Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs Published by HarperCollins on November 14, 2017
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, Nonfiction, Religion / Cults, True Crime
Pages: 320
Where to buy: Affiliate Link
In this searing memoir of survival in the spirit of Stolen Innocence, the daughter of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the FLDS Church, takes you deep inside the secretive polygamist Mormon fundamentalist cult run by her family and how she escaped it.
Born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rachel Jeffs was raised in a strict patriarchal culture defined by subordinate sister wives and men they must obey. No one in this radical splinter sect of the Mormon Church was more powerful or terrifying than its leader Warren Jeffs—Rachel’s father.
Living outside mainstream Mormonism and federal law, Jeffs arranged marriages between under-age girls and middle-aged and elderly members of his congregation. In 2006, he gained international notoriety when the FBI placed him on its Ten Most Wanted List. Though he is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, Jeffs’ iron grip on the church remains firm, and his edicts to his followers increasingly restrictive and bizarre.
In Breaking Free, Rachel blows the lid off this taciturn community made famous by Jon Krakauer’s bestselling Under the Banner of Heaven to offer a harrowing look at her life with Warren Jeffs, and the years of physical and emotional abuse she suffered. Sexually assaulted, compelled into an arranged polygamous marriage, locked away in "houses of hiding" as punishment for perceived transgressions, and physically separated from her children, Rachel, Jeffs’ first plural daughter by his second of more than fifty wives, eventually found the courage to leave the church in 2015. But Breaking Free is not only her story—Rachel’s experiences illuminate those of her family and the countless others who remain trapped in the strange world she left behind.
A shocking and mesmerizing memoir of faith, abuse, courage, and freedom, Breaking Free is an expose of religious extremism and a beacon of hope for anyone trying to overcome personal obstacles.
Rachel Jeffs’ memoir, Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs, is a raw and deeply disturbing account of her lived experiences inside the FLDS and the horrific abuse she endured at the hands of her now-infamous father, Warren Jeffs. From the very first chapters, Rachel pulls no punches in exposing the realities of life under Warren Jeffs’ control.
I’ve mentioned in other memoir reviews that I prefer listening to an audiobook when the author narrates their own story—it offers unique insight into their emotions and experiences. One thing that always stands out, especially in memoirs by women who survived abusive or controlling religious sects, is the nearly childlike quality in the author’s voice. Hearing this vulnerability firsthand adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the narrative.
That voice is something my best friend, Fizzy, and I have often discussed during our deep dives into the Institute in Basic Life Principles and fundamentalist Mormon sects. We’ve noticed striking similarities in how women are conditioned to speak, behave, and present themselves, particularly through ideas like “stay sweet.” While this is admittedly a side note to the review itself, I think many people deconstructing harmful religious environments will notice the familiar patterns of control that echo across different movements. Separately, there’s a unique sense of camaraderie that comes from connecting with other survivors who have endured similar experiences, even when their stories come from different backgrounds.
Rachel really holds nothing back when discussing her father’s depravity. The sexual abuse began at an early age for her. Though the memoir leaves the exact timeline unclear and raises questions about when Warren Jeffs first started abusing children. This is a subject I plan to explore in future reviews, including discussions of Warren’s time as principal of the Alta Academy—a position that gave him access to many children and where troubling patterns began to emerge. I’ll be delving into this further when I review Prophet’s Prey by Sam Brower, an investigative account that chronicles Jeffs’ rise to power and the extent of his crimes. In addition, I intend to review Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs, Rachel’s cousin, who provides his own perspective on surviving abuse within the FLDS.
Due to the conditioning she endured, Rachel had not discussed the abuse with her siblings and was unaware that some of them—both girls and boys—were also being abused.
Rachel was eighteen years old when her father married her off to a man who already had two other wives, and because of her relation to “the prophet,” she quickly became the favorite. This caused considerable tension and drama between her and her sister wives. Yet, being the prophet’s daughter did not shield Rachel from her father’s abuse. She was often isolated from her family, sent away to live alone—sometimes without her children, who themselves were often medically neglected. At times, Rachel’s upbringing led to a narrow perspective on her role in household conflicts. For example, taking her clothing to her father’s house to wash or demanding better housing could understandably exacerbate an already fraught situation. This is not a criticism of Rachel, but rather an observation about how her environment shaped her understanding.
Over time, after seeing the torment of others and growing absolutely furious over the neglect inflicted on her children, Rachel realized the only way forward was to break free. Her father, Warren Jeffs, who once held near-absolute power as the self-proclaimed prophet of the FLDS, used his authority to manipulate, control, and abuse countless followers—including his own family. Eventually, his crimes caught up with him. Warren Jeffs was convicted on multiple charges, including sexual assault of minors, and is currently serving a life sentence plus twenty years in prison. Rachel’s decision to escape was not just for her own sake, but also to protect her children from the generational cycle of abuse perpetuated by her father’s regime. Her resilience and ability to reclaim her autonomy, given the circumstances, is admirable, and I am inspired by her courage to live her truth.
Overall, Rachel’s journey required immense bravery—not only to escape but to share her story so openly. She embodies top-tier survivor energy. I highly recommend the audiobook for a more personal connection to her experiences. For those interested, Rachel is also active on social media, where she shares how she and her children are embracing life and freedom outside the FLDS.
CW / TW:
This piece contains references to:
Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual Assault, Pedophilia, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Animal Abuse, Death of a Parent, Medical Neglect, Incest
Recommended Age: 18+
About Rachel Jeffs
Rachel Jeffs is an American author, speaker, and advocate for survivors of religious abuse. The daughter of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), Rachel grew up inside the secretive polygamist sect. After escaping the FLDS and her father’s control, she became a vocal critic of the group’s abuses. Her memoir, Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs, details her harrowing experiences and her journey toward healing and independence. Today, Rachel Jeffs is dedicated to raising awareness about cult dynamics, supporting fellow survivors, and sharing her story to inspire hope and resilience.
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