Elissa Wall Reveals Traumatic Childhood in Cult Led by Warren Jeffs

Elissa Wall, a survivor of a troubled upbringing, has shared her harrowing experience of being forced into marriage at the tender age of 14 within a polyamorous cult led by the notorious Warren Jeffs. Jeffs, currently serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, exerted significant control over her life and the lives of many others in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).

Born in 1986 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wall was raised in a family heavily influenced by the FLDS, a group that separated from the mainstream Mormon Church due to its prohibition of polygamy. Her parents were devoted members, and Wall grew up in a household with a total of 14 siblings from her mother and 10 half-siblings from her father. This large family embraced traditional practices, including the expectation that young girls wear long, modest dresses and maintain a conservative appearance.

Wall’s education was limited to the Alta Academy, a school operated by the church, which was also under the control of Jeffs. In 2001, when Wall was just 14, she was compelled into marriage with her 19-year-old cousin, Allen Steed. Despite expressing her resentment towards the union, Wall’s objections were dismissed by her family and the community, culminating in a marriage ceremony officiated by Jeffs in Nevada.

In her memoir, Stolen Innocence, Wall recounts the trauma she endured during her marriage to Steed. The lack of sexual education in her upbringing left her unprepared for the realities of married life, resulting in frequent sexual abuse and several miscarriages. As the relationship deteriorated, Wall found herself seeking refuge in her truck, feeling increasingly isolated.

At 17, Wall began a relationship with a former FLDS member, Lamont Barlow, who encouraged her to leave the oppressive environment of the church. Their relationship became public when Wall discovered she was pregnant, leading to the annulment of her marriage to Steed by Jeffs. Shortly thereafter, Wall and Barlow married and had two children together, marking a significant turning point in her life.

In 2006, Wall took the courageous step of pressing charges against Jeffs, who had been placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List after evading capture. She vividly recalls the police discovering Jeffs hidden in a red Cadillac, containing $54,000 in cash, multiple mobile phones, and various personal items. In 2007, he was convicted of raping a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old girl, receiving a sentence of life imprisonment plus an additional 20 years.

Wall’s journey has been one of resilience and strength. Through her writing and public speaking, she aims to advocate for those who have suffered abuse and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals in similar situations. Her website reflects her commitment to rebuilding her community and her own life, stating, “Being a part of rebuilding my community has also rebuilt me in so many ways.”

Elissa Wall’s story serves as a profound reminder of the strength it takes to overcome a traumatic past and the importance of giving a voice to the disempowered. Her experiences continue to resonate, encouraging others to seek freedom from oppressive circumstances.