Stolen Innocence

My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

By: Elissa Wall, Lisa Pulitzer

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah, sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced her to marry her first cousin at age fourteen. This harrowing account proved to be the most compelling evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of this closed community and the lengths to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect's women.

Now, in this courageous memoir, Elissa Wall tells the incredible story of how she emerged from the confines of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and helped bring one of America's most notorious criminals to justice. Offering a child's perspective on life in the FLDS, Wall discusses her tumultuous youth, explaining how her family's turbulent past intersected with her strong will and identified her as a girl who needed to be controlled through marriage. Detailing how Warren Jeffs's influence over the church twisted its already rigid beliefs in dangerous new directions, Wall portrays the inescapable mind-set and unrelenting pressure that forced her to wed despite her repeated protests that she was too young.

Once she was married, Wall's childhood shattered as she was obligated to follow Jeffs's directives and submit to her husband in "mind, body, and soul." With little money and no knowledge of the outside world, she was trapped and forced to endure the pain and abuse of her loveless relationship. Yet even in those bleak times, she retained a sliver of hope that one day she would find a way out, and one snowy night that came in the form of a rugged stranger named Lamont Barlow. Their chance encounter set in motion a friendship and eventual romance that gave her the strength she needed to break free from her past and sever the chains of the church. But though she was out of the FLDS, Wall would still have to face Jeffs---this time in court.

©2008 Elissa Wall (P)2008 Tantor

A shocking and emotional telling of betrayal

A very riveting account of the pain, betrayal, and sickening abuse of a young woman in the FLDS community. A great amount of respect for Elissa Wall in coming forward to share her experience in hopes of protecting other young women trapped in this situation.

You thought your teens were rough....

This is a powerful story. After finishing it I needed to let it digest a bit. The FLDS group is a hard one to escape - in fact the odds of successfully getting out and leading a productive life seem impossible.

The story is well told and fairly well organized. The narrator's childish voice really works because the author was such a young girl when the events occured.

If you have an interest in the lives of women and children in the FLDS I reccomend this book to you!

Amazing story

This was a great book, very inspiring story. I have to say that the person reading the story had the most annoying baby voice

It’s jarring how easy an abused person can grow to normalize things

The story was very compelling and informative. I learned a lot, particularly about the trial. It was also a major insight into the culture and mores of the FLDS

I wasn’t keen on the reader’s voice. The half crying as she performed sad parts of the book made it feel melodramatic and took away from the biting reality of the events.

Cultism of the FLDS Finally Understood

Her story helped me to understand why so many people are influenced by the cult of the FLDS. FEAR is the root. Oppression of women is appalling and child exploitation is laid out to draw you into her tragic story. Amen for those who survive and assist others to escape.

Elisa and her strength

the book was well written with many emotions and prayers for what she and many women face in the fds

Loved reading a story about the strength of a determined woman!

Without growing up in a culture where you are brainwashed by all the grown ups around you it is hard to imagine what these kids go through. The fact that this woman was smart enough to question when something didn’t feel right is mind blowing. No one should ever be “possessed” or “owned” by another! I am glad that the monster was sentenced to prison and I am very happy that Elissa got to live the life that she always longed for. I wish you many happy years of peace and happiness ♥️

Excellent story, poor narration

I agree with the other reviews; this narrator made me feel as if I were back in elementary school, and the librarian was reading to us from a picture-book. The story, however, was compelling, and very well-written.

wonderful tale

I would have to say first the reviews on this book, I don't agree with them. The reader takes you into the world of the author and her innocence is glaring, as is the abuse she endures. The author also goes into detail explaining what happened and. how it affected her.

very educational

this was an amazing book and I'm sad for it to be over, I learned so much about the FLDS and how much Warren Jeff's changed the religion for his own propaganda. Elisa is a strong woman and I'm happy she shared her story. would recommend.