Breaking Free

How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and my Father, Warren Jeffs

De: Rachel Jeffs

Narrado por: Rachel Jeffs

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 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 John 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.

A Family Tree PDF accopmanies the audiobook.

disturbing, sad, crazy, and ultimately satisfying

I grew up near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon where Rachel Jeff's lived as a young child. I knew that a polygamist family lived behind those walls, and was curious about what their life was like compared to mine. Little did I know that this family would become infamous because of Warren Jeffs. Rachel's story is a disturbing one. It's hard to understand why she stayed with the FLDS for so long, but I suppose it's difficult for most people to leave the life they know, even when it's not a good life. The control that this one man has over an entire community is astounding, especially considering the hypocrisy and cruelty he displays. The ending is hopeful and satisfying, however. I hope that she finds peace and joy in her life forward.

Remarkable resilience

She’s an incredibly intelligent woman despite her poor start to an education due to oppression. Rachel Jeffs is an amazing human and her ability to think critically despite an entire community being deeply brainwashed is impressive. TW: if you have sexual trauma the first two chapters are very descriptive of how Warren Jeffs sexually abused his daughter(s).

Sad, happy, awe inspiring, story of an amazing woman

This is such a great read, but even better to hear it from Rachel herself! Amazing story from an amazing woman!

compelling

My heart goes out to this woman, but the story makes me marvel at her bravery.

Interesting, sad, wanted to keep listening.

Crazy to hear these people were so brainwashed. Warren Jeff's still maintained control from prison. Sad it took Rachel so long to leave, but she explains her inner conflict very well.