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 … 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 Jeffs—Rachel’s 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 Jon Krakauer’s 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 story—Rachel’s 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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This story of courage and bravery was amazing. It was inspiring and gives hope to so many who have suffered under the guise of religion. Breaking away from this cult took more heart and more nerve then most of us could imagine. A real page turner that grabbed me right from the start.
I picked up three books, two I knew I wanted to read and this one I wasn’t so sure. I figured I would start reading this one because I didn’t figure I would like it enough to finish it. Well, I was wrong. I couldn’t put it down! So many different emotions! Disgust, anger, disbelief that a person, let along a large group of people, would tolerate this way of life, then hopefulness and happiness.
I would like to have seen more to the ending like how she is doing now and her family now.
This was a great book to brings light on the FLDS “cult”. This book describes one woman’s experince within her family and the struggles/horrors she faced without getting to graphic. There were still points where i had to put the book down and take a break.Overall though it was a good book and was a page turner.
I live close to the YFZ ranch and have followed the story. It’s disgusting what people can do in the name of religion, but thankful that some were able to escape and prosper.
Breaking Free takes you inside the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) as told by Rachel Jeffs, one of Warren Jeffs’ multiple wives. The image the FLDS portrays as happy, healthy families is shattered by the reality of Rachel’s personal experience – jealousies among sister wives, the lack of provisions by the father, and the mental and emotional manipulation by the FLDS organization. I was thrilled to read that Rachel escaped and was able to live a fulfilling life but my heart went out to all those who are still in that tragic situation. The book I read after this one was Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs, Warren’s nephew, which was another excellent book.
A good study in how people can be convinced that wrong is right and how hard it is to leave an abusive situation.
This book was very entertaining. It was a real tear-jerker. I njoed it a lot.
I thought it told a story of tragedy, similar to other books about cults of people who are completely under the control of a person who thinks himself god-like but ruins the lives of every one within his power.
What a story! I’m so glad this story was shared. May the recovery be complete for those who escaped!
If you’re curious about polygamous Mormons, you will find this biography by Rachel Jeff’s, daughter of the infamous Warren Jeffs disturbing but verrry interesting. It answers questions about how Jeffs kept a stranglehold on his followers with threats, punishments, rewards, relocations and requisite ratting on each other. Since she was 8 years old Rachel’s father molested her although he harped on the sin of allowing a boy to so much as touch a girl’s arm. Despite the crazy-making, somehow Rachel kept her wits about her and eventually planned her escape. Her story is a fascinating and suspenseful revelation about Warren Jeffs’ soul-crushing cult and how a strong young woman survived it.
I read a lot of books about religious cults and how people are affected by them. This book was very good.
I am always interested in the stories written by former LDS
This book is wonderfully written. Rachel gives a true and honest look at her life and that of her family.
A very personal heartbreaking story.
Hard to believe that so many people could be brainwashed into following an obviously evil Warren Jeffs. The bravery his daughter displayed by writing this unflinching examination of the twisted upside down world she was raised in is truly laudable. I highly recommend her story!
A look behind the news stories of Warren Jeffs and his abusive hold over the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints. An inspiring autobiography from one of Jeffs daughters of her resolution and resilience.
Wow!!! Thank you to this author for sharing her story and for giving us a glimpse into the world you lived in. What a strong woman you are? You had to endure so much. I couldn’t put your book down. I read it in 24 hours. So much heart break and constantly moving, barely giving you enough time to adjust to new surroundings when you were given orders to move AGAIN. Not seeing your children for long periods of time. I felt such pain for you. You are an inspiration to us all. I would LOVE an update on your life NOW and would be thrilled to hear how you and your family are doing in the REAL world. Much love to you and I hope you are enjoying life.
Wow. I appreciate the honesty and insight. I was able to relate to some parts of my behavior I haven’t ‘seen’ until now. Thank you.
Disturbing, horrifying, and hopeful. Rachel Jeff’s autobiography of life in the FLDS cult opened a window into this strange and secret life of polygamy.