never saw it. But um I was doing God's will. I thought. Different people sold their houses or sold a car or sold this and that just as it says and brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles feet. (07:00)

Lundgren developed a plan to violently take over the Kirtland Temple, believing it was necessary for Christ's return. This involved 'purifying the area' by killing all 'Gentiles and evil people' within a five-mile radius, including the minister and his family. He armed his followers with semi-automatic rifles and trained them for this 'cleansing'.

He starts talking about how they're going to attack the church. Jeffrey says that before Christ can return, before he can reappear, they have to purify the area around the temple. How do you purify the area? You kill all of the Gentiles and evil people within a 5mi radius of the church. (08:05)

After a police stop revealed an FBI investigation into his activities, Lundgren abruptly changed his prophecy. He claimed the temple takeover failed due to 'sin in our own group' and declared that the Avery family—Dennis, Cheryl, and their three daughters—were the 'biggest sinners' who needed to be 'done away' (killed). This shift allowed him to maintain control and eliminate those who were no longer providing sufficient financial contributions.

So all of a sudden, Jeffrey changes his prophecies. He goes up on the mountain and he comes back and he tells his followers, 'Taking over the temple is not what we're supposed to do. We can't do it because there's sin in our own group.' So instead of taking over the temple, we have to purify our own group. And the biggest sinners are Dennis and Cheryl Avery and their three daughters. (13:33, 14:07)

The murders were meticulously planned and executed on April 17, 1989. A pit was dug in the barn, interpreted by Lundgren as 'Pharaoh's army' being 'swallowed in the depths of the Red Sea.' The family was lured to the barn under false pretenses, bound, and individually brought into the pit where Lundgren shot them. A chainsaw was run to muffle the gunshots. After the killings, the bodies were covered with lime, rocks, clay, and debris, fulfilling Lundgren's warped scriptural interpretations.

There was a hole that was dug. it was placed in the barn. Uh the reason why the barn was was picked was because everything that he explained came out of the record as warped as it may sound but the barn was red and he explained it as Pharaoh's army uh coming against them at the Red Sea and they were swallowed in the depths of the Red Sea. (17:34) Greg was running a chainsaw while the shootings were occurring to muffle any sound that the 45 would make. (25:02)

Despite the horrific nature of the murders, cult members complied due to intense fear of Lundgren and unwavering belief in his divine authority. They were convinced that opposing him would result in their own death, and that the murders were 'God's will.' This fear and indoctrination prevented anyone from intervening or reporting the crimes immediately.

Because I was afraid to do it to you if I did. (19:27) One thing that of many that I will regret for the rest of my life. (25:55) There wasn't anything I could do because if he didn't go on with him, then you'd be right in there, too. And I realized if that's what he's doing, then he could just as easily shoot me and the kids. (29:26)

After fleeing Kirtland, Lundgren's control over his followers intensified, extending to sexual exploitation under the guise of religious purification. He claimed 'plurality of wives' was biblical and forced women into sexual relationships. He also demanded women dance naked in his tent for an hour while he watched, claiming this act would 'purify everybody's sins' and bring back Christ.

He announces that all of the men have sinned. And the only way they can bring back Christ is if the women will come into his tent, stripped naked, dance seductively for an hour. While he watches, he masturbates into their panties and that is enough to purify everybody's sins. (32:51)