Briell Decker, now 40, has detailed her experiences as a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and the 65th wife of its former leader, Warren Jeffs. In an as-told-to essay for Business Insider, she recounts marrying Jeffs at age 18 in an arranged marriage in 2004. Decker eventually escaped in 2012 after multiple attempts.
Decker grew up inside the FLDS faith, where her daily life centered around religious instruction — spending at least four hours a day in sermons. Warren Jeffs became the prophet of the FLDS in 2002 and was presented to followers as the closest person to God on Earth. From childhood, Decker was told she was expected to become "a mother in Zion."
The essay describes the rigid structure of her upbringing and the authority Jeffs held over the community. Decker's escape came after years of being unable to leave the group, which controlled many aspects of her life. She now assists other survivors in rebuilding their lives after leaving the organization.
The FLDS has been the subject of multiple investigations and legal actions over its practices. Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence in Texas for sexual assault of a minor. Decker's account provides a firsthand perspective on the challenges of leaving high-control religious groups.
Critics might question why such personal accounts are published years after the events, potentially re-traumatizing survivors, but supporters argue these narratives raise awareness about the ongoing needs of those leaving insular religious communities.