Former FLDS member is sharing her insights on the sect

"With the FLDS, my most difficult hurdle is just getting an audience with them," she replied. "Just get it (the conversation) off what you believe and what God says."

Why do the women interviewed by the media appear to have little inflection and "appear like zombies?" another asked.

"Well, they kind of are. When you begin to deny your feelings, all of them (their feelings) go," Mackert said, adding FLDS women are taught to "keep sweet" and not get swept up in their emotions.

"Even with children taken from them, it's hard for them to get hold of the emotions it stirs because they're so out of touch with their feelings," she said. "It took months of counseling before I felt feelings at the same time as an event occurred."

Mackert shared her "testimony" across town at the Baptist Temple later Sunday evening. She's taken her message to churches, groups and college audiences in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and other Texas cities during the past week and plans to return next month for more engagements.

"This phase of my mission is to educate people and also raise the financial support I need to take care of these children, God willing," she said.

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E-mail: bwest@desnews.com