I’m pretty good these days with having my own direct line to god. Another person is not needed to facilitate my relationship with a higher power. As soon as you are told that someone is speaking for god, move on!!! The experience of the FLDS has helped me see how important it is to not let any other person step in the middle!
@@China-Clay i grew up with an aunt who was mormon. I never really understood the difference. This week I watched the Netflix documentary about FLDS and have been digging into LDS and what they really believe...its a complete mockery of God. The belief that we are supposed to try and become a god ourselves..thats what lucifer was cast out of heaven for. No doubt this is a religion straight from hell.
"I'm sorry, but he was a monster". Sam is so respectful at all times towards people who are still faithful to Warren Jeffs. He is so clearly supportive of these people, yet obviously desperate for them to know the actual truth. I can't even imagine what he has been through and still goes through every day. What an amazing human being. I am beyond glad that he is free of these lies, and that he met sweet Melissa. They are raising a beautiful family so thoughtfully, without scarring them with the lies he was told; as is Melissa. Xxx
This format worked well. I hope you can find more childhood pictures. Don't give up hope. Recently someone online posted one of my great grandmother with her 10 surviving children just after she was widowed a second time with a small baby, taken in 1918. Most the family had no copy nor ever seen that and some kind person on an ancestry website posted it over 100 years after it was taken and means a lot to me. I have also scanned all our childhood photos which helps distribution in families too.
Thank you for providing insight on these difficult topics. Sam make sure to take some time for your self as it can be difficult reliving the trauma you have been through and learning about the trauma people you know may have gone through.
@@suras8984 same. I think Sam is a very strong man and he and Melissa make a good team. If he needs to take a break or cover something lighter, we get it.
Oh Sam , oh Melissa. I adore you both! I literally just finished your Morman Stories podcast interviews last night. I just finished part 2 right now. And refreshed to see part 3! You’re giving me unlimited content and I’m here for you. I admire your strength and am so happy you started this journey! ❤️❤️❤️
I just got done watching all 7 hours of you guys on Mormon stories! It was so good to hear such a long story of you guys history. Can’t wait for the panel ❣️
I watched the rest of the special last night & it was heartbreaking. Thank the Lord, that Warren was caught & that Rebecca & Elisa were brave. Hearing the audio tape of the ceremony with the 12 year old child was so disturbing. The community will be in my prayers from now on. God bless you, Sam & Melissa.
Thank you, as always, Sam and Melissa. You both have such a calming effect on me, as someone who struggles with severe anxiety and depression disorders. Thank you for that, for being so genuine. I wish I knew more people like you in my life. Sending you and your beautiful kiddos lots of love from Virginia 💜
Hi Michele, it warms our hearts to hear that our videos are making an impact on peoples lives. Thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of out TH-cam family!
Absolutely broke my heart seeing how painful it was for Sam to talk about the possibility of his baby book being burnt after he left. I can’t imagine the feeling.
Your perspectives are SO fascinating, and really helps me understand (at least a little more) how all of this could have happened. Thank you so much for creating this series and sharing these incredible stories.
Internet is down for a major provider all across Canada. I am so glad my phone is with a different company so I can watch this on my phone without having to wait another day! I have been looking forward to part three.
You can see how much you both love and care about each other - especially in these tough videos. Hold each other extra tight on days you watch this stuff. Your videos are so inspiring. Please keep it up while you can :)
A bit of topic, but I really love that we are able to see the love between you guys everytime you look at each other. Wish you the best 🥰. Ps. Sam your beard looks awesome!
I watched 2 and 3 back to back. what an emotional ride!! I emailed you a while back about my MIL and family being in a cult. similar story. heartbreaking. it is always worse for the girls. only MIL left truly in it. so messed up. I am so thankful that you had a mother that loved you fully and you were spared from a lot of what was going on. some times not knowing at the time is better; just more things to be worried and afraid about. I admire your strength and courage and some times wonder what is going through your minds when you get a question you may not want to answer or have to think about how to say it. lots of love
To answer the question about how the legal (first wife) underage marriages end up happening, a 'sympathetic' (paid off) juvenile judge in Utah can sign off on it, or more commonly, the girl is taken to another state where the law is either friendlier, or there's a judicial official that works with the FLDS, Davis County Co-Operative/Kingston Clan ect will sign off. Once the licence is signed and filed, Utah authorities are really reluctant to try and step in - especially if the parent accompanied the minor - because it raises a bunch of questions regarding State's Rights. It's one of the many legal loopholes these groups exploit. Keep in mind, anything past the first legal wife isn't recognized as a legal marriage, and that becomes bigamy and child trafficking.
@@pansprayers Think CA and MS don't even have a minimum age limit set if parental consent exists, plus in FL if the minor is pregnant then somehow that negates the need for parental consent. Fucked if you ask me how easily children can be married off in the country.
Loved your MS episode... super happy to be able to hear your perspective and find your channel. Telling all these stories... hearing all the voices ... really helps those of us who are come out of the bigger Mormon traditions (all the groups... and even the jackmos, exmos, and postmos like me) find healing. I've really come to admire the people in the FLDS... and see ya'll as cultural cousins. This is so different than how I was led to believe growing up in the bigger LDS church ( I don't want to say "main" because that's sort of misleading... but I think you know what I mean). Thank you for sharing your stories and insight!! I also can't wait for the panel.
I’m sure whatever content y’all make it’ll be great! I hope both of you are able to have the time you need to decompress talking over heavy topics, and do whatever it is that makes life good for you here and now. All the best!
Enjoy your videos. I am a native of Charleston, West Virginia. West of town is a suburban city named Hurricane. It is also pronounced “Hurry-Cun” just as you explained in your video. I guess Southern Utahans and Southern West Virginians are the only ones who pronounce it this way.
I recently discovered your channel after binging this Netflix series. As someone who grew up in a pretty strict community, though nowhere near as on the same level as the flds, I can relate to the mental gymnastics of putting yourself back in your younger selves. And also the conflict of wanting to inform openly, without offending others. Think you guys are doing well. What I am wondering, as a mother myself, how do you explain or talk about your upbringing with your children? Ofcourse it depends on how old they are. If they are too young, how do you hope you'll talk about it in the future?
Hi! Thank you for your comments and question. I have always tried to be straight forward and honest with everyone about by upbringing. As our children get older and have more questions, I plan to be an open book but also share my concerns about the bad. It is not always easy but I don't feel I have anything to hide.
Regarding Hurricane, there’s a town in WV that’s pronounced the same way. I just thought it was interesting that 2 towns on opposite sides of the country pronounce it in such a way.
I’ll mention that I’ve liked hearing Sam’s perspective as a man-more specifically, as a boy who grew up out there and had a relatively pleasant childhood. The women’s perspective is important, especially after all their experiences with their voices being silenced. But I think media tends to zoom in on the situations where women and girls were mistreated partly because it’s more shocking/“interesting.” Important? Yes. But I appreciate the more well-rounded approach of this channel. The respectful way you handle things, sharing your voices, by giving platform to other voices, and with respect for the still-FLDS folks whose voices aren’t available for this channel: this is constructive, helping me see more perspectives.
I do appreciate it as well. I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. Sometimes I get angry at what I experienced but there were good times as well and sometimes feel nostalgia when I accompany a family member to a JW group activity. It overall crushed my soul but I cant lie and say it was all bad. His account reminds me of that.
Was there a jailhouse in your community and did people ever get arrested there? Curious since the even police were FLDS. Also, what happened to women who could not get pregnant for whatever reason? Were they allowed to stay married? Were they shunned? Or did they have a home specifically for those women? Same question for those who were only able to have one or two kids. So many questions pop up when I watch your videos!
I believe there was a jail house but thankfully I don't know much about it. I did hear stories of some people being arrested within the community as there were laws. As far as the women that could not get pregnant, I know of several women that had a hard time with it but I never saw them being separated from the rest of the family. This may be a better question for my sister. This is a great question for a video. Thank you for watching!
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy great question I've been wondering that myself sometimes. I'm wondering if children were adopted in or out? If somebody was unable to conceive. And if so, where did they get the child from .. family members or Outsiders
I know it isn't the same, but my baby book drowned in a flood in TN in 2009, it felt like such a loss! I am estranged from my family now - somewhat for religious reasons and I have appreciated seeing you both be so empathetic towards folks on both sides of the issues of faith, religions/cults. There are lots of reasons people choose religion, cultish leaders and those who NEEDED to leave those groups for their own sanity/lives. Thanks for all y'all do!
Sam the pain that Warren Jeffs has cause you and your family really comes through on this video. Both you and Melissa are so tactful in the way you approach such a painful subject. I really admire you and hope you family breaks free from this cult.
My grandmother throw out all of my dads pictures of him when he was little . Now I keep everything so that I have all the memories of my family. I am so sorry I really hope one day someone tells you they have kept some.
I watched 2 and 3 back to back. what an emotional ride!! I emailed you a while back about my MIL and family being in a cult. similar story. heartbreaking. it is always worse for the girls. only MIL left truly in it. so messed up. I am so thankful that you had a mother that loved you fully and you were spared from a lot of what was going on. some times not knowing at the time is better; just more things to be worried and afraid about. I admire your strength and courage and some times wonder what is going through your minds when you get a question you may not want to answer or have to think about how to say it. lots of love
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for reaching out to us. It truly is heartbreaking to see the abuse that so many of the people from high demand religions are having to deal with. I agree, I was very lucky to have decent parents that were just trying to live what they believed to be truth.
Thank you so much for your review. I hope in someway this helps you on your healing journey. I am just so sorry for the pain this brings up. My heart felt prayers are with you and your sweet family who is still in.
I like this format. Loved your Mormon Stories episodes. I am not a religious person and can not imagine a cult that believes there is a person (white male) here on earth that is somehow chosen to be the Prophet - the person that leads the cult by talking directly to God. And that goes for either the FLDS or the LDS. Likewise for the so-called sacred underwear, secret rituals, temple costumes, etc etc. it is so sad.
White men are not the only ones allowed to be prophets. Different parts of the world have different religions which all think they are the right ones and have access to the gods. Stop being so racist.
When the information about the Texas compound was on the news my first thought was, Texas!! Texas is Hardshell Southern Baptist Country. I have a lifelong friend and exboyfriend friend from Texas. And they tend to involve themselves in everyones business.
I was working in West TX. I got talked out of blasting WJ saying he was false prophet and his criminal history from my truck bed with big speakers towards those gates. My co workers talked me out of it. Knowing small children were inside hurt my heart. Months later the raids happened
With all these recent FLDS documentaries being released. I bet you would see a jump in subscribers if you added FLDS to your title. Just saying. 😆 Love your channel!
you both are tops! I really appreciate your manner of discussing these issues. I would love a conversation with Lindsay Hansen Park from Year in Polygamy.
Aww I could tell this video was a little extra hard on Sam. Thank you both for asking/answering these hard to swallow questions. And Sam make a baby book for YOUR babies that you will have forever!! Much love from Detroit xoxo
I was raised in a strict church but not polygamy for sure. But my oldest brother got married at 17 and his wife was 16. They have been married for 64 yrs and are happily married. So for some people it works I guess. They are the head of our family since our parents are gone. I enjoy listening to yall so very much.
You’re never gonna make everyone happy, but I love that y’all want to! ❤️ I’m sure you’re going to find the perfect way that works for you and your audience will love it!
You two really are something special! Your marriage from the outside is beautiful! It's never the same on the inside, but you two certainly turned up the thaw on some of us old biddies! 💐💐
Over 100 yrs ago my grandmother was 12 married and had her first of 16 children....she was 52 when my father was born..he was child #16 my grandfather was 16 when they married
I've never heard people be so respectful than you guys. You could totally trash both religions after you left and you don't. I just want to thank you for that. I used to just think the FLDS were horrible people who are all abused. Then I started watching you guys and I love hearing how great the people were and are. Now I know it was all Warren and not the people. And same with LDS. I'm LDS so I wouldn't want to watch if you bashed the church. Thank you! I was actually floored when you said you were inactive because you were so respectful! I just assumed you were still active. That's how respectful you were. I just wanted to say thank you and keep going
That is so incredibly sad you have pictures from your childhood. Idk what happened to all mine either bc my aunts cleaned out my grandparents house where my pics were, or a lot if them
I recently found you on mormon podcast. Great interview. Thank you both for all your insights and sharing of your lives. I am binging your channelvto catch up. I do have a question I have not found the answer too. The video where you took us along to the community Sam grew up was extremely interesting. Sam explained why zion was inscribed at his home entrance. He mentioned his brother did this as his father was away then . What happened to Sam's father?
You guys are so loving and so warm. You two are all the proof I need to know that there is a God. Sam, you may be a man and you are very good at sharing your story. However, I am stunned at just how empathetic you are to the experiences that all the mothers and sisters suffered. You humble me with your honest reactions to their stories.
Consider having an interview / reinterview of other peoples experiences once a month. Even having multiple people there just to reminisce on their childhood would be cool.
Trying new things is good! But don’t try and make all of us happy! The TH-cam commentariat (myself included) are all a bit unhinged. But we do love you guys, regardless. You are both amazing and important creators 💞
I couldn't help but wonder while watching why it was that the parents who had their children taken from them didn't go to the authorities to enforce their parental rights? Do you think it's because these parents still felt that the church was the utmost authority even after they were cast out?
I watched this Netflix series a while back and I got sucked into a rabbit hole of documentaries ,tv shows and youtube videos on cults and different types of religions
1. Burning a baby book and all pics kind of indicates no way back right? In their mind there’s no room for your return. Such a finalizing act to do I feel like…? 2. Re:missing persons. Makes me wonder if anyone disappeared and were never accounted for 😬
I've discovered that I now enjoy praying. I don't have to rely on some man of the cloth to pass on my words & feelings. I don't need to confess sins (mostly made up to appear genuinely truthful & sorry) to some Inbetweeners, and wonder if he will pass it on. It's comforting to have a belief which is based on what is in my heart. Great respects to you both for your MSP appearance.
Hi Sam & Melissa! I found your channel a week ago and am hooked! Would you consider making reaction videos to Prophet’s Prey on Showtime, A&E’s Cults & Extreme Beliefs show? There is a current FLDS member and an ex FLDS member that participated in A&E show. A&E also has another documentary: Warren Jeffs-Prophet of Evil. Thank you for creating this channel!
Thank you for sharing your stories. One thing I would like to see is you guys facing each other having a conversation instead of straight on. Just an idea. 💜
They always talk about "mariage" but that is not the case. Women are "given" to one man , then "taken" to an other one. There is no choice, no love, no consent . Children are also separated from their parents, or siblings. This is hell on earth, fear all the time .
Questions: what sex education do young ladies get regarding cause and treatment with start of menstruation? Churches belief of menstruation: natural, punishment, sin? What education regarding conception or prevention of pregnancy? What education regarding what to expect during pregnancy? What is churches belief of delivery of children, ways to easy pain or to be as painful for punishment? Any Lamaze training?
Sorry if this is a heavy question and please ignore if so but how did you go about working through the fear that you were a son of perdition once you’d left the flds? I’d imagine it would take a lot for you to have reconciled that…
Sam, I’m curious what you thought about people marrying their cousins when you were growing up. Was that normal, the way marrying younger girls was normal because they were “more mature”? Or was that anything you had heard of? Also, what about Warren marrying his mothers? Did that feel weird because they were married to his father?
This reaction series has been great! A question that was on my mind while watching the part of the documentary that dealt with Warren partying it up while on the run, was, how did he justify it to his wives who were with him? This may be a question that can’t be answered, but I just thought it’s worth putting out there in case you ever have the chance to interview someone who might be able to give some insight there. I would even just love to hear what you think he might’ve been able to say to justify it to them. Perhaps it speaks to just how manipulating he was, that he could make it seem ok to them!
The video says Warren was watching porn with his wives and having the wives pleasure each other so I think he probably just manipulated/forced them to do those things.
Oh that's interesting where is that referenced or are you from the Canadian group? :) I am just interested as I live in BC and it is harder to find information and the Canadian group in Bountiful BC
I hope you guys see this question: with all due respect, have you ever thought about Warren Jeffs and the leaders before him being victims of their own crazy power delusions? Or which level of counciousness do you guys think they had or have abour the consecquences of their actions? I know they caused a huge emotional, spiritual and physical pain to others, but I think it would also be interesting to try to study those twisted minds and come to conclusions on why they could be capable of all that by their own reasoning. I hope you understand where I'm coming from, I'm not trying to justify their disgusting actions, but it would be super interesting to analyze the way they really think behind their actions. Your stories are so powerfull, I'm glad you guys found a way to express your feelings and let out all those thoughts and reflexions, it certainly is a very interesting way to raise self awareness from a psychological point of view. Psychological hug from Costa Rica 🇨🇷, I'm still an LDS member (not F) and it's sooo interesting to learn about the way they took faith to a fanatic way of living even nowadays (on both organizations but specially FLDS). I love your videos, new subscriber here :D
I have question about the elderly, i think one of sam's mother's joined the family later in life, but who cared for the elderly? In my culture it's the eldest daughter with the help of other siblings. In other cultures it's the eldest son. Im ready curious about the mothers since i would think the fathers had younger wife's to do that for them.
I think it would be fascinating for you to try to explain the twisted mind game behind the saying from the religion “even the very elect would barely escape” I really believe this is one of the most powerful statements the church used to keep people obedient and trapped in the religion!!! AND one of the things that haunts many in their journey on the outside.
I hope I'm not asking questions that have already been answered but, what happened to the lost boys that were kicked out? Were they able to survive? Was there anyone who helped them? And the men who were kicked out? Did they wake up and think, holy cow! I've been duped? Or did they believe they were so bad that they deserved this? Did anyone who had been kicked out consider blowing the whistle on what was really going on? And with regard to yourself, what made you decide to leave? I guess you might be going to cover that in part 4? Thank you so much for these videos!
ya know shit is wild when the fact of "I had a brother and a sister that just all of a sudden disappeared... " is a small detail
I’m pretty good these days with having my own direct line to god. Another person is not needed to facilitate my relationship with a higher power. As soon as you are told that someone is speaking for god, move on!!! The experience of the FLDS has helped me see how important it is to not let any other person step in the middle!
Yes. Thats old testament ideology. Thats exactly why the veil was torn and we have the holy spirit. That is our direct line to speak with God.
@@knoxvillepredatorcatcher3459 that’s a good way of putting it
@@China-Clay i grew up with an aunt who was mormon. I never really understood the difference. This week I watched the Netflix documentary about FLDS and have been digging into LDS and what they really believe...its a complete mockery of God. The belief that we are supposed to try and become a god ourselves..thats what lucifer was cast out of heaven for. No doubt this is a religion straight from hell.
@@knoxvillepredatorcatcher3459 Exactly. Though we still have pastors and prophets, the Holy Spirit and the word of God has the final say
I feel the same.
"I'm sorry, but he was a monster". Sam is so respectful at all times towards people who are still faithful to Warren Jeffs. He is so clearly supportive of these people, yet obviously desperate for them to know the actual truth. I can't even imagine what he has been through and still goes through every day. What an amazing human being. I am beyond glad that he is free of these lies, and that he met sweet Melissa. They are raising a beautiful family so thoughtfully, without scarring them with the lies he was told; as is Melissa. Xxx
Thank you so much Susan!
His family members are in a cult, and I know he prays for them every day. And his poor mama.
This format worked well. I hope you can find more childhood pictures. Don't give up hope. Recently someone online posted one of my great grandmother with her 10 surviving children just after she was widowed a second time with a small baby, taken in 1918. Most the family had no copy nor ever seen that and some kind person on an ancestry website posted it over 100 years after it was taken and means a lot to me. I have also scanned all our childhood photos which helps distribution in families too.
Thank you for providing insight on these difficult topics. Sam make sure to take some time for your self as it can be difficult reliving the trauma you have been through and learning about the trauma people you know may have gone through.
I could be seeing things but there was a moment/s where I saw some pain and a hint of anger but he is so sweet I think he tries to swallow it.
@@suras8984 same. I think Sam is a very strong man and he and Melissa make a good team. If he needs to take a break or cover something lighter, we get it.
Amen. This really hurts.
Oh Sam , oh Melissa. I adore you both! I literally just finished your Morman Stories podcast interviews last night. I just finished part 2 right now. And refreshed to see part 3! You’re giving me unlimited content and I’m here for you. I admire your strength and am so happy you started this journey! ❤️❤️❤️
Wait there's a part 3?!
@@jennyelsie I think she’s referring to this video being part 3.
@@jennyelsie yup this one! Sorry 😆 didn’t put 2 and 2 together there. Lol ❤️
Like wise 😂👌 help Me sleep every night
Thank you so much for being. Thank you for all of your love and support!
Yalls relationship is so beautiful! You listen to one another and care about each other’s experiences. It’s so nice to see!
I just got done watching all 7 hours of you guys on Mormon stories! It was so good to hear such a long story of you guys history.
Can’t wait for the panel ❣️
Thank you so much for watching and we are happy you found us!
I watched the rest of the special last night & it was heartbreaking. Thank the Lord, that Warren was caught & that Rebecca & Elisa were brave. Hearing the audio tape of the ceremony with the 12 year old child was so disturbing. The community will be in my prayers from now on. God bless you, Sam & Melissa.
I drove from Wyoming to Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon over the 4th of July. I drove through Hildale, St George, etc., and thought of you! 💕
You folks care so much! Thanks for the thought you put into these videos.
Thank you, as always, Sam and Melissa. You both have such a calming effect on me, as someone who struggles with severe anxiety and depression disorders. Thank you for that, for being so genuine. I wish I knew more people like you in my life. Sending you and your beautiful kiddos lots of love from Virginia 💜
Hi Michele, it warms our hearts to hear that our videos are making an impact on peoples lives. Thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of out TH-cam family!
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy ❤
Absolutely broke my heart seeing how painful it was for Sam to talk about the possibility of his baby book being burnt after he left. I can’t imagine the feeling.
This must be super painful for you Sam. Seeing the trauma the community went through can retraumatise you. Please take care of yourself.
Sam… Please write a book!!! I’d love to hear all of your history and experiences… plus how you got baptized LDS and your mission to Chile!
Your perspectives are SO fascinating, and really helps me understand (at least a little more) how all of this could have happened. Thank you so much for creating this series and sharing these incredible stories.
Internet is down for a major provider all across Canada. I am so glad my phone is with a different company so I can watch this on my phone without having to wait another day! I have been looking forward to part three.
You can see how much you both love and care about each other - especially in these tough videos. Hold each other extra tight on days you watch this stuff.
Your videos are so inspiring. Please keep it up while you can :)
A bit of topic, but I really love that we are able to see the love between you guys everytime you look at each other. Wish you the best 🥰.
Ps. Sam your beard looks awesome!
Thank you, Jamie!
I watched 2 and 3 back to back. what an emotional ride!! I emailed you a while back about my MIL and family being in a cult. similar story. heartbreaking. it is always worse for the girls. only MIL left truly in it.
so messed up.
I am so thankful that you had a mother that loved you fully and you were spared from a lot of what was going on. some times not knowing at the time is better; just more things to be worried and afraid about.
I admire your strength and courage and some times wonder what is going through your minds when you get a question you may not want to answer or have to think about how to say it. lots of love
I will probably watch Prey and Obey someday, but so far I have gotten all of my info on it from you and I am really enjoying these episodes from you
To answer the question about how the legal (first wife) underage marriages end up happening, a 'sympathetic' (paid off) juvenile judge in Utah can sign off on it, or more commonly, the girl is taken to another state where the law is either friendlier, or there's a judicial official that works with the FLDS, Davis County Co-Operative/Kingston Clan ect will sign off. Once the licence is signed and filed, Utah authorities are really reluctant to try and step in - especially if the parent accompanied the minor - because it raises a bunch of questions regarding State's Rights. It's one of the many legal loopholes these groups exploit. Keep in mind, anything past the first legal wife isn't recognized as a legal marriage, and that becomes bigamy and child trafficking.
Or head on over to good ol Missouri...
@@muirgirl Colorado. It's closer, and there are at least two judges I know of who have signed off on as young as 14.
@@pansprayers Think CA and MS don't even have a minimum age limit set if parental consent exists, plus in FL if the minor is pregnant then somehow that negates the need for parental consent. Fucked if you ask me how easily children can be married off in the country.
Loved your MS episode... super happy to be able to hear your perspective and find your channel. Telling all these stories... hearing all the voices ... really helps those of us who are come out of the bigger Mormon traditions (all the groups... and even the jackmos, exmos, and postmos like me) find healing. I've really come to admire the people in the FLDS... and see ya'll as cultural cousins. This is so different than how I was led to believe growing up in the bigger LDS church ( I don't want to say "main" because that's sort of misleading... but I think you know what I mean). Thank you for sharing your stories and insight!! I also can't wait for the panel.
Thank you, David! We really appreciate your kind words and to hear that our experiences are now helping others means the world to us.
I’m sure whatever content y’all make it’ll be great! I hope both of you are able to have the time you need to decompress talking over heavy topics, and do whatever it is that makes life good for you here and now. All the best!
Enjoy your videos. I am a native of Charleston, West Virginia. West of town is a suburban city named Hurricane. It is also pronounced “Hurry-Cun” just as you explained in your video. I guess Southern Utahans and Southern West Virginians are the only ones who pronounce it this way.
I recently discovered your channel after binging this Netflix series. As someone who grew up in a pretty strict community, though nowhere near as on the same level as the flds, I can relate to the mental gymnastics of putting yourself back in your younger selves. And also the conflict of wanting to inform openly, without offending others. Think you guys are doing well. What I am wondering, as a mother myself, how do you explain or talk about your upbringing with your children? Ofcourse it depends on how old they are. If they are too young, how do you hope you'll talk about it in the future?
Hi! Thank you for your comments and question. I have always tried to be straight forward and honest with everyone about by upbringing. As our children get older and have more questions, I plan to be an open book but also share my concerns about the bad. It is not always easy but I don't feel I have anything to hide.
Regarding Hurricane, there’s a town in WV that’s pronounced the same way. I just thought it was interesting that 2 towns on opposite sides of the country pronounce it in such a way.
I’ll mention that I’ve liked hearing Sam’s perspective as a man-more specifically, as a boy who grew up out there and had a relatively pleasant childhood. The women’s perspective is important, especially after all their experiences with their voices being silenced. But I think media tends to zoom in on the situations where women and girls were mistreated partly because it’s more shocking/“interesting.” Important? Yes. But I appreciate the more well-rounded approach of this channel.
The respectful way you handle things, sharing your voices, by giving platform to other voices, and with respect for the still-FLDS folks whose voices aren’t available for this channel: this is constructive, helping me see more perspectives.
I do appreciate it as well. I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. Sometimes I get angry at what I experienced but there were good times as well and sometimes feel nostalgia when I accompany a family member to a JW group activity. It overall crushed my soul but I cant lie and say it was all bad. His account reminds me of that.
That quote about "calves of the stall" is from the KJV in Malachi 4:2.
I love your videos so much, and look forward to each one. Thank you.
Was there a jailhouse in your community and did people ever get arrested there? Curious since the even police were FLDS.
Also, what happened to women who could not get pregnant for whatever reason? Were they allowed to stay married? Were they shunned? Or did they have a home specifically for those women? Same question for those who were only able to have one or two kids.
So many questions pop up when I watch your videos!
I believe there was a jail house but thankfully I don't know much about it. I did hear stories of some people being arrested within the community as there were laws.
As far as the women that could not get pregnant, I know of several women that had a hard time with it but I never saw them being separated from the rest of the family. This may be a better question for my sister. This is a great question for a video.
Thank you for watching!
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy Thanks so much for replying!
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy great question I've been wondering that myself sometimes. I'm wondering if children were adopted in or out? If somebody was unable to conceive. And if so, where did they get the child from .. family members or Outsiders
I know it isn't the same, but my baby book drowned in a flood in TN in 2009, it felt like such a loss! I am estranged from my family now - somewhat for religious reasons and I have appreciated seeing you both be so empathetic towards folks on both sides of the issues of faith, religions/cults. There are lots of reasons people choose religion, cultish leaders and those who NEEDED to leave those groups for their own sanity/lives. Thanks for all y'all do!
Sam the pain that Warren Jeffs has cause you and your family really comes through on this video. Both you and Melissa are so tactful in the way you approach such a painful subject. I really admire you and hope you family breaks free from this cult.
My grandmother throw out all of my dads pictures of him when he was little .
Now I keep everything so that I have all the memories of my family.
I am so sorry I really hope one day someone tells you they have kept some.
I watched 2 and 3 back to back. what an emotional ride!! I emailed you a while back about my MIL and family being in a cult. similar story. heartbreaking. it is always worse for the girls. only MIL left truly in it.
so messed up.
I am so thankful that you had a mother that loved you fully and you were spared from a lot of what was going on. some times not knowing at the time is better; just more things to be worried and afraid about.
I admire your strength and courage and some times wonder what is going through your minds when you get a question you may not want to answer or have to think about how to say it. lots of love
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for reaching out to us. It truly is heartbreaking to see the abuse that so many of the people from high demand religions are having to deal with.
I agree, I was very lucky to have decent parents that were just trying to live what they believed to be truth.
Thank you so much for your review. I hope in someway this helps you on your healing journey. I am just so sorry for the pain this brings up. My heart felt prayers are with you and your sweet family who is still in.
I like this format. Loved your Mormon Stories episodes. I am not a religious person and can not imagine a cult that believes there is a person (white male) here on earth that is somehow chosen to be the Prophet - the person that leads the cult by talking directly to God. And that goes for either the FLDS or the LDS. Likewise for the so-called sacred underwear, secret rituals, temple costumes, etc etc. it is so sad.
White men are not the only ones allowed to be prophets. Different parts of the world have different religions which all think they are the right ones and have access to the gods. Stop being so racist.
This format worked well! I am sure that some day you will be given more pictures of your childhood Sam.
Love love love all of these videos! It’s funny because Melissa is shorter and closer to the microphone so her voice is so much louder 😂
Hi Sophie, I'll definitely adjust the volume better on future videos. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Excited to see your comments on part 4 because part 4 was wow…
When the information about the Texas compound was on the news my first thought was, Texas!! Texas is Hardshell Southern Baptist Country. I have a lifelong friend and exboyfriend friend from Texas. And they tend to involve themselves in everyones business.
I was working in West TX. I got talked out of blasting WJ saying he was false prophet and his criminal history from my truck bed with big speakers towards those gates. My co workers talked me out of it. Knowing small children were inside hurt my heart. Months later the raids happened
I preferred format of part 2 but this was still a great a video. Thanks
With all these recent FLDS documentaries being released. I bet you would see a jump in subscribers if you added FLDS to your title. Just saying. 😆 Love your channel!
you both are tops! I really appreciate your manner of discussing these issues. I would love a conversation with Lindsay Hansen Park from Year in Polygamy.
My grandparents married when my grandmother was 16. This was in 1930, so it was a fairly normal age, 16 & older, but not younger
Yous are my favourite people to watch so good at being informative 💗
Aww I could tell this video was a little extra hard on Sam. Thank you both for asking/answering these hard to swallow questions. And Sam make a baby book for YOUR babies that you will have forever!! Much love from Detroit xoxo
I was raised in a strict church but not polygamy for sure. But my oldest brother got married at 17 and his wife was 16. They have been married for 64 yrs and are happily married. So for some people it works I guess. They are the head of our family since our parents are gone. I enjoy listening to yall so very much.
You’re never gonna make everyone happy, but I love that y’all want to! ❤️ I’m sure you’re going to find the perfect way that works for you and your audience will love it!
You two really are something special! Your marriage from the outside is beautiful! It's never the same on the inside, but you two certainly turned up the thaw on some of us old biddies! 💐💐
Cool beard, Sam! Haha. Thanks guys for your honesty and for educating people about the FLDS/LDS.
Over 100 yrs ago my grandmother was 12 married and had her first of 16 children....she was 52 when my father was born..he was child #16 my grandfather was 16 when they married
I've never heard people be so respectful than you guys. You could totally trash both religions after you left and you don't. I just want to thank you for that. I used to just think the FLDS were horrible people who are all abused. Then I started watching you guys and I love hearing how great the people were and are. Now I know it was all Warren and not the people. And same with LDS. I'm LDS so I wouldn't want to watch if you bashed the church. Thank you! I was actually floored when you said you were inactive because you were so respectful! I just assumed you were still active. That's how respectful you were. I just wanted to say thank you and keep going
The donation calls where in addition to the 10% tithing that everyone was expected to pay.
Question! Can Sam recall the last interaction he ever had with Warren? I’d love to hear the details!
That is so incredibly sad you have pictures from your childhood. Idk what happened to all mine either bc my aunts cleaned out my grandparents house where my pics were, or a lot if them
I loved this format!
Another great episode. Thanks so much
I love what you are helping everyone understand!
I recently found you on mormon podcast. Great interview. Thank you both for all your insights and sharing of your lives. I am binging your channelvto catch up. I do have a question I have not found the answer too. The video where you took us along to the community Sam grew up was extremely interesting. Sam explained why zion was inscribed at his home entrance. He mentioned his brother did this as his father was away then . What happened to Sam's father?
I'm so sorry Sam, I wish all the healing for you and your beautiful wife.
You guys are so loving and so warm. You two are all the proof I need to know that there is a God. Sam, you may be a man and you are very good at sharing your story. However, I am stunned at just how empathetic you are to the experiences that all the mothers and sisters suffered. You humble me with your honest reactions to their stories.
Thank you so much. And I wish you too nothing but happiness. I also want to know what can I do to help.
Consider having an interview / reinterview of other peoples experiences once a month. Even having multiple people there just to reminisce on their childhood would be cool.
Trying new things is good! But don’t try and make all of us happy! The TH-cam commentariat (myself included) are all a bit unhinged. But we do love you guys, regardless. You are both amazing and important creators 💞
I couldn't help but wonder while watching why it was that the parents who had their children taken from them didn't go to the authorities to enforce their parental rights? Do you think it's because these parents still felt that the church was the utmost authority even after they were cast out?
Most likely. I would have done something about it too.
I watched this Netflix series a while back and I got sucked into a rabbit hole of documentaries ,tv shows and youtube videos on cults and different types of religions
Random sidenote: but I'm loving Sam's facial hair!
I ❤️y’all and your channel and I will watch this but I need a break because life is difficult right now
1. Burning a baby book and all pics kind of indicates no way back right? In their mind there’s no room for your return. Such a finalizing act to do I feel like…?
2. Re:missing persons. Makes me wonder if anyone disappeared and were never accounted for 😬
Especially with the idea of blood atonement 😬
👍👍 I prefer this format.
I've discovered that I now enjoy praying. I don't have to rely on some man of the cloth to pass on my words & feelings. I don't need to confess sins (mostly made up to appear genuinely truthful & sorry) to some Inbetweeners, and wonder if he will pass it on. It's comforting to have a belief which is based on what is in my heart. Great respects to you both for your MSP appearance.
I hope somehow that Warren sees your videos and the Netflix series.
Hi Sam & Melissa! I found your channel a week ago and am hooked! Would you consider making reaction videos to Prophet’s Prey on Showtime, A&E’s Cults & Extreme Beliefs show? There is a current FLDS member and an ex FLDS member that participated in A&E show. A&E also has another documentary: Warren Jeffs-Prophet of Evil. Thank you for creating this channel!
Thank you for sharing your stories.
One thing I would like to see is you guys facing each other having a conversation instead of straight on. Just an idea. 💜
Also I would love to know what people inside the flds are taught about other races. Like African Americans or Mexicans.
@Annoying Dayz Thank you🙏
They always talk about "mariage" but that is not the case. Women are "given" to one man , then "taken" to an other one. There is no choice, no love, no consent . Children are also separated from their parents, or siblings. This is hell on earth, fear all the time .
Would love to see if you could do a interview with Rachel
Questions:
what sex education do young ladies get regarding cause and treatment with start of menstruation?
Churches belief of menstruation: natural, punishment, sin?
What education regarding conception or prevention of pregnancy?
What education regarding what to expect during pregnancy?
What is churches belief of delivery of children, ways to easy pain or to be as painful for punishment?
Any Lamaze training?
Sorry if this is a heavy question and please ignore if so but how did you go about working through the fear that you were a son of perdition once you’d left the flds? I’d imagine it would take a lot for you to have reconciled that…
Sam, I’m curious what you thought about people marrying their cousins when you were growing up. Was that normal, the way marrying younger girls was normal because they were “more mature”? Or was that anything you had heard of? Also, what about Warren marrying his mothers? Did that feel weird because they were married to his father?
I live in Hurricane WV! It's pronounced Hurricin as well.
I thought Joanna said only people in the United Order were required to put Zion on their door?
This reaction series has been great! A question that was on my mind while watching the part of the documentary that dealt with Warren partying it up while on the run, was, how did he justify it to his wives who were with him? This may be a question that can’t be answered, but I just thought it’s worth putting out there in case you ever have the chance to interview someone who might be able to give some insight there. I would even just love to hear what you think he might’ve been able to say to justify it to them. Perhaps it speaks to just how manipulating he was, that he could make it seem ok to them!
The video says Warren was watching porn with his wives and having the wives pleasure each other so I think he probably just manipulated/forced them to do those things.
Actually no all those materials were donated from the backs of the people!! All those homes in Texas came from Canada.
Oh that's interesting where is that referenced or are you from the Canadian group? :) I am just interested as I live in BC and it is harder to find information and the Canadian group in Bountiful BC
Calves of the stall is from Malachi 4:2 in the Old Testament
I really wonder what the endowment ceremony looks like in the flds church
..Just curious
Love U both lots 😚
Thank God you both got away from these two cults!!
How/ why did Sam leave?
So, is FLDS only in SE and central Utah, or did it go into SW Utah and Colarado?
It is in Las Cruces New Mexico and El Paso Texas also and they control military and police and the entire area.
Yay loving THIS VIDEO 😁😁😃
Wonderful job on this u 2 🤗🤗 . OLD G 😉
I hope you guys see this question: with all due respect, have you ever thought about Warren Jeffs and the leaders before him being victims of their own crazy power delusions? Or which level of counciousness do you guys think they had or have abour the consecquences of their actions? I know they caused a huge emotional, spiritual and physical pain to others, but I think it would also be interesting to try to study those twisted minds and come to conclusions on why they could be capable of all that by their own reasoning. I hope you understand where I'm coming from, I'm not trying to justify their disgusting actions, but it would be super interesting to analyze the way they really think behind their actions.
Your stories are so powerfull, I'm glad you guys found a way to express your feelings and let out all those thoughts and reflexions, it certainly is a very interesting way to raise self awareness from a psychological point of view.
Psychological hug from Costa Rica 🇨🇷, I'm still an LDS member (not F) and it's sooo interesting to learn about the way they took faith to a fanatic way of living even nowadays (on both organizations but specially FLDS).
I love your videos, new subscriber here :D
THANK YOU for finally saying Warren Jeff's is a MONSTER.
It’s so sad, and surreal!
I have question about the elderly, i think one of sam's mother's joined the family later in life, but who cared for the elderly? In my culture it's the eldest daughter with the help of other siblings. In other cultures it's the eldest son. Im ready curious about the mothers since i would think the fathers had younger wife's to do that for them.
I think it would be fascinating for you to try to explain the twisted mind game behind the saying from the religion “even the very elect would barely escape” I really believe this is one of the most powerful statements the church used to keep people obedient and trapped in the religion!!! AND one of the things that haunts many in their journey on the outside.
I know you have spoken about it, but where did your father go when he was sent away, and did he ever come back?
Can you turn Sam's mic up and Melissa's down? In order to hear Sam clearly, Melissa is so loud.
I hope I'm not asking questions that have already been answered but, what happened to the lost boys that were kicked out? Were they able to survive? Was there anyone who helped them? And the men who were kicked out? Did they wake up and think, holy cow! I've been duped? Or did they believe they were so bad that they deserved this? Did anyone who had been kicked out consider blowing the whistle on what was really going on? And with regard to yourself, what made you decide to leave? I guess you might be going to cover that in part 4? Thank you so much for these videos!
Sam bring your Microphone up closer. Melissa audio level is great 👍