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Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs Audiobook
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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 and vivid 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 and inspirational 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, which eventually pushed her to spend nights sleeping in her truck rather than face the tormentor in her bed.
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. In Stolen Innocence, she delves into the difficult months on the outside that led her to come forward against him, working with prosecutors on one of the biggest criminal cases in Utah's history, so that other girls still inside the church might be spared her cruel fate.
More than a tale of survival and freedom, Stolen Innocence is the story of one heroic woman who stood up for what was right and reclaimed her life.
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"This girl tells her story in such a touching way. She leaves out no detail, no matter how painful or personal, about her life in the FLDS (it's basically the Mormon religion). No matter how horrible the things were that were done to her, she doesn't blame her religion. She is such a loving person. I recommend this to anyone who thinks that the Mormon religion is an awful thing. I have a whole new perspective about these people and their way of life."
— April (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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The juxtaposition of Raudman's narrative equanimity and the young girl's shocking experiences creates an arresting audio experience.
— AudioFile -
“Wall’s story couldn’t be more timely. Her descriptions of the polygamous sect’s rigidity are shocking, but what’s most fascinating is the immensely likeable author’s struggle to reconcile her longing for happiness with her terror of it’s consequences.”
— People -
“Both creepy…and quite moving.”
— New York Times Book Review
Stolen Innocence Listener Reviews
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" This was a bit of a tough read because at times it was repetitive, but it picked up after the first few chapters. It was interesting reading about another person's beliefs that are so different from my own. Worth a go, but be patient it gets boring here and there "
— Denise, 2/1/2014 -
" Gross but fascinating and interesting. "
— Kristin, 1/26/2014 -
" Cultish type stories both horrify and fascinate me. Yes, I know the FLDS is technically considered a cult but if it's not then there's a very fine line between the two. Elisa was very brave for being able to 'see' and get herself out of her religion and find happiness. There is a lot of insight into the FLDS religion, the author was raised from birth in it. I highly recommend this book. "
— Cheryl, 1/25/2014 -
" Oh my that's scary. Cult's are scary unless Ian Astbury is involved. "
— Maxine, 1/24/2014 -
" Sad, captivating, creepy all at the same time. I could not put it down. "
— Lenora, 1/21/2014 -
" This is the story of the girl that Utah used to prosecute Warren Jeffs. The story is amazing and the pictures are interesting. This book is hard to put down. It is well written. "
— Sheree, 1/10/2014 -
" Amazing! I definitely recommend reading this book. "
— Gg, 1/7/2014 -
" This was a tough read. She lived under immense emotional distress trying to come to grips with her FLDS family. "
— Nilla, 12/30/2013 -
" It was interesting to read more about a case I remember from the news. While the behind the scene information about the FLDS was interested, at times it was overkill. "
— Kelly, 12/17/2013 -
" gotta read something from another perspective. "
— Lynn, 12/10/2013 -
" A disturbing story about an extremist Mormon cult and how it can ruin lives. I found myself questioning if this woman was still a Mormon, or a Christian, or even a believer in God at all. How can anyone trust in Joseph Smith, in Jesus, in any religion after these experiences? "
— Dale, 12/5/2013 -
" Hard to believe that this happened in America in the 20th/21st century. Not very eloquently written, but intriguing, sad, terrifying and, eventually, hopeful. "
— Leslie, 12/5/2013 -
" Chilling information about Mormons. "
— Dolly, 5/6/2013 -
" Crazy story...and a true story at that!! "
— Marissa, 4/18/2013 -
" Thought of this book after hearing about Warren Jeff's conviction. Just an eye-opening read of what still goes on in America even in this day and age. Feel sorry for the woman who are born into this religion... "
— Amanda, 4/1/2013 -
" Compelling story. It drags a bit at times, but it's worth a read. This woman is truly brave. "
— Erin, 1/11/2013 -
" A must-read and definitely on my top 10 list! "
— Samantha, 9/8/2012 -
" interesting sad and frustrating "
— Michelle, 12/9/2011 -
" I couldn't put this book down. "
— Ashley, 10/5/2011 -
" It was an interesting story. It's disgusting the life she had to live. I am glad she was brave enough to tell her story and expose Warren Jeffs for the criminal he is. "
— Theresa, 9/29/2011 -
" Heartbreaking, first-hand account of religious brainwashing and later incest, rape and child molestation. "
— Dara, 6/22/2011 -
" Very interesting to see inside the lives of Warren Jeff's polygamists. Worth reading. "
— Carol, 5/24/2011 -
" Very well written true-crime drama. Elissa Wall's case was a forerunner to the well-publicized bust of the FLDS compound in Texas, and her tale is gripping, if heart-wrenching in that we were unable to prevent its repetition. "
— Dawn, 5/18/2011 -
" It's intense and LITERALLY had me hooked after page 3. What's more is that this is a TRUE story, of a REAL PERSON! "
— Aly, 5/8/2011 -
" elissa wall is younger than i am, and pretty much all the action takes place from 2001 to 2008, which is incredible, and it covers the (one of?) trial of warren jeffs, which elissa spearheaded. <br/><br/>I CANT STOP READING THIS SHIT! "
— Lauren, 5/7/2011 -
" A fascinating true story about a girl growing up in the fundamental polygamist Mormon church, who was forced to marry her first cousin at age 14, and who eventually helped take down Warren Jeffs. "
— Meg, 4/26/2011 -
" A thick non-fiction book that read very quickly with engrossing detail. I had trouble putting it down and barely noticed the chapters flying by. "
— Sarah, 4/23/2011 -
" I found this book very interesting. It was very informative about the FLDS religion and their beliefs. The book gave me new insights on why people believe the way they do. It also showed how one man can literally control others through fear. Warren Jeffs is an evil man. "
— Bette, 4/22/2011 -
" Fascinating. I'm heartened that the author had the courage to escape the confines of the FLDS and the evil of Warren Jeffs. May others follow suit and realize they have the power of choice in their lives. "
— Kelly, 4/20/2011 -
" Hard to read. Hard to believe that these kinds of things are done in the name of "religion." Made me grateful for my beliefs and the love I was raised in, the love with which I am trying to raise my own children. "
— Sarah, 4/10/2011 -
" As incredibly difficult as this was to read, it was also something I could not put down. It's worth the stress to read it. "
— Kaitlin, 4/9/2011 -
" At first it's an interesting look at the Fundamentalist LDS but it soon becomes a pity party. My advice, read about it on the Internet. "
— Mythyagain, 3/4/2011 -
" sad and touching, made me ipset to know that there is actually people this crazy "
— Karim, 3/1/2011
About the Authors
Elissa Wall is a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) who was forced into marriage at age fourteen. She left the FLDS at age eighteen and currently resides with her two children and her husband, Lamont.
Lisa Pulitzer is a former correspondent for the New York Times and coauthor of more than a dozen nonfiction titles, including New York Times bestsellers Stolen Innocence, Imperfect Justice, and Mob Daughter.
About Renée Raudman
Renée Raudman is an actor and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. She has performed on film, television, radio, and on stage and can also be heard in several video games and hundreds of television and radio voice-overs.