Church of Lies

by Flora Jessop, Paul T. Brown, Paul T. Brown, et al.

Book Overview

From the Preface: "My name is Flora Jessop. I've been called apostate, vigilante, and crazy bitch, and maybe I am. But some people call me a hero, and I'd like to think they're right too. If I am a hero, maybe it's because every time I can play a part in saving a child or a woman from a life of servitude and degradation, I'm saving a little piece of me, too. I was one of twenty-eight children born to my dad and his three wives. Indoctrinated to believe...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787994626
• ISBN13: 9780787994624
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Tough to do this book justice

I came to this book knowing only the basics about polygamy. I'd never heard of Flora Jessop. To some extent I agree with one of the earlier reviews comparing the language used to that of a Jerry Springer show. Like that reviewer, I also keep the rating at five. I've already typed in (and erased) three reviews but found it difficult to do justice to the power contained in the book. Let me try once more... This story is raw. The words, cruelty and horror, are far to cliche. On a number of occasions I came close to getting sick. Rape of little kids, prearranged marriages of kids fourteen and under (often to men 2 or 3 times their age), incest and inbreeding, the occasional exchanging of wives (and kids). Kids were taught that this, and much more, was actually required of them to escape damnation to hell. No rods were spared in the teaching either. Further, these type of actions, at least as described in the book, were overwelmingly normal within the sect, as opposed to isolated cases. Even more powerful reading developed from the author's attempts to save her family after her own escape. This was made difficult by family members' fear of eternal damnation. This wall and others frustrated the author to no end. She kept pushing, hard. Lastly, the complicity of state/local agencies was evident throughout. I'm left wondering where members of Congress came down on the issue of polygamy. Read the book...

Everyone should read this book!

Everyone should read this book! The author is on a mission to expose and eradicate the horrible sexual (and physical) abuse of females and children in the FLDS cult. The book is a real page-turner, and I was hardly able to put it down. Jessop was finally able to escape the FLDS, but many more are still in a living hell. You won't believe the brainwashing that goes on! In addition, the FLDS brag about their ability to commit welfare fraud, calling it "bleeding the beast." For far too long, we, as Americans, have turned a blind eye to the abuse endemic in the FLDS. We are failing these children by permitting the FLDS to cover up what really goes on in their communities and fortified compounds. FLDS males say they are only "living out their religion," but what they are doing has nothing to do with freedom of religion. It has to do with power and the abuse of women and children. As Linda Binder is quoted in the book, "Polygamy is the biggest con game going. The men up there are fat and happy, smiling. They've got all the women they want, all the sex, and the government pays for their children." Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

Incredible

This is a very informative narrative written by a victim of polygamy who has chosen to fight back by spreading the truth about the pernicious practice of polygamy. A survivor who has dedicated her life to helping other victims caught in the trap of polygamy, she is candid about the kinds and severity of the abuses suffered by herself and others.

FINALLY! A BOOK BY FLORA!

What a book this is! Cannot put it down, even if you try. I waited so long for Flora to write a book and she didn't let me down. With the life she had, I'm surprised she's not in the loony bin. I have read many, many, many books on Polygamy and this one is on top, right behind "Escape". No wonder she's a crusader. And a good one at that. If you've ever wanted a true story on polygamy, don't turn this one down. After reading this, you'll see why she's always on the forefront and why she fights so hard. Good work, Flora!

5 Stars For Importance (Despite Tabloid Style)

As indicated, I rate this 5 stars, though the language style dips somewhat into the Jerry Springer range (because it's written by a pro copy writer who punches up the wording to make it "catchy"). Consequently, some of the "trailer trash" language ostensibly coming from Flora Jessop, the escaped Mormon fundamentalist, lacks the ring of linguistic genuineness. Other than the tabloid language style, though, the account is too important to slight by rating it lower than 5 stars. Flora is an outstanding example of determination and persistence, overcoming years of destructive mental programming by indoctrination, and years of mental and physical abuse that would be very difficult for a less valiant woman to surmount. Overall, this is an inspiring and very instructive story, true in most of its features.