Q&A with Brent Jeffs, author of “Lost Boy”
See our review for this new release: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/lost-boy
Q: Please briefly share with our readers your definition of a “Lost Boy.”
It is a boy who is kicked out of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints church and tossed into the real world to fend for himself with no guidance at all.
Q:How old were you when you became a “Lost Boy,” and what were the circumstances that led you to leaving the FLDS (the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)?
I was 15 years old and was told by my uncle Warren Jeffs that I was not worthy to hold the priesthood anymore. I was not to return back.
Q: How does the FLDS differ from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon)?
Well, if you look at the lineage of the church several prophets back, you’ll find that there was a break between the LDS and FLDS priesthood holders. The mainstream LDS decided that polygamy was no longer needed, so they stopped the practice. But the FLDS felt it was the right way to live and has continued on to this day.
Q: How did leaving the FLDS church impact your faith?
I still believe in God but have made the decision to never follow any man-made religion again.
Q: Explain the difficulties (if any) of going from a closed society to the greater open society of the United States?
First, the mental aspect of making my own decisions– and wondering if they were right– was very hard. Another big thing was trying to figure out how to talk to people and wondering who I could really trust. Living with my brothers helped a lot in some ways but not in others. Initially, I turned to drugs, like they did, to mask the pain.
Q: Please explain the power held by the prophet and men in general in the FLDS church.
The prophet holds all the keys to the church and whatever he decides, goes. The men in the FLDS church work their way up the ladder, until they reach the highest level of priesthood. Then they work on getting as many wives as they can—the more wives you have shows you are a very obedient and worthy priesthood holder.
Q: What are the primary issues that women and children face in the FLDS church?
Many women fear being married off young to older men and of being tossed aside when new wives enter the picture. As for the children, the biggest issues are being moved around from family to family, never knowing where they belong or fit in.
Q: Are you in contact with other “Lost Boys”? If so, what is the relationship?
Yes, I have contact with some and am friends with others. We all have a similar bond, knowing that we came from the same church. We can talk with each other about our issues and give advice on how to get through them.
Q: Have you seen family members since leaving the FLDS church?
Almost our entire family left about 10 years ago; the only remaining were a brother and sister. They are still in Colorado City living the faith.
Q: Please briefly explain how you came to the decision to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against your uncle Warren Jeffs.
One day, my oldest brother Clayne told me he had been a victim of Warren. I felt my heart burst because I too had been a victim, but I did not share this with him at that time; I was there to comfort him. A little while after, he committed suicide. I knew then that I would not stop until Warren Jeffs was held accountable for what he had done.
Q: Please share with our readers the difficulties the “Lost Boys” usually face following their expulsion from the FLDS community.
First, being thrown out by your own parents is devastating to a young teenager. Also the feeling of not being loved by anyone can make you feel like a nobody and that you don’t deserve to be alive. Often Lost Boys find other Lost Boys to cling to for some chance of hope.
Q: Do you view your life differently after writing Lost Boy? If so, how?
Yes, I am finally okay with fact that I was a victim of abuse, and I choose to no longer be a victim to my past. Now I can hold my head up high and say that I am a good person full of hopes and dreams.