One woman's story of bravery and determination to keep her family together. Leaving the FLDS religion the only way of life she had ever known. But, when they wanted to split up her family it was line she would not cross.
I was in a cult for the first 24 years of my life. I never knew anything outside the congregation. You were not allowed to question anything. That was the worst “sin” of them all. I left. The religion had a lot of similarities to this one. Girls we’re only encouraged to get married and have kids and preach. I’m so glad I left. My family shunned me and I’m still not to be part of their lives. That’s extremely hard, but, I wouldn’t take it back. I’m so glad my kids aren’t part of that.
Stay strong and teach your children not to fall for these weird cults out there. I'm sorry your youth was taken from you for the first 24 years. Jahova witnesses are weird as are a few others. The scariest one is church of Scientology. These are all run by psychopath men. Not gods but dudes with ego problems.
I grew up a Jehovah's Witness. I feel you on so many levels. I'm raising my 16 year old and 4 year old sons as pagans. I went the opposite direction lol. I've never been more at peace and genuinely happy. I'm so glad you got out too ❤️ (I'm assuming Jehovah's Witness??) Blessed Be 💕
I know it ia tough. I havent seen my grandmother since i was 10 years old because she is a religious fanatic. Its a shame, but the best thing i ever did was to stop contact. You are doing the right thing for your kida and your grandkids xx
I love that her entire family escaped together. That's so rare in these cases. Especially her husband agreeing with all this and realizing what needed to happen
@@jamesaritchie1 Who would WANT TO STAY WHEN THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY AND TOLD THEY ARE WORTHY BUT YOU ARE NOT?! That wasnt a very nice thing to say. Just from that statement, I gather you arent a very nice person. Only you would think up something like that to say. They took everything they had and gave them what they NEEDED! Would you want to live like that? I bet you wouldnt. Its not about worthiness it was about CONTROL!!! Bless you and yours IN JESUS' NAME!!! 🙏💖🇺🇸🙂
She made a comment up there in replies he chose to stay so she got sole custody of the children. Sad!!! She also stated he was given a new wife. Hmmm!!!🤔
@@carlosue5472People in the flds do not join, they were all born in. The parents were born and raised there, that’s why people from the flds know very little about regular society.
1 Peter 2:18 “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. Really?
Where ever is there a real father? Lol. Strong or not, rich or smart or not, a mother is always there when commonly there is no father around . or atleast she made the choice to stand up in her kids names. Props to the husband tho .
triskit biskit .. FLDS = Fundamentalist church of Latter Day Saints .. their leader Warren Jeffs is currently Incarcerated for sexual assault on a child .. some were under 12 years of age ..
Mary, I am so glad you and your children are free. I send my love to you and your family. I don't understand why this is this way. That's why I am watching these videos. Take care and keep safe. With love. 💗🕊⚘
I have never understood how could the members of this organization could belive that another human could decide if they are "worthy". My heart breaks for them. Having children keep secrets from their parents.
It seems to me that the changeover from a respectable denomination to a cult happens over a long enough period of time that people tend to adapt to it. Anyone over 60 can see how the US has slowly changed into a whole different country over the last half decade, usually a little at a time. It has also been said that many cult members joined because they initially felt accepted and understood.
When it's the only thing someone knows, there is no opportunity for an alternative until new perspective and greater sight can be created. Hard to do in such a secluded area though things are much different now today in many ways.
And of course a loving brave father too. I’m so happy they stay together and father and mother did what they did to keep their family safe and together! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@@celestebarreda3380 The top comment has a reply from her stating he decided to stay and she got sole custody. She also stated he was given another wife. Hmmm!!!🤔 I thought he left too, but wouldnt he have been in the video too? It wasnt until I came acrossed her comment I found out he must have changed his mind. SAD!!! Bless you and yours IN JESUS' NAME!!! 🙏💖🇺🇸🙂
It’s not common for the husband to stick by his family. I’m so thankful this family was able to work together and get out of that hell they were put through. Such a strong family!
@@jamesmueller1921 ok ok..ots just an expression! - but, id gather... And.. just in case you're getting salty and not just asking an interesting question, I'd gather she's thanking the God She Believes in..and she didn't tell you you or Me we should do Anyrhing!
@@jamesmueller1921 says ["Sooo, who's god should we be thanking ??? "] There is only One Creator, and He belongs to all who believe in Him, and His name is Christ Jesus. Yes, indeedy. Jesus is on His Way! (He is not "Religion")
If this is heaven, then give me hell. What a strong statement. That’s really all you need to hear to understand the lives these people have to live. So sad that this happens. ☹️
This video is not about the mainstream Mormon church. I hope people realize that. This is a sick cult led by evil people, not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
@@unicornus33, Amen, M0rm0ns have a false Christ, who is a created being, the brother of Lucifer (Satan), according to their false doctrine, and only the true Jesus Christ, the eternal, everlasting God and Creator of all things, the Word who IS GOD, who HAS ALWAYS EXISTED WITH THE FATHER AND HOLY SPIRIT, who created ALL THINGS, who BECAME FLESH and dwelt among us, is the true Savior, the Jesus Christ of the Bible, John 1:1-14.
@@76jsc, M0rm0nism has a false Christ and a false gospel. Read the Bible, learn who the true Jesus Christ is, learn the true gospel, because Jesus warns us to stay away from religion and the doctrine of men, to trust solely in His Holy Spirit inspired word for our truth, and the majority of professing believers are trusting in their religion, not the truth of God’s word, Jesus Christ, who was manifest in the flesh.
People dislike videos like this for the wrong reason -- the subject is unpleasant. But the outcome is very positive and the quality of this documentary and testimonial is outstanding. Thumbs up. Congratulations for saving your family!!
mstalcup People in cults need a Bach Flower remedy called Rock Water. It helps you to get back to your own personal needs vs some supposed “higher spiritual goal”.
@@alexjones-anaya5097I am surprised that someone would use a story like this to advertise!! Kinda low class, don't you think?? ANYONE who puts forth even the most minimal effort will find out that this product is basically just brandy lol. People going through serious situations do not need these products!! There's nothing that four drops of (especially alcohol) that can fix the several-generations-deep situation that this courageous family found the strength to remove themselves from!! There might be a time and a place to advertise these products but not here! Just out of curiosity, what's your reason for advertising this product with this particular article??
Display name Hey, Rock Water was discovered in the 1930’s and is sold worldwide. I don’t sell it, never have. Edward Bach was a Welsh doctor who dicovered 36 flower remedies that treat emotional problems like anger, resentment, fear and many more. Very cheaply.
@@alexjones-anaya5097 Since you represent yourself as so informed about Bach Flower's Rock Water then I must assume that you also know it's basically just diluted cheap brandy!!!!
Thank goodness this woman and her husband were in agreement about leaving. I bet there were numerous couples where one spouse wanted to leave and the other did not.
That's the worst part. They set you up to not trust your spouse. If you risk bringing it up to him and he doesn't agree then you're fucked you lose your kids, you lose your home and on top of it your condemned to hell. You have to think how many people stay because they're afraid to even bring it up to their spouse. It's kind of like on the handmaid's tale where the handmaids all think that the rest of them are Pious and totally on board and if they were to bring up their anger or discontent to them that they would be punished when really the majority of them were against it. That's how leaders of a cult keep people in line they making it very clear that they can't trust the people around them so that the strength that comes with numbers in a resistance doesn't exist.
@@Neku628 that's why I said spouse. Whether it's the wife or the husband who wants to get out it would probably be the same level of Terror because cults are run on fear and convincing subordinates that going to someone else and airing their doubts and concerns would be suicidal. I will say that the majority of these cults tend to be patriarchal so as the subordinate wife it would probably be a little scarier to bring up something to your husband that you're sure he won't agree with. That being said I'm sure it goes beyond gender. Have a great day😘
It wouldn't surprise me if there were situations where spouses were turned in to the church by their spouses. My best friend (now deceased) was Mormon and he was adamant that the LDS does not endorse, respect, or even recognize ANYTHING that involves Warren Jeffs!!!
Margaret Attwood (The writer of the book: A Handmaid's tale) said in an interview, She only included events that have actually happened within Her book. If only "A Handmaid's Tale" was based on fiction...
I too was raised in a cult. I took my life in my hands when I left, and had no one I knew once I got outside. It was terrifying! Your story tracked with my experience almost 100%. Thank you for sharing. It was encouraging to realize there are a lot of us, from a lot of cultic organizations and so-called "religions". Wishing you all the best. We have choices now!
Congratulations to you too! It's awesome, isn't it? (And, honestly terrifying at first too.) I wish you the best - go out there and make your own life! I'm proud of you!
I just cannot imagine. I am so glad you are free now. Control comes behind many masks, from political to religious and everything in between. I hope your future is as blessed as possible in every way. To not have any support system is so amazing and you are amazing that you walked away.
@@jancarr1 because He gave man free will. It is man's own choice to do good or to do evil!!!! God did not want man to be an automaton that had to obey His wishes!!! He has angels that do His bidding!!!! You have to make your own decision how you wish to live your life!!!! God never promised man an easy life, He only promised us eternal life, through the blood of His Son, Jesus the Christ!!!! You make your own choices!!!! Choose wisely because there is only one way to the Father!!!!
@@michaellarenee4856 sounds like coercive control... “make your own choices unless it goes against God, or then you’ll be punished” is no depiction of free will, it’s fear mongering to keep people from thinking for themselves.
@@mads597 short answer, period. You have just two choices of where you will be spending eternity!!! The choice is yours to make of your own free will!!!! If you know fear then you have nothing to look forward to!!!! It is all up to you!!!! God does not put you in hell, you end up there by your own choice!!!! Makes no nevermind to me which way you choose to interpret the word of God, but if I was an unbeliever and I started seeing all the prophesies that are right now coming to pass, would that not be the biggest clue of all time that if one or two things are true about the Bible, common sense should dictate that the entire Holy Bible is in fact all true!!!! Just look around and see the evidence right before your eyes!!!! May God bless you with the sight of one who sees on faith!!!!
That is the stronghold: “Suppose it is true, and I walked away.” I left the mainstream L.D.S. Church, and I felt that worry for years. Yet, it felt right to be free of the indoctrination of a false religion.
How in the world women were ever called "the weaker sex"??? Women and specially mothers are able to find ways out in the most unthinkable of situations.
Aryanaaa you are SO right,we can get strength & energy even when we're feeling sick to go to our children\ grandchildren if needed. I've done it before. This amazing lady did just what I , & I'm sure other mother's would of done if we thought our children were going to be taken away from us. I'm 65 yrs old & a widow now but I still worry abt my kids \ grandkids & would do whatever I had to or needed to, to keep them safe. I think of how scared & nervous she must of been but still kept it together,in secret to do what she knew was best for her family. An awesome & amazing family.
Thank you for sharing your story. I love when you say, "If it was sacred it wouldn't feel wrong" Religion isn't suppose to hurt you. Amen for your bravery and escape
@@traciemartin3785 it's not am Muslim and I look down on no religion because people do the same thing Islam they try to make it hislam so how could I ever judge
@@iceberg1560 I'm with you on that. You are very mature, and that's hard to find, even in people my age and older. You keep up that great attitude, dear. May God bless you and yours always. 😊😊
What a wonderful woman! That's right, ask the questions. God doesn't want you to feel pain or shame. God doesn't want your children taken away. God bless them and their future endeavors.
What an incredibly strong brave woman and mother. She had me in tears. I live in Utah and taught children of members of an FLDS group. It was heartbreaking to see these kids struggling and suffering.
Barbro Vaage i think you meant "church". church is holy and what this woman and her family and thousands of others were/are captive to is the furthest from holy. I pray that the ones who make it out(and the ones who are still in)come to the realisation that this is not of Jesus. Jesus loves them and would not put them in this kind of torture. Jesus is LOVE.
Melanie Padgett You are right. This is not from Jesus. Jesus is not like that. I pray for these people to find Jesus and that evangelical Christians will help them.
well that's not true that's not written in the Bible what you said he'd comes to divide he doesn't bring peace he divides a mother from her child and mother-in-law from her daughter-in-law so no that's wrong what you said because I've been divided from my family and I am a born-again believer and I know the Lord personally and I know why I'm separated so now that's not true what you said
@@babes2149 You know what that means. That means if you love yourself you will chooose yourself over an abusive person who is the lord? Yahweh. I am. The one who is. God if willing would not have families separated, but lets understand the term My family is the union of my being. But if I can not love myself I am not in union with my being. then my house is divided. I'm talking marriage of the mind. not to another. and if my mind left and right brain at odds with one another while trying to overtake the sun,"heart" then how can I do any great works.
@@Puzzledrev fundamentalist. They’re the Mormons that didn’t change their practises when it was no longer socially acceptable. The modern Mormon church changed its opinions on polygamy when Utah wanted statehood, changed their view on black people having the priesthood during the civil rights era (although far too late) ect. Fundamentalists didn’t change, they follow the word of Joseph Smith, the guy who married a child, more strictly. Which is why they’re the most dangerous
You are an awesome mother and warrior helping others. Drop the sadness and insecurities honey, God put you in your situation for you to help him . He knows your heart and that you are strong. Praise God, he will never lead you astray. Many prayers and much love to your family. 2021.
If you are born into the FLDS or other high demand religions, that is all you know. These high demand religions brainwash you from Day 1 and teach you not to trust your family members.
I’m extremely glad that the entire family was able to move together. I’m glad the husband loved his wife & children enough to be willing to move with them. I’m glad the kids weren’t in rebellion because they were leaving all of their friends, family & mentors behind. I hope that everyone is happy now, and that not too much damage was done.
All of us, who have escaped ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. All of us who have ever dared to speak our truth, ARE SO GRATEFUL TO YOU, because you used your own pain to make a difference, to free others and to dare to be who you really are. WE LOVE YOU.
Rebecca Kimbel It sounds as if YOU yourself has had a journey and THIS should be of note as well.May the ONE TRUE GREAT I AM be with YOU and those you love as well.
God does not support this agenda. All about this the "second coming" are these men who are perverts not called by God. This is rape and wrong. Completely radical these Anabaptists...this is what Martin Luther and Catholics though Thomas Muller was crazy killing those who aren't the elite. This is crazy.
Can't even imagine how terrifying it would be to leave a life time of not only indoctrination but inculturation as well. This took commendable courage!
I wish my mother had left my abusive father the first time he hit me ... I had to deal with abuse for 30 years - physical for part of it - and some sexual - he hit me with a belt on my bare bottom when I was about five, and on my clothed vagina when I was fifteen ... his last spanking of me was when I was nineteen - I let him know then if he did it again I would report him for sexual battery - which is what non-consensual spanking of people over 18 is called - only then did he stop ...Though he verbally abused me even after that - until he ended up in a hospital, and then a nursing home - then my mom left him, because he was delusional and claiming the nurse at the nurse's station had a gun ... I never saw him again - and when they called to say he had died, I felt only relief that I had survived ... His side of the family were members of a sect called the Church of Christ, a cappella - best known as the "Duck Dynasty" church - and were biblical literalists that believed they had the right to stone their children to death - and that to prevent them was an infringement on their 1st Amendment rights - as my father reminded me about two or three times week - telling me the police would just laugh if I reported him - or even if he killed me and buried me in the backyard ...
You are a wonderful and loving mother! Thank God you put your children first and did the wright thing by leaving! You and you family will always be blessed and guided by God’s brightest light!
I escaped from there last year. My mother was sent away from there forever by Warren because he accused her of things she never did. She had to leave all of us kids. She was gone for almost four years and we never saw her and we weren't allowed to say or even think her name. After almost four years she realized what Warren was and she came and got us from there. I am so glad. No one will ever realize how life there was unless they were there. I hope people that are still there will realize what they are in and leave. Everyone hates it there but they think Warren is basically a God and should be obeyed and he never does wrong. It's sad but that's what we were taught all our lives.
just me Then your mother is also a very courageous and strong woman! Going back to get your children back must've been just as scary or scarrier then escaping with your husband and children. It must've been so painful to miss your mom for 4 years and not knowing where she was and if you'd ever see her again. I hope with all my heart that you're all doing well. To me Warren is a criminal. He abuses people mentally, emotionally and physically. All these families were (are still being?) indoctrinated. It's a sneaky process taking place. I imagine at first what Warren wanted was acceptable, until it went further and further. Most of us people are like herd animals and it's very scary to leave all that you've known so far, behind. When people get to the point that they want to get out I think it's fear to leave the known behind and fear for the unknown world outside that keeps them from going the longest. I'm very happy for you that your life has changed for the better. It won't be easy, but you have your siblings and your mom and freedom! Take care!
Well done to your mother. It must be so hard to be taught he is the prophet of God and to have endure the ridiculous more recent changes. It is rarely right to part mothers from children. It's wicked.
That one mom "Oh, hell no!" lol She prob never spoke that way in her life. BUT her mama bear instinct came out when she heard they would try and remove her children from her. It's sad that her children had to live like that for so long. However, it's so awesome that mom finally gathered the strength to leave. I wish her the very best!
Just how does a leader decide who is worthy and who is not worthy? That thinking is evil and so far from the Gospels, it makes me nauseous. Every Christian knows that he or she is not worthy, but is clothed in the righteousness of Christ. When Christians have the Holy Spirit operating in their lives, are able to read scripture, pray, and they have the ability to discern, they don't need a dictator telling them what to do. Self righteousness is a symptom of being apart from God and making oneself an idol for others to worship in place of God. Only God has the right to judge, not us.
"I can remember feeling happy for the first time...and I had never known what happiness felt like, It was the most incredible thing when, its almost overpowering when you actually feel free and happy" incredible woman.
@Tee Twetherlow yeah.. Hearing that.. Don't know if I ever knew what it was in the past... Brightest day of my life was when my son was born 1997...darkest day when my son 16 years murdered himself 2014... WTF is HAPPY
@@kymhealy3761 dear kym..Jesus is the... WAY...THE TRUTH...AND THE LIFE...please ask him to help you find happines. You will not regret doing it. I Will be praying for your intentions. 🌹💒
Hard to believe that these actions were carried out by Americans, within the USA, under our Laws....and get away with it. Slavery sounded like a correct definition.
This happens world wide not just in America ! Why does a lot of people think that this only is happening in America ? It is not we a Christians need to know this in order to help people everywhere not just in America !
Faith Kings ...Get your head out of the sand! This country was founded on the desire of Western Europeans for free religion and free life! Ignorant comment.
Agreed. Just look at Scientology right now. Child slavery, molestation, secrets insisted upon so Miscavage can stay in power and wealthy. Actors and actresses like Tom Cruise and the Travoltas who are far from enlightened.
If polygamous men tell women they are cheating on that jealousy is wrong, then women should have plenty of lovers and we will see how noble they are when faced with the same situation, not to mention all the health and other issues related to the situation
Why are people so into letting old, fanatical men tell them what to do and follow everything they say no matter how repulsive or ridiculous? It happens everywhere, all down through history.
That was such an honest, straight forward and informative interview. What a good soul. I loved hearing about how beautiful it felt for her personally and how cool it was seeing her kids get to experience all the 'small' aka 'big' joys of childhood/simple humanity.💙💜
As someone who has frequented the creek, I'm proud of how far that community has come in terms of recovery and healing. It still looks like a war zone but it's gotten a lot better. You can actually drink a beer with your pizza and eat Subway. Beautiful little towns, nice people, but still feel bad for the remaining FLDS that still reside there.
Brenda, to call you a warrior would be an understatement. My wife and I are ex cult-members ourselves. Our situation was bad enough, but yours was truly horrific. I can only imagine the levels of doubt, fear and loneliness you must have endured. I don’t cry easily, but when you said, “Oh, hell no.” I lost it. You are one unstoppable lady! So happy for you and your family. You’re a true inspiration. Best wishes to you and yours.
Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse Politics is really like that also, and micro chipping new born babies to track them and read their thoughts is evil and nasty and wicked and enslaving someone, that is being done to some here in actual fact also and the person that is done to does not know or might never realize that.
This comment is GOLD. Raised as a Baptist, I "get" this. While it definitely wasn't this horrible, it certainly had its moments. Moments that took until I was 30+ yrs old to get over and NOT feel like such a horrible human being. Veeerrrryyyyy thankful for the BRAVE family in this documentary!!!
@@desertrose6100 Veeerrrryyyyy much so. As an 80s child, I very vividly remember them knocking on doors and worming their way into homes. They would stay forever. 🙄🙄🙄🙄 And the pamphlets galore. It was the one time I saw my overly polite Gpa ANGRY, as they showed up at dinnertime. Also, my family was hardcore Baptist, sooo there was that too....😉🤣🙄😬
Brenda, you are not alone, you have a family your husband, and your kids. There are a lots of people completely by them self's such as me, I had only one son he died, his father died. I have absolutely no one. Enjoy life with your immediate family, and count your blessings. And be an advocate for those who want to escape these ungodly set up and its leaders.
You're not alone, either. The love of your son and his father will live in you long after they are gone. I'm sorry that happened to you. There is still a purpose for you here, and still life for you here, and it's okay to live it. Sending out my love to you.
I started watching this with so much anger. Now im just Thanking God that you followed your heart, ans realized your children come first. Glad you all are ok safe. GREAT JOB MOM!!!
I grew up in the L.D.S church as well. Until I became an adult. But at the age of 16 I knew something was very wrong. I had never in my heart had a strong connection to the church, even though my family wanted me too. I remember the church president coming to my house. He had a paper he wanted me to sign. That would excommunicate me from the church. I wouldn't sign it, he became angry. I had babysat for this man & his wife many times. But, that day I seen a whole different side of this man. I finally closed the door on him. I have never looked back & never will. They are a cult. I am so thankful you & your family got out. I can't imagine the fear you went through at the thought of losing your children. No one has that right. I sincerely hope you & your family have found peace. God bless.
When it doesn’t feel right, it’s not. When in doubt, don’t. I’m so glad your instincts knew, things were not right and you did the right thing to keep your family together and safe. Thank you for sharing.
What you did, Brenda, will have a rippling effect on many, including all of your children and their children, etc., for eons to come! You did good - and you will never know the full extent of it. You rock!!
It's amazing that she was able to break away from a lifetime of brainwashing and set herself and children free. She was a slave..now she is free. Very smart woman with great bravery and courage.
Inspiring incredible woman So happy her husband stood with her to get their family out for they are taught to come forward with any info against their family. Must have been wonderful when the children heard music the first time for all they'd know is the church hymn music. I wish them all the best for a long, bright happy and free future What a wonderful story Thanks for uploading this
Brenda, you are a very intuitive, brave woman. You let your anger work for you instead of letting it shut you down. Many people in captivity (in any abusive situation) are thinking how to survive one day or minute to the next. You were thinking way beyond that. "If it was sacred it wouldn't feel wrong" That is even beyond what many people outside FDL struggle and often fail to recognise. WOW!
A powerful lesson for today's times !!! You have a choice you were always free. You will always be. You just need to get to the mindset that if it feels wrong in your mind and heart, stand up and take action. God bless this woman and her family, may she be an inspiration to all of us ‼️
Oh my goodness, this is the place my parents grew up. This is the time that is now referred to as "the split" because there were many people who left the church while multiple families who stayed were forcibly torn from each other, reassigned and the "unworthy" were cast out. There were some people who left because they knew how messed up the church had become. My father's family left and I was born a few years after.
Thanks for sharing. i'm so happy that this woman and her family escaped. I can't believe that Warren STILL has access to TV, phones and mail. Shouldn't it be a crime to allow this man to continue to hurt so many people from his jail cell?
Even if you take those privileges away from him he'd just bully others in prison to send mail and receive male for him etc. These people (gang leaders etc) have so much influence in prisons that they can organise murders that will take place in other prisons. So he's not a gang leader but he might as well be in the way he operates.
Right now we are hoping to get him charged in the current SNAP fraud incident. If he is convicted in a Federal charge he can then be sent to a Federal prison where his communication will be greatly restricted. That would be a big step in the right direction.
