Stolen Innocence

My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah, sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced her to marry her first cousin at age fourteen. This harrowing account proved to be the most compelling evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of this closed community and the lengths to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect's women.

Now, in this courageous memoir, Elissa Wall tells the incredible story of how she emerged from the confines of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and helped bring one of America's most notorious criminals to justice. Offering a child's perspective on life in the FLDS, Wall discusses her tumultuous youth, explaining how her family's turbulent past intersected with her strong will and identified her as a girl who needed to be controlled through marriage. Detailing how Warren Jeffs's influence over the church twisted its already rigid beliefs in dangerous new directions, Wall portrays the inescapable mind-set and unrelenting pressure that forced her to wed despite her repeated protests that she was too young.

Once she was married, Wall's childhood shattered as she was obligated to follow Jeffs's directives and submit to her husband in "mind, body, and soul." With little money and no knowledge of the outside world, she was trapped and forced to endure the pain and abuse of her loveless relationship. Yet even in those bleak times, she retained a sliver of hope that one day she would find a way out, and one snowy night that came in the form of a rugged stranger named Lamont Barlow. Their chance encounter set in motion a friendship and eventual romance that gave her the strength she needed to break free from her past and sever the chains of the church. But though she was out of the FLDS, Wall would still have to face Jeffs---this time in court.

©2008 Elissa Wall (P)2008 Tantor

very educational

this was an amazing book and I'm sad for it to be over, I learned so much about the FLDS and how much Warren Jeff's changed the religion for his own propaganda. Elisa is a strong woman and I'm happy she shared her story. would recommend.

Powerful Story

This story is an account of one young woman's transformation from frightened child to powerful advocate for the rights of children taken advantage of by the FLDS. The author paints a balanced picture of both the love she experienced being part of a large, polygamous family, as well as the impact of the abuses she suffered at the hands of Warren Jeffs and other church elders.
The story's narration was very distracting and problematic, however, and I feel that it would have been much better had the author read the story herself. The narrator's voice had a petulant and overly emotional quality which took away from the impact of the author's words.

Great book

I’m so glad Alissa spoke up and got her justice deserved! Great book to read!

Powerful

Loved the message and how strong Elissa was throughout all of this. As someone who has gone through abuse it’s moving to see how strong someone can be even when it seems likes the pain will never end.

Stolen Innocence

It is crazy how people can turn a blind eye to wrongful and criminal treatment of innocent children.
Thankfully, people like Elissa Wall are willing to stand up and fight for what's right...for everyone!!!