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Breaking Free
Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs | Rachel Jeffs
29 posts | 30 read | 81 to read
In this searing memoir of survival in the spirit of Stolen Innocence, the daughter of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the FLDS Church, takes you deep inside the secretive polygamist Mormon fundamentalist cult run by her family and how she escaped it. Born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rachel Jeffs was raised in a strict patriarchal culture defined by subordinate sister wives and men they must obey. No one in this radical splinter sect of the Mormon Church was more powerful or terrifying than its leader Warren JeffsRachels father. Living outside mainstream Mormonism and federal law, Jeffs arranged marriages between under-age girls and middle-aged and elderly members of his congregation. In 2006, he gained international notoriety when the FBI placed him on its Ten Most Wanted List. Though he is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, Jeffs iron grip on the church remains firm, and his edicts to his followers increasingly restrictive and bizarre. In Breaking Free, Rachel blows the lid off this taciturn community made famous by John Krakauers bestselling Under the Banner of Heaven to offer a harrowing look at her life with Warren Jeffs, and the years of physical and emotional abuse she suffered. Sexually assaulted, compelled into an arranged polygamous marriage, locked away in "houses of hiding" as punishment for perceived transgressions, and physically separated from her children, Rachel, Jeffs first plural daughter by his second of more than fifty wives, eventually found the courage to leave the church in 2015. But Breaking Free is not only her storyRachels experiences illuminate those of her family and the countless others who remain trapped in the strange world she left behind. A shocking and mesmerizing memoir of faith, abuse, courage, and freedom, Breaking Free is an expose of religious extremism and a beacon of hope for anyone trying to overcome personal obstacles.
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CaitlinByTheBook
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Pickpick

Finished this one last night. It is so fascinating to me to read stories of people who have left fundamentalist religious groups and cults. This book starts strong, a lot of her writing is basic which is to be expected based on her education level, and the ending is very moving. She writes of heavy topics with a breeziness that was surprising at first, but I‘m sure part of her healing. Her positive attitude is inspiring.

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Although the writing leaves a little to be desired, I thought this was a great memoir. The subject matter is difficult and my heart breaks for all the children who were involved. Rachel Jeffs is a brave soul for telling her story and putting her truth out into the world.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Reggie I could not believe how much control he had over them, even from jail. Her not being able to take her kid to the hospital when he falls from the second story of the building. And when even though they were alone her husband wouldn‘t even touch her for fear of what her father would do. I‘m glad she‘s out now. 4y
33 likes2 comments
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LittlePixels
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I think I've read almost every ex-FLDS biography out there, but this one was still worth the read. It was fascinating (and disturbing!) to hear about Warren Jeffs from his own daughter.

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britt_brooke
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DAY 21 #PapaDontPreach | Rachel Jeffs, daughter of incarcerated prophet Warren Jeffs, explains in detail what it was like growing up in her family. This is an incredibly tough read, but she deserves to be heard.

#MOvember
@Cinfhen

Amor4Libros Agree! Read this one earlier this year and could not put it down. 4y
SconsinBookyBadger We‘re thinking alike. I posted a different book same FDLS matter. 4y
britt_brooke @AnansiGirl 🙌🏻 This group fascinates me. 4y
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britt_brooke @Amor4Libros I‘ve read several memoirs from this particular group and I appreciate this different perspective. She is so brave. 💚 4y
BarbaraBB Another FLDS book I should read. 4y
BarbaraBB That picture gives me chills by the way. 4y
britt_brooke @BarbaraBB Totally creepy, isn‘t it? 🙈 4y
Cinfhen Definitely need to get to this book in 2020 4y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Yes! It‘s really good, and so interesting to get the perspective of one of his daughters. 4y
99 likes4 stack adds9 comments
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readtheworld
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Mehso-so

This was just okay. A heartbreaking story, but the writing and the author‘s audio narration were both quite flat.

If you want to learn more about the FLDS church and the power of religious brainwashing, this will be interesting. But if you‘re looking first for an engaging memoir, I‘d skip it.

#triggerwarning #memoir #audiobook #audio #religion #cult

Reggie The part where they don‘t take the kid to the doctor because Jeff hadn‘t said so because they had to wait until they could talk to him from jail only to find out the kid had a broken back among other things. His mind control was CRAZY. 4y
readtheworld @Reggie That was infuriating! I kept expecting her escape from the church to be prompted by one of those incidents (there were multiple!) 4y
34 likes2 comments
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Macnjen
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Pickpick

Shocking story of the FLDS Church, Warren Jeffs and her relationship with the church and her father. Poorly executed and not well written it's still worth learning the story of the incredible disfunction those poor people endured. The audiobook needed better narration and writing but I'm still glad I learned of the story.

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Macnjen
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This is narrated by the author and her voice is killing me. She‘s clearly just reading her story and she has this high pitched, child-like voice that‘s grating. The story is very compelling and shocking but I‘d recommend reading this over listening . It would be so much better with a professional narrator.

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Macnjen
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Next audiobook.

8 likes1 stack add
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nrjohnso
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Mehso-so

Revealing glimpse into life under Warren Jeffs told from his daughter's perspective. There are plenty of other polygamy biographies which have more depth.This was insightful but just an ok read.
Overall score 3.0/5.0

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Reggie
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Pickpick

This book. I admire Racheal for having the courage to leave all that she has known her whole life and create a better life for her and her kids. Her father, Warren Jeffs, was the self named Prophet of the FDLS cult. She writes about enduring the sexual abuse at the hands of her father, being married to a stranger at 18, living the polygamist, sister wive life, and what finally pushes her to leave. The crazy mind control the father kept over 👇🏼

Reggie everyone, even while he was in jail. It was crazy. Just crazy. 5y
Canndor Idk if you are much of a podcast listener but Cults by Parcast is pretty interesting. Usually 1-2 hour long episodes per cult. Fascinating and crazy stuff. 5y
CoverToCoverGirl In my TBR pile.... 5y
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Reggie I do, thanks for the rec, @Canndor, I‘ll check it out. @CoverToCoverGirl it‘s good!! 5y
Cathythoughts Great review..Sounds like a serious & important read. 👍🏻 5y
Cathythoughts I found the couple of historical fiction polygamy books I read very good. I guess it‘s once removed .. not sure if I‘m ready for the factual account ...but I‘m interested.. will have a closer look 👍🏻 5y
GatheringBooks wow!! i like the sound of this. after reading miriam toews novel, i think i should find this one too! 5y
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Reggie
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This is crazy. A 3 year old falls of the 2nd story of a building but can‘t be taken to the hospital because the father, Rich knows nothing can be done without Warren Jeff‘s say so. Jeffs has that much control. Btw Warren Jeffs was in prison when this happens, so Rich just tells his wife they just have to pray and offer the kid blessings until they hear something from him. This is just one of the many, many, crazy things in here.

Centique 😱😱😱 5y
Reagan I want to read this! 5y
Suet624 Horrible. 5y
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Aimeesue 😮😮😮 5y
kspenmoll Sounds horrid. 5y
CoverToCoverGirl 😳🤯 5y
69 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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dylanisreading
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I guess I won't be getting off the couch...

#dogsoflitsy

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Read.Em.And.Eat
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Decided to choose a different kind of horror for book #3. I'm only a few chapters in and I've already had to pick my jaw up off of the floor a few times. This is crazy - and not in a good way!

ReadingEnvy Oh yeah phew, true horror. 6y
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emilyhaldi
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Warren Jeffs might be the King of #selfishlove 🤴🏻
#aprella

Cinfhen Oooh, I totally forgot about this book...I wanted to suggest it for my bookclub 6y
keys_on_fire Is she the one that was on Escaping Polygamy on A&E? 6y
Mdargusch This book crossed my mind too! 6y
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britt_brooke This fucking guy. He‘s a real piece of work. This was a good glimpse into what it‘s like to be one of his many daughters. 6y
Meredith3 OMG THIS IS A MUST READ 6y
Meredith3 @keys_on_fire I believe she did appear in a couple episodes when she was trying to get her sister to escape? I hear there's a new season starting soon! So excited! 6y
emilyhaldi Why don't I know about that show?!?!? 😱 @keys_on_fire @Meredith3 6y
Meredith3 @emilyhaldi you better find out real quick! 6y
emilyhaldi No!! @keys_on_fire but I will add it to my list! 👍🏻 6y
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Mdargusch
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Pickpick

I could not put this book down. Rachel Jeffs tells her story as one of the 53 children of Warren Jeffs,the leader of the FLDS cult. The abuse she suffered at the hand of her father was hard to understand and hard to read. She was ostracized, imprisoned, and separated from her children for months on end until she finally got the courage to leave. Shockingly, Warren Jeffs still rules his people from behind bars. #fallatyourfeet #marchintooz

Cinfhen Sounds fascinating 6y
britt_brooke This was really good. I‘ve read a few FLDS memoirs, but this one coming from Jeffs‘s own daughter was a different take. I applaud her for telling her story. 6y
FantasyChick This book was amazing! I am fascinated by these cult books as it is but reading about it from Jeffs' daughter was incredible. Another I'm looking forward to is 6y
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Lcsmcat Having lived in UT for 22 years, I‘ve got to add this to the TBR. 6y
Mdargusch I agree with bit of you. So shocking a father treated a daughter that way and then she was so brave to tell the story. @britt_brooke and @FantasyChick 6y
Mdargusch You really have to @Lcsmcat 6y
jillrhudy Have you tried? 6y
Reviewsbylola You and @emilyhaldi are on a library kick!! 6y
emilyhaldi That‘s it, I‘m reading this!!! And yes @Reviewsbylola you should see the glee on my husband‘s face every time he sees me reading a library book 🤣 6y
Mdargusch No @jillrhudy - thanks for the recommendation! 6y
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PaperbackReader
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Mehso-so

I‘ll say this about it, truly a story of a megalomaniac child molester. Warren Jeff should have been castrated as soon possible and been given a directive to have no contact with the outside world from his prison cell. To think that he still holds sway over the “church” is a joke. That “church” is simply a cult that segregated women and allows pedophiles to run rampant.

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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

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

Rachel Jeffs, daughter of incarcerated prophet Warren Jeffs, explains in detail what it was like growing up in her family. I‘ve read a few #FLDS memoirs, but this was different due to Rachel‘s direct relationship with her megalomaniacal, sociopathic father. This is a pretty tough read, but worth it. These FLDS women deserve to be heard.

TW: sexual abuse, neglect

britt_brooke 📷: Salt Lake Tribune 6y
benchley1 The Cults! Podcast just did a.teo part on the FLDS, I feel so bad for the people stuck and afraid 6y
britt_brooke @benchley1 It‘s truly awful. 😔 6y
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Ashley_Nicoletto This was the kindle deal last weekend and I snagged it so fast. 6y
britt_brooke @Ashley_Nicoletto That‘s when I picked it up, too! 🙌🏻 6y
FantasyChick Aaaaaah This book facinated me and really makes me want to read more on Jeffs. I thought it was really well done too, even though it was heartbreaking as hell. Have you read Elissa Wall's book? It's next on my list and I hear good things as well 6y
britt_brooke @FantasyChick Yes, Wall‘s book is worth a read, too. 👍🏻👍🏻 And Carolyn Jessop‘s, and Rebecca Musser‘s. I also recommend Prophet‘s Prey by Sam Brower if you haven‘t read it. 6y
Leftcoastzen 😢🤢 6y
azulaco He looks like such a schmo, it puzzles me how he ever became the Prophet. I want to read this, for sure. 6y
britt_brooke @azulaco He‘s a foul human being. What‘s always fascinating/crazy to me is that there are people that truly believe he‘s God‘s mouthpiece on earth. Many were born into it and just don‘t know any better. 6y
176 likes18 stack adds10 comments
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britt_brooke
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Typical Friday evening. #nocomplaints #booksandbooze #cheers

LeslieO My kind of Friday evening. 6y
EricaReads Ooh I just got this one from the library. 6y
LeahBergen That‘s a heavy pour of vodka. 😂😂 6y
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britt_brooke @LeahBergen I promise it‘s Pinot Grigio. 😆 6y
britt_brooke @EricaReads It‘s very good, but a tough read. It‘s from a different perspective than the other FLDS memoirs I‘ve read, Rachel actually being one of Warren Jeffs‘s daughters and all. (edited) 6y
britt_brooke @LeslieO 🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
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bibliobliss
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• has anyone read this semi-new release? it‘s kinda bad to say this but...I love a good cult memoir! terribly sad that so much horrid abuse happens behind the scenes. I‘m glad people everywhere are finally finding the courage to expose these awful experiences •

#TBR #memoir #cults #abuse #children #looksinteresting

Gina If you like that kind of book then you might enjoy this one too 6y
Kallik93 I haven‘t read this, but I knew a couple people who escaped a community like this. It‘s a pretty intense lifestyle! 6y
britt_brooke I‘m reading it right now and will finish it tonight. It‘s very good. I‘m somewhat obsessed with the FLDS (and cults in general). (edited) 6y
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britt_brooke @Gina I second this recommendation! I listened to the audio and while seriously messed up, it was utterly captivating. 6y
bibliobliss @Gina Yes, also on my TBR! 6y
bibliobliss @britt_brooke Glad you‘re enjoying it! 6y
bibliobliss @britt_brooke 😯👍🏼 6y
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britt_brooke
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Warren Jeffs is a sick bastard. #FLDS #cults

Ms_T Urgh 😣 6y
MidnightBookGirl So gross. 6y
Jennifer3 Wow.. 6y
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AshleyHoss820 🤢🤮🤮🤮 6y
rubyslippersreads Ick. 😖 6y
Cinfhen 💔 6y
CoverToCoverGirl Eew! 🤮🤬 6y
britt_brooke @Ms_T @MidnightBookGirl @Jennifer3 @AshleyHoss820 @rubyslippersreads @Cinfhen @CoverToCoverGirl Oops, I just realized I blurred too much initially. I just fixed it. As you might‘ve been able to figure out, these young girls were now his wives. (edited) 6y
Jennifer3 @britt_brooke I figured those were wives. How disgusting. 6y
Paula3 😲 6y
LauraJ Poor kids. 6y
OrangeMooseReads Gross and disgusting don‘t even come close to describing him. (edited) 6y
115 likes7 stack adds12 comments
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PaperbackReader
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Well, at least it got here...gotta day the USP service managed that if nothing else. Now, the wait begins! #FPS

OriginalCyn620 What in the world happened to that box?! Hopefully, everything in it will be okay! 6y
PaperbackReader I‘m hoping as well but I‘m holding out until reveal....so hard. Will be getting yours in the mail soon 6y
readinginthedark 🙈😱 6y
8 likes3 comments
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britt_brooke
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Two books I literally added to my #TBR this week are daily deals today! 🙌🏻✨🤸🏼‍♂️#ebookdeal #nonfiction

Jess7 Purchased both too! 6y
britt_brooke @Jess7 🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
Reviewsbylola Nice!! 6y
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merlady
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Pickpick

Difficult to read at times (due to some troubling content), but also very inspiring. I think the grace Rachel Jeffs offers the church and her abusers is incredible. She certainly doesn‘t sugar coat or defend the actions of those that hurt her or her family, but she treats the issue with unbelievable compassion. In my opinion, she has a very reasonable voice and I think her strength is something to admire and look up to.

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TheJOMOreader
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This book details the horrible and abusive childhood that results from having FLDS leader/convicted child molester as a father. The tale is horrifying, and the resilience displayed in actually breaking free is a toughness I‘ll never know. With that being said: the author narrates the audiobook, and her childlike tone and stilted cadence made me nervous I was being put into a trance.

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bohemian_yogini
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1.10.18 🖤

Bookladylinda I almost purchased this one over the weekend. 6y
bohemian_yogini @Bookladylinda I keep picking it up and putting it down... can‘t tell if it‘s because I‘m so determined to finish my “other” current book 😂, or if the book is just eh. Let me know if you get it! ❤️ 6y
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DebbieGrillo
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#QuotsyJan18 #waiting @TK-421

A good thought for a new year.

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FantasyChick
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Pickpick

Well...I've done it. I wanted to get one more in before 2018 hit and I was glad it was this one. Heartbreaking and cringe-worthy for sure (and it takes a LOT for me to cringe) but eye opening! Can't even imagine....
I would feel horrible to say I enjoyed this book so let's just say I don't regret reading it...awfulness aside.
*Trigger Warning: abuse, sexual abuse, graphic content
For anyone that might be interested in reading.

Bostonmomx2 I was hoping my library had this. They don‘t 😕 6y
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FantasyChick
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It's been a crazy couple days. Broken furnace and burst pipes in the rental house so we have been cleaning and sopping up water...in the freezing cold. Water's off but lots of work to do in the next few weeks so I decided to take tonight and get myself a treat. I absolutely am fascinated by cults and Warren Jeffs is one person I haven't read about yet. Looking forward to spending a quiet night before we get back at it tomorrow. #stressed #renotime

Melissa_J Man, that sucks! I hope the renos are quick! 6y
FantasyChick @Melissa_J Me too! I figure we will do most of the work ourselves to save money but I see a For Sale sign in the future lol 6y
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