Lost Boy by Brent W. Jeffs

This book is sort of beat up (but not too badly) but the subject matter is compelling so I hope it finds a good home.

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In the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), girls are seen as valuable assets for plural marriage, but boys are often considered expendable. In this powerful and heart-wrenching memoir, Brent Jeffs, a former FLDS member, reveals the love and fear he experienced growing up on his prophet’s compound—and the harsh reality faced by the young men who are cast out of the sect.

As the nephew of Warren Jeffs, the infamous imprisoned leader of the FLDS, Brent was born into a prominent family and could have risen to power, with multiple wives and influence within the community. But beneath the pious image of the group—women in modest dresses and children in tow—Brent saw a much darker truth. He bravely walked away and became the first to file a sexual abuse lawsuit against his uncle.

In this courageous account, Brent not only shares his own story but sheds light on the lives of the many young men known as the “lost boys,” who are expelled from the FLDS or leave by choice, only to face a world for which they are completely unprepared. Many, including Brent's own brothers, fall into destructive patterns of addiction, with devastating consequences.

Despite the heartbreak, Brent's story is one of resilience and hope. He shows that, even in the face of overwhelming trauma, recovery and redemption are possible. This book is a call to action, inspiring readers to help those who have escaped the FLDS find their place in the world.