Brent W. Jeffs

Brent W. Jeffs is an author, advocate and member of the influential Jeffs family in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church).

Jeffs wrote the memoir Lost Boy along with author Maia Szalavitz, which was released on May 19, 2009.^[1] The book is a depiction of life within the FLDS Church and his ostracism from the organization at a young age. The title of the book comes from the term "the lost boys", which refers to the many young men expelled from the FLDS Church. Jeffs is grandson to FLDS prophet Rulon Jeffs, nephew to FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs, and his mother is the daughter of another non-FLDS prophet as well.^[2]

Jeffs was born to Ward Jeffs, son of Rulon Jeffs. Ward had three wives, two of which were sisters. Between these marriages, Brent had nineteen siblings. Ward eventually left the church, leaving Brent in the FLDS community per Brent's request. Eventually, Brent left the compound and moved into a small apartment with four of his older brothers, where they experimented with alcohol, drug use and partying.^[3]

In 2004 Jeffs named Warren Jeffs in a civil lawsuit seeking damages for sexual abuse he had suffered as a boy.^[4] Lost Boy depicts much of the sexual abuse that was inflicted upon him beginning at ages 5 or 6. The memoir also includes abuse from Warren's brothers and other family members.^[1]

Jeffs has appeared on NPR,^[2] the television show Polygamy: What Love Is This?,^[5] Hannity^[6] and Dr. Phil,^[7] with each appearance having to do with the FLDS and polygamy. In each appearance Jeffs discusses the dangers of the FLDS lifestyle and abuse from Warren Jeffs and other influential FLDS Church leaders.

Since releasing his memoir, Jeffs has married and had a daughter. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah.^[8]

See also

• Current state of polygamy in the Latter Day Saint movement
• Mormon fundamentalism
• List of former Mormon fundamentalists

References