Breaking Free: How I Escaped My Father-Warren Jeffs-Polygamy, and the FLDS Cult

by Rachel Jeffs

The most important rule in the FLDS religion is this: Never question the Prophet.

Books from the outside world—“gentile” books—were monitored very closely. Romance titles, especially, were forbidden; it was wicked to even think about a boy, let alone like one.

My goodreads would have me excommunicated so fast

Encircling this Eden was a six-foot-tall cement wall, a defining characteristic of every house I lived in. As a child, I thought these walls were meant to keep the wicked world outside. But in time I came to realize that they were there just as much to keep us in.

it took sixty men working twenty-two hours a day to meet the deadline and keep their families and salvation.

that is insane

Father had had a new revelation that he called the New Law of Sarah, which allowed him to have multiple naked wives with him at one time, all in the name of God, to give him “heavenly comfort” as he solemnly atoned for the sins of the people. This law required the women to sexually touch and excite each other as well as Father with the promise that they were all working together for Father’s benefit as “God’s servant.” He said that these girls had been given to him by God “before they go through teenage doubting and fears and boy troubles. I will just be their boy trouble and guide them right.” He especially liked to bring in young new brides who found this activity repulsive, because it aroused him to watch these girls do something they hated. My own experience began to make more sense—the more I abhorred what he made me do, the more pleasure he had gotten from it.)

this man is so sick...

it shouldn’t have been so difficult to get him the help he needed. I could not understand how Rich’s obeisance to a man in prison was more important than the well-being of his own child.

Years later, when I saw documentaries about bin Laden, the man’s ability to brainwash his people to do his bidding reminded me very much of Father.

Being grateful for whatever life hands me is the key to my sanity and happiness.

“Sometimes we have to go through hell ourselves before we are humble enough to listen.”