Jim Skipper ([info]skipperja) wrote,
@ 2008-05-06 12:19:00
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"Escape"
I just read Escape by a young woman who managed to escape and break free from the FLDS during the time many of them were being moved to Texas. She was one of Merril Jessop's many wives. He was 50 when she was assigned to marry him. She was 18. Merril became a close friend of Warren Jeffs, when Jeffs took over the FLDS in that area.

They had eight children and she was able to get custody of all of them.

This young woman had become totally free of the FLDS by the time Jeffs was arrested.

Anyway, it was a fascinating insight into an odd religious cult.

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[info]rebl1969
2008-05-07 12:34 am UTC (link)
That sounds like a good book; I'll have to get it from the library once I'm done with my current stack of books.
I realize that FLDS is not the same as LDS, but have you read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer? It's a very good history of the Mormon church, so it does touch on FLDS some.

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[info]skipperja
2008-05-07 02:06 am UTC (link)
I haven't read the book you mentioned. I've just read general descriptions of various religious groups and their histories. The early history of the LDS is really interesting and I'll consider that book.

I guess some source was promote Escape because of the recent events in Texas and that's why it caught my attention. The recent news and also an article about a raid on the FLDS in 1953. They couldn't keep the children back then because one of the FLDS leaders, Uncle Roy I believe it was, got his attornies to find the law that said children couldn't be taken from their parents without the permission of at least one of the parents. He was able to locate all the scattered mothers and children and bring them back to their community.

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[info]mayflowermama
2008-05-07 03:17 am UTC (link)
I'd like to read it too.

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(Anonymous)
2008-05-07 03:53 am UTC (link)
Escape you mean? Apparently the FLDS split off from the LDS more than 100 years ago, but they really got into problems once Warren Jeffs got control about 15 - 20 years ago.

I'd be glad to lend you my copy. Well, actually I'd give it to you and then you could pass it on to someone if you like. I did promise to let a young woman at church look at it, but I don't think she really was interested. I'll check with her.

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[info]mayflowermama
2008-05-07 04:27 pm UTC (link)
Yes, Escape.

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[info]skipperja
2008-05-07 05:59 pm UTC (link)
I'll send you my copy after we get back from Arkansas around the 20th.

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