Breaking Free

How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs

By: Rachel Jeffs

Narrated by: Rachel Jeffs

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In this searing memoir of survival in the spirit of Stolen Innocence, the daughter of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the FLDS Church, takes you deep inside the secretive polygamist Mormon fundamentalist cult run by her family and how she escaped it.

Born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rachel Jeffs was raised in a strict patriarchal culture defined by subordinate sister wives and men they must obey. No one in this radical splinter sect of the Mormon Church was more powerful or terrifying than its leader, Warren Jeffs - Rachel's father.

Living outside mainstream Mormonism and federal law, Jeffs arranged marriages between underage girls and middle-aged and elderly members of his congregation. In 2006 he gained international notoriety when the FBI placed him on its 10 Most Wanted List. Though he is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, Jeffs' iron grip on the church remains firm and his edicts to his followers increasingly restrictive and bizarre.

In Breaking Free, Rachel blows the lid off this taciturn community made famous by John Krakauer's best-selling Under the Banner of Heaven to offer a harrowing look at her life with Warren Jeffs and the years of physical and emotional abuse she suffered. Sexually assaulted, compelled into an arranged polygamous marriage, locked away in "houses of hiding" as punishment for perceived transgressions, and physically separated from her children, Rachel, Jeffs' first plural daughter by his second of more than 50 wives, eventually found the courage to leave the church in 2015. But Breaking Free is not only her story - Rachel's experiences illuminate those of her family and the countless others who remain trapped in the strange world she left behind.

A shocking and mesmerizing memoir of faith, abuse, courage, and freedom, Breaking Free is an exposé of religious extremism and a beacon of hope for anyone trying to overcome personal obstacles.

Rachel Jeffs grew up in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the polygamous Mormon sect, which she escaped in 2015. Rachel lives in Idaho with her five children and two dogs.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Rachel Jeffs (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Good Read

This account of the Warren Jeff's era is very informative. Narrator's style brings home the authenticity and is further evidence of the "keep sweet" training.

Better in print

This is a touching, raw, and heart-breaking story which is almost ruined by the narration. It honestly sounds like text to voice. A professional narrator would probably make the memoir come alive. Terrifying that what should be a single-family fringe extremist cult has thousands of members and wields such power.

Amazing First hand story

This was an amazing first hand story from a true FLDS member and how they brainwashed and Controlled her entire life. Explains the horror and terror as well as the times she remembered as good. Excellent for people wanting to better understand FLDS polygamy and it’s effects.

Moving and tragic account of life in the FLDS

Well and honestly written, and I loved hearing the story in the author’s voice. It is impossible for anyone who did not grow up in circumstances like this to fully appreciate the bravery of these young mothers who escape and reclaim their lives.

Overwhelmingly powerful

This book is mind opening and authentic. Obviously, she is very brave for publishing it but beyond that, she wrote it well and spoke it with an innocence and honesty that makes you re-examine your priorities. Definitely will reread.

Very good read!!!

So impressed with her story and how she overcame so much with how rough of a past she had!!! Also, very helpful to understand some aspects of the FLDS.

Thank you for sharing your story

I first learned about Rachel on Escaping Polygamy and her journey was something I often shook my head and cried about. She is an amazing person,mother and fiancé I am glad you choose to be free of that lifestyle and knew that there was so much more out there in the world. I commend you for speaking out I felt your pain through this entire book especially about your children. May GOD continue to bless you.

~Nisha

Incredible

Rachel Jeff’s has an incredible story and courage. The way she speak and tells her story and her every thought and feeling shows you the depth of what she went through and how she got through it.

Great

Great narrative from the author, you really feel what she went through! I highly recommend it!

A story of abuse and hope

Rachel Jeff’s is a very strong woman to be able to speak out about the abuse that she had experienced. In her book, she reveals heart wrenching events that happened in her life. I highly recommended this book to anyone who is going through any form of abuse because through this book, Rachel gives hope that there is hope for the abused.