The Council of Friends (also known as the Woolley Group and the Priesthood Council)[2][3] was one of the original expressions of Mormon fundamentalism, having its origins in the teachings of Lorin C. Woolley, a courier and bodyguard for polygamous leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), who was excommunicated in 1924.

[4][5] Following the death of Woolley in September 1934, and of his Second Elder J. Leslie Broadbent six months later, the leadership of the Group fell to John Y. Barlow.

"[6][7] Barlow believed that the isolated Creek could provide a place of refuge for those engaging in the covert practice of polygamy, a felony; within a month, the town's population more than doubled.

Grant, who agreed to cooperate with state and federal authorities in a multi-state raid intended to wipe out polygamy.

Today, the AUB continues to be led by a Priesthood Council, while the FLDS Church transitioned to autocratic "One Man Rule" by a single prophet in the 1980s.