Brandon Blackmore’s Journey from FLDS to Exile and Love

Brandon Blackmore, a former member of the Fundamentalist LDS (FLDS) movement, has shared his experiences in a documentary titled *Secrets of Polygamy*, directed by Myles Reiff. Born in 1983 in Bountiful, British Columbia, Canada, Blackmore was raised within the FLDS community, which he later left after confronting the realities of its practices. His family, including his father Brandon James Sr. and mother Emily Gail Blackmore, were instrumental in founding Bountiful, a community that eventually split in 2002 following the excommunication of Winston Blackmore, his uncle and former leader.

Blackmore’s early life was marked by strict adherence to FLDS teachings, which included polygamy and early marriage. He worked at a log company owned by the group, operating a log lathe and contributing to the construction of log cabin kits for the community. His life took a significant turn in April 2008 when a raid on a Texas compound revealed the disappearance of his sister, who had been missing since 2004. She was later found to have been married to Warren Jeffs, the FLDS leader, on the same day he married his wife. This revelation shattered Blackmore’s faith in the community’s teachings and led him to question the validity of the practices he had long accepted.

In the documentary, Blackmore expressed his internal conflict and eventual decision to leave the FLDS in 2012. He sought to understand the world beyond the community and eventually met Rachel Jeffs, the apostate daughter of Warren Jeffs, through his brother in 2014. Their relationship became a significant part of his life, leading him to explore new experiences and perspectives outside the FLDS.

Since leaving the FLDS, Blackmore has resided in various locations, including Utah, Montana, and British Columbia. He has found a sense of belonging in Northern Idaho, where he and Rachel have built a life together. His journey reflects the complex and often painful path of individuals seeking freedom from the constraints of their religious upbringing. The story of Brandon Blackmore underscores the profound impact of such communities on individuals and the challenges they face when seeking to break free from deeply ingrained beliefs and practices.

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