Brent Jeffs, nephew of Warren Jeffs...
Posted on 04/18/2008 8:23:39 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
As the nephew of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of the polygamist compound in El Dorado, Texas, Brent Jeffs says that he knows all too well the misery and heartache of sexual abuse inside the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Brent Jeffs was a victim of rape and molestation at the hands, he says, of his uncle, Warren, who is currently imprisoned. In fact, it was Brent Jeffs who first filed charges of sexual assault against Warren Jeffs.
"The entire cult, as I would put it, is run by complete fear. Everything they do is run by fear. They control the women and the children all by fear," Brent told ABC's John Quinones.
As another long day at court is expected today and authorities try to determine what is to become of the 416 children taken from the El Dorado compound, attention has been focused on the abuse of young girls, but Brent says the boys were also in danger.
"When I was a little boy, around 5 or 6, just attending the regular Sunday school, even when my grandfather was the prophet at the time, behind closed doors, Warren was sneaking around behind and would come down and escort me down the hall and into the bathroom and molest me as a kid. Threatening me with eternal damnation if I did not do exactly what he said."
Brent says he didn't complain because he thought he "was going to be in trouble. I thought I'd burn in hell for saying something. That's why I kept it a secret."
He says it happened to many other young boys, including Brent's two brothers, who were either students of Warren Jeffs or who lived inside his compound. That's why Brent Jeffs has come from his home in Salt Lake City to Texas to testify against the leaders of the El Dorado compound.
He believes the compound's residents are in danger.
"The wives and the women in here may not show you that they know it, but they are. They're in great danger. Because all they're doing in here is they're abusing all these children and you, they're abusing the women, too. It needs to stop."
"The men in there that have brainwashed these women and children, have convinced them ever since they were babies that this is right. Because they think in their minds they have nowhere else to go."
"The children are in a safe place. I know it seems like a horrible thing right now to have the children separated from the mothers. But, the situation needs to be taken care of … The way things are in here is, you know, when they're all together they're not going to say anything, afraid of the other person telling the higher authority and them getting in trouble. I think when they're by themselves, they may say something."
As close as Brent Jeffs is to the temple of El Dorado, the leaders of his old church will not allow him inside its gates.
"I have hundreds of cousins. I have so much family in there, I know I do. I saw someone on TV the other day, my aunt. My mom's sister, my aunt, who I've known my whole life."
Brent Jeffs, nephew of Warren Jeffs...
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May God bless this young courageous man!
Thank God he is speaking out.
Ping to the FIP
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Thank God indeed!
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How many polygamy defenders are we going to see on this thread?
They'll probably just call Brent Jeffs a disgruntled bigoted Anti-fMormon.
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These polygamy defenders have no shame...it's disgusting.
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When I look at that young man, my heart breaks for him and for the “lost boys.” I’ve suffered with grief during the past two week because I have daughters, and now I feel the pain as a mother of sons.
He reminds me of my three sons, one accross the seas serving our country in the Army, one who delivers your packages while dressed in Brown, and my youngest who is getting married in June and will move his new bride into his new house.
I pray that these young men will get the chance to grow into honorable, whole and productive fathers and husbands.
I pray for all the children of polgamy. God have mercy upon them, let your face shine upon them, and give them peace.
You are so right. My heart breaks for these kids too...
I wonder if posters here, who can now be 'linked' the 20/20 report will still dispute that there are guard towers, gates, security patrols. People have argued this is just a hapless little ranch out in the TX scrub.
Lastly, Brent Jeffs is a very brave (and hopefully well protected) young man. He, like Carolyn Jessop could just get on with their lives, get therapy, and try to forget the whole sordid mess. Bless them and protect them for coming forward to help those left behind.
That Warren Jeffs guy sounds like a loathsome kook for sure ;-(
A brainwashing cult is a terrible thing... wonder when they will go after the Scientologist cult?
They seem to be swarming over HERE.
These poor children can't even identify their own parents and the polygamy defenders are ragging on the state for ordering DNA tests.
Pathetic.
Well-stated...
I opened that thread and backed right out.
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