In previous posts, I have quoted often from this book. This book is 438 pages, beginning with the struggles of a child born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FDLS). The book has three main parts that cover the years of her life up until the end of the trial of Warren Jeffs. In Part 1, she outlines her childhood days living in a polygamous family and the struggles inherent with that structure. Her family grew to include eleven brothers and twelve sisters. At one time, there were three mothers in her house- married to the same man, her father.
The insights into her childhood including her perspectives and thoughts about Warren Jeffs, were a key to the book’s value for me. She describes her interactions with Warren Jeffs and her eventual marriage to her first cousin- Allen Steed. She fought the arranged marriage vehemently. However, in FLDS, she would be forced to follow the word of the Prophet “Uncle Rulon”, as dictated through Warrren Jeffs. Her story of anguish at the eventual marriage was heart wrenching. The ominous “authority” that Warren Jeffs secured over the members of FLDS smelled just like the same situation at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) involving Jane Whaley. This fact made reading this book and others about FLDS, so enlightening to me.
After the illegal marriage ceremony held at the Hot Springs Motel in Caliente, Nevada; Elissa struggles intensified. She explains in the second part of the book her struggle just to survive. She spent many nights in her mom’s company in order to avoid contact with her husband. Later, she would spend nights in her truck and that would lead to an encounter with Lamont Barlowe. Their friendship would eventually lead to a legal marriage and two children.
The family pictures were a very effective personal touch to the book. To see the faces of the folks involved in the story helped make the events real. These were real people, facing real trauma and real religious mind control from a real person. In all these events, Elissa would emerge free from the control. Though her exit from FLDS would be a shakey one, she and Lamont would break free and begin a new life. She described her freedom as having her whole foundation crumbling. “Getting out wasn’t just about starting a fresh routine, it was about establishing a totally new way of thinking.” (page 329) I could sympathize with their struggles.
Lamont would be a support as she would face Warren Jeffs in the courtroom. Warren Jeffs was convicted of two counts of rape as an accomplice. From recent press releases, he will face other charges in other states. At the writing of the book, Allen Steed was facing charges of rape. In her statement to the press after the Warren Jeffs convictions were announced, she expressed her love for her mom and sisters. She expressed her support as she hoped they would one day reach out to her. “This trial was not about religion or a vendetta. It was simply about child abuse and preventing futher abuse.” (page 422)
At the close of the “Epilogue”, Elissa Walls expresses her hope that others would be touched and helped by her standing up, telling the truth. “…and that perhaps in some way my words will help them to use their strength to reclaim what is rightfully theirs- the power of choice.” (page 432) She knew that “power of choice” is what those in FLDS give up in order to remain in the group. From my understanding and days inside of WOFF; I know that those who remain at WOFF give up that same “power of choice”…
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