Our Reaction to The Documentary "Keep Sweet" 

Sam, your fairness in talking about your past community is so admirable. Melissa, the compassion and tenderness you have for Sam certainly comes through on these videos. So very well done.

My mom did the medical transcription for the kids that were taken from the ranch in Texas. Her co-workers at the hospital worked with the kids. My mom and her co-workers probably should’ve gone to therapy after the things they heard and saw.

Thank you for pointing out that there were good times and good memories, not all bad because you’re right that the media focuses on all the negative.

a person's unconditional love for a cult means that their love for other people in their lives can be conditional. its horrifying that one man like warren could cause so much pain!

One would think that they would be upset with the church for telling them all those years that they were paying taxes when in reality they were not.

Love listening to you guys when I do stuff around the house or meal prep!

Hello, I just found your channel so I still have a lot to watch. I have had a question for years about the FLDS that I have never found addressed. I apologize if I have just missed it. I live in Utah. My Grandma was a CARLING. So of course I was curious when I found out about the Issac V. W Carling cemetery in Hildale. We were coming from Kanab & passing Hildale, so we decided to go find the cemetery. It was easy to find. It was obvious we were not welcome in town & especially in the cemetery. We were followed by the big white trucks trying to intimidate us, and patching out. I think we were kind of oblivious as we were fascinated by the graves. Numerous of the graves had big mounds of red dirt piled on top of the graves with little name placards, & plastic flowers. Others had regular graves & small headstones. The cemetery was not very well cared for. We couldn’t figure out the red mounds of dirt. Are they really buried under ground or just under the dirt? Was it an honor to have red dirt mounds, or was it for the disgraced? I heard the FLDS just don’t care about their dead? Of course I’ve heard the rumors about the sinister baby section in that cemetery. Do FLDS do genealogy, and do work for their dead like the LDS. I would love if you could give some detailed answers or point me to another one of your videos. Seems like this seems to be a guarded subject. I have loved your channel and hope you will respond.

I would love to be involved in a hands-on way to integrate those who have left the community.

So good. Thank you.

Although I appreciate this couple - they sound fair-minded and good kind people but I wish they had condemned the abuse of the whole community and how that system itself allowed it to happen.

The church can evict a family from their house, correct? If so, the church must own them. The tax falls on the church. They've been lying to the members.

I wonder if my hair is long enough to put waves in it? I've been watching a lot of Amanda Rae's videos. If you had a Patreon, I'd consider that!! I'll finish watching the documentary.

I just finished watching the Netflix documentary and am infuriated to no end. It was an emotional rollercoaster. I already despise religion and this just justifies my reasons. It’s has always been a dangerous tool to do evil.

Question for Sam: If this question is too upsetting I apologize. I caught in a past video that your father was asked to leave the community at one point. Would you be able to have a relationship with him now? Or, would he still consider you an apostate and refuse contact in hopes that he could return to the family some day? I really enjoy your content, thank you for sharing so much.

Have you guys ever heard of Mormon stories podcast if you haven’t you should probably check it if your interested

People, find and watch the HBO series ( not available now ) BIG LOVE starring Bill Paxton. Everyone else in this series became hugely famous. This drama series illustrates beautifully the three main strata of modern day Mormons. After the second season they ( gratefully ) changed the opening music and introduction. The music was changed to a beautifully arranged song called : HOME. The introduction depicts the dramatic / literal interpretation of the faithful FLDSers entering The Celestial Kingdom. Don’t miss it. Find it.

Sam, your cousin here! you did a great job on this ( love to you and remember your mom's love will never end ) your Father and my mom are siblings

I resent any country that fails to protect children from being subjected to religious child abuse in the name of religious freedom. I'm sorry. I have no tolerance for that. They are hypocrites on both sides.

I have mixed feelings about this 'Reaction" video. There is some balance in this couple's response. HOWEVER, they seem to completely omit the culture of 'group think' that allows children to be raped and women to be treated as second class 'congregants'. Completely denouncing Warren AND the older knowledgable men to knew exactly what was happening WOULD BE A MORALLY RIGHTEOUS AND VERY HUMAN RESPONSE. My guess is that, for people who still have family within the FLDS, it's hard to make definitive statements like that. On the one hand it's understandable, on the other, it's the same willful ignorance or tactful omission that's gotten this group so deep into the moral weeds to begin with. STAND WITH THE HONEST PEOPLE OF FLDS BY DENOUNCING THE BRAINWASHING THAT STILL CONTINUES. The US military is a useful analogy. I support our troops deeply. I do not always support the way they are used to further our leaders' agendas. This distinction is HUGE.

Can you please watch the OTHER Keep Sweet documentary, aka the Netflix 4 part doc "Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey"? It came out in the last few weeks.

I just finished watching the series and everything was horrible, but what happened to the rest of the culprits, what happened to all those men who married minors. Are they in jail, or are they still free?

I really appreciate your story, Sam. you tell a side I never would have heard. A side that shows that there was goodness and love. I just got done reading two books: the witness wore red and stolen innocence. these two women had horrific experiences! I completely believe their story, but I'm glad that isn't the only story I know because of your channel. it helps me remember that not everyone in this community is horrible. they are just people who are trying so hard to follow God. unfortunately Warren Jeff's took advantage of that and used that for his own evil purposes. so thank you for sharing your story!

Sam, I LOVE that you still have a good feeling about a lot of your childhood. You are inspiring with your peace ❤️

I have a question that I would love to hear you’re perspective on. The majority of ex-FLDS say that within the community, the people weren’t aware of what Warren Jeffs was doing. But everyone knew there were child brides. So what was it the people weren’t aware of? Is it just that one of the girls was 12? Because the other girl he was convicted of was 15 and I know I’ve heard that 15 year olds were allowed to get married.

I have not seen the documentary. However, this has brought home to me how vulnerable those true believers really are. They can't be blamed for Warren Jeffs cruelty. I can't imagine losing community, so I can't blame them for holding on to theirs. If only the state and government could see the true cost of trying to force them to stop believing. They are good people in a bad situation. Your compassion is heart felt. It's great to know that many charities are supporting them and helping those who choose to leave. Thankyou for this video.

How odd that you all had no comments on the child abuse, trafficking, sexual corruption, child marriages, the major larceny, as well as the the seedy leadership given by Warren Jeffs, though I'm sure you want to just stay as far away from these aspects, if not just to keep peace in your families and among your mothers.

Just wanted to say thank you for letting me know that this documentary exists. I got it on Amazon Prime (U.K.). This one is quite unique as it spends a lot of time talking about the people, rather than Warren Jeffs. It also made me feel more empathy for people who are still in the FLDS. They seem to be good people.

I always am impressed with how you are not bitter and have such a generosity of spirit. I think this would be a good community for Afghan refugees to move to with these big houses for their families. I cannot advocate for people to have to turn away from their beliefs. I have family near there since the 1850’s. It used to be isolated but many have moved there now. No community can remain apart from the world based on their religious beliefs although many have tried. Even Nauvoo could not keep the outside world away. My family did it for a couple hundred years ( New Paltz New York) but always the real world creeps in. People are always going to advance bc Evolution

It is so sad that 1 person can control someone’s life and a whole community. They believe in him and he has destroyed all hope of having their home back.

This sounds like a different documentary than I watched… Is it the Keep Sweet, pray and obey series on Netflix?

The idea of being obedient when that involves giving your young daughters to old men is where I lose my ability to empathize. Now I need to see what you thought about the one on Netflix. It's less about the family issues and more about what was basically fraud and trafficking (under the Jeffs) in plain sight. Just because it's an existing system doesn't mean it is good. I fault Utah/Az for looking the other way for so long. The girls didn't matter. The memories of the pre-Jeffs times seem like they were healthier and good. I do want to go down that slide some day!

Rulon Jeffs wasn't so great either. He had 65 wives. At least they weren't children, but really, Warren had a lot to live up to, numbers wise.

Before I even get started watching the video….. Melissa, you look so gorgeous today! The hairstyle really suits you!

I heard some of the true believing women interviewed on another channel. But I just couldn’t understand their point of view. They came across as just parroting a party line and purposely ignoring anything negative. You guys do such a great job of bridging that gap and helping to explain how people could feel in that position.

Were you one of the very young children are not in school, and the boys often work in construction from a very young age, like 8 or 9? Did any girls in your family forced into marriage to much older men, their uncles and step-fathers? Child abuse and incest is rampant among the community, even if you were lucky to have not suffered this way, I am so thankful you were lucky to have escaped and are free and happy.

One thing listening to you all talk about how they can believe in this there are so many of us that feel this day about LDS people . We sit here and wonder how in the world they can believe this stuff because to most of us on the outside looking in its baffling to us.. I’m thankful for a loving God and I pray that eyes will be opened .

I normally really enjoy the content you all give to us..but tonight I have a bit of a different opinion. It seems to me after years of being obsessed with polygamy and mormonism the women are human trafficked....nothing more than property or a bargaining chip. I find nothing beautiful about the FLDS leadership or practices...because the women have no voice and no choice (realistically). Just my opinion.

You know the media has constantly highlighted primarily what Warren Jeffs did & how he tore apart this community. It was really refreshing to see another side of this story. I've always had such empathy & love for those people. As an Arizonan I feel that the FLDS are a big part of our state even though they have their tiny little closed off community. My grandpa grew up in Snowflake & he was telling me about the 1953 raid. Some of the mothers & children came to live up with some LDS in Snowflake. He never had any bad thing to say about the FLDS people. Sometimes I think what may have happened if Warren was never the profit. I feel for those who still believe. I hope that one day they can reunite with apostates.

I saw it a few weeks ago on discovery plus. It was really nicely done as it showed both sides. The most important issue I learned from it was that the original UEP trust was held by all the FLDS members and had Warren jeffs not stupidly made it into a charitable trust presumably ignoring advice from lawyers or not using lawyers, the state of Utah could never have taken control of the trust. I had not known that and it has ended up being so material to all this in terms of homes. One of the older true believer ladies was right that it was considered all their land in common but I don't think she knew or understand Jeffs had totally changed the basis of ownership and so he was responsible in that sense for expropriating her and her grandchildren's inheritance and land; never mind that had Jeffs not breached the law with girls under age ,not done food stamps abuse and no child labour, no legal actions would have been brought against him. Render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's. Jeffs chose to disobey that wise advice and these people have been so damaged by it. I also feel sorry for the daughters of the older ladies who I think are not not allowed to marry other than to a Jeffs descendant until Jeffs is out of prison. Such a waste and so sad for them. They may never had a child. My other observation was again just how sad it was Jeffs broke up families when the whole point in a way of the religion was originally to have united strong families. To send fathers away, allocate mothers to new husbands, have lots of new step fathers is a recipe for disaster and can lead to abuse. The irony is the very true believers, united order etc probably went to Texas anyway so those left now are disobeying Jeffs who has said move away and weirdly and this is lovely it seems to be the older women who are gaining a voice on this and other programmes just as the town now has a female major - as if women have gained power which is good to see. Good luck to them all.

The way you talk about your experience in the FLDS helps me to understand that everything isn't as cut and dry as the media wants people to believe. I went looking for the documentary you are talking about and found a channel on RU-vid called Short Creek. It has lots of videos of children in the late 80's and early 90's. Just curious if y'all have watched this channel, and if any of the children are Sam's siblings? Would think if they are, it would be some great memories for him.

For every ones sake I wish Warren Jeffs would just disappear off the planet. For lots of people if they break the law and end up in prison, there are certain priviso's put on them as part of their incarceration. I wish Jeffs was that he couldn't have contact with anyone still in the religion. After all they are some of his victims, even if they don't see it that way. I understand some one in the religion would replace him in a heart beat but maybe that person wouldn't be as cruel and vengeful as he just has to be to do a fraction of what he's done. You know, to do what he has done to people who's only crime is believing in him and being faithful. It's so wrong on so many levels.

On Amazon Prime video there is a TV show called "Cults & Extreme Beliefs" and episode 7 is about FLDS.

I have watched your channel for quite a while now. I love how much you both see the positive things you have learned in different chapters of your lives. It's so respectful and such a change of pace from so many other perspectives of people who go through faith transitions.

Sam, if you happen to read this, let me know how I can get in touch with you...just found your story and would love to share mine with you. You know me from the Santa Clara ward days. We also played racquetball together once at golds gym....

I recently saw a video of a woman who was helping the families who were being evicted. She drew up paperwork that was worded so that it was acceptable to the wife and acceptable to the gov man who was responsible for taking the homes. I wish I had more info 😆, if I find the link I'll share it.

After watching this documentary I’ve became really interested in learning about the group - from a human rights perspective. I’ve always fount cults and similar things fascinating but it’s crazy how this is still going on. Most young people that have came from there seem nice enough. But I question the older generations…. Love hearing your guys perspective and I hope the best for you!

How about discussing rape of young girls? Is there a good side to this? How about the heart break of sharing your spouse? Have you read the first person account of mormonism entitled The 19th Wife of Brigham Young. The author has first person accounts of the beginning meetings of Joseph Smith. You really need to read this! Please.

I just watched another series on Peacock called “Preaching Evil”. It’s about how Warren basically became a false prophet and everything else that he did. It includes the first in depth interview with Naomi Jeff’s, the wife he took with him on the run. Super interesting, I’d love another reaction video on y’all’s perspective!

I would hope that even if your mother still believes in the religion that she can somehow see that WJ is corrupt. And that a single man generally can take advantage of his power for his personal corrupt agenda. (And yes groups of people can do this too). I wish the best for you and your extended family.

Hey Sam and Melissa! I just watched the Keep Sweet episode on Mormon Stories. You two are just wonderful. I’m a subscriber now! So make sure John includes me in the new subscribers you got from his show. 😊❤️❤️

I watched the documentary before watching your reaction. I was very shocked on how well done the documentary was. Did you know any of the people that they talked too? I got teary with the story on Leroy and when we walked into his house that he was kicked out from. I also feel for the ones that still believe and what they had gone through to get to stay in the community.

I am from Colorado city but wasn’t born into or had any part of the flds. It’s very fascinating for me to hear the stories of the people inside as me and my family were seen as “apostates” and were treated badly by most people in the flds. I have talked to some that have left and it’s always very Sad to hear their story’s and I’m glad that you are willing to put yourself out Their and to share your story so thank you

I see it like a hostage situation, it's almost like the law applies to everyone equally, therefore you have to pay your tax and fill out your paperwork and be subject to it regardless of your religion.... But then you have a "prophet" that wants to get away with criminal acts and has a stranglehold on a community that is trying to follow god and suffering the consequences of opposing directives from that prophet. So we sympathize with those people, bcuz *he's* telling them not to comply even at the expense of their homes: so the government should back off and not apply the law equally or Jeffs will put his flock out of their homes out of spite. 🤷

I really appreciate you giving us your take on this documentary. I have been so interested in learning about the FLDS and wanting to hear the stories of the people. My previous comment I feel kinda bad I used the word brainwashed because who am I to judge the way another person views their reality. I just feel so heartbroken and torn for the people who experienced so much trauma and abuse under Jeff (as well as those who were in The Order, etc.) This documentary did a great job on showing both perspectives. I wish things to continue getting better in Short Creek and that people can learn to live together and heal all the pain.

I have just watched keep sweet which has come out on netflix. I live in England. It was very shocking to watch and I just can't understand how mothers and fathers would let their children be married and get pregnant. Lots of other children were abused and raped and all the mothers hid it and said it didn't happen. I know it's a religion and your told its God's way but surely they must realise its not. They are children. Also marrying first cousins and a 18 year old being married to a 85 year old. I am pleased though that you had a unabusive child hood and I enjoy your look on things

l just wonder what they believe about Jesus, and how He said _''You shall have no other gods before me''_ ~ Exodus 20:3 l guess they leave that up to Warren to ''interpret'' though he pays no attention to it himself. Lets face it ...Warren thinks he's a god. We silly people are idol factories. lf we dont pay attention to what Jesus said in John _''God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship Him in Spirit, and in TRUTH''_ ~ John 4: 24 ...we will inevitably put an idol in that position. Weather it be Warren, or a head of lettuce.

What happened to all the boys who grow up and have no wife because of the men who have four , five or ten wives?

Happy Friday! So glad to catch this video right away!:) Much love and support to Y'all..♥️♥️

If you haven’t already, you should check out the documentary and react to it that’s on A&E or Prime video. If I remember correctly, I thinks it’s A&E it’s been a while since I watched it but it had a recording of him teaching girls to “keep sweet” and the sound of his voice.. made my skin crawl😬😓 you can just feel somethings not right with him. Anyway though, great video as always!👏🏻

So I tried to Like your video but RU-vid wouldn't let me. It did let the dislike button get clicked and not allow me to unclick . Just wanted to let you know that I do appreciate all your videos.

Many people who knew that horrible things were happening to children and women and choose to do nothing. This is how Hitler was able to rise to power. There are NO excuses for this, period.

Sam. I’m still so confused about the math. Surely, (even in the “good days”) anyone could do the math and realize that for each man who has 5 wives, four men will have no wives. In late childhood, doesn’t each male in the society, one day, realize this? And even if they don’t figure that out, there must be either masses of unmarried men in the society, or masses who are booted out. I would think that by early adolescence each male would be tied up in knots wondering if he’ll be one of the lucky ones or not.

I feel like there could not be a perfect compromise, the government assumes are families are like the ranch in texas and a lot of abuse. Most families would say there is not abuse in their home. whether it was there or not.

Sam, do you have any relationship with your father?

Love, love, love your hair, Melissa! You two are awesome. I love watching your channel. Happy Spring!

I had a hard time watching the documentary. I feel for people who still believe but I don’t want to support Jeff’s in any way. Just a hard place for them and also myself to be honest. I would welcome them in and feed them and let them believe what they want but I know they are afraid of me. Just feels helpless but I try to hold on to hope. Hope your both doing well after watching. I’m not even connected and it was heart wrenching. Well wishes to you both and your families xoxoxo

Great video. I always wonder from Meslissa's perspective, and others who were around her in the town where she was, whether she, or her friends thought about meeting a poly boy and marrying him. And have any of her friends done that, or did any of them become FLDS even? Too many questions, haha, last one, what was the sentiment around the town Melissa is from with the whole 'dole check' scandal and the single mother status as the group began to crumble? Thanks, best wishes from England :)

Watching Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey was very emotional for me...even being a Non-denominational Christian, having no connection to the FLDS. I kept imagining how wonderful this country could be with all of those pious people, if they only knew the truth of the Gospel. The Bible speaks & prophesies these prophets and their believers. Prayers that all of God's children FEEL the truth of Jesus.

You guys need to watch the documentary on the Peacock network called Preaching Evil, I was a wife on the run with Warren Jeffs and your reaction to it. It his wife Naomi Jeffs story.

Have you watched the Netflix series Keep Sweet pray and obey? If so what are your thoughts on it?

The good times you are talking about is for me like, you just see on the surface. But deep inside is just rotten everything. So, for me that is not justifiable!

I so appreciate your thoughtful and balanced perspective on your time growing up in the flds. It’s helped my husband and i see that along with the challenges there were good and happy memories as well. Your kindness and respectfulness towards those of different beliefs shines through. Thank you!

I watched this documentary a while back. I’m just genuinely interested in the way people choose to live. I’m curious though isn’t the woman who is helping the FLDS ladies in the video the same woman who helped Percilla from Escaping Polygamy? I’ve seen your video with Amanda Rea, but I was wondering if you know why she’s there? It seems odd to me like she is now rooting for polygamy instead.

What loving, classy way to discuss this.

Crap, a lot of what you are saying is truth from the early WJ reign but you don’t know that much or how bad it actually got towards the end

My only issue with it was the title and poster visual definitely gave me a different impression of what the doc was going to be about. I came into it knowing there was some shady child bride sex abuse stuff in the FLDS and the title and imagery made me think i was going to be educated about that. I don't have a problem with where it went instead, except that it felt like false advertising... if that makes sense? And kind of glossed over some major problems

Y'all are beautifully compassionate and inclusive.

please react to the netflix documentary that was released. Also a good tip for being able to do full reaction type videos on youtube is to just to some kind of 5,4,3,2,1 countdown with a timer on screen and have everyone sync up their own copy.

Your sister cousin is cute. I mean your wife. The one that's 12. :/

I watched this documentary last night. Two thoughts: why do you think there were basically no currently active men interviewed? And two - just a comment. When one of the FLDS women said we are very forgiving. Except for when a, b, c, etc., happens. 😅

All this time I’ve been watching and just now thinking to ask… Sam did you know the Weis Family? Particularly April Weis?

I remembered the FLDS people comes to Cedar City and St. George for shopping and my ex wife used to work for Dixie Regional Hositpal and met few FLDS nurses and they are sweet and nice. I was thinking why they can’t come St. George temple. I feel bad because your before spilt FLDS and LDS Used be attended the old temple. I asked my mom about it. She told she felt sad they are no longer as members of LDS. Just only LDS but I feel it’s not right but both are mainstream and those are FLDS people wonderful and what they believe. I really respect them. I love to you both stories. Thanks for sharing.

Here's the quandary....God never mentions in the Bible if you are in a cult and raised up in it, you don't know the truth(Jesus) and you're taught Satanic perversions of the Bible(LDS) what becomes of you if you die in that state say in your 20s. The Bible says work out YOUR salvation with fear and trembling. Jesus said no one comes to the Father but by me. He never included the Pope or a false...."prophet" I use that loosely of any cult religion. He is the way Period! It's a statement with no ambiguity. Jesus said you must be born again to see heaven. None of the LDS church or any of the offshoots members are born again. If they were they couldnt be LDS. I am blind and now I can see. Why did Paul say that? It wasn't because his eyes were healed, it was because He was born again and instantly transformed. So what are we to think? We take the Bible at face value. Because these cults are just as lost as the Hindu or Muslim. Those people have grown up in a system thousands of years old how can they know Jesus? The Bible tells us the truth(Jesus) is written on every persons heart and we have to repress Him to give in to Satan. Which is anything other that being a born again Christian. So there is the answer. No matter what system, religion or cult, it is in your heart the truth. The truth of creation, its evident in the heavens thats what space is and made for and God places it in us, no matter what, our choice to follow Him or not. I watched a study on Revelation and the rapture yesterday. We think, man it will be crazy all the people that just disappear and how will society be. In reality there's just the smallest fraction of born again Christians in the world. We are the bride of Christ. Don't be caught unawares and in a state of unrepentant disbelief. Jesus is the light of the world and He is the judge and executioner. He is the most terrifying being ever in existence.

There was a RU-vid video that had some of the same people in it, but I forgot what it was... some people came and interviewed the ladies in a shop of some sort... one of the ladies got their hair braided...

Is this a reaction to the same documentary Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey that just came out on Netflix on June 8, 2022? Or is this something different?

You’re both so kind and compassionate

I'm surprised, too. Your description made me sad for them. WJ is evil.

where do i find the documentary?

Those that join are at fault. Those born into it are not.

Glad you guys are back!!! I started watching "Keep Sweet". I'm only like 5 minutes in. I have Discovery+. My mom's birthday is today = Earth Day too.

Have you thought about having Rachel Jeff’s and her husband on? She lost a brother to suicide once he was out (he was gay) and her husband is a nephew of Winston Blackmore.

Documentary also on Netflix

Are you still LDS

There are three sides to every story; yours, mine & the truth, what is truth when this all we know🤷‍♀️ Truth has no boundaries; it is within our the sole, a flower yet to bloom🌸

This documentary is not about judging the religion you grew up with. One of the most important subject is about the issue of child brides and underage girls getting raped and pregnant. No thoughts on that?!?! Shocking you missed the point of the series.

Any one know how some one in Australia would be able to see this doco?

Such a beautiful couple....Catholic here and so happy to add to my prayers, May God continue to bless and strengthen your marriage with companionship and joy.

I felt like Keep Sweet was a great balanced documentary really showing both sides. They're fighting an invisible civil war, however the FLDS are fighting a religious war and the "apostates" are fighting a legal battle. It's two different wars, but they want one result.

This was so interesting even though I haven't see the documentary!

I was wondering if you saw anyone you knew on the documentary? Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I could see the vulnerability on Sams face and all I wanted to do was give him a hug 🤗