The enforcers for the cult, the Danites, are based on the bodyguards for Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The cult depicted in the film is based on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The character of Abraham was modeled after Warren Jeffs, who was the leader of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints in Colorado City, Arizona and was arrested in August of 2006 for accomplice to rape.