The story continued. The Attorney General of Canada/British Columbia launched the "Canadian Polygamy Study" to determine where polygamy stood in relationship to "The Canada Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)" referred to in this interview. Several of the interviews conducted by the Canadian investigators/lawyers with former Bountiful members are online on TH-cam. Some are available on the channel "Polygamy: What Love Is This?" Sam you might recognize some of these names as some of them were trafficked to Canada from Short Creek. Check out the interviews for: * Theresa Wall * Paula Barrett * Brent Jeffs * Richard Ream * Ruth Lane * Carolyn Jessop * Jorjina Broadbent * Sara Hammon * Rena Mackert * Mary Mackert * Kathleen Mackert * Ruth Lane Outcome: Polygamy is harmful to children, women and the Canadian way of life. Polygamy was confirmed as illegal in Canada.
I think that's the first time I've seen Sam so touched by something. Seeing his family (or even maybe himself in that group shot) had to have been hard. ((hugs)) you guys put So much of yourselves into these reaction videos, I really want to thank you for your excellent commentary and insights!
I've been watching your channel for a while and it's been so wonderful to see you grow and become so natural at it! You've always been good communicators but recently, your explanations of doctrine and other complicated things have become really, really clear and masterful. Your flow is great and Melissa's questions are exactly what the viewer wants to know! Such a joy watching you both :)
This is one of the best videos you have made so far. You both are right about this situation being so harmful to children and women who have no rights or ability to live their own lives.
Melissa, give Sam an extra tight hug ❤. Thank you for sharing this with us. I have my own flavor of PTSD, please take good care of each other. The memories and feelings can be overwhelming. ❤
It is triggering to be sure. Melissa and Sam always cover things in such an upbeat way that sometimes we forget that it takes personal sacrifice to expose polygamy for what it is.
Sam, your vulnerability is helping many people. I'm so thankful God has His hand on you. What a calling. Your wife is a superb balance. Well done, you two.
The immigration standpoint is wild! I'm Canadian, btw. And yeah, if the women/brides never work or never apply for a social insurance number or for welfare/mother's allowance, then the government wouldn't really know they were here, and they don't technically need any sort of ID (probably don't drive cars, etc.). Interestingly, we didn't need passports to cross into the US or back again until 9/11. I used to cross border shop all the time, and it was effortless. It's not so easy now.
I was raised mainstream Christian and in the teachings I had it was considered blasphemy to claim to be a God😮 so that is a huge difference between mainstream Christianity and Mormonism 😢
I was baptized and have been “inactive” for years. We were taught you’d be “like” a god, sort of like how Enoch was exalted. I was never explicitly taught you’d literally be a god. We were Los Angeles, Ca Mormons though. That’s pretty different culturally from Utah.
Same. 100% agree. The very reason the devil - Satan - fell from being a highest angel in heaven, is cuz he aspired to “be like God”. The fall of the human race, according to the Bible, was due to the devil’s temptation in dangling a false promise that humanity can become “like God”. So yeah, we absolutely distain any teaching that suggests becoming gods. Instead we have the privilege of friendship with our Creator, who helps grows our character to be more like God’s. That’s a world of difference than becoming a god.
@@basicallyno1722Agreed. To say you are God's child, then to say you are never expected to grow up to be a real God seems kind of illogical. Humans children are expected to grow up fully to do everything their parents do. Jesus said we would be able to do everything he did and more. Its like the Christian church wants to dumb people down to maintain power over them. I was raised mainstream Mormon, left the church years ago, and was amazed at how many varied beliefs there are between all the Christian sects, all of them thinking they're right and the others are wrong.
I saw this documentary when it originally aired and the story of Jane Blackmore and her daughter stayed with me. A follow-up on this story much appreciated.
Yes, I've watched the documentary a few times - there was so much to take in for me - and remember Jane. I did see that Debbie Palmer has since passed away (RIP). Would also appreciate a follow up.
So so so many of the Blackmore boys from Bountiful have amazing TikToks. They are Canada's 'lost boys' who were likely excommunicated as they needed them gone to leave enough women for the dirty old men
I stumbled across this channel right as it was starting up and have seen every video along the way. It has been heartwarming and interesting to see Sam express over time his fierce protection and care for the women in his life and more palpable outrage at what the men and women of the FLDS had to deal with as he learns more. I think in a lot of ways Warren Jeffs was right about being the last prophet of the FLDS. He unequivocally broke what it was intended to be and cruelly ruined what at one time seemed to be a place of love and joy amongst many families. Not to say that polygamy and the issues that come with it are not a serious problem, but he demolished the family model that Sam speaks of so fondly from his childhood. Thank you both so much for continuing to share and grow your channel!
I remember seeing this documentary years ago. There's a TH-cam channel called "Polygamy: What love is this?" with a woman called Doris Hanson. There's lots of interviews of ex polygamists on there. Some of the videos are from 9 years ago with a Canadian group who conducted the interviews. Of note are interviews with Carolyn Jessop, Richard Ream, and others. Well worth a watch.
I followed Hannah Gartner's 5th Estate documentary when it first aired in Canada. I would really like you to do a video of what happened after this. Thank you for this video and your comments about what you are seeing.
LOL you guys doing a serious intro and then cutting to the documentary and then pausing it at 0:02 seconds in was so funny, good to have a tiny bit of comic relief with a topic like this
Definitely interested in an update! Thanks, both of you. Really enlightening conversation. Canadian here and I’ve heard of Bountiful before, but never understood why it was allowed.
There are programs that are more recent available. This was the first one exposing this group in BC. Before the split, before his conviction and what wives he has now and which wives and children have left, including his first wife they interview here.
I would love an update on Bountiful. I am now a 50+ Canadian woman originally from BC who watched this documentary a couple decades ago when it first came out. I’ve since read/watched many accounts of the abuses of women and children in polygamy. It planted in me a deep loathing of religious abuse, and I’ve always said myself that if I were rich one of my main charitable causes would be to support women in escaping such circumstances.
I remember doing Religious Studies: History of Christianity, we were talking about the LDS and FLDS and other offshoots of the LDS church. We had an LDS member in the class and he was quite upset that the professor was saying that they were all similar, but he did listen and later tell us all about how wrong it all was and tried to convert us. We talked a lot about Bountiful, Winston Blackmore had split off from Warren Jeffs at that time period. Blackmore had also been arrested and let go about trafficking girls into the US for Jeffs to marry. They later reopened the case. I remember my professor saying "I don't believe in Polygamy, but if they aren't doing anything wrong that's fine; but we have to believe that there's a lot of abuse in hyper protective sects."
I’ve always enjoyed the parts of these documentaries that feel like you’re just getting to know the people, see how they live, etc. but more and more i find myself just feeling sad when i watch them. Because we know how it ends for the most vulnerable in these communities. It’s the same horrific ending every single time.
Sam, this one seemed triggering for you. As an empath, I see you, and I hope you can unwind from the heaviness this brought on for you. Melissa, I love that you two have each other! Keep 'em coming. You guys make a difference in the world. Also, keep yourselves feeling safe and at peace.
Same here. Blackmore try to say that there was no underage marriage in his church, but their clearly was. because a lot of the girls were taken from other churches
Winston Blackmore and James Oler guilty of polygamy, B.C. judge rules 7 years ago. Experts say the B.C. Supreme Court ruling against the former bishops of Bountiful, B.C., could have wider legal implications
That's not the point. I wouldn't be surprised if most of them were nicer than you and me together. The point is that these women are being brainwashed to live in fear of going to hell if they don't enter a lifestyle of polygamy.
This seemed like a hard one to watch for Sam. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when the mother decided to leave. She left for her child, and I hope, for herself.
You guys are always so respectful of everyone involved and I appreciate that. I believe that’s Rachel Jeffs Father in law, so glad they got out. I am glad for everyone who gets out and pray for everyone who is still in. Please do another video on this. Thank You.
i cant imagine the turmoil and the damage that was experienced from FLDS.. i was close friends with one of Winstons nieces and she was so broken, so much trauma but she was such a sweetheart.
I really enjoyed the documentary format. Much “more real” than the sensational “reality series “. It was hard to watch the two of you watch this. The documentary exposes the seriousness of the matter and also the personal toll on all involved. Sam, I am so sorry you were raised in this setting but so grateful you are discussing it all honesty and respectfully (not sensationally) on this channel.
I'm from Canada and remember when the Blackmore group were in the news. I visited Creston and asked my friends who lived there what they thought about the group. Said they were standoffish and quiet, but paid their bills and nice enough neighbours.
Winston Blackmore has always seemed creepy to me the 5th estate does some good work I have seen a few of their videos in the past few years 😊 thank you for reacting to this branch of the FLDS ❤
Wow, Sam, you really were triggered! Even your eyes look panicked. Thank you for sharing your insights with us; but please, be careful not to hurt yourself on our behalf. We care about both you and Melissa!
An update of the Bountiful group and Winston Blackmore would be great to see. Thank you for another great video. I know this documentary was hard review.
Hey uncle Winnie, I was married and sent to Washington at 19 now I'm 40 married to my loving husband of 13 years now and I'm so thankful I took a chance and divorced my first husband because I'd never have true love ❤️ my family's farm is still next to the blackmores in Sparwood
Lets remember: people like that bishop do not only groom their victims but they groom their character witnesses too. To them you are only ever a tool that works or one that gets discarded. You ar never a person to them. Never.
I remember watching an interview / documentary with one of Blackmore’s wives who left - it was so good and so sad. She was without resources and support. I have often thought of her and wondered how she was
I knew one of the wives that left, and her 2 sons as well. It's not a good story and the outcome was probably worse than if they had stayed in the cult.
Thank you for sharing about his. It saddens me. I was born and raised in BC. It was my home for 14 years of my life. It just makes me sad. This isn't just an American issue. I only had one sister growing up... but i understand when parents put their religion ahead of their children's needs and interests. That is the painful part. Children like that aren't brought into this world to be loved... they are just a means to an end. That is what his story feels like to me. That is what makes me sad. Ruby from Alberta, Canada... formerly from BC.
I remember watching this fifth estate episode when it aired. Before that I thought polygamy only existed outside of North America. You have done an excellent job reporting on this and focussing on the abuses and harms, especially to children. Unfortunately the concerns are still relevant today. I feel for Sam reliving some difficult emotions while reporting on this. Please take good care of yourselves ❤.
There’s a little newer documentary about the Kingston Clan, it’s called Inside Bountiful, & it’s on TH-cam, I tried to post a link but it kept getting erased
I've seen on a news program that the teen boys were forced to leave and fend for themselves, called The Lost Boys. Was this happening in the group Sam was part of?
I truly admire your take on the Sister Wive’s show and your honest explanation about growing up in the Sect as explained by Sam. Thank you for sharing and I can only imagine your life and how it was impacted by the FLDS. I am so happy for you both and how joyful your family life is these days. I am very interested in hearing the true story in such an honest manner. Thank you for sharing the information and educating the public. Both of you are to be commended for the information told in the direct manner that will lead people to understand about the similarities and more importantly, the differences between the mainstream and the more cultish sects.
When the lady says "You couldn't begin to understand" I wanted to wrap my arms around her and make her feel safe. Sam is right. That's a very unhappy woman, and she feels... I don't know, trapped or helpless or broken. God bless her heart.
YES, I'd like to see an update on the Blackmores. I'm from Canada. I noticed in the interview Winston said kids can go back as "mature students". That is a phrase used by our govt agencies that pay for people going back to school.
Sam if certain parts trigger you, you are allowed to express it and feel it. I felt you squirm a few times during the video and you don’t need to minimize your feelings. Hugs from Texas
In 1991 I had My youngest daughter and I know a lot of these Women left with these Children and moved to Ontario, Canada, and like the first Blackmore wife said , Their reason was same, They did not want Their Daughter to marry young and wanted it to be Their choice while still following Gods Laws not a Man on earth law....Thank You
Sam & Melissa, great educational video. I didn’t know about the Canadian FLDS. I’m a mom of two boys and am absolutely horrified by this. Imagine how frightening a wedding night must be for the underage girls - even I, a 20-year-old virgin, found the “the first time “ painful on my wedding night, and I had an idea of what was going to happen. Unless these young girls have seen farm animals making babies, how could they know? I was embarrassed to ask my parents much and didn’t know what to ask. School Sex Ed AND my parents left out the fact that part A goes into part B! Luckily, I saw two poodles mating one day. I am also horrified about all the young men thrown out of the FLDS so the old goats can have the young and underage wives. Sam, do you think you would have been thrown out if you had stayed?
The Fifth Estate is real investigative journalism if anyone wants to check them out on other topics. I almost lost my marbles watching this one. Thank you for your insight 💕.
Such an interesting and informative video. Thank you! I certainly hope the wife interviewed didn't "scolded" for her comments. She seems to get sadder and sadder as the interview goes on.
Sam do you have PTSD when you watch these documentaries? I would imagine seeing old footage is quite disturbing. I’m sorry if you do have issues when watching them but I do think both you and your wife are educating the public and for that let me say, thank you.
I grew up in BC and I was in high school when this documentary came out, I remember being shown this in school (might have been a year or two after initial airing) And it was probably in a social studies or maybe a psychology class. The FLDS had been in the news somewhat (along with Oprah, People magazine etc) but I remember most of us being shocked there was something like this happening in our own province! It probably started my own lifelong interest in fringe religions/cults/extremism. More recently I have come across some of the Blackmore kids (now young adults) on social media, mainly Tiktok, who have left their community to make their own way in the world - several of the boys but also some of the girls. A lot of them did Q & A’s on their TikTok’s about their lives growing up (this was a couple years ago now so I forget exact names, although I know one was Merlin Blackmore, harder name to forget!) Many of them were probably the toddlers or babies shown in that documentary. If you do a follow up on Winston’s life after this documentary, it might be very interesting to include some info about the adult children who have since spoken out publicly about their experiences too.
I think your comments are so accurate. At the time you grew up the re-every thing feels normal because that's the only culture you have access to. But now, looking back with a wider variety of knowledge its easy to see the framework of abuse. This is why you expose the religion . But love the victims. ❤ I grew up in a very conservative and patriarchal community. Now i cant believe what and how i thought
Yay! I have been hoping you guys would react to this! (I'm Canadian). In the more recent show you guys reviewed where they interviewed him (the A&E Polygamy one) he seemed to lie less than in this one. I think he was trying to keep a good public image for years because he was advocating for polygamy to be legalized. (Well, good in his mind). But at the same time, this piece is from 2003 and it's clear they knew about the child brides and child labour even back then, so I question why more was not done to stop him. Much like the other fundamentalist groups, he tried to brand himself as not being like Warren, when in actuality, he was the same. In more recent years, they have begun wearing normal clothes and I think some of his children married out of the group, but as far as I know he remains the same. Another one you guys might wanna check out is 16:9 Leaving Bountiful, if it's still on TH-cam.
“If you don’t live polygamy”. Ya go to hell. 😂😂. She was the most scariest keep sweet lady I’ve ever seen. I live in BC, so this group, way back in the day, was one of the reasons I became interested in Mormonism & polygamy back in the day.
I'm not too far from Bountiful. My father knows "Bishop Blackmore" through business and having to go to his home. He said he Winston was nothing like how we see Warren Jeffs was. He was charming, funny, and a generous man. He said his family (this was within 10 year) were not as rigid as it seemed the group in Utah areas. He saw youth dressed as normal as any. I was facinated 🤷♀️
This was so interesting, thank you so much for doing this reaction! I can see that this brings up some hard emotions for Sam but as a viewer I think this kind of content is really valuable and bridges a gap of understanding and empathy that people who haven't grown up in high-control groups might be missing, so thank you for doing this. I have a couple of questions: 1. I didn't grow up Mormon myself but have family members raised as Jehovah's Witnesses and I wonder if you would ever be interested in doing videos on similarities / differences between FLDS/LDS and other groups like that. I will often hear some similarities between the two but would love to hear from the perspectives of insiders. 2. I know there is often judgement from outsiders like "how could these people possibly believe this" which I actually think the opposite - how could you not believe something you've been told from birth? The only question I have along those lines is for the leaders... do you think that those at the top actually believe what they are saying? Imposter syndrome is felt by many people, so the strangest concept to me is the idea that these men rise in the ranks and then actually BELIEVE the rhetoric. Especially when they make PR changes to the gospel to suit the bottom line of the church. 3. There is another channel that is reacting to Sister Wives for the first time (he doesn't want any spoilers, totally unaware of all that's to come!) called Psychology in Seattle. His channel and your channel both display a lot of empathy and kindness and I think it could be a very interesting crossover episode. He has been doing more deep-dives on religious fundamentalist groups and interviewed someone from the AUB in his Sister Wives episodes if you are interested in hearing those for some context. I would love to see the three of you in one episode!
Excellent! I'd love to hear more about the Blackmore group. PS. I live in Bountiful also. The one in Utah but I've heard plenty over the years about BC.
You mention the abuse of women and children but what about the abuse of the young men and elderly . It is a bigger problem than most people can even imagine or one they just ignore. Thank you for your compassion and education (first hand) to this situation.
The story continued. The Attorney General of Canada/British Columbia launched the "Canadian Polygamy Study" to determine where polygamy stood in relationship to "The Canada Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)" referred to in this interview. Several of the interviews conducted by the Canadian investigators/lawyers with former Bountiful members are online on TH-cam. Some are available on the channel "Polygamy: What Love Is This?"
Sam you might recognize some of these names as some of them were trafficked to Canada from Short Creek. Check out the interviews for:
* Theresa Wall
* Paula Barrett
* Brent Jeffs
* Richard Ream
* Ruth Lane
* Carolyn Jessop
* Jorjina Broadbent
* Sara Hammon
* Rena Mackert
* Mary Mackert
* Kathleen Mackert
* Ruth Lane
Outcome: Polygamy is harmful to children, women and the Canadian way of life. Polygamy was confirmed as illegal in Canada.
Those are some good interviews and I’m glad they are public
Yes; they are great interviews. I have seen most or all.
Wow ! I teresting
I think that's the first time I've seen Sam so touched by something. Seeing his family (or even maybe himself in that group shot) had to have been hard. ((hugs)) you guys put So much of yourselves into these reaction videos, I really want to thank you for your excellent commentary and insights!
I've been watching your channel for a while and it's been so wonderful to see you grow and become so natural at it! You've always been good communicators but recently, your explanations of doctrine and other complicated things have become really, really clear and masterful. Your flow is great and Melissa's questions are exactly what the viewer wants to know! Such a joy watching you both :)
This is one of the best videos you have made so far. You both are right about this situation being so harmful to children and women who have no rights or ability to live their own lives.
Canadian here, an update would be awesome, great work as always
Yes an update would be great!
All you have to do is google Winston Blackmore.
I’d appreciate an update as well!
Melissa, give Sam an extra tight hug ❤. Thank you for sharing this with us. I have my own flavor of PTSD, please take good care of each other. The memories and feelings can be overwhelming. ❤
yes it was hard to see how difficult this was for him. He's come SO FAR
It is triggering to be sure. Melissa and Sam always cover things in such an upbeat way that sometimes we forget that it takes personal sacrifice to expose polygamy for what it is.
Sam, your vulnerability is helping many people. I'm so thankful God has His hand on you. What a calling. Your wife is a superb balance. Well done, you two.
I am in Canada and watched this doc a few times since it aired on CBC. Thank you so much for sharing both yours valuable insights!
Me too
The immigration standpoint is wild! I'm Canadian, btw. And yeah, if the women/brides never work or never apply for a social insurance number or for welfare/mother's allowance, then the government wouldn't really know they were here, and they don't technically need any sort of ID (probably don't drive cars, etc.). Interestingly, we didn't need passports to cross into the US or back again until 9/11. I used to cross border shop all the time, and it was effortless. It's not so easy now.
I was raised mainstream Christian and in the teachings I had it was considered blasphemy to claim to be a God😮 so that is a huge difference between mainstream Christianity and Mormonism 😢
I was baptized and have been “inactive” for years. We were taught you’d be “like” a god, sort of like how Enoch was exalted. I was never explicitly taught you’d literally be a god. We were Los Angeles, Ca Mormons though. That’s pretty different culturally from Utah.
Same. 100% agree. The very reason the devil - Satan - fell from being a highest angel in heaven, is cuz he aspired to “be like God”. The fall of the human race, according to the Bible, was due to the devil’s temptation in dangling a false promise that humanity can become “like God”. So yeah, we absolutely distain any teaching that suggests becoming gods. Instead we have the privilege of friendship with our Creator, who helps grows our character to be more like God’s. That’s a world of difference than becoming a god.
@@BavarianRage probably why Enoch has basically been erased from most versions of the Bible.
@@basicallyno1722Agreed. To say you are God's child, then to say you are never expected to grow up to be a real God seems kind of illogical. Humans children are expected to grow up fully to do everything their parents do. Jesus said we would be able to do everything he did and more. Its like the Christian church wants to dumb people down to maintain power over them.
I was raised mainstream Mormon, left the church years ago, and was amazed at how many varied beliefs there are between all the Christian sects, all of them thinking they're right and the others are wrong.
Love your videos. Sam this seemed like a rough one for you. Thank you for sharing though. Your face when you saw your brother was priceless❤
I saw this documentary when it originally aired and the story of Jane Blackmore and her daughter stayed with me. A follow-up on this story much appreciated.
Yes, I've watched the documentary a few times - there was so much to take in for me - and remember Jane. I did see that Debbie Palmer has since passed away (RIP). Would also appreciate a follow up.
This is an excellent channel and deserves more attention
100,000 more... Maybe invite every subscriber to ask 5 more to subscribe.
Thank you! ❤️
So so so many of the Blackmore boys from Bountiful have amazing TikToks. They are Canada's 'lost boys' who were likely excommunicated as they needed them gone to leave enough women for the dirty old men
I stumbled across this channel right as it was starting up and have seen every video along the way. It has been heartwarming and interesting to see Sam express over time his fierce protection and care for the women in his life and more palpable outrage at what the men and women of the FLDS had to deal with as he learns more.
I think in a lot of ways Warren Jeffs was right about being the last prophet of the FLDS. He unequivocally broke what it was intended to be and cruelly ruined what at one time seemed to be a place of love and joy amongst many families. Not to say that polygamy and the issues that come with it are not a serious problem, but he demolished the family model that Sam speaks of so fondly from his childhood.
Thank you both so much for continuing to share and grow your channel!
I remember seeing this documentary years ago. There's a TH-cam channel called "Polygamy: What love is this?" with a woman called Doris Hanson. There's lots of interviews of ex polygamists on there. Some of the videos are from 9 years ago with a Canadian group who conducted the interviews. Of note are interviews with Carolyn Jessop, Richard Ream, and others. Well worth a watch.
I followed Hannah Gartner's 5th Estate documentary when it first aired in Canada. I would really like you to do a video of what happened after this. Thank you for this video and your comments about what you are seeing.
Hannah Gartner is an excellent interviewer. People open up to her and say what they never thought they would say out loud.🍁
LOL you guys doing a serious intro and then cutting to the documentary and then pausing it at 0:02 seconds in was so funny, good to have a tiny bit of comic relief with a topic like this
Yes, please do a update on the Blackmore’s! Very interesting!!!
I love the interviewer! So glad you guys got out!
That is her “happy feeling”. She obviously doesn’t have the same happy feeling we do which makes it so sad!😢
Definitely interested in an update!
Thanks, both of you. Really enlightening conversation. Canadian here and I’ve heard of Bountiful before, but never understood why it was allowed.
I’ve been binge watching all of your content! Love your dynamic, true couple goals ❤️
Thank you so much! ❤️
There are programs that are more recent available. This was the first one exposing this group in BC. Before the split, before his conviction and what wives he has now and which wives and children have left, including his first wife they interview here.
I would love an update on Bountiful. I am now a 50+ Canadian woman originally from BC who watched this documentary a couple decades ago when it first came out. I’ve since read/watched many accounts of the abuses of women and children in polygamy. It planted in me a deep loathing of religious abuse, and I’ve always said myself that if I were rich one of my main charitable causes would be to support women in escaping such circumstances.
I remember doing Religious Studies: History of Christianity, we were talking about the LDS and FLDS and other offshoots of the LDS church. We had an LDS member in the class and he was quite upset that the professor was saying that they were all similar, but he did listen and later tell us all about how wrong it all was and tried to convert us. We talked a lot about Bountiful, Winston Blackmore had split off from Warren Jeffs at that time period. Blackmore had also been arrested and let go about trafficking girls into the US for Jeffs to marry. They later reopened the case. I remember my professor saying "I don't believe in Polygamy, but if they aren't doing anything wrong that's fine; but we have to believe that there's a lot of abuse in hyper protective sects."
Agree I think a lot abuse in these sects
Ya, definitely interested in a 2nd part on this! 🙏🏻🤟🏻
I’ve always enjoyed the parts of these documentaries that feel like you’re just getting to know the people, see how they live, etc. but more and more i find myself just feeling sad when i watch them. Because we know how it ends for the most vulnerable in these communities. It’s the same horrific ending every single time.
Sam, this one seemed triggering for you. As an empath, I see you, and I hope you can unwind from the heaviness this brought on for you. Melissa, I love that you two have each other! Keep 'em coming. You guys make a difference in the world. Also, keep yourselves feeling safe and at peace.
Amazing video. I watched this documentary before your channel started, and I’m so glad to see it covered by you two. Can’t wait for the update video!
I would love an update on Bountiful.
Same here. Blackmore try to say that there was no underage marriage in his church, but their clearly was. because a lot of the girls were taken from other churches
You can Google the information; I have
Winston Blackmore and James Oler guilty of polygamy, B.C. judge rules
7 years ago.
Experts say the B.C. Supreme Court ruling against the former bishops of Bountiful, B.C., could have wider legal implications
One of his daughters Mary Jayne Blackmore wrote a book not to long ago.
Great episode! This was such a good one!
I met some Blackmores at a non denominational fundamentalist temple dedication in Missouri a few weeks ago. Seem like nice people.
That's not the point.
I wouldn't be surprised if most of them were nicer than you and me together.
The point is that these women are being brainwashed to live in fear of going to hell if they don't enter a lifestyle of polygamy.
@@kerstinklenovsky239 I respectfully disagree.
Most people are nice in public, especially at a temple dedication.
@@RyanMercerSo how many wives do you have or want??? You’re definitely giving off child bride/women enslavement vibes.
This seemed like a hard one to watch for Sam. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when the mother decided to leave. She left for her child, and I hope, for herself.
Would love an update on the Blackmore community.
There’s an update interview
They should do a commentary on the other 5th Estate doc for sure!
You can Google the information; I have
You guys are always so respectful of everyone involved and I appreciate that.
I believe that’s Rachel Jeffs Father in law, so glad they got out. I am glad for everyone who gets out and pray for everyone who is still in.
Please do another video on this. Thank You.
😢
I would love another update. Thanks
i cant imagine the turmoil and the damage that was experienced from FLDS.. i was close friends with one of Winstons nieces and she was so broken, so much trauma but she was such a sweetheart.
I really enjoyed the documentary format. Much “more real” than the sensational “reality series “. It was hard to watch the two of you watch this. The documentary exposes the seriousness of the matter and also the personal toll on all involved. Sam, I am so sorry you were raised in this setting but so grateful you are discussing it all honesty and respectfully (not sensationally) on this channel.
I'm from Canada and remember when the Blackmore group were in the news. I visited Creston and asked my friends who lived there what they thought about the group. Said they were standoffish and quiet, but paid their bills and nice enough neighbours.
I bet. They don’t want to attract the attention of any law enforcement.
Its Blackmore not Blackwell
@@Shieldmaiden600 Thank you. I have edited my post.
I would love an update. You guys do such a good job and have a level of insight you just can’t get from reading about it as an outsider.
Winston Blackmore has always seemed creepy to me the 5th estate does some good work I have seen a few of their videos in the past few years 😊 thank you for reacting to this branch of the FLDS ❤
I love the new intro style! Sounds so professional. Okay I'm gonna watch the video now 👀
This was a such a good video. I learned so much, and would love to see a follow-up video. Thank you for doing this. ♡
Totally for my own interest on your perspective on this I sent it in but I didn't expect it to be ready so fast!
Wow, Sam, you really were triggered! Even your eyes look panicked. Thank you for sharing your insights with us; but please, be careful not to hurt yourself on our behalf. We care about both you and Melissa!
You two do such great work together!
You both ask the questions that I wonder in my mind!
Love the new intro! You two are great - so honest. And😊 compassionate and respectful of others.
An update of the Bountiful group and Winston Blackmore would be great to see. Thank you for another great video. I know this documentary was hard review.
Hey uncle Winnie, I was married and sent to Washington at 19 now I'm 40 married to my loving husband of 13 years now and I'm so thankful I took a chance and divorced my first husband because I'd never have true love ❤️ my family's farm is still next to the blackmores in Sparwood
Lets remember: people like that bishop do not only groom their victims but they groom their character witnesses too.
To them you are only ever a tool that works or one that gets discarded. You ar never a person to them. Never.
Yes please to an update in Winston Blackmore and his breakaway group!
I remember watching an interview / documentary with one of Blackmore’s wives who left - it was so good and so sad. She was without resources and support. I have often thought of her and wondered how she was
I knew one of the wives that left, and her 2 sons as well. It's not a good story and the outcome was probably worse than if they had stayed in the cult.
I would enjoy watching an update on Winston Blackmore and the group at Bountaful!
You can Google it; I have
Thank you for sharing about his. It saddens me. I was born and raised in BC. It was my home for 14 years of my life. It just makes me sad. This isn't just an American issue. I only had one sister growing up... but i understand when parents put their religion ahead of their children's needs and interests. That is the painful part. Children like that aren't brought into this world to be loved... they are just a means to an end. That is what his story feels like to me. That is what makes me sad. Ruby from Alberta, Canada... formerly from BC.
Leaving a comment for the algorithm. Great and really insightful video
Winston's sons, Merlin and Warren, were on social media, may be willing to be interviewed.
I would be more interested in an update about the wife who left. Is she happier now? I sure do hope so!!
I remember watching this fifth estate episode when it aired. Before that I thought polygamy only existed outside of North America. You have done an excellent job reporting on this and focussing on the abuses and harms, especially to children. Unfortunately the concerns are still relevant today. I feel for Sam reliving some difficult emotions while reporting on this. Please take good care of yourselves ❤.
There’s a little newer documentary about the Kingston Clan, it’s called Inside Bountiful, & it’s on TH-cam, I tried to post a link but it kept getting erased
It includes both groups?
Do you know the channel name? I would love to watch it.
Recently found your channel and I am really enjoying catching up on all your old videos! Great topic and done SO well!
I've seen on a news program that the teen boys were forced to leave and fend for themselves, called The Lost Boys. Was this happening in the group Sam was part of?
Yes, it was happening in Short Creek where I (Sam) am from. It sounds like a similar thing was happening in Canada
I truly admire your take on the Sister Wive’s show and your honest explanation about growing up in the Sect as explained by Sam. Thank you for sharing and I can only imagine your life and how it was impacted by the FLDS. I am so happy for you both and how joyful your family life is these days. I am very interested in hearing the true story in such an honest manner. Thank you for sharing the information and educating the public. Both of you are to be commended for the information told in the direct manner that will lead people to understand about the similarities and more importantly, the differences between the mainstream and the more cultish sects.
I’m really enjoying your channel! So glad to have discovered it! I’d love to watch a video about an update on this group! So so interesting
Great podcast !!! Enjoy this type of documentaries. Continue please! I enjoy listening to both of your views
When the lady says "You couldn't begin to understand" I wanted to wrap my arms around her and make her feel safe. Sam is right. That's a very unhappy woman, and she feels... I don't know, trapped or helpless or broken. God bless her heart.
36:42 looks like a "Duper's Delight" smirk.
Did y’all get a new camera? The visual is looking good!
YES, I'd like to see an update on the Blackmores. I'm from Canada. I noticed in the interview Winston said kids can go back as "mature students". That is a phrase used by our govt agencies that pay for people going back to school.
This is an excellent episode ❤ Sam thank you so much for being authentic in your thoughts and feelings!!
Sam if certain parts trigger you, you are allowed to express it and feel it. I felt you squirm a few times during the video and you don’t need to minimize your feelings. Hugs from Texas
Yes! Update!
In 1991 I had My youngest daughter and I know a lot of these Women left with these Children and moved to Ontario, Canada, and like the first Blackmore wife said , Their reason was same, They did not want Their Daughter to marry young and wanted it to be Their choice while still following Gods Laws not a Man on earth law....Thank You
Sam & Melissa, great educational video. I didn’t know about the Canadian FLDS.
I’m a mom of two boys and am absolutely horrified by this. Imagine how frightening a wedding night must be for the underage girls - even I, a 20-year-old virgin, found the “the first time “ painful on my wedding night, and I had an idea of what was going to happen. Unless these young girls have seen farm animals making babies, how could they know?
I was embarrassed to ask my parents much and didn’t know what to ask. School Sex Ed AND my parents left out the fact that part A goes into part B! Luckily, I saw two poodles mating one day.
I am also horrified about all the young men thrown out of the FLDS so the old goats can have the young and underage wives. Sam, do you think you would have been thrown out if you had stayed?
The Fifth Estate is real investigative journalism if anyone wants to check them out on other topics. I almost lost my marbles watching this one. Thank you for your insight 💕.
Such an interesting and informative video. Thank you! I certainly hope the wife interviewed didn't "scolded" for her comments. She seems to get sadder and sadder as the interview goes on.
One way to avoid some of the audio triggers is to turn on closed captioning and mute the sound. Seeing it in black and white is really interesting.
I'm so glad you got out. I feel your sorrow for your siblings. I'm so glad you are blessed with an amazing wife and children. ❤
An update would be great!
Yes, I would love for you to do a follow-up video on Winston Blackmore, etc.
Sam do you have PTSD when you watch these documentaries? I would imagine seeing old footage is quite disturbing. I’m sorry if you do have issues when watching them but I do think both you and your wife are educating the public and for that let me say, thank you.
Wonderful video today guys!
10:09 Eternal misery? It's the end of October, and we have high humidity and temps here on the Gulf Coast.
Thankyou Both for this video! I hadno clue!
I love this woman!! The interviewer. A power woman💪🏼 And Jane of course, as well!
I grew up in BC and I was in high school when this documentary came out, I remember being shown this in school (might have been a year or two after initial airing) And it was probably in a social studies or maybe a psychology class. The FLDS had been in the news somewhat (along with Oprah, People magazine etc) but I remember most of us being shocked there was something like this happening in our own province! It probably started my own lifelong interest in fringe religions/cults/extremism.
More recently I have come across some of the Blackmore kids (now young adults) on social media, mainly Tiktok, who have left their community to make their own way in the world - several of the boys but also some of the girls. A lot of them did Q & A’s on their TikTok’s about their lives growing up (this was a couple years ago now so I forget exact names, although I know one was Merlin Blackmore, harder name to forget!) Many of them were probably the toddlers or babies shown in that documentary. If you do a follow up on Winston’s life after this documentary, it might be very interesting to include some info about the adult children who have since spoken out publicly about their experiences too.
I would like to see an update as to what has happened since then. Especially how the Canadian group responded to Warren being arrested.
You both give such great content and insight into this subject. I live in BC and you really never hear about Bountiful.
Why don't people realize just how sick this cult is. Sick and criminal and dangerous.
I think your comments are so accurate. At the time you grew up the re-every thing feels normal because that's the only culture you have access to. But now, looking back with a wider variety of knowledge its easy to see the framework of abuse. This is why you expose the religion . But love the victims. ❤
I grew up in a very conservative and patriarchal community. Now i cant believe what and how i thought
Yay! I have been hoping you guys would react to this! (I'm Canadian). In the more recent show you guys reviewed where they interviewed him (the A&E Polygamy one) he seemed to lie less than in this one. I think he was trying to keep a good public image for years because he was advocating for polygamy to be legalized. (Well, good in his mind). But at the same time, this piece is from 2003 and it's clear they knew about the child brides and child labour even back then, so I question why more was not done to stop him. Much like the other fundamentalist groups, he tried to brand himself as not being like Warren, when in actuality, he was the same. In more recent years, they have begun wearing normal clothes and I think some of his children married out of the group, but as far as I know he remains the same. Another one you guys might wanna check out is 16:9 Leaving Bountiful, if it's still on TH-cam.
Please give us an update! This video was very informative, but also so sad.
💯 "It's not OK" 💔
Thanks for saying it Sam.
“If you don’t live polygamy”.
Ya go to hell. 😂😂. She was the most scariest keep sweet lady I’ve ever seen.
I live in BC, so this group, way back in the day, was one of the reasons I became interested in Mormonism & polygamy back in the day.
I'm not too far from Bountiful. My father knows "Bishop Blackmore" through business and having to go to his home.
He said he Winston was nothing like how we see Warren Jeffs was. He was charming, funny, and a generous man.
He said his family (this was within 10 year) were not as rigid as it seemed the group in Utah areas. He saw youth dressed as normal as any.
I was facinated 🤷♀️
This was so interesting, thank you so much for doing this reaction! I can see that this brings up some hard emotions for Sam but as a viewer I think this kind of content is really valuable and bridges a gap of understanding and empathy that people who haven't grown up in high-control groups might be missing, so thank you for doing this. I have a couple of questions:
1. I didn't grow up Mormon myself but have family members raised as Jehovah's Witnesses and I wonder if you would ever be interested in doing videos on similarities / differences between FLDS/LDS and other groups like that. I will often hear some similarities between the two but would love to hear from the perspectives of insiders.
2. I know there is often judgement from outsiders like "how could these people possibly believe this" which I actually think the opposite - how could you not believe something you've been told from birth? The only question I have along those lines is for the leaders... do you think that those at the top actually believe what they are saying? Imposter syndrome is felt by many people, so the strangest concept to me is the idea that these men rise in the ranks and then actually BELIEVE the rhetoric. Especially when they make PR changes to the gospel to suit the bottom line of the church.
3. There is another channel that is reacting to Sister Wives for the first time (he doesn't want any spoilers, totally unaware of all that's to come!) called Psychology in Seattle. His channel and your channel both display a lot of empathy and kindness and I think it could be a very interesting crossover episode. He has been doing more deep-dives on religious fundamentalist groups and interviewed someone from the AUB in his Sister Wives episodes if you are interested in hearing those for some context. I would love to see the three of you in one episode!
Yes, I’d like to see a part two. Sam, take care of yourself, I could tell seeing your brother was triggering. ❤ y’all’s channel.
Excellent! I'd love to hear more about the Blackmore group. PS. I live in Bountiful also. The one in Utah but I've heard plenty over the years about BC.
I've been to Creston a few times. Never would have known there was a private community there. Thanks for the Canadian content.
You mention the abuse of women and children but what about the abuse of the young men and elderly .
It is a bigger problem than most people can even imagine or one they just ignore.
Thank you for your compassion and education (first hand) to this situation.