Comments about ‘Anti-polygamy activist pens book on FLDS’

It's too hard to tell who is lying and who isn't. Ms. Jessop, and members of the FLDS Church, need to submit themselves to independent lie detector tests administered before the public. It's the only way I will believe any of them.

One has to wonder at the indifference of governmental officials to the human rights abuses that occur within the FLDS -- and this in the so-called "Land of the Free!" What, free for brainwashed, selfish men to deny human rights to their women and children? We have the same disgusting problem with the FLDS in Canada, in their secretive commune of Bountiful. Our misogynistic government could have stopped the abuses decades ago, but didn't want to spend the millions needed for a court case, and so turned a blind eye, pretending that if the rape of girls and the abandonnment of boys are religious practises, then they must be accepted. That's a load of BS, and our lousy politicians know it. In the opinion of many up here in Canada, our provincial government officials should be charged with aiding the FLDS to abuse women and children. When law enforcers don't bother to enforce the law, they are just as guilty as the criminals.

For the people associated with the FLDS, it is hard to tell who's lying. It's like being a judge in a court case where either both sides or lying or one side is lying and the information just doesn't match up. In the article, Flora is certainly the one telling the truth about the Texas compound and the FLDS were the ones certainly lying. We know that because we know that it is not a hunting retreat and this same "hunting retreat" lie was told in FLDS real estate transactions in other states.

Looking over various FLDS court testimony, it seems to me that various members claim that they "forget" an incredible number of things that the normal person would remember. This massive loss of memory constitutes lying in my opinion, but it isn't provable. As for those who have escaped the FLDS, should we assume they were taught to lie and still do it? I don't know.

I do agree with Flora that CPS has done very little in Arizona or Utah. If the safety net has helped 1000 people as claimed, certainly CPS should be aware of and involved in some statutory rape/abuse cases.

I grew up in a small town in Utah where this FLDS religion was a problem. I was sexually abused and became pregnant at 11 years old. I had a miscarriage at junior high school. The school nurse called the police who wanted to take me home and threaten my father but I was so frightened of what my father would do to me that I insisted that they allow me to walk.

Several years later, my girlfriend got pregnant by her father. She had to drop out of school. I felt so helpless to know what to do.

To his dying day, my father refused to admit what he did. My entire family called me a liar and disowned me.

Because of this I can see why the FLDS call Flora Jessop a liar. They are too ashamed and scared to admit the truth.

let me see , in a land that's known for freedom how can such a thing be fair...won't you please come to draper for the all the poly's living there in the open ...denial is not a river in africa!

I've known Flora for 3 years and have nothing but the highest respect for her. She has, without personal gain, stood up to this organized and abusive culture.

I have watched her take loads of donated clothes, toys, food, books, furniture and other houseold items to the victims who have either escaped, been thrown out or simply left the fLDS.

I've watched members of the FLDS just plain lie on national TV. When asked if the women being interviewed knew of any under age marrigaes, all three of them, like robots, said "Not that I'm aware."

They call it "lying for the L-rd" and it is an acceptable practice among the FLDS. I even have recordings of Warren Jeffs teaching his followers about it and how it is alright.

When the FLDS says "The truth will prevail", they are not talking about actual truth. They are speaking of their version of truth, which allows them to abuse women and children in the name of religion.


Abuse is not a religion.

"Lying for the Lord?" I thought God could not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. To me, lying is lying. According to scripture, God does sometimes allow/command people to live in plural marriage. However, it's bound to be difficult. Brigham Young once said that polygamy would damn more men than it would exalt. Interesting to think about when I hear about the abuse that's said to go on among Mr. Jeffs and some of his followers.

Do you mind if I ask whether you were FLDS or just lived in one of the southern Utah towns among them?
I have lived in a couple of those small towns myself. Unfortunately, sexual abuse of children is not limited to one group of people--it's horrendous (I know from personal experience) and it seems to be even more prevelant now than it used to be. And it's certainly covered up by families who don't dare admit what is happening.

It's funny how a handful of MEN will back polygamy right and left. This tells me that it's a personal desire for a very very few certain men, and these men desire total control over women for their own sexual purposes. However, there are more good men in our world who choose NOT to mess around with this sick, abusive cultist life style, and because of these good men, our world is a much safer place for women.

I believe good old Willie said it best. "We don't believe their evidence is credible," he said. "We don't believe they obtained it legally, but we'll stand up in court and face the allegations," he said. "We believe in our innocence." Sounds like Willie is going to try and fight the evidence. I wonder if "they" believe in their innocence, why is good old Willie stating the evidence wasn't legally obtained? If these polygamist aren't having sex with under age girls then there shouldn't be a problem for them. I think the mothers of these young girls whould also be brought to trial. If a few of these mothers have to serve time in jail, maybe the others will get a back bone and stand up for their innocent young daughters.

I talked with a former neighbor a few years ago about his involvement with polygamy, which he and his young wife left before they started their family.

Most parents teach their children the basic values - honesty being one of the most important. But, he said as a child that it was so confusing because he was taught to be honest, but also told, (so that would be taught) to lie about so many things
to school teachers, police officers, authorities knocking at their door, other kids at school, etc.

I think because of this he was totally honest as an adult because now he could see the confusion it had caused for him as he was growing up.

I am almost finished reading Carolyn Jessop's book, Escape and have yet to read if (more realistically 'how') Carolyn and Flora Jessop are related, so Flora it would be interesting if you would address that in your book.

I sure am glad Flora got the buzz words escape and slavery in the title........great sales tecnique for the fictional accounts and half truths.
Now all we need is a credible fact checker.

I still think the FLDS are screwing up their childen, but it would be a lot easier on everyone if they just stood up for themselves.

Many of us have had hard childhoods and we turned out ok, so these people probably will too. At some point, someone will just have to stand up and say NO. Get that book you wanted to read, and read it. You want to play a CD, do it. Stop following all the whack rules and just do your thing. Pretty soon Short Creek will be a party town and then those that want to be all controlled and everything will have to move.

I say we have travel agencies promote Short Creek for spring break. Throw in a bunch of crazy college students into the place and see how long it holds up.

There's no way to beat the FLDS. We just have to show the kids another way. Nothing like spring break to do that....

sooooo tired of the whining. These people need to fix their own problems. I'm tired of my tax dollars being spent trying to "save" people that don't want to be saved.

These women write books about how they had to "escape". LOL Just LEAVE if you don't like it. Someone tells you to do something you don't like or don't want to do, say NO.

And these "lost boys". COME ON! They should be happy to get out! They're being "tossed out" and people are complaining? At least now they're free.

And why do the men let someone tell them to leave their family? No backbone? Are you men or not? It's your house and your family. Don't just leave. What's that all about?

Then there's the "child brides". Get a grip, girls. SAY NO! Don't "marry" that old coot. Stick up for yourselves. If they try something, leave, or defend yourselves. They should only be able to get away with it once. The second time, you have every right to use whatever method necessary to defend yourself.

You're LETTING these people walk all over you. Stand up for yourselves instead of expecting everyone to save you.

But the problem is that these people have been brainwashed! When something is taught to you since the time you were young and when you are taught that if you don't do something you will not "go to heaven" your brain starts to believe it. Eventually, they may start to question, but it may mean leaving everything behind that they know. Some of them probably know it's wrong inside, but can't quite find the courage to change and start from scratch.

I couldn't agre with you more. Only hard part is for the young girls. Sticking up for themselves is a lot easier said than done. That said, I agree that they can (and should) use ANY method to defend themselves. Running away is best, but failing that, anyone trying something at you should be limping out or carried out.

You go, girls!!!

how do you know they're "fictitious accounts and half truths"? Were you there?

I'll tell you the same thing the FLDS tells everyone else. If you weren't there, you don't know.

So - why do you believe it's all fiction? You believe people that worship a pedophile over people that don't? You think because they portend to be all religious that they wouldn't make things up?

You satirize those that don't believe the FLDS yet you obviously picked a side. It's only good for you?

Then leave everything and start over. It's a big world. lots of opportunity. Chances are even if you hook up with someone abusive to help you, they won't be as bad as where you left. And if they are, keep going.

Brainwashing someone into believing the weird practices like this can only go so far. At some point a light goes on and you realize it's just made-up to control you. If it doesn't, then you probably should just stay there - you won't make it outside anyway.

Seems to me that if you even have a CLUE about the outside world you'd run for the hills away from such a cult. And if you don't have a clue, then perhaps you're best off letting them have their way with you.

Can't save everyone. The smart ones will leave and the FLDS can have the rest. And in 100 years it won't matter.

I do wonder when the only books we read about a group are written by their apostates.

As an active (over 50 years) convert to the LDS church, I was often questioned sharply about our beliefs by people in the east and south who had read books or seen movies by those who had left our church. People refused to believe that the LDS church didn't teach the things our apostates said we did. In fact, they called my a liar when I said the books were mistaken.

So--I do wonder about these books. I have actually known FLDS people who have not been a part of anything I would disagree with except the practice of polygamy--I even went to high school with some, years ago. And I know women who feel perfectly comfortable with the practice of polygamy and who weren't forced in any way, neither were they child brides.

What I wish is that some of the active FLDS would come forward and tell their side of the stories--however with the huge hoopla going on, they'd hardly dare now. Somebody would grab their kids or throw them in jail. Can't blame them for keeping a low profile.

not dare post a question about the truthfulness of these books asked by a non-FLDS?