What do you think?
Rate this book
When Men Become Gods: Mormon Polygamist Warren Jeffs, His Cult of Fear, and the Women Who Fought Back
Features an all-new chapter for this edition
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Singular provides an inside look at the Mormon polygamist sect that made headlines in 2008 for coercing young girls into marriage, and the story of their ruthless leader, Warren Jeffs .
As the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, Warren Jeffs held sway over thousands of followers for nearly a decade. His rule was utterly tyrannical. In addition to coercing young girls into marriages with older men, Jeffs reputedly took scores of wives, many of whom were his father's widows. But in 2007, after landing on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, Jeffs's reign was forcefully ended. He would be imprisoned for committing rape as an accomplice.
In When Men Become Gods , Edgar Award–nominee Stephen Singular traces Jeffs's rise to power and the concerted effort that led to his downfall. Newly updated, it describes the controversial 2008 raid on Jeffs's Texas compound and the fate of the 439 children taken from the sect. It offers readers a rare glimpse into a tradition that's almost a century old, but has only now been exposed.
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Singular provides an inside look at the Mormon polygamist sect that made headlines in 2008 for coercing young girls into marriage, and the story of their ruthless leader, Warren Jeffs .
As the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, Warren Jeffs held sway over thousands of followers for nearly a decade. His rule was utterly tyrannical. In addition to coercing young girls into marriages with older men, Jeffs reputedly took scores of wives, many of whom were his father's widows. But in 2007, after landing on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, Jeffs's reign was forcefully ended. He would be imprisoned for committing rape as an accomplice.
In When Men Become Gods , Edgar Award–nominee Stephen Singular traces Jeffs's rise to power and the concerted effort that led to his downfall. Newly updated, it describes the controversial 2008 raid on Jeffs's Texas compound and the fate of the 439 children taken from the sect. It offers readers a rare glimpse into a tradition that's almost a century old, but has only now been exposed.
308 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2008
112 people are currently reading
3618 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Singular
27 books40 followersStephen Singular is the author or co-author of 22 non-fiction books, many of them about high-profile criminal cases. He’s also written sports and business biographies and social commentary. Two of the books have been “New York Times” bestsellers.
His first book, Talked to Death, set the tone for his journalistic career. Published in 1987, it chronicled the assassination of a Denver Jewish talk show host, Alan Berg, by a group of neo-Nazis known as The Order. The book was nominated for a national award — the Edgar for true crime — and became the basis for the 1989 Oliver Stone film, “Talk Radio.” Talked to Death was translated into several languages and explored the timeless American themes of racism, class, violence, and religious intolerance.
His first book, Talked to Death, set the tone for his journalistic career. Published in 1987, it chronicled the assassination of a Denver Jewish talk show host, Alan Berg, by a group of neo-Nazis known as The Order. The book was nominated for a national award — the Edgar for true crime — and became the basis for the 1989 Oliver Stone film, “Talk Radio.” Talked to Death was translated into several languages and explored the timeless American themes of racism, class, violence, and religious intolerance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
May 6, 2015
I've read several books on the FLDS including under Warren Jeffs - books by women who have escaped his dreadful tyranny that he says is divinely inspired because he is the Prophet and infallible (like the Pope, eh?) Those books were individual stories and stories relating (mostly) to the awful subjugation of the women. Interesting as they were, I was looking for an unemotional account of Jeffs leadership and his misuse of power.
This book is it. It's told from the legal point of view. How Jeffs manipulated himself into power and deprived others, equally and more entitled to it, the pursuit of Jeffs, the tax evasions practiced, the casting out of people in order to take over their homes and other illegal activities. Mostly enabled by the local Police, themselves members of the religion wishing to remain in good standing with their Prophet. But worst of all, was the passing around of women and children in marriage. How he told wives they were no longer married to this man, but must go and live with this other one, sometimes, often sisters were 'married' to the same man. And children, little girls, he made them marry whom he wished and if the ensuing sex was against the girl's consent, it wasn't rape, it was an act of conjugal love.
There is another perspective written about in all the books, but not in detail. The fact that in order the men to have their quorum of wives and be able to produce the something like 50 children necessary for them to become gods and rule their own planets in the afterlife (seriously) there can't be too many men around. So they throw the teenage boys out at the slightest excuse. I want to hear their stories and I think I've found the book, Lost Boy by Brent W. Jeffs.
It's a good book, an excellent read, even from the point of view of watching someone absolutely power-hungry exercise it in every way, cruel or kind, but always self-serving and somehow or other hypnotises the people out of their senses so they let him get away with it. Dictators work that way too. Both of them have their cliques and cadres who are generously rewarded. It's all very Machiavellian - the control, the fear, the distancing of the powerful from the ordinary, the sheep.
The book is a real window on the world of this strange, dangerous and awfully sad cult.
This book is it. It's told from the legal point of view. How Jeffs manipulated himself into power and deprived others, equally and more entitled to it, the pursuit of Jeffs, the tax evasions practiced, the casting out of people in order to take over their homes and other illegal activities. Mostly enabled by the local Police, themselves members of the religion wishing to remain in good standing with their Prophet. But worst of all, was the passing around of women and children in marriage. How he told wives they were no longer married to this man, but must go and live with this other one, sometimes, often sisters were 'married' to the same man. And children, little girls, he made them marry whom he wished and if the ensuing sex was against the girl's consent, it wasn't rape, it was an act of conjugal love.
There is another perspective written about in all the books, but not in detail. The fact that in order the men to have their quorum of wives and be able to produce the something like 50 children necessary for them to become gods and rule their own planets in the afterlife (seriously) there can't be too many men around. So they throw the teenage boys out at the slightest excuse. I want to hear their stories and I think I've found the book, Lost Boy by Brent W. Jeffs.
It's a good book, an excellent read, even from the point of view of watching someone absolutely power-hungry exercise it in every way, cruel or kind, but always self-serving and somehow or other hypnotises the people out of their senses so they let him get away with it. Dictators work that way too. Both of them have their cliques and cadres who are generously rewarded. It's all very Machiavellian - the control, the fear, the distancing of the powerful from the ordinary, the sheep.
The book is a real window on the world of this strange, dangerous and awfully sad cult.
August 11, 2008
I know what you're all thinking. Why is Erin reading what seems like every book in the world on FLDS? I'm not sure- but I don't recommend it. I'm obsessed. I'll stop after my bookclub in Sept. -Promise.
May 21, 2009
Wow, what I learned from this book is that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Stephen Singular writes about the this offshoot of the Mormon Church that still practices polygamy and the ways in which one meglomanical person can twist faith to meet his needs for power. I knew that Warren Jeff was in prison. What I did not know was the background to his conviction on federal charges. This book details the history of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and also the history of Warren Jeffs and previous church leaders. It is detailed and very readable. After learning about the plight of women in this "religion" I was very glad that I am merely a lapsed Catholic.
December 12, 2018
With disturbing fascination, I’ve devoured many books about Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist LDS. This one offers a good overview of the sect versus former members’ memoirs (also worthy reads). Here, Singular depicts Jeffs’s rise to absolute power; controlling his followers, capriciously rearranging families, and constantly threatening their salvation. Women are chattel. Young girls are brides. Viewed as competition, young men are cast out. It’s sickening. All of this while amassing millions of dollars. Fuck this guy.
October 3, 2012
I found this book very objectively written, and very respectful of the FLDS members themselves, which I applaud fullheartedly, however, the book wasn't as interesting as I expected it to be. It was full of legal jargon and drawn out courtroom scenes.
This is certainly worth the read if you have read "Stolen Innocence" by Elissa Wall. It puts her story in a different light and very interesting to compare the two books.
This is certainly worth the read if you have read "Stolen Innocence" by Elissa Wall. It puts her story in a different light and very interesting to compare the two books.
August 31, 2019
This book tells the fascinating story of the Fundamentalist church in Southern Utah under the tyranny of Warren Jeffs. It exposes much of the secrecy of illegal behavior and corrupt powerful men. I struggled with the writing style which was choppy and inconsistent at times. Although much was accurate, as far as I knew from my limited interactions and the changes made under the different prophets (Rulon Jeffs sowed paranoia before Warren), I cringed at the opinions expressed and criticisms of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The author found multiple opportunities to point out that the Salt Lake City based mainstream Church did nothing to curb the Southern Utah church. Which is true. Yet what authority does one church hold over another? FLDS Church is like the Protestant version of the LDS Church. The Pope could not prevent King Henry VIII’s behavior once he broke with the Roman Catholic Church as he didn’t recognize the Pope’s authority. No church has the right to dictate how another church is run. If illegal activity is occurring, law enforcement and the judicial system takes action, not a church. That is the way the Constitution is written.
With the previous rant expressed, it is important to note that, as the author correctly surmises, both Utah and Arizona governments were slow to investigate and act against a community so shrouded in secrecy but especially did not want to repeat the Short Creek Raid Of ‘53 by the AZ governor. The problems with the way the community ignored the child labor laws, collected food stamps and all kinds of government funding, and whispered child brides were far overdue to be exposed and addressed. Of course, the problem arises that the town straddles two states. How do you prosecute polygamy if a man is only legally married to one wife yet “spiritually” married to 12 others? You really don’t. The same rules that caught members of the mafia apply here. You get them on tax evasion. You also get them on statutory rape. The story of how it was investigated and what lengths they went to is fascinating.
With the previous rant expressed, it is important to note that, as the author correctly surmises, both Utah and Arizona governments were slow to investigate and act against a community so shrouded in secrecy but especially did not want to repeat the Short Creek Raid Of ‘53 by the AZ governor. The problems with the way the community ignored the child labor laws, collected food stamps and all kinds of government funding, and whispered child brides were far overdue to be exposed and addressed. Of course, the problem arises that the town straddles two states. How do you prosecute polygamy if a man is only legally married to one wife yet “spiritually” married to 12 others? You really don’t. The same rules that caught members of the mafia apply here. You get them on tax evasion. You also get them on statutory rape. The story of how it was investigated and what lengths they went to is fascinating.
October 24, 2021
This is a history of of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) – that is, the polygamous Mormons. It does give an entire history, but focuses on more recent events since Warren Jeffs took over as Prophet. Many women have left the FLDS in the past couple of decades due to all kinds of abuse; as well, many boys have been kicked out. The book was published in 2008, so it ends after Jeffs’ trial for accessory to rape (? something along those lines), with the main witness being Elissa Wall (who wrote “Stolen Innocence” about her life as part of the FLDS). She was the first person to bring charges against Jeffs.
I have read a lot about the FLDS already, so I’ve heard a lot of this. This one, though, gave me more insight into the behind-the-scenes investigating of Jeffs and investigating the issues with abuse (and money) within the community. As usual, when I end one of these books, I need to look up what is happening with Jeffs at the moment – he is still in jail, but he still has followers.
I have read a lot about the FLDS already, so I’ve heard a lot of this. This one, though, gave me more insight into the behind-the-scenes investigating of Jeffs and investigating the issues with abuse (and money) within the community. As usual, when I end one of these books, I need to look up what is happening with Jeffs at the moment – he is still in jail, but he still has followers.
March 2, 2011
When Men Become Gods / 978-0-312-37248-4
The Warren Jeffs' FLDS cult has been a subject of great interest to me lately, and although there are many wonderful ex-member accounts out there (such as "Escape" and "Stolen Innocence"), I've been frustrated until now by the lack of a good, over-arching narrative for the FLDS cult as a whole and the Warren Jeffs' branch specifically. I'd read "Under the Banner of Heaven" earlier in the year, but had been slightly put off by the author's tendency to leap back and forth through the centuries between each chapter, as a narrative technique.
"When Men Become Gods", then, was a very welcome addition to my library. Here was the over-arching narrative of the Warren Jeffs' branch that I'd been looking for - after a brief and to-the-point history of the FLDS, the book begins with Warren Jeffs' childhood, chronicles his rise through the ranks, his abuses of his cult members, the federal search for him, and his sudden and unexpected capture and subsequent trial.
Author Singular is to be commended for providing such a lucid, clear narrative to this difficult and labyrinthine subject; the all the people and places discussed here are done so in such a clear and vivid manner that the reader is able to follow along easily (not an easy thing to do with the complex family trees of the FLDS members!). Singular also brings a great deal of passion to his subject, especially when he provides insight from the police and activists that worked so long and so hard to track Jeffs down and bring him to justice, while trying to protect the abused members.
Indeed, as a narrative for this saga, this book does a superb job of presenting the overall story, and this book would serve as a great introduction to anyone interested in the recent history of the FLDS, or to someone who has read the survivor stories and would like an over-arching account to organize what they have learned. The book is not flawless, though, and I do recommend supplementing your reading with "Escape" or "Stolen Innocence" or both. Indeed, the author of "Stolen Innocence" features heavily in "When Men Become Gods", for it was her testimony that convicted Warren Jeffs at last, and Singular does a fair job of presenting her story, but it is my belief that her biography contains many key points that Singular did not include here, for whatever reason, including the sheer depth of pain and horror she survived as a child.
I would recommend this book as a great introduction or supplemental reading material on the subject.
~ Ana Mardoll
The Warren Jeffs' FLDS cult has been a subject of great interest to me lately, and although there are many wonderful ex-member accounts out there (such as "Escape" and "Stolen Innocence"), I've been frustrated until now by the lack of a good, over-arching narrative for the FLDS cult as a whole and the Warren Jeffs' branch specifically. I'd read "Under the Banner of Heaven" earlier in the year, but had been slightly put off by the author's tendency to leap back and forth through the centuries between each chapter, as a narrative technique.
"When Men Become Gods", then, was a very welcome addition to my library. Here was the over-arching narrative of the Warren Jeffs' branch that I'd been looking for - after a brief and to-the-point history of the FLDS, the book begins with Warren Jeffs' childhood, chronicles his rise through the ranks, his abuses of his cult members, the federal search for him, and his sudden and unexpected capture and subsequent trial.
Author Singular is to be commended for providing such a lucid, clear narrative to this difficult and labyrinthine subject; the all the people and places discussed here are done so in such a clear and vivid manner that the reader is able to follow along easily (not an easy thing to do with the complex family trees of the FLDS members!). Singular also brings a great deal of passion to his subject, especially when he provides insight from the police and activists that worked so long and so hard to track Jeffs down and bring him to justice, while trying to protect the abused members.
Indeed, as a narrative for this saga, this book does a superb job of presenting the overall story, and this book would serve as a great introduction to anyone interested in the recent history of the FLDS, or to someone who has read the survivor stories and would like an over-arching account to organize what they have learned. The book is not flawless, though, and I do recommend supplementing your reading with "Escape" or "Stolen Innocence" or both. Indeed, the author of "Stolen Innocence" features heavily in "When Men Become Gods", for it was her testimony that convicted Warren Jeffs at last, and Singular does a fair job of presenting her story, but it is my belief that her biography contains many key points that Singular did not include here, for whatever reason, including the sheer depth of pain and horror she survived as a child.
I would recommend this book as a great introduction or supplemental reading material on the subject.
~ Ana Mardoll
August 1, 2014
It’s official. I think I’ve read all there is to read about this FLDS business. At least without having enough information about the little community to write a dissertation on the topic. Now it’s down to slightly different versions of essentially the same memoir. The weird part (and quite unfortunate part for those of you who read these little book blurbs) is that I’m still fascinated.
Religions practice, particularly cult culture, is incredibly interesting. Not only is it difficult to imagine that these communities function as utterly isolated sub-sections of our own society, but also that enough people have escaped and generously offered us bits of their world and knowledge so that we can begin to understand. Bit by bit, we put the puzzle together and learn how the master manipulators and evil geniuses of the world manage to brainwash entire populations, scam our enormous national and state governments, and commit heinous crimes with barely the bat of an eyelid from the criminal justice system.
And, for anyone who’s as nerdy about public administration and political science as I am, the complexity of managing this type of phenomenon in a country with such a strong belief in freedom is mind-boggling. Our systems are not set up to effectively or efficiently respond to the institutionalized abuse and neglect of hundreds of children, for instance. Or the impossible task of sorting out welfare benefits for a family with 15 wives and 70 children. And what about the pre-meditated and terrifyingly destructive brainwashing of thousands upon thousands of “consenting” adults? Who, by the way, are not really consenting as they have been given no choice.
The FLDS culture is the ultimate legal and constitutional nightmare. And we’ve been ignoring it, thus letting it become thoroughly corrupt and increasingly out of control, for almost two centuries. How on earth do you even begin to remedy that? Which traditions are protected by “religious freedom” and which are simply criminal and subject to outside intervention? What is the first step (or any of the subsequent steps for that matter) in charging, arresting, and prosecuting hundreds, possibly thousands, of individuals simultaneously?
So I challenge you! Riddle me that!
Religions practice, particularly cult culture, is incredibly interesting. Not only is it difficult to imagine that these communities function as utterly isolated sub-sections of our own society, but also that enough people have escaped and generously offered us bits of their world and knowledge so that we can begin to understand. Bit by bit, we put the puzzle together and learn how the master manipulators and evil geniuses of the world manage to brainwash entire populations, scam our enormous national and state governments, and commit heinous crimes with barely the bat of an eyelid from the criminal justice system.
And, for anyone who’s as nerdy about public administration and political science as I am, the complexity of managing this type of phenomenon in a country with such a strong belief in freedom is mind-boggling. Our systems are not set up to effectively or efficiently respond to the institutionalized abuse and neglect of hundreds of children, for instance. Or the impossible task of sorting out welfare benefits for a family with 15 wives and 70 children. And what about the pre-meditated and terrifyingly destructive brainwashing of thousands upon thousands of “consenting” adults? Who, by the way, are not really consenting as they have been given no choice.
The FLDS culture is the ultimate legal and constitutional nightmare. And we’ve been ignoring it, thus letting it become thoroughly corrupt and increasingly out of control, for almost two centuries. How on earth do you even begin to remedy that? Which traditions are protected by “religious freedom” and which are simply criminal and subject to outside intervention? What is the first step (or any of the subsequent steps for that matter) in charging, arresting, and prosecuting hundreds, possibly thousands, of individuals simultaneously?
So I challenge you! Riddle me that!
June 23, 2013
I've read a few things on the FLDS, and watched a few of the documentaries on life in the cult. Once I read Carolyn Jessop's book, I learned how incredibly disturbing the cult really can be in the individual day to day lives of the members. This book presents the rest of the sect, and the myriad ways the legal system attempted to take down Warren Jeffs.
This book while claiming to be about the women "who fought back", most of the glory was given to two of the men on the outside who helped bust down the doors. When one of the women retracted her story and clammed up on the stand, neither the author nor the deputy had any sympathy for her. The women are merely there to be rescued. I did find a lot of new details about the cult, but it wasn't the best primer I suspect on the FLDS out there.
This book while claiming to be about the women "who fought back", most of the glory was given to two of the men on the outside who helped bust down the doors. When one of the women retracted her story and clammed up on the stand, neither the author nor the deputy had any sympathy for her. The women are merely there to be rescued. I did find a lot of new details about the cult, but it wasn't the best primer I suspect on the FLDS out there.
October 26, 2008
The narrative style of this book was a bit stilted and almost too theatrical, setting up the infamous Warren Jeffs and FLDS and evil and those attempting to leave it and/or work against it as inherently good. I felt like I was being pushed to demonize Jeffs instead of being presented with reasons to damn him on my own initiative.
There was some interesting information that wasn't covered in Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven, and I think it was worth the read, but I don't heartily recommend it. I also may just be burnt out on reading about Mormons.
There was some interesting information that wasn't covered in Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven, and I think it was worth the read, but I don't heartily recommend it. I also may just be burnt out on reading about Mormons.
July 27, 2011
If an author is going to link a group (FLDS) to bin Ladan, he should make a connection throughout the entire book. Mentioning it in the Intro, then reminding the readers in the conclusion is not enough. Sure Singular sprinkled a little bin Ladan here-and-there but not enought to make a convincing case. Singular should have stuck with his solid facts about the group instead of reaching out on a limb for some possible connection. The book would have been excellent without the inflamatory comments. Either make your case or don't even try.
September 25, 2011
A chilling look at fundamental LDS faith, and Warren Jeffs. Not for the squeamish, this story will bother the hell of out you, and make you wonder about the fringe elements in American religion today.
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_W...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_W...
December 8, 2008
The author took a no-nonsense approach, neither condoning nor condemning the FLDS people. He let the facts speak for themselves, facts which showed Warren Jeffs to be the real culprit, not the religion or the practice of polygamy by its members. After reading stories in the newspapers for many years, it was interesting to have everything brought together in one cohesive account.
March 9, 2018
The books uses a lot of material from memoirs written by those who have left the FLDS. I have read the other books so it was more of a recap of other books.
October 14, 2014
--When Men Become Gods is my 5th book in my study of the FLDS. I've read Carolyn Jessop and Flora Jessop's accounts, and I'm listening to Rebecca Musser's on Cd.
--The women's accounts were their own personal stories. In contrast, Singular gives a history and an overview of the FLDS movement. He share the history of the Mormons, starting with Joseph Smith.
--He then details how things went wrong with some of the modern leaders of the FLDS. And he shares about the women who started escaping and fighting back, and about the brave few who helped them. The women and those who helped them were listed by Singular as the "Resistance".
--A list of just some who made up the "Resistance":
--As I've studied all that has gone into the FLDS being exposed, I
have been upset that Flora Jessop hasn't been given more credit for her
role. Below is Singular's description of her, and I think it's a good
one:
--As the government authorities and members of the resistance tried to figure out how to bring the members of the FLDS to justice, they had some concerns. They feared a Waco or Jonestown catastrophe. The governments of Arizona, Utah and the Federal government were afraid to tackle the many crimes that were being committed in the FLDS community. Yet, finally something needed to be done. The FLDS wasn't above the law and questions started to be raised by many, below are some:
--Singular shares how the authorities finally go after Jeffs, eventually putting him on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. And about the 3 sisters who testified against him, Elissa Wall, Theresa Wall and Rebecca Musser.
--Elissa Wall was forced into marriage when she was barely 14 and was raped by her husband. Not only was this Jeffs' idea, but he refused to listen to her many cries for help and told her to "keep sweet" and submit to her husband.
--When Jeffs was declared guilty by a jury of his peers, several of the heroic women who stood up against him had this to say:
--Laura Chapman (one of the first women who fought back) was happy with the verdict, but warned people that the fight against the FLDS was far from over:
--The women's accounts were their own personal stories. In contrast, Singular gives a history and an overview of the FLDS movement. He share the history of the Mormons, starting with Joseph Smith.
--He then details how things went wrong with some of the modern leaders of the FLDS. And he shares about the women who started escaping and fighting back, and about the brave few who helped them. The women and those who helped them were listed by Singular as the "Resistance".
--A list of just some who made up the "Resistance":
1) Flora Jessop--One of the many women who escaped and fought back
2) Sam Brower--A private investigator
3) Elaine Tyler--She assisted women who were trying to escape the FLDS, and she founded the Hope Organization.
4) Gary Engels--An investigator hired by Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith
5) Ross Chatwin--A loyal FLDS member who was kicked out by Warren Jeffs. He was one of the few men who chose to fight back. Most of the time Jeffs took away these men's homes and wives and children. But Chatwin refused to leave his home, and his wife and kids stayed by his side instead of obeying Jeffs.
6) The Lost Boys--Teenage boys who were kicked out of the FLDS, so that the older men have more women to choose from.
--As I've studied all that has gone into the FLDS being exposed, I
have been upset that Flora Jessop hasn't been given more credit for her
role. Below is Singular's description of her, and I think it's a good
one:
Every revolution produced somebody like Flora Jessop: a
flamethrower who jolted others into action. She had a knack for
inspiring victimized women to come forward--and for turning off strong
FLDS opponents and embarrassing the police or other authorities. In the
absence of any organized effort to enforce the law along the border for
the past several decades, Flora, like Laura Chapman before her, had
stepped forward and done what others wouldn't. Nobody else had wanted
to take the risks to help the men, women, boys, girls, and childhood
victims of polygamy--least of all the Latter-day Saints church up in
Salt Lake City.--p. 121
--As the government authorities and members of the resistance tried to figure out how to bring the members of the FLDS to justice, they had some concerns. They feared a Waco or Jonestown catastrophe. The governments of Arizona, Utah and the Federal government were afraid to tackle the many crimes that were being committed in the FLDS community. Yet, finally something needed to be done. The FLDS wasn't above the law and questions started to be raised by many, below are some:
What about the rising costs of welfare and of treating fumarase deficiency? What if citizens across the nation with no connection to Mormon fundamentalists had to pick up the tab for other people's very expensive marital and sexual practices? What if a religious sect on the Utah-Arizona border were being run like a criminal enterprise, similar to the mafia? Or like a terrorist outfit, answerable only to its Prophet?--p. 115
--Singular shares how the authorities finally go after Jeffs, eventually putting him on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List. And about the 3 sisters who testified against him, Elissa Wall, Theresa Wall and Rebecca Musser.
--Elissa Wall was forced into marriage when she was barely 14 and was raped by her husband. Not only was this Jeffs' idea, but he refused to listen to her many cries for help and told her to "keep sweet" and submit to her husband.
--When Jeffs was declared guilty by a jury of his peers, several of the heroic women who stood up against him had this to say:
This wasn't just lawyering in the courtroom, this was justice.--Elaine Tyler
Opinion is a fleeting thing, but truth outlasts the sun.--Elissa Wall quoting Emily Dickinson
--Laura Chapman (one of the first women who fought back) was happy with the verdict, but warned people that the fight against the FLDS was far from over:
So much is still lacking in terms of accountability...Elissa Wall's parents not only failed to protect her but prepared a child in a wedding dress for her abuser. They are culpable by law and should be charged. If Warren Jeffs has 80 wives, and birth certificates of his 264 children prove this, he should be charged with 79 counts of bigamy...He was not charged for violating the Mann Act (taking a minor across state lines for sexual purposes). Elissa was taken to Nevada to be married. Jeffs should be held accountable for the human trafficking of women and children to Canada...
An apology should be issued to the thousands of people, over 160 years, who have lived in extreme conditions of poverty, emotional and spiritual abuse, sexual coercion and assault because of this doctrine that places men as superior over women. Since the LDS church is one of the wealthiest religious organizations in the world, they should fund non-profit organizations to provide resources for refugees of polygamy. They should no longer allow a man to be sealed for time and all eternity to more than one woman.
December 18, 2025
The book is an investigation into the abuses of the Mormon religion by a breakaway sect and the efforts of law enforcement to protect the people at risk and arrest those in charge. It is amazing and noteworthy that people can give over every aspect of their lives to another person, a person who berates and humiliates them, including their ability to have a partner and reproduce, all in the name of God.
How can people believe this stuff? What makes people susceptible to cults? I am sure this has been studied, but it remains a mystery to me, but I am a natural skeptic, not a believer.
How can people believe this stuff? What makes people susceptible to cults? I am sure this has been studied, but it remains a mystery to me, but I am a natural skeptic, not a believer.
January 8, 2022
I've always been fascinated by cults, how people get drawn into these things, and what keeps them there. This was was a very interesting look at the FDLS, and Warren Jeffs in particular. I felt so bad for the women, and the young men who were kicked out of the community, with no support and nowhere to go. Faith is an important thing, but it's scary to see how twisted it can be.
August 22, 2024
A riveting story, although the legal details get a little cumbersome and hard to follow.
June 7, 2018
really good, had been interested in this lifestyle for awhile, I had ancestors that were poly, so it was a good book
October 17, 2013
Not sure how accurate all his information is - he doesn't have correct facts about the LDS church so maybe his information about the FLDS is not correct either. He writes a lot about what the FLDS are thinking and I wonder how he knows those things? (It's not like any of them would grant him an interview).
Warren Jeffs, fortunately, is behind bars for his life. What was done to him, he passed on to other boys, girls and women. Truly they have corrupted religion to fit their sexual wants.
Warren Jeffs, fortunately, is behind bars for his life. What was done to him, he passed on to other boys, girls and women. Truly they have corrupted religion to fit their sexual wants.
February 22, 2018
Reading about Warren Jeffs and his cult of fear, incest and abuse makes you want to cheer that he's now in jail, probably for the rest of his life. It's the women and children who, as usual, suffer the consequences. The FLDS, in case you're not familiar with it, is a branch of Mormons who believe in plural marriage. The problem is, when Jeffs took over after his father died, he started marrying underage girls and throwing out young men who might want to marry these girls. They are called The Lost Boys. It's a very interesting book, but heartbreaking too. Read it.
February 23, 2021
This book is about Warren Jeffs and his control over the FLDS. The amount of control, manipulation, and abuse that this man and his cronies have dished out on every single member of the FLDS is nearly unfathomable. I am so proud of everyone who has taken a stand against his abuses. I am glad to know that he is imprisoned, but he is probably still calling the shots through visitors and phone calls. I hope that every one of these people that he has abused gets some level of justice and finds a life worth living.
November 24, 2008
ok I admit I didn't read this. But I watched the movie I bought at the Book Cellar. It was very good. I hope to read it some day too.
June 15, 2009
I hate books that has the same information that you can read on the internet. This book falls into that category! I'm just glad I didn't pay money to read this.
June 22, 2018
To read as a follow up to "Stolen Innocence".
May 16, 2013
Meh. This book is weirdly disjointed.
June 21, 2019
Great interesting find for anyone interested in the FLDS!
Idk why I keep reading books about this but alas here I am. The books I’ve read previously on this subject were personal accounts of women who escaped from this lifestyle/culture. This is book gave great unbiased insight into the FLDS culture and all the major players especially Jeffs himself and those who played key roles in his investigation and case. Singular goes beyond just simple facts/timelines and really gets into the psychology behind the FLDS members (both current and former) and their leader. I really appreciated the insight and knowledge the author offered and the meticulous research and interviewing that clearly went into this book. As someone who’s read a lot on this topic previously, I still feel like I learned a lot from this book. If you’re looking for a more personal/emotional account of life inside the FLDS I’d recommend “Escape” by Carolyn Jessop but really this book goes into personal accounts of many members. Overall great read!
Idk why I keep reading books about this but alas here I am. The books I’ve read previously on this subject were personal accounts of women who escaped from this lifestyle/culture. This is book gave great unbiased insight into the FLDS culture and all the major players especially Jeffs himself and those who played key roles in his investigation and case. Singular goes beyond just simple facts/timelines and really gets into the psychology behind the FLDS members (both current and former) and their leader. I really appreciated the insight and knowledge the author offered and the meticulous research and interviewing that clearly went into this book. As someone who’s read a lot on this topic previously, I still feel like I learned a lot from this book. If you’re looking for a more personal/emotional account of life inside the FLDS I’d recommend “Escape” by Carolyn Jessop but really this book goes into personal accounts of many members. Overall great read!
February 16, 2022
Warren Jeffs, sometime Prophet of the FLDS polygamist Mormon church, is absolute slime. This book shows how he took a commune full of willing adult polygamists and turned it into a dictatorship with child marriages and excommunications. Then, how ex-FLDS members and other neighbors and investigators worked to dismantle Warren's network within the church and teach members their rights as American citizens. The people who fought back were spectacularly brave, and I'm glad so many were able to move on with their lives.
Here's the rub: everything in this book is set so soundly in its own time that it's difficult to read in 2022. In this year we don't refer to all Muslims as terrorists and we're willing to admit that some religious movements are just cults. This book spends a lot of time showing parallels between the FLDS and Islam because I guess Islam was the villain of the day in 2008? It's hard to make a true crime book age poorly, but the world has changed so much and this book just doesn't make sense anymore.
Here's the rub: everything in this book is set so soundly in its own time that it's difficult to read in 2022. In this year we don't refer to all Muslims as terrorists and we're willing to admit that some religious movements are just cults. This book spends a lot of time showing parallels between the FLDS and Islam because I guess Islam was the villain of the day in 2008? It's hard to make a true crime book age poorly, but the world has changed so much and this book just doesn't make sense anymore.
June 26, 2024
As a social historian who specializes in the history and adaptations of religions and religious movements... this ain't it.
Don't get me wrong - the FLDS is still very much a fascinating and painful look (even in 2024, because yes, they're still around and Warren Jeffs is still giving orders from prison) into how beliefs can be used to socially control a people.
But this book is written less as a deep dive into what its title proclaims it will be, and more of a headline-grabbing attempt at a thriller. This does not do justice, at all, to Elissa or Rebecca or the countless other survivors. Do yourself the favor and read their own writings, in their own words, instead.
Don't get me wrong - the FLDS is still very much a fascinating and painful look (even in 2024, because yes, they're still around and Warren Jeffs is still giving orders from prison) into how beliefs can be used to socially control a people.
But this book is written less as a deep dive into what its title proclaims it will be, and more of a headline-grabbing attempt at a thriller. This does not do justice, at all, to Elissa or Rebecca or the countless other survivors. Do yourself the favor and read their own writings, in their own words, instead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews