Flora Jessop

Flora Jessop is an American activist and author known for her work helping women and children escape from fundamentalist Mormon polygamous communities, particularly the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Born into an FLDS family in 1969, Jessop escaped the sect at age 16 after enduring years of abuse. She later established the Child Protection Project, an organization dedicated to assisting others in leaving polygamous communities and adjusting to life in mainstream society. Her 2009 memoir "Church of Lies," co-written with Paul T. Brown, details her experiences within the FLDS church and her subsequent activism. The book provides firsthand accounts of life within the closed polygamous community and documents her efforts to expose alleged abuses within the FLDS church. Jessop has testified before state legislatures about polygamy and child abuse, and has worked with law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes within polygamous communities. She continues to advocate for stronger enforcement of existing laws protecting children in religious communities and provides support services to those transitioning to life outside these groups.

Readers praise Jessop's raw honesty in describing her experiences escaping the FLDS church and helping others do the same. Many cite the book's importance in exposing abuse within polygamous communities. The personal accounts and detailed descriptions help readers understand the realities of life within the FLDS. What readers liked: - Direct, unflinching storytelling style - Insider perspective on FLDS practices - Documentation of rescue efforts - Educational value about polygamous communities What readers disliked: - Sometimes disorganized narrative structure - Need for more detail about specific cases - Writing quality varies in places Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings) One reader noted: "This book opened my eyes to issues I never knew existed in America." Another commented: "The bravery shown in both escaping and then going back to help others is remarkable." Critical reviews focused on editing issues, with one stating "The timeline jumps around too much, making it hard to follow at times."

Church of Lies (2009) A memoir detailing Jessop's experiences growing up in and eventually escaping from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), followed by her subsequent work helping others leave the sect.

Carolyn Jessop documents her escape from a fundamentalist Mormon community and provides firsthand accounts of life within the FLDS church. Her memoir "Escape" exposes similar themes of breaking free from polygamous cults as Flora Jessop's work.

Elissa Wall writes about her forced marriage at age 14 within the FLDS church and her eventual testimony against Warren Jeffs. Her book "Stolen Innocence" details the legal battles and personal journey to overcome religious trauma.

Rebecca Musser shares her experiences as a former plural wife to FLDS leader Rulon Jeffs and her transformation into a witness against the sect. She focuses on the investigation and prosecution of FLDS leaders while helping other women escape.

Susan Ray Schmidt recounts her life as a teenage plural wife in a polygamous Mormon offshoot group. Her memoir "His Favorite Wife" describes her marriage at age 15 and subsequent escape with her children.

Ruth Wariner chronicles growing up in a polygamous Mormon colony in Mexico and her path to independence. Her book "The Sound of Gravel" examines the impact of religious extremism on children and family dynamics.