Devotion Deception Deliverance—Isaac’s Story is based on the true-life experiences of Isaac Steed.
I met Isaac at a family history conference, where he and his wife were selling freeze-dried food at a small booth. When he learned I was a writer, he shared a brief glimpse of his life under the leadership of FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. In those few minutes, I knew his story needed to be told. People need to understand that abuses of power like these still exist in the twenty-first century—hidden behind religious authority, carried out in the name of God, and protected by tax-exempt status.
As Isaac and I began working together, I quickly realized how complex his story truly was. Each conversation revealed another layer—painful, complicated, and often difficult to hear. His experiences were heartbreaking, but they were also marked by resilience, faith, and an endurance that refused to be extinguished.
The more I listened, the more I understood that this was not simply a story of harm, but one of survival. A story of what happens when unquestioning devotion gives way to deception—and what it takes to seek freedom in the midst of fear and control.
I invite you to open these pages and walk with Isaac through his journey. See how absolute loyalty to one man created the conditions for profound abuse. And discover how courage, persistence, and the will to question ultimately led to deliverance.
Isaac’s willingness to share his story is an act of remarkable bravery. It is a privilege to know him, to call him my friend, and to have been entrusted with telling his story.
— Charlene Paul
Available in paperback.
$19.99
Do I need to know anything about the FLDS to read this book?
No. The story is written for readers with no background knowledge of the FLDS or its history. While Isaac’s life was shaped by a fundamentalist religious environment, the heart of the book is about power, loyalty, and what happens when questioning is prohibited.
Is this a difficult book to read?
Some parts are heavy, yes. But the story is told with care and restraint. It isn’t meant to shock or sensationalize. Instead, it helps readers understand how subtle manipulation can take hold—even in the lives of thoughtful, sincere people.
What do you hope readers take away from this story?
Awareness. A deeper understanding of how control can be disguised as love. I hope readers come away with greater compassion for others and for themselves.
How does this book fit into your larger body of work?
This story, like many others I share, reflects the way clarity often comes only after we’ve walked through something difficult. It’s part of a larger conversation about resilience, awareness, and the courage it takes to look closely at what we once accepted without question.
