Reclaiming Family & Freedom From The FLDS
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 сер 2023
- Prepare to be moved to tears as you witness the emotional and inspiring journey of the Black family torn apart for two long years, finally reuniting against all odds. Follow their incredible story of resilience, love, and determination as they overcome challenges and obstacles to find their way back to each other. Join us as we share this powerful tale of family bonds, healing, and the unbreakable spirit that brings them back together. Don't miss this touching reunion that will warm your heart and remind you of the importance of family.
If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org
At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been marginalized and abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."
If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: donorbox.org/growing-up-in-po...
Insta: @growingupinpolygamy
New website is now up! www.growingupinpolygamy.com
Please feel free to reach out to us!
growingupinpolygamy@gmail.com
PO BOX 753072
Las Vegas, NV
89136
It's very important that anyone watching this from the FLDS knows that legally they never have to leave their children with anyone. If they've been forced to do so they can go to the police and the police will accompany them to get their children back.
Thank you for pointing this out. A lot of FLDS members don't think of this as a possibility.
Also remember they have been indoctrinated and genuinely didn't know how to deal with or solve the situation
@@genevievekelly4998 yes absolutely.
Kyle is an amazing boy with a strong inner spirit ❤
spirit ❤
Every flds person already knows that
These interviews hit me so hard- I am so incredibly proud of the Black family for their openness, strength and resilience. I wish them justice and healing.
Thank you!
This story is so horrible. Even worse knowing this is only one of many families torn apart by this monster. My heart goes out to Sam knowing that his mother & many in his family are still ‘out there’.
Thank you so much ❤️
Far worse than I ever could have imagined. I helped move this family to Colorado. This was very sad for me to watch.
This series of 4 videos of this family is so important. They are the “normal” flds who were abused and used as pawns, which I haven’t heard too much of. Thank you to them for sharing their story even though it was clearly gut wrenching to do. Also, Sam and Melissa, you both did so great interviewing with compassion. I hope all of you take a mental health break so this doesn’t weigh you down too much. that hug at the end was so beautiful. Sending love to all of you ♥️
Thank you so much for for your kind words and support! These types of comments encourage us to keep helping others. Thank you.
I love hearing all their stories, I was a kid from the FLDS and my parents were sent out too. This is the first time I’ve heard a kid tell their side of the story. I checked my phone everyday waiting for each episode to drop. It brought back so many feelings.
Hi Natalie! Thank you for this comment and for your support. We are so glad to hear that these interviews are reaching so many people and even others that came from the FLDS like yourself.
This is so heart breaking that this is still going on today!!!! As someone of faith in Christ I know that salvation is for all and I'm just outraged by this!!! This channel is so important! Thank you for what you are doing to help this community!!!
I know, the twisting of truth makes me mad
This was a hard one to watch, but thank you so much to the Black family for sharing your story. I hope and pray for healing and that you all live wonderful lives full of love.
Thank you so much for your kindness ❤️
So relieved this story has a positive ending-and so happy to see that the Black family now has dogs! If you need emotional support, there is nothing better than a dog, in my opinion.
Thank you 🙂
I have a Gunia Pig 🐖😅 lol
So nice to see their son sitting between his parents. I remember how safe I would feel sitting between my parents. Makes me feel good.❤❤❤
As the oldest sister of eight myself... I'm so proud of the oldest daughter! Congratulations on the family for coming through fire and water and pulling together again. May you all be blessed with healing so that one day the scars will be a distant reminder of what has shaped a beautiful family. What you have been through is unspeakable. I'm so, so glad you have found each other again.
Thank you! ❤️
It’s unbelievable no one has been held criminally responsible for this. This family need to write a book, they are so brave and inspiring.
I can tell that this is so hard for Mellisa to hear. Take care of yourselves. And many blessings to this family. They broke the cycle.
Thank you! ❤️
What a strong family! The trauma they all endured is life-altering. I cannot begin to understand what that level of trauma is like. You all are so incredibly brave.
Thank you!
I can't stop crying! This is not right. Their story is so sweet of how they were married.😢😢❤❤
Seeing Melissa’s curiosity and heartfelt compassion and the Black family’s bravery in telling their story was so inspiring! Sam as always you manage to direct the story sensitively and calmly in every situation. Even with a topic as horrific as this. Thank you all for sharing❤
Thank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate your love and support ❤️
Bless them for what they went through
What Kyle said at the end is so important. Kids won’t always tell you outright that they’re being abused because they won’t realise it themselves. In some situations they’ll be threatened into silence etc, but from my own experience growing up with abuse, I didn’t even know that it was something that I should (or even could) ask for help with. It was just how life was in my mind, and all of my family’s friends had abusive families like mine, so I didn’t know that other families who aren’t abusive even existed - this is what I understood in my mind that all families were like, because a child doesn’t have other frames of reference to compare to. Even when I visited friends houses that weren’t abusive, I was always anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop and for the abuse to start, because it wasn’t an option that existed in my mind that adults don’t hurt you. As a child I didn’t even know it was bad or wrong - I knew that I didn’t like it, but I didn’t know that it wasn’t okay and that the things going on didn’t happen to everyone else too.
All of this from the perspective of me as a child who didn’t have religious abuse or indoctrination added into the mix either…
So, like they said in the video.. If you suspect abuse and you want to help, even just slowly over time becoming a point of safety for an abused child is a huge help. When I was a kid I had one Aunt who was like that for me, and from my abused perspective I thought, “ Omg, wow, I am SO spoiled by this person”, when she just did basic things like giving me cooked meals if I visited. In my mind, she was the only person on this planet who I thought would “spoil me” (i.e. treat me with basic human kindness), but it made a huge difference for me to have even one person treat me well.
If you can offer hot chocolate or anything like that (like Kyle talked about), that alone is great, because you might be the only kind person that child has around. They might never tell you what’s going on (the abuse), but I promise you that even just showing kindness helps a whole lot.
Thank you for this series, guys. It’s really touched my heart and I hope only for the most amazing things to happen for this family ❤️🩹✨
Thank you so much for this very informative and kind comment. We are so sorry to hear that you also dealt with child abuse. Thank you for sharing some of your story and for supporting others with kindness and understanding. ❤️
@@GrowingUpinPolygamy Oh gosh, not at all. I know it took me a long time to understand how I viewed all of that stuff as a child myself, and specifically with a child’s understanding of the world (because kids don’t know the same things as adults, since adults have obviously lived and experienced more out there in the world), so it makes sense to me now that a lot of people don’t “get it”, because even I myself didn’t get it until later on in life and after a few big light bulb moments happened.
I just hope I might be able to help people understand these situations differently, because they can be quite complex and messy. At the end of the day, if people don’t understand then I’m actually grateful for that, because it means they probably haven’t had these kinds of experiences themselves, and I don’t wish these experiences on anyone ❤️🩹
And very importantly too - A huge thank you to YOU guys for doing what you’re doing! It’s vital that these stories are heard, shared, and documented for the future. You never know how many people it’ll help over the years to come. ✨🙏🏻✨💖✨
Tear jerker...
That photo at the end... I was like, wait, 8 children? There are 16 there. Then you notice the family grew to include 4 puppy dogs 🐶 and some fiances.
Grow forever, and never stop.
I can't believe the FLDS has the power to break families up like this. Its just so so wrong. You can feel their raw emotions through the screen 😥
Thank you ❤️
This was such a poignant series. So much respect for them all.
Just when you think you've heard the worst, it doubles
Hi @FaithBurnside! Thank you for your comment. We're sorry that this is the type of content that needs to be created at this time. Hopefully things will get better instead of worse for the FLDS people.
Thank you for Being a member of our channel!!! Your support means the world to us. We hope you are doing well :)
These families have to sue the state of Utah and Colorado. Even if nothing happens the story needs to be heard nationwide. Embarrass the government and things will get moving
Amazing story. Thank you❤
Kyle, you are so brave! Your parents are so brave! My heart is absolutely broken for all of you. And for the people still living that trauma.
The poor kids who woke up this morning in that abusive environment. The poor kids who will wake up tomorrow morning. All in the name of Jesus
It is so hard to imagine this type of thing happening day after day. Thank you for commenting and showing support.
This was literally one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard. I couldn’t image this happening to my kids and my heart goes out to this entire family and all people in this situation. Thank you for continuing to give these people a voice!!
The Christmas picture at the end warmed my heart and gave me happiness. I do not personally know any Mormons. What amazes me is this is all in the name of the Lord, who i was taught stood for forgiveness and compassion. With EVERY religion they all have their troubles. I just call myself spiritual now. 😊Thanks for doing what you do. It teaches me a lot about the world we live in. I sometimes think i grew up in a bubble. 😊
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
This is heart wrenching 😢 So glad they were able to get reunited. I wish them nothing but healing, peace, happiness and joy ❤
Thank you ❤️
When anyone sees hungry emaciated children, it's very kind to offer food. But there is also a duty to report, perhaps not a legal duty, don't know law in Utah or Colorado, but definitely a moral duty. Request a welfare check from CPS.
So sorry you were separated glad you're together and healing
The ending 🥰🙌🏼🙌🏼 LOVE that last photo! Thank God for that!!! May God continue to bless that family always and both Melissa and Sam as well! It’s wonderful what you’re doing! Will always support your channel! 💕
Thank you so much! ❤️ We're happy you made it all the way to the end 🙂
Always! ☺️💕
My heart breaks for these families. When you think about being a child, your family life is what you consider “normal” and it isn’t until you see outside of that view that you realize what isn’t okay. I found this channel a few months ago, and I was intrigued by polygamy, even though it’s not something I would consider for myself. I’m so happy to hear that a lot of the abuse wasn’t Sam’s family experience and that he had love and care. But the horrible experiences and abuse of power from those supposed to emulate God is awful. I feel awful for those that are victims of this, regardless of if they know they are or not.
Hi Nicole! We're happy you found us. Thank you for your kind words and for supporting our cause in helping others.
"supposed to emulate God" is the hardest part to try to understand. This is pure evil!!!
I really commend your channel for giving these people a platform to share their voice
Thank you so much for your support! ❤️
Very powerful and moving. I can't agree more with the message of looking out for the kids' around you. I have personal experience with a child knocking on my door, asking for my son, to play. He didn't iniatially tell me his story, he has endured trauma. Turns out, that child was in foster care, and in a bad home. Over time we noticed things weren't right. That evolved into us providing dinner every night, and snacks to take home. Clothes, necessities, outings to fun places and out to eat. We're 4 years in now, and we're still involved in his life. He has since been adopted and is thriving!
Wow. Thank so much for sharing this experience with us. So great to hear how far small acts of kindness can go. Thank you for being so loving.
So glad a lot of the family got out. Such a heartbreaking story. 🙏 for this family and all the families in that situation. So sad.
I can't believe Kyle is only 17! So glad he's telling his horrible story to hopefully one day get some justice
This story is so heartbreaking😢 Thank God they're together and doing well now!!
Thank you so much!
I'm so glad that every single person in this family made it out. At least they don't have that particular anguish in their hearts.
I'm hoping, when Warren dies, the remaining families will live in a kinder world than they have now. Sam has happy memories, so that's not impossible.
While I never grew up in the fld LDS I did grow in the LDS this was heartbreaking what happened to them and I'm so glad they were able to get there kids back and get out
Thank you! :)
They are such good parents and great humans, but a father like him is so rear to find. I pray that they all find healing and all the happiness these world has to offer.
Thank you 😊
Thank You..., May This whole Family continue to heal and love each other and be safe mind, body and spirit..., Beautiful Pic of Your beautiful family... Thank YOu
Thank you!
❤❤❤❤❤love ❤
I pray for continued healing for this family and rescue for the people still caught up in this situation.
Thank you ❤️
This one really got me. It does hurt the heart indeed.
This shows so much hope and love. It's so good to see healing of a young boy with support from his parents. ❤❤❤
Thank you! ❤️
I always appreciate how tactful and compassionate you guys are in these videos!
Thank you! ❤️
Liked, shared and commented.
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you all for sharing,,, May G-d Bless ,,,Love from ISRAEL...
Thank you so much!
My heart breaks for this family! We were not a part of this religion, but we were missionaries in a remote area where we had to depend on our team leaders for basic needs like food and medicine and in months, my family was completely broken, sick, and had lost a lot of weight. I was with my kids but would hear them cry about what food they wanted to eat every night as they would talk about what they would eat if they were back home in the US. We were in survival mode. Every day was about doing what we had to do to survive-many days eating only rice and being so hungry. We suffered spiritual, emotional, and mental abuse but thankfully nothing physical. And when Kyle said, "Sometimes you don't know it's abuse when you are in the middle of it." We were adults and we did have the ability to get out, but in the midst of it all you think about is survival. When we got on the plane that would take us back to safety I completely broke down because I finally could. It's been over 10 years and it still hurts and still has an impact on each of us.
And as someone who lives in Colorado Springs it makes me so sad to know there were kids suffering here. I really wish I'd been able to help.
You can see their hurt and hear the fear this family went through. May gods love always shine through this family. God bless you.
You brave amazing people. Thank you for sharing your story, your pain and love. You are incredibly strong for speaking out. And thank you Sam and Melissa. Thank you for sharing these stories with us so we can gain a better understanding. The kindness in your heart shines so bright.
Thank you so much 😊
This series has been exceptional. Thank you!
Thank you!
This 4 part series was absolutely mind blowing and heart breaking. Their journey was so dark and to see them now, you would never guess the horrors they have suffered. And to think this is only one family of thousands.
I’m so happy they survived and are together.
I hope they get justice someday.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support!
I am a South African and luckily never been in a HDR, but after watching Escaping polygamy, keep sweet, morman stories, cults to consciousness and GUP, I wonder why non of these ex members have not gotten together to create a help group (like the aftermath in scientology) to aid the children/adults trying to get out and get them on their feet with aid and counselling so they don't fall prey to drugs and alcohol. U have so many followers between you to start an organization to be of assistance. All the stories I have watched are of people who have managed to get out and eventually heal, but what about those that fall when they finally get out - my heart just breaks for them. Wishing this family huge healing, love and future peace. I believe God did NOT create us to continually punish us, and any religion that believes they are the chosen need to wake up - God loves us all and just wants us to do good and be kind. Blessings to all.
I appreciate the info and how best to approach my LDS friends
These two shows are some of the best you've ever done! What a wonderful, articulate family, their testimonies are incredible! I hope these episodes spread far and wide. They have SO MUCH HOPE to offer those from that background, and their knowledge of trafficking will be vital to anyone seeking information on how to stop it.
This is so hard. As a parent my heart breaks. I'm so happy that their family is reunited. ❤
😢cried a sea of trears but so thankfull for This 🎉
Sorry to make you cry but thank you so much for your support!
It would be amazing to hear the little kids talking about their stories, with their parents present, of course.
What a sweet wonderful family ❤ Thank you so much for sharing their story 💕
Thank you, Black family~ This was just horrific to watch and take in, but wow, I cannot convey the admiration I have for you all, words do not suffice. My fervent hope is that as you move through life you will experience nothing but healing of both mind and body.
Thank you so much for telling your story.
I cried too u guys 😢
Thank you so much for providing the space for the Black family to tell their story. Thank you to the Black family for your honesty and vulnerability as you shared your story. I am hopeful that your story will somehow filter down to other FLDS families and they will have the courage to leave the horrific abuse.
I just want to say that I have never heard parents speak so lovingly and compassionately about their kids! I cannot imagine what abuse you or any of your children survived and I am glad to see you thriving-and continuing to heal. I hope you can each trust yourselves and that little voice (also you) which told you in the beginning that this abuse was wrong. I hope you can accept that little voice (also you) who guided you through the abuse and guarded your emotions I order to protect you, too. And I hope you can praise yourselves for re-bonding and re-building your family-may it be full of love and void of shame! I don't really have sufficient words to express the honor I feel for you reuniting your family and healing and how abundant your love is! Be well.
Commenting for a second time because this channel deserves it 👏
❤️
These are wonderful Kind Caring Parents , I have no words for what they have gone through. I will never know their pain , but I can hear it . God Bless this Family with a very joyful future . They have all paid an enormous debt and deserve the best .
I am appalled by how these kids and their parents have been abused... I hope they all find peace 🕊️
Thank you!
Yes, praying for peace.
Thank you for having this family share their story. So hard to hear, but so important to be aware of and so hopeful that there can be happy endings for others in similar circumstances.
Your'e very welcome! Thank you for watching and supporting our cause.
Such a touching story. So glad this family was able to find the strength, courage, and opportunity to escape from this situation and reunite. I hope that they continue to find great hope and comfort in their new surroundings!! ❤❤❤ I cried right along with everyone in this story. I only hope more families can find their way out! 😢
Thank you so much!
O my ,shes gonna make me cry, this is heartbreaking
Wow,. this has to be one of the saddest stories I have ever heard. What pain a religion caused these sweet people. It takes so much courage to overcome such deep wounds and indoctrination. Im so sorry to them for going through that and so happy for them to be together once again and healing from their pasts. May the rest of your days be filled with peace and safety.
Thank you so much for your comment and kindness ☺️❤️
My heart goes out to all of you.
Thank you so much for sharing!! Thank you Kyle!!
Never stop sharing and never stop healing.
Just so beyond all comprehension how people can be so unfeeling.
Yes there are good people in the world !!
Thank you! ❤️
I wish this beautiful family nothing but love and healing. I have worked for CPS. This abuse is horrific. That religion is the driving factor behind these monstrous abusers is abhorrent.
I hope that you come back Kyle to this channel in the future and let us know how much you are winning at life. Much positivity and love from Australia.
😭 👏 PTL they are all out and together. Praying for continued healing for the whole family 🙏
Thank you for sharing your story and I hope people still in the community will hear it ❤
Oh! And then the beautiful photo of the whole family! 😢That broke my heart! I’m so happy for them ALL! ❤❤❤
Thank you for sharing, life is so unfair, your love prevailed!
This was heartbreaking to watch but so important. Thank you to all of you ❤
Sending love, peace, and healing to these incredible people. Thank you for sharing your story
Powerful! I just want to hug this family. I pray for further healing and bright days to come.
Thank you so much for the love and support.
i am so .... man, this family is just an amazing group of humans!!!! my goodness. i pray for their healing and growth and well-being forward for every single one of them! mama n papa were victims too n i hope the kids understand that as well. god bless them.
What a brave family!! Many thanks for them sharing their story. Reminds all of us to be observant of all children and notice if something seems off and be ready to help in any way.
Thank you for your comment and kindness!
This beautiful family has been through hell and back. I'm so grateful they are back together and have gotten help to heal. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I had no idea about the trafficking and child labor and that they were tearing families apart like this. I think Warren Jeffs must be a narcissistic psychopath to torture people like this. It's horrendous. I'm so happy for you to all be back together and getting the help you need. We are all rooting for your recovery. **HUGS!**
Thank u all
This is such a powerful series of interviews- thank you all for the vulnerability, bravery and willingness to share. While this series of videos has so many important points and stories, I think what I took to be the most important is to be kind without expectation. One cup of hot chocolate might be a passing moment for you, but a life sustaining moment for someone else.
Thank you so much! We are so happy to see what you took out of these videos 🙂
So so much trauma. Absolutely criminal. These poor children and parents
That sweet hug at the end! 💞💞💞💞💞💞
Such a powerful series of videos Sam and Melissa. Your compassion for this family shone through throughout. Thank you for bringing light to this situation. We can only hope that this will inspire people in tough situations to reach out for the help that they so desperately need.
I have no words…this is so sad. Love to the Black Family ❤ and love to you two too! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much❤️
Thank you.
While compassion is great - what needs to happen is ACTION. I'm not one of the ''thoughts and prayers'' people. I am someone who absolutely advocates doing something real and tangible.
I find it super ironic that these people, over decades, have been programmed to think about how awful and horrible the outside world is and how 'sinful'' and horrible the people are - yet some within this religion are literally living the life of a Hollywood horror movie in real life. Perpetuated by members of their own cult.
There needs to be real life consequences for the perpetrators of the abuse. This means law enforcement (and by that I mean the whole team from government officials, social workers, lawyers, etc. on down) needs to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Make no mistake about it, these are crimes. Horrifying crimes in some cases. This IS NOT NORMAL. Real help needs to be provided for these people - and I don't mean those persons who are basically being apologists for the FLDS.
100% agree, get law enforcement involved!!!
I lived in Salt Lake City many years ago and worked as an occupational therapist at the hospital. We saw life threatening cases of child abuse regularly. It was the obligation of the social workers to report the cases to CPS. The problem was the silence and lack of cooperation on the part of the FLDS families. This is a very difficult and complex issue that has no simple resolution. I had hope that law enforcement and CPS could do more all these years later, but it does not seem so. . @@sewingintrifocals-alisonde7778
This is so heartbreaking and to think it’s still going on .
Very touching story and thank you so much for spreading the word and sharing your story. 🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕💕
Thank you!
I am amazed at these deranged cult leaders and their minions breaking up families, taking children from their parents, etc.
It’s horrific!
Any adult responsible for the harm to this group of kids-immediate jail for life.
Thank God for those adults who noticed something was wrong and gave the kids food and beverages.
Such a heartbreaking story. Thank you for sharing this! Tough for all of you, the compassion you show is beautiful.
No GOD wants their children to suffer! If anyone tells you anything different they're reading the wrong book!
Sending all the love to you all ❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you!
Has the whole family gotten out and do they now have a family home I hope so they deserve to know that they can find hope and happiness!!!
Please tell me that this beautiful family now has NO connection with the FLDS church. I was waiting to hear about that at the end of the video.
They are no longer members of the FLDS church. We ran out of time but hope to have them back to talk about their faith transition.
I agree! I’m curious as to when they started believing that they had power over their family -- seems like they were loyal to Warren even while he was in prison. So - when did they denounce him? Did they not realize the abuse of their children was coming from the top?
Also, I personally think both the blacks and the people in charge of this channel need to consider some sort of protection. If a cult will do pure evil in the name of ‘religion,’ what’s to stop the next ‘prophet’ from ordering annihilation of anyone that’s talked about their abuse within the cult? Get law enforcement help and protection!!
May god look over them and keep them safe
Thank you!
Such a powerful interview and what a brave family. I would love to hear more about how they left the FLDS religion and what that transition was like for the family. I’m guessing they did leave because they are wearing “gentile” or “normal” clothes and are speaking out, correct? It would be powerful to hear about what their faith transition was like after such horrible abuse.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, they have left the FLDS faith at this point. We will probably have them back to discuss more about their faith transition. Unfortunately, we ran out of time before getting to that topic this time around.
yes, please have them back - we have so many questions. @@GrowingUpinPolygamy