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Full of Beans: FLDS Mormons: Evil Culture, Lawless Cult: Fact or Fiction?
Learn the truth of the FLDS Lost Boys and other fantasies.
From the perspective of an FLDS Mormon lady, "Full of Beans" with 50 color photographs is a contemplative analogy of a deplorable paradox. Written from the heart with candor, deep sincerity, as well as frequent splashes of irony, "Full of Beans" is a discussion of Fundamentalist Mormon identity, faith and faithfulness, religious intolerance, human rights, contradictions of law, and the cheesiness of the moon.
I was born and raised FLDS Mormon and lived forty-seven years among my people. Married twenty years, raised eight children, had many remarkable experiences, including a terrifying government raid on the YFZ Ranch in 2008 when hundreds of our children were stolen by the state of Texas. In 2012 circumstances caused me to leave my home and community and face the world, alone. As I lived and worked in mainstream society, wherever I went, people asked strange questions.
Did you escape from that awful religious cult in Southern Utah with the horrible men?
Did your husband beat you and force you to have lots of kids?
You poor thing! You must be so happy to finally be free.
Huh? Poor me? Free?
When I replied NO, NO, and NO to such questions, I got strange reactions. Silence. Eye rolls. Head shakes. Cold shoulders. Retreating backs. Smiles of pity, and downright angry accusations.
Whaaaat?
Abusive men, stomped on women, illiterate children. Busted bones, broken hearts, darkness and dungeons. Violence, crime, fraud, fear, and deception. Exposure, escape, heroes and heroines.
Seriously?
The moon is made of cheese; the sunset is orange soda. Chocolate with caviar is the best cure for cancer, and a daily Heineken will reverse hair loss. Brett Kavanaugh attacked Christine Ford, and Darth Vader is everybody’s hero. Nancy Pelosi is a pro-life activist, and Donald Trump is actually Santa Clause. The earth is flat, and all men are Christians. The stock market is stable, and my name is Bathsheba.
Somebody is full of beans.
Proceeds from the sale of this book contribute to creating employment opportunities for displaced women with children.
From the perspective of an FLDS Mormon lady, "Full of Beans" with 50 color photographs is a contemplative analogy of a deplorable paradox. Written from the heart with candor, deep sincerity, as well as frequent splashes of irony, "Full of Beans" is a discussion of Fundamentalist Mormon identity, faith and faithfulness, religious intolerance, human rights, contradictions of law, and the cheesiness of the moon.
I was born and raised FLDS Mormon and lived forty-seven years among my people. Married twenty years, raised eight children, had many remarkable experiences, including a terrifying government raid on the YFZ Ranch in 2008 when hundreds of our children were stolen by the state of Texas. In 2012 circumstances caused me to leave my home and community and face the world, alone. As I lived and worked in mainstream society, wherever I went, people asked strange questions.
Did you escape from that awful religious cult in Southern Utah with the horrible men?
Did your husband beat you and force you to have lots of kids?
You poor thing! You must be so happy to finally be free.
Huh? Poor me? Free?
When I replied NO, NO, and NO to such questions, I got strange reactions. Silence. Eye rolls. Head shakes. Cold shoulders. Retreating backs. Smiles of pity, and downright angry accusations.
Whaaaat?
Abusive men, stomped on women, illiterate children. Busted bones, broken hearts, darkness and dungeons. Violence, crime, fraud, fear, and deception. Exposure, escape, heroes and heroines.
Seriously?
The moon is made of cheese; the sunset is orange soda. Chocolate with caviar is the best cure for cancer, and a daily Heineken will reverse hair loss. Brett Kavanaugh attacked Christine Ford, and Darth Vader is everybody’s hero. Nancy Pelosi is a pro-life activist, and Donald Trump is actually Santa Clause. The earth is flat, and all men are Christians. The stock market is stable, and my name is Bathsheba.
Somebody is full of beans.
Proceeds from the sale of this book contribute to creating employment opportunities for displaced women with children.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2019
4 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Jessop
8 books5 followersMaggie wrote her first story in third grade. Ever since, she has enjoyed penning her thoughts, experiences, and ideas, and sharing them with others. She has authored dozens of articles, poems, skits, plays, songs, and stories.
Maggie currently works as a truck driver and in her spare time, she writes books and keeps a blog called Teacher Tailor Trucker.
Maggie is a mother of eight children and friend to hundreds more all over the nation. Her past and present accomplishments and interests include gardening, homesteading, music, baking, interior design, sewing, mountain climbing, and foster parenting. She considers herself a pilgrim of the past, an infant of the future. She enjoys life and uses writing as a tool to encourage others to find joy in life as well.
Maggie currently works as a truck driver and in her spare time, she writes books and keeps a blog called Teacher Tailor Trucker.
Maggie is a mother of eight children and friend to hundreds more all over the nation. Her past and present accomplishments and interests include gardening, homesteading, music, baking, interior design, sewing, mountain climbing, and foster parenting. She considers herself a pilgrim of the past, an infant of the future. She enjoys life and uses writing as a tool to encourage others to find joy in life as well.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 19, 2019
I was utterly amazed after reading this book. When I finally decided to just read and not judge by all the negative crud I have seen about these people, I was just baffled what they have endured. Every story has two sides and if those of us who think we’re so wise and informed would just stop and listen to some who are looked down upon by most for their religious beliefs then we might have our eyes and hearts opened a bit.
For everything this author has gone through, she sure has an amazing ability to express herself and I find her quite witty in her writings yet serious when it comes to her heartfelt religious beliefs.
My hat is off to you Maggie, for my eyes have been opened!
For everything this author has gone through, she sure has an amazing ability to express herself and I find her quite witty in her writings yet serious when it comes to her heartfelt religious beliefs.
My hat is off to you Maggie, for my eyes have been opened!
March 19, 2019
I am familiar with Maggie, being one of my favorite cousins, she has hit the bulls eye with this book. The situations with which I am personally familiar are very well represented, and very funny the way she has woven them together. Some history, tugging on heartstrings, family, friends acquaintances, and so forth, but very well written as Maggie's skills with writing only imorove.
October 9, 2019
This book made me laugh my head off and cry my eyes out. This author has some serious talent. Very unusual and refreshing.
July 25, 2019
I don’t think the author Maggie Jessop intended for her book to be a thriller, but I found her testimony of what happened in Texas to be just that. A polygamous Mormon community stalked by authorities after a fictitious call for help. Armed soldiers stormed into the community and took hundreds of children away from their mothers.
The testimony is all the better because the author is a woman who lived in the community and explains the attack on her faith. Thus she refutes the idea of abused women and children. The stories of children hiding their cell phones from authorities, secret calls with their parents and siblings. This incredible event is more like a novel set in a totalitarian state, not a country based on religious freedom. After reading, one asks, “Is it even possible that a man in the 21st century in the US has a chance to know the truth?”
If it wasn't for this book by Maggie Jessop, the public would still live mystified by the sensational media reports. Remarkable are the testimonies of lawyers, which ultimately helped mothers win their children back. "What we did was bad, terribly bad," says one of the officials involved in the crackdown.
I lived 22 years in Czechoslovakia when it was occupied by Russian communist soldiers. What happened to the FLDS at the YFZ Ranch resembles what happened in my country. Since then we have had 30 years of democracy and this would never happen in Czech Republic today. We know the price of freedom-freedom of expression, faith and opinion. After reading this book I have the feeling that the US is losing it...
The testimony is all the better because the author is a woman who lived in the community and explains the attack on her faith. Thus she refutes the idea of abused women and children. The stories of children hiding their cell phones from authorities, secret calls with their parents and siblings. This incredible event is more like a novel set in a totalitarian state, not a country based on religious freedom. After reading, one asks, “Is it even possible that a man in the 21st century in the US has a chance to know the truth?”
If it wasn't for this book by Maggie Jessop, the public would still live mystified by the sensational media reports. Remarkable are the testimonies of lawyers, which ultimately helped mothers win their children back. "What we did was bad, terribly bad," says one of the officials involved in the crackdown.
I lived 22 years in Czechoslovakia when it was occupied by Russian communist soldiers. What happened to the FLDS at the YFZ Ranch resembles what happened in my country. Since then we have had 30 years of democracy and this would never happen in Czech Republic today. We know the price of freedom-freedom of expression, faith and opinion. After reading this book I have the feeling that the US is losing it...
August 4, 2022
First of all, Hello, Maggie Jessop Jeffs. It is a pleasure to meet you. I respect you and understand you have a strong and valiant testimony of the teachings of the FLDS. I am most certain you are a fine, upstanding, hardworking, and lovely person.
Thank you for writing your book and teaching me things from your perspective. If you hadn't written this book, how would I have accessed some of this information otherwise? I'm so glad I can read from a person who has lived this religion and is advocating for it to the best of her ability.
Maggie, you need an editor. Your voice very much comes through in your writing, but editors make books better. Your book is not well organized and doesn't have a very good flow to it. The readability would go way up if you could find an experienced editor or co-author to assist you.
I agree that it was awful for 400+ children to be taken from their families. I'm sure there were false accusations, but there was also evidence, actual recordings, left by Warren Jeffs himself, proving that he was abusing young girls from a position of religious trust. The state of Texas didn't make that stuff up.
I'm sorry the UEP lost all of your community property. It sounds like you had the best of intentions by putting everything into a trust, but it also sounds like someone forgot to get proper attorneys and accountants in place to help ensure that nothing bad like that would happen.
You all seem to be law abiding citizens, except when it comes to practicing plural marriage, which is against the law. Polygamy is not legal in the United States of America. If you are consistently breaking the law of the land over a long period of time, you will experience some legal ramifications.
You accuse The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of moving away from the nickname of “Mormons” in order to further distinguish themselves from you. That is not true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is trying to emphasize their belief in and worship of Jesus Christ. And the FLDS were the ones who broke away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I love your views on raising children with love and kindness without yelling, etc. You are free do dress modestly. You may choose your own hairstyles. People ask questions out of curiosity.
Thank you again for your perspective!
Thank you for writing your book and teaching me things from your perspective. If you hadn't written this book, how would I have accessed some of this information otherwise? I'm so glad I can read from a person who has lived this religion and is advocating for it to the best of her ability.
Maggie, you need an editor. Your voice very much comes through in your writing, but editors make books better. Your book is not well organized and doesn't have a very good flow to it. The readability would go way up if you could find an experienced editor or co-author to assist you.
I agree that it was awful for 400+ children to be taken from their families. I'm sure there were false accusations, but there was also evidence, actual recordings, left by Warren Jeffs himself, proving that he was abusing young girls from a position of religious trust. The state of Texas didn't make that stuff up.
I'm sorry the UEP lost all of your community property. It sounds like you had the best of intentions by putting everything into a trust, but it also sounds like someone forgot to get proper attorneys and accountants in place to help ensure that nothing bad like that would happen.
You all seem to be law abiding citizens, except when it comes to practicing plural marriage, which is against the law. Polygamy is not legal in the United States of America. If you are consistently breaking the law of the land over a long period of time, you will experience some legal ramifications.
You accuse The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of moving away from the nickname of “Mormons” in order to further distinguish themselves from you. That is not true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is trying to emphasize their belief in and worship of Jesus Christ. And the FLDS were the ones who broke away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I love your views on raising children with love and kindness without yelling, etc. You are free do dress modestly. You may choose your own hairstyles. People ask questions out of curiosity.
Thank you again for your perspective!
March 18, 2019
I approached 'Full of Beans' having read most all the accounts published by ex-FLDS members, yet with a desire to understand the mind of an FLDS believer from her own perspective. I was not disappointed, and was in fact very excited by what I learnt and how the topic was approached.
The way Maggie writes is a breath of fresh air! I could sense, from beginning to end, the fun she has with words as I read them - how refreshing! Knowing that Maggie was an English teacher, I find myself ever-so-slightly jealous of those students who were taught by her, as her passion for language and writing is so clear... a rare privilege to read.
For many, the notion that the FLDS religion has its faults is of no question. It is certainly unwise, however, to write off an entire belief system and culture as 'all bad'. 'Full of Beans' introduces a welcome new perspective into the canon of FLDS commentary... anyone can acknowledge that it is unbalanced that until this time FLDS literature (meaning that which is accessible to mainstream society; not including that which circulates within the church) has been entirely negative. I was pleased to learn in this book of the elements of FLDS life that I had long suspected were worthy of respect... The deliberate approach taken to parenting and to relationships in general, built upon the expectation that one works consistently to improve oneself, but is focused on forgiving others their shortcomings, is quite inspiring. I am sure that, in this way, we could all learn a thing or two about character from the FLDS people.
I was very pleased to read Maggie's perspectives in the chapter entitled 'Marriage'. She does not try to sell the idea or practice of plural marriage to the reader, but points out the joys of approaching marriage the way her people does. Following the marriage structure ordained of God, with the man as benevolent leader and woman as help meet unto him, FLDS teachings seem to focus on mutual service -- the husband serves his family in service of God, and the wife serves her husband and children in the same vain. Forgiveness and patience, even long-suffering are essential; and one gets the sense that each party participates for the joy and benefit of the other, rather than in selfishness. I do not expect that every single FLDS member succeeds in living this way, but I can't fault the design. This is a people that clearly appreciates the blessings incurred by a pure and humble approach to marriage far more than does our modern society, in which divorce is commonplace and married couples appear to spend much time tearing each other down with insults and dishonouring their own union. My very-feminist friend, after I asked her to read this chapter, confessed, "I understand what she's saying... she's kind of right in some ways..." I was shocked by her response, but suspect that Maggie's style of writing, with its humour and occasional sarcasm, but clear and sensible objective, struck a chord in my friend.
While at times I wished that Maggie had included more anecdotal content about her growing up and living in the very thick of the FLDS (I suppose in order to connect more personally and make one feel as though one knows the author), it is clear that a personal account is not Maggie's foremost purpose in writing 'Full of Beans'. Many who read this book will already have known Maggie or known of her, if they were once of the FLDS people, and I suspect she writes with this in mind... her purpose seems not to fact-check stories told about her, or to tell stories about others, but to offer a rarely-highlighted perspective on FLDS life and philosophy. It is, at once, an entertaining account of certain experiences she has had, and an intellectual assessment of her own faith... fascinating to read, indeed. I look forward to whatever writing she will publish in the future, perhaps including more accounts of her own life and experience.
It is certainly true that Maggie approaches her writing differently than have ex-FLDS writers. One might expect, coming into 'Full of Beans', that the author will use the same writing form and structure to defend her faith as has been used by those who criticise it. I would encourage every reader to ease up on any ideas you have of what this book 'should' be -- I wouldn't say it is an autobiography, nor is it a work of apologetics; and Maggie's sensible hesitation to 'name names' prevents a character-driven narrative. What you will find is an honest examination of FLDS belief and life, and of life itself, from the perspective of one with rich experience and a strong desire to remain positive, optimistic, and faithful.
I thank Maggie for her honesty and boldness in sharing a perspective previously silenced and too-often marginalised. I recommend 'Full of Beans' to anyone willing to open their mind and accept that in all things there is nuance... not all widely-accepted ideas are true or right, and a prairie dress does not simply equal a down-trodden/brainwashed polygamist lady -- there is just so much more beneath the surface than what the majority would have us believe.
The way Maggie writes is a breath of fresh air! I could sense, from beginning to end, the fun she has with words as I read them - how refreshing! Knowing that Maggie was an English teacher, I find myself ever-so-slightly jealous of those students who were taught by her, as her passion for language and writing is so clear... a rare privilege to read.
For many, the notion that the FLDS religion has its faults is of no question. It is certainly unwise, however, to write off an entire belief system and culture as 'all bad'. 'Full of Beans' introduces a welcome new perspective into the canon of FLDS commentary... anyone can acknowledge that it is unbalanced that until this time FLDS literature (meaning that which is accessible to mainstream society; not including that which circulates within the church) has been entirely negative. I was pleased to learn in this book of the elements of FLDS life that I had long suspected were worthy of respect... The deliberate approach taken to parenting and to relationships in general, built upon the expectation that one works consistently to improve oneself, but is focused on forgiving others their shortcomings, is quite inspiring. I am sure that, in this way, we could all learn a thing or two about character from the FLDS people.
I was very pleased to read Maggie's perspectives in the chapter entitled 'Marriage'. She does not try to sell the idea or practice of plural marriage to the reader, but points out the joys of approaching marriage the way her people does. Following the marriage structure ordained of God, with the man as benevolent leader and woman as help meet unto him, FLDS teachings seem to focus on mutual service -- the husband serves his family in service of God, and the wife serves her husband and children in the same vain. Forgiveness and patience, even long-suffering are essential; and one gets the sense that each party participates for the joy and benefit of the other, rather than in selfishness. I do not expect that every single FLDS member succeeds in living this way, but I can't fault the design. This is a people that clearly appreciates the blessings incurred by a pure and humble approach to marriage far more than does our modern society, in which divorce is commonplace and married couples appear to spend much time tearing each other down with insults and dishonouring their own union. My very-feminist friend, after I asked her to read this chapter, confessed, "I understand what she's saying... she's kind of right in some ways..." I was shocked by her response, but suspect that Maggie's style of writing, with its humour and occasional sarcasm, but clear and sensible objective, struck a chord in my friend.
While at times I wished that Maggie had included more anecdotal content about her growing up and living in the very thick of the FLDS (I suppose in order to connect more personally and make one feel as though one knows the author), it is clear that a personal account is not Maggie's foremost purpose in writing 'Full of Beans'. Many who read this book will already have known Maggie or known of her, if they were once of the FLDS people, and I suspect she writes with this in mind... her purpose seems not to fact-check stories told about her, or to tell stories about others, but to offer a rarely-highlighted perspective on FLDS life and philosophy. It is, at once, an entertaining account of certain experiences she has had, and an intellectual assessment of her own faith... fascinating to read, indeed. I look forward to whatever writing she will publish in the future, perhaps including more accounts of her own life and experience.
It is certainly true that Maggie approaches her writing differently than have ex-FLDS writers. One might expect, coming into 'Full of Beans', that the author will use the same writing form and structure to defend her faith as has been used by those who criticise it. I would encourage every reader to ease up on any ideas you have of what this book 'should' be -- I wouldn't say it is an autobiography, nor is it a work of apologetics; and Maggie's sensible hesitation to 'name names' prevents a character-driven narrative. What you will find is an honest examination of FLDS belief and life, and of life itself, from the perspective of one with rich experience and a strong desire to remain positive, optimistic, and faithful.
I thank Maggie for her honesty and boldness in sharing a perspective previously silenced and too-often marginalised. I recommend 'Full of Beans' to anyone willing to open their mind and accept that in all things there is nuance... not all widely-accepted ideas are true or right, and a prairie dress does not simply equal a down-trodden/brainwashed polygamist lady -- there is just so much more beneath the surface than what the majority would have us believe.
July 28, 2019
This is interesting! Amazed to read a positive viewpoint from a woman who actually lived this religion and experienced the raid on her people. News reports usually show FLDS women in a negative light as though they are somehow stupider than the rest of us. Yeah, their religion might not be popular, but I don't believe for a moment they are stupid after reading Maggie's deep intellect. Actually, there is much to admire.
June 21, 2020
Amazing read
This book is very well written and the author is articulate and clear. She is very honest without being judgemental. I was so glad to read it.
This book is very well written and the author is articulate and clear. She is very honest without being judgemental. I was so glad to read it.
Read
June 23, 2020Different perspective
This author has written a coherent and we'll backed scriptural defense of the FLDS. It is deep and yet filled with a kind of humor about life.
This author has written a coherent and we'll backed scriptural defense of the FLDS. It is deep and yet filled with a kind of humor about life.
January 27, 2022
There was an honesty about the book, that I loved, as it gives a perspective from another side of the story, about the 2008 raid on the Compound in Texas. From someone who experienced everything and the failings of the system that should have theoretically looked after them in the Freedom of Religion and even Free Speech, that tainted the court case against them. That yes bad things do happen within groups like the FLDS, but there are good things to happen as well, as not everyone in the FLDS is a bad person, that there are even good things about bad people on occasion. She give is frankly and presents it in a way that is easily understood by the reader and explains the interpretation of the FLDS, using the material that they grew up with and accessible to all Mormons and people.
December 23, 2022
Sad, but Well-Written
Basically, this book is about a woman defending the FLDS church and is telling the story of the 2008 invasion of the ranch/Warren Jeffs situation from the FLDS point of view. From the reading, there's a lot of hypocrisies and comparing "apples to oranges" as I believe it to be brainwashing. I enjoyed the opportunity to view the opposing perspective of this situation, however, I feel like the author needs to be less condescending towards the public and needs to look through another lens. This is strictly opinion and she did say she doesn't care what people think in the book so.... Here is my final say: she's brainwashed beyond repair which is sad.
Basically, this book is about a woman defending the FLDS church and is telling the story of the 2008 invasion of the ranch/Warren Jeffs situation from the FLDS point of view. From the reading, there's a lot of hypocrisies and comparing "apples to oranges" as I believe it to be brainwashing. I enjoyed the opportunity to view the opposing perspective of this situation, however, I feel like the author needs to be less condescending towards the public and needs to look through another lens. This is strictly opinion and she did say she doesn't care what people think in the book so.... Here is my final say: she's brainwashed beyond repair which is sad.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews