Again fascinating story. One thing for sure that’s changed with me is that if Mormon missionary ever stops by my house again, (in Kingston Jamaica) I’ll offer them a drink and a snack cos they are going thru a lot and I can show more grace than I ever have before. And I’m an atheist, but I can also be kind. So thanks for sharing I’m learning a lot.
Sam's father being excited for him and his brother going on their mission to Chile and driving them to the training centre is really lovely. And their mother came too! They must have been so pleased to see them.
This series is so good! Seriously, the best thing you two have produced! THIS is reality tv. This is what the world is craving! True stories that help the rest of the world open their eyes to other lives around us, producing sone sense of understanding, empathy and care. I sooo love how you, Sam, so love your family even though you don’t fully agree with with them. Sam, you are such an honorable man and honestly the perfect example of how to live and how to live that the world needs to see. Thank you for sharing your heart honestly, not scripted. We are blessed to hear your full story!
I lived in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School in 1st to 3rd grades. Then lived with Mormons (~300 miles away) from 9 -17 years old as an LDS placement student, 😢. During the summers, I lived with my parents from school out to start (~3 months). Now I live in the four corners region (AZ, NM, CO, UT) where my parents (and ancestors) lived since the beginning of the Diné People. Changes are hard. Today I’m hanging onto my community with all my heart and soul. We need each other forever ❤.
Your dad sounds like an amazing man. There’s no doubt that they love you so much. I hope some day soon you will be able to reconnect with those still in the FLDS. It breaks my momma heart that you’ve been separated for so long. I know your parents would be so proud of the man you’ve become.
I know I've said it before, and I know you're slightly older than I am, but my mama heart breaks for you and you mother. I know her mind and her thoughts aren't her own, because no loving mother could watch her child(ren) walk away and not either follow or completely break. This internet mama is sending the biggest hug. I wish something would click and your mother would show up on your doorstep and never stop embracing you and your beautiful family, but I know that that is a virtual impossibility. I like to think that she still sometimes goes out with a cantaloupe and vanilla ice cream and thinks lovingly about you and the family I'm sure she knows you have. I'm so sorry it has to be this way. Sending lots of love as always. ❤
@Reflections0011 Your comment has no relevance to mine, and I'm completely uninterested in participating in any organized religion. But Islam can be a beautiful religion; my annotated Quran sits with my other religious texts. If you find value in the religion, that's great for you.
If you made this promotion once, maybe in another 20 years it will happen again, you will separate yourself from the church and become the real person of God, not just a fake church believer..
Thank you for sharing this story, Sam. Your storytelling is extraordinary - you conveyed such vivid hope and pain and loneliness and sadness and excitement, and you gave us a beautiful glimpse into your experience. And thank you, Melissa - you bring so much grace and empathy to these discussions, and you create a such safe space to say the hard things.
I’ve heard Sam share about his separation from his mother before, but i don’t think it will ever not deeply hurt my heart for both of them. I’m sure as parents now you both have a greater understanding of the pain she must be experiencing while being separated from her children. Sending love from Connecticut to all of you, including Sam’s mother ❤
Love listening to you guys when I am doing stuff around my house like cook dinner or cleaning! The vibes you two give off and the way you tell stories about real life is super interesting which is why I always love to listen.
When I was 19 years old I joined the Air Force - out of the blue! Just needed to leave and start a new life. I knew nothing about the military but it gave me everything I needed for four years and still to this day I benefit from having served those four years. One thing that struck me about your story, Sam, is how you got to go to a country that you already were excited about because of your father's talking about it. I happened to go to England for a few days when I was in high school and wanted to go back. Later, while in the Air Force, I got stationed there for two glorious years. I love the way the universe keeps moving us toward things we love. I appreciate you two so much! Thank you for sharing your lives and stories with us. ♥
Wow, the part with your father and mother being there for you to show their love. That is so beautiful ❤️ My heart goes out to all of the families that have been split apart by Warren Jeffs. Thank you for sharing your story, I've listened before but not this is so in depth. I am sending much love your way.
Sam you are great and your story is very interesting BUT Melissa I’m sooooo interested in yours after listening to your Mormon stories podcast! Give us Melissa’s story please!
Your story of leaving the FLDS is amazing. All of the small things we take for granted because we grew up with them were all so new to you and your brother. I know i giggle at the story , but at the same time my heart went out to you. I think you , your family members, and the others I have seen on the documentaries that left the FLDS are so brave. I'm sure it was all so scary but you kept going and can now truly enjoy life . Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It lifts that curtain of the abuses you all suffered through. God bless you and your beautiful family you gained.
I am so sorry that you went through all these challenges when you left the FLDS. It's not an easy thing to leave your family behind. It has to be so difficult to go from this huge family and so many people, to so few. My heart breaks for young Sam, because I'm only a little bit older and I was going running to my family for a very long time. Even now it's just good to know that they are there. I'm sure your Mother still thinks of you often and keeps you in her heart, even if she can never say it.
Thank you your podcast! I have learned so much about the “polygamous culture” of Mormonism (past and present). I must confess that I am a non-Mormon my whole life. So these details you share are indeed enlightening. As a Catholic I can assure you that, by and large, we love the Mormon people. Of course, the Catholic Church rejects the “claims” of Joseph Smith and LDS prophets outright. This does not mean we reject Mormon people as our friends and neighbors. Mormon doctrine is essentially dispensational Restorationism. These beliefs were enigmatic of Evangelical Protestantism of the 19th century. Ellen G White (Seventh Day Adventist), Charles T Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), and Alexander Campbell (Churches of Christ) were also deeply affected by these beliefs. This religious trend is definitely a fixture in American home-grown faith. Congratulations on navigating your way out of such slavish and wrong cult like the FLDS! Warren Jeffs needs to remain in prison for life. Since he is definitely no O J Simpson, I don’t believe that will be any problem for the justice system! 😂😂😂😊😊😊❤❤❤
Sam, That story of your trip with your Mom and Dad, and getting to Hug your Mom made me cry. I'm so happy for you, and her. I cant imagine not being able to see and hug my kids.
I’m Canadian… someone I knew got baptized into the LDS church in their 20s. He went on a trip to Salt Lake and decided he’d drop in to church headquarters to tell the leadership how excited he was to have found & joined the church. They let him in for an impromptu meeting with Pres Monson when he a councillor in the 1st presidency. The friend had no idea it was a big deal and that people didn’t just stop in for a meet and greet until he started telling people about his meeting with Pres monson😂😂
❤ this is such a an amazing series I've watched all of your videos of Sam growing up but it just hits different to hear this story in its entirety thank you Sam and Melissa you guys are amazing ❤ everyone please share this let's get them to 100 thousand subs 🎉
I so appreciate that your parents drove you. Even if your mother's hope was to change your mind, I think it shows such love and strength that they were willing to do that.
My heart breaks for you and your mom. I'm a mom and it is so clear by how you talk about her that she loved you so well. You and her are in my prayers. I pray you will see her again.
Hey Sam, found your channel a month ago. Wow it is so educational and informative regarding FLDS and LDS. Keep the content coming. Can’t wait to her more about your life. ❤
feeling love and sharing love is of the Holy Spirit especially in the context of these friend/family connections. May you and your family always be blessed in this way.
Sam, I think your story is so amazing. I didn’t come from a religious background and was very privileged in many ways. However, I did come from a troubled situation. Hearing your story helped me reflect on my own. As a young girl I used to dream of living in exotic places, especially those where society had struggled. I remember watching the movie Power of One and thinking - I want to live in South Africa and see a new society develop. As I entered adulthood, I was a very lost soul - searching for something. I ended up going on an internship to Kenya and spent the majority of the next 20 years working for international organizations. I have created my chosen family from all over the world. And despite going abroad under the auspices of helping others - it was me who was helped and saved through the experiences. Sometimes a formal education is worth far less than life experience. For someone who did not finish high school, you are wise beyond your years. Out of curiosity, I was wondering if you ever did go back to school and/or get your GED.
I just love you guys! I am of no faith (agnostic) but love sister wives for the car crash it is. So I stumbled upon your channel and you are BOTH so interesting and sweet. Never split up please, I’d be heartbroken. ❤
I went from living in a life of complete chaos in a broken home not knowing what to major in to meeting with missionaries. I was baptized a couple weeks later and served a mission a year later. My mission laid a foundation for the rest of my life. It helped me understand my potential and I learned how to make and achieve goals. It helped me a lot with understanding and developing relationships with healthy boundaries.
Amazing!!! I'm from Argentina, so it's so nice to hear you and your brother served so close to my home country! I love your story! Thanks for sharing it.
It’s unbelievable that you weren’t allowed to see your siblings or your mother. When I married and changed from Southern Baptist to Lutheran and my family and extended family never made us feel like I had done something wrong. Their idea was thank God we were still attending church. I’m sorry that your family didn’t extend that same curtesy to you and your other siblings.
I come out of an extreme version of christianity & I 100% understand the weird emphasis on following your feelings as a way to follow the Spirit. I don’t ascribe to that now, but I do think it’s hard for us to have to pendulum swing back in learning to trust intuition again. That’s been a big thing for me. That plus the emphasis on God’s will being ‘the safest place you could be’ - the two together were very powerful behavioral guides. I’m almost 20 years out now & I still see ways the ideals shaped and haunt me. It will always be a part of you in certain ways, but being able to reclaim your sense of self and trust in your own intuition & decisions is so big. Really grateful to hear what good people your parents were, Sam. That they would risk church punishment or judgment to drive you & your brother (though you said it wasn’t as high of stakes at that point)… it just speaks to what good people they are. I hope you can feel proud of that. My heart breaks that they are still under warren’s heavy hand, but I have hope that the evidence of your peace and joy and security in life can be a new kind of testimony to them. I hope they will stay safe and Warren will continue to lose his grip. ❤ This was your best video yet, guys! thanks for sharing.
Ohhhh Sam… thank you for sharing this part of your story. I can’t imagine how your mom must have felt. Almost like a death. As a post Mormon I’m so grateful you are where you are. You have a beautiful family. Your story is inspiring.
Watching your videos has been so helpful for me unpacking my own high-demand religious childhood, evangelical Christians. My parents were missionaries, my father a pastor. As a way of processing, I wrote some poetry. One poem is called, My thoughts on Religion. And it’s part of a short collection called, Self Taught. I feel like you might like this. If you see this message and are interested, let me know.
If there are any youtuber couples that deserves millions of subscribers...its you Sam and Melissa of GUIP!❤ Awesome, smart, kind people with a great moral compass and big hearts!💯 I really hope you hit your 100k goal soon, and get big enough to make a ton of money. Yall deserve WAY more followers than some of these "RUclips Celebs"💯😊
I'm so sorry Sam. You are truly a good man. I'm so glad you and your brother broke free but I'm so sorry for your wounded heart. Would love for you both to interview your brother.
I am teary listening to this part of your story from leaving your family, to being welcomed in an obviously loving community, to meeting to my. Elder Holland and Uchdorf, to the preparation of your mission and your dads reaction and the last part.. 😭😭Honestly it makes me sad you’re no longer a member of the church( though of course you have to do what’s best for you) thank you so much for sharing.
Love hearing about your story!! That is so cool that both your Dad, and your Mom were able to drive you and your brother there! I was wondering if you guys have gone through a lot of counseling/do they call it debriefing from the cult/FLDS? And, did you say you got your ged and attended/graduated from college too? And what was/is you and Melissa's jobs/careers when married, and now? Thank you for sharing! ❤
Oh wow! Knowing that you were actually able to see your parents before you left on your mission brought tears to my eyes. ❤ I’m a daughter, mother and grandmother and I couldn’t imagine not being able to see my family.
Wow. Sam- thank you for being brave enough to share your story. How lovely that your parents showed their love for you and your brother. What I get so far is that it really does take a village to make things happen. I can't wait for the next installment!
Oh my god! I didn't realize your dad AND mom drove you to the MTC? T_T I'm not crying, you're crying. Wow! You said from the start that your family was very kind and happy, quite different from a lot of FLDS families that I heard about on other youtube channels that are much more strict and harsh. So to hear that not only was your family different/more kind during your upbringing, but different/more kind even after you left, that's incredible. I'm so sorry that Warren drove a wedge between such a beautiful happy family.
What a blessing that your mom and dad were able to join you on your journey to the training center. No matter the motivation, I’m sure it did everyone’s hearts a lot of good. 🥰 Also I wonder if part of them could have realized that with all of the external forces you could have been drawn to outside of your faith, this one may have seemed like the lesser of evils? 🤔 I enjoy your story and the way both of you tell stories with kindness and a lack of judgmental attitudes. I imagine all of your experiences have made you wonderful parents to your own kids, as well as really good human beings.
We've talked about it a little a long time ago but we will be talking about it in more detail in the series that we are currently doing 😊 We will also be diving into Melissa's store 😊
How difficult that must have been for you😢. There are differences in how profits run their groups and then learning another way within main stream Mormonism. That in itself must have been confusing, then add the emotional turmoil of cutting ties with your family. Thanks for your insight Sam🙏🏼
Religion is a very personal journey glad you found faith that suits you. My story is leaving the LDS cult. For me I have discovered so many lies within the history and even current workings of the church. I'm sad for my children who I raised in the church. None are even religious at all now. The church supports and protects abusers of all kinds .it's very sad. That being sad glad you both are happy with your faith.
I can relate in some ways. My mom brought her stricter then her new Christian husband into our home arroud my 16th birthday. I kept trying to get away from him by going on a two month mission trip with teen missionaries international and then right after getting my grade 12 at almost 19 to Bible College in another provence. Then getting married to my friend at 23 because I wanted to establish my own stable less restrictive Christian family. Thankfully after many trials my husband and I are happily married for 25 years and counting. Ps my stepdad, mom, siblings and I do have a good relationship now. We now live only 5 hours apart. Infant my brother who was born while I was in Bible College came to visit us yesterday to celebrate his 30th birthday and our daughters 20th birthday. If we are willing to let God heal us and our family he will; like he did for us 🙏
I did that but ended up in word of faith teachings/new apostolic reformation and it wasn’t a good experience after realizing it was not a healthy movement. I got into it after being under my parents who over sheltered me. Mostly my mom being overly critical. I feel that was catalyst for falling into those two teachings.
Still just in wonder of your fortitude , your compassion , the precision and accuracy you insist on when describing the intricacies of your experience . Your skills for this particular project are so apt ! I have a question - I’m sorry if it’s been covered and I just haven’t seen it Could you have a video to represent your perspective on the issue of the “lost boys” - that is - your same experience as a teen boy - and maybe compare the experiences of some of those other boys - and now men - whose labor and dedication were taken advantage of - while they found themselves enmeshed in a religion that made their futures so fragile and replete with heart ache . It would be interesting to compare and contrast your way of surviving to the boys from other families
You guys are a very cute couple. Glad you have each other. SUCH an interesting, inspiring story Sam! You’re an admirable person! And your values you had growing up and when you were lds did shape you. So I think it’s great!
I am curious if you feel comfortable answering. Is there a reason you didn't reach out to your older brothers you mentioned had already left the church?
I am a Roman Catholic … I will die being a Catholic. I didn’t know the missionaries needed to pay for their missions. When the Catholic Church sends missionaries the church pays for their expenses.
It makes me happy that her parents didn’t freak on you guys being there too much. My parents would’ve been angry & would’ve sent you “home.” In quotes since you couldn’t really go home then.
Again fascinating story. One thing for sure that’s changed with me is that if Mormon missionary ever stops by my house again, (in Kingston Jamaica) I’ll offer them a drink and a snack cos they are going thru a lot and I can show more grace than I ever have before. And I’m an atheist, but I can also be kind. So thanks for sharing I’m learning a lot.
I’m an atheist too. From what I understand you can offer them a phone call home too. Sometimes they really need to call home.
Sam's father being excited for him and his brother going on their mission to Chile and driving them to the training centre is really lovely. And their mother came too! They must have been so pleased to see them.
This series is so good! Seriously, the best thing you two have produced! THIS is reality tv. This is what the world is craving! True stories that help the rest of the world open their eyes to other lives around us, producing sone sense of understanding, empathy and care. I sooo love how you, Sam, so love your family even though you don’t fully agree with with them. Sam, you are such an honorable man and honestly the perfect example of how to live and how to live that the world needs to see.
Thank you for sharing your heart honestly, not scripted. We are blessed to hear your full story!
Wow thank you so much for your kind words! This means so much to me ❤️
I lived in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School in 1st to 3rd grades. Then lived with Mormons (~300 miles away) from 9 -17 years old as an LDS placement student, 😢. During the summers, I lived with my parents from school out to start (~3 months). Now I live in the four corners region (AZ, NM, CO, UT) where my parents (and ancestors) lived since the beginning of the Diné People. Changes are hard. Today I’m hanging onto my community with all my heart and soul. We need each other forever ❤.
❤
Wow... still a tearjerker. So glad you got that last hug from your Mama.
Your dad sounds like an amazing man. There’s no doubt that they love you so much. I hope some day soon you will be able to reconnect with those still in the FLDS. It breaks my momma heart that you’ve been separated for so long. I know your parents would be so proud of the man you’ve become.
Thank you so much! ❤️
I know I've said it before, and I know you're slightly older than I am, but my mama heart breaks for you and you mother. I know her mind and her thoughts aren't her own, because no loving mother could watch her child(ren) walk away and not either follow or completely break. This internet mama is sending the biggest hug. I wish something would click and your mother would show up on your doorstep and never stop embracing you and your beautiful family, but I know that that is a virtual impossibility. I like to think that she still sometimes goes out with a cantaloupe and vanilla ice cream and thinks lovingly about you and the family I'm sure she knows you have. I'm so sorry it has to be this way. Sending lots of love as always. ❤
Bro plz read and research more, and step into Islam
@Reflections0011 Your comment has no relevance to mine, and I'm completely uninterested in participating in any organized religion. But Islam can be a beautiful religion; my annotated Quran sits with my other religious texts. If you find value in the religion, that's great for you.
Thank you! ❤️
If you made this promotion once, maybe in another 20 years it will happen again, you will separate yourself from the church and become the real person of God, not just a fake church believer..
@@Rasarel What in the world are you even talking about? You and Reflections are living in another universe. Have a great life there.
Your father being in love with Chile was so sweet. I wish you both could just get together and talk about it. ❤
Amazing. I love this interview of sam.
Thank you! 😊
Thank you for sharing this story, Sam. Your storytelling is extraordinary - you conveyed such vivid hope and pain and loneliness and sadness and excitement, and you gave us a beautiful glimpse into your experience. And thank you, Melissa - you bring so much grace and empathy to these discussions, and you create a such safe space to say the hard things.
Thank you so much! 😊
I’ve heard Sam share about his separation from his mother before, but i don’t think it will ever not deeply hurt my heart for both of them. I’m sure as parents now you both have a greater understanding of the pain she must be experiencing while being separated from her children. Sending love from Connecticut to all of you, including Sam’s mother ❤
Love listening to you guys when I am doing stuff around my house like cook dinner or cleaning! The vibes you two give off and the way you tell stories about real life is super interesting which is why I always love to listen.
When I was 19 years old I joined the Air Force - out of the blue! Just needed to leave and start a new life. I knew nothing about the military but it gave me everything I needed for four years and still to this day I benefit from having served those four years. One thing that struck me about your story, Sam, is how you got to go to a country that you already were excited about because of your father's talking about it. I happened to go to England for a few days when I was in high school and wanted to go back. Later, while in the Air Force, I got stationed there for two glorious years. I love the way the universe keeps moving us toward things we love. I appreciate you two so much! Thank you for sharing your lives and stories with us. ♥
Wow, the part with your father and mother being there for you to show their love. That is so beautiful ❤️ My heart goes out to all of the families that have been split apart by Warren Jeffs. Thank you for sharing your story, I've listened before but not this is so in depth. I am sending much love your way.
Thank you so much! ❤️
I’m so glad that your mom was with your dad to drive you up to the MISSION TRAINING CENTER. As a mom I can’t imagine being separated from my children.
❤️
That must have been so hard Sam, I’m so glad you found Melissa you two are just gorgeous together x
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Sam you are great and your story is very interesting BUT Melissa I’m sooooo interested in yours after listening to your Mormon stories podcast! Give us Melissa’s story please!
Melissa's story will be a part of this series 😊
I agree,I would love to hear your story.❤
I just can't get over the amount of courage and strength you have. Be proud of yourself!
Thank you! 😊
@GrowingUpinPolygamy you're welcome
Your story of leaving the FLDS is amazing. All of the small things we take for granted because we grew up with them were all so new to you and your brother. I know i giggle at the story , but at the same time my heart went out to you. I think you , your family members, and the others I have seen on the documentaries that left the FLDS are so brave. I'm sure it was all so scary but you kept going and can now truly enjoy life . Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. It lifts that curtain of the abuses you all suffered through. God bless you and your beautiful family you gained.
I am so sorry that you went through all these challenges when you left the FLDS. It's not an easy thing to leave your family behind. It has to be so difficult to go from this huge family and so many people, to so few. My heart breaks for young Sam, because I'm only a little bit older and I was going running to my family for a very long time. Even now it's just good to know that they are there. I'm sure your Mother still thinks of you often and keeps you in her heart, even if she can never say it.
❤️
Thank you your podcast! I have learned so much about the “polygamous culture” of Mormonism (past and present). I must confess that I am a non-Mormon my whole life. So these details you share are indeed enlightening. As a Catholic I can assure you that, by and large, we love the Mormon people. Of course, the Catholic Church rejects the “claims” of Joseph Smith and LDS prophets outright. This does not mean we reject Mormon people as our friends and neighbors. Mormon doctrine is essentially dispensational Restorationism. These beliefs were enigmatic of Evangelical Protestantism of the 19th century. Ellen G White (Seventh Day Adventist), Charles T Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), and Alexander Campbell (Churches of Christ) were also deeply affected by these beliefs. This religious trend is definitely a fixture in American home-grown faith. Congratulations on navigating your way out of such slavish and wrong cult like the FLDS! Warren Jeffs needs to remain in prison for life. Since he is definitely no O J Simpson, I don’t believe that will be any problem for the justice system! 😂😂😂😊😊😊❤❤❤
I'm so pleased to hear the LDS was so supportive and loving to you ❤ I've nothing but respect for the LDS folks ❤
Sam, That story of your trip with your Mom and Dad, and getting to Hug your Mom made me cry. I'm so happy for you, and her. I cant imagine not being able to see and hug my kids.
Thanks for sharing in such detail Sam!
You're very welcome! 😊
I’m Canadian… someone I knew got baptized into the LDS church in their 20s. He went on a trip to Salt Lake and decided he’d drop in to church headquarters to tell the leadership how excited he was to have found & joined the church. They let him in for an impromptu meeting with Pres Monson when he a councillor in the 1st presidency. The friend had no idea it was a big deal and that people didn’t just stop in for a meet and greet until he started telling people about his meeting with Pres monson😂😂
I have been sitting in the parking lot at Target for 10 minutes so I could finish this!
❤ this is such a an amazing series I've watched all of your videos of Sam growing up but it just hits different to hear this story in its entirety thank you Sam and Melissa you guys are amazing ❤ everyone please share this let's get them to 100 thousand subs 🎉
Thank you so much! 😊
I audibly gasped when you said your mom came! I was so glad for you! That is so sweet, I am tearing up!!
I so appreciate that your parents drove you. Even if your mother's hope was to change your mind, I think it shows such love and strength that they were willing to do that.
My heart breaks for you and your mom. I'm a mom and it is so clear by how you talk about her that she loved you so well. You and her are in my prayers. I pray you will see her again.
What a cliffhanger! Looking forward to the next episode!
Hey Sam, found your channel a month ago. Wow it is so educational and informative regarding FLDS and LDS. Keep the content coming. Can’t wait to her more about your life. ❤
Thank you so much! Glad you found us 😊
feeling love and sharing love is of the Holy Spirit especially in the context of these friend/family connections. May you and your family always be blessed in this way.
Sam, I think your story is so amazing. I didn’t come from a religious background and was very privileged in many ways. However, I did come from a troubled situation. Hearing your story helped me reflect on my own.
As a young girl I used to dream of living in exotic places, especially those where society had struggled. I remember watching the movie Power of One and thinking - I want to live in South Africa and see a new society develop. As I entered adulthood, I was a very lost soul - searching for something. I ended up going on an internship to Kenya and spent the majority of the next 20 years working for international organizations. I have created my chosen family from all over the world. And despite going abroad under the auspices of helping others - it was me who was helped and saved through the experiences.
Sometimes a formal education is worth far less than life experience. For someone who did not finish high school, you are wise beyond your years. Out of curiosity, I was wondering if you ever did go back to school and/or get your GED.
I just love you guys! I am of no faith (agnostic) but love sister wives for the car crash it is. So I stumbled upon your channel and you are BOTH so interesting and sweet. Never split up please, I’d be heartbroken. ❤
I went from living in a life of complete chaos in a broken home not knowing what to major in to meeting with missionaries. I was baptized a couple weeks later and served a mission a year later. My mission laid a foundation for the rest of my life. It helped me understand my potential and I learned how to make and achieve goals. It helped me a lot with understanding and developing relationships with healthy boundaries.
Amazing!!! I'm from Argentina, so it's so nice to hear you and your brother served so close to my home country! I love your story! Thanks for sharing it.
It’s unbelievable that you weren’t allowed to see your siblings or your mother.
When I married and changed from Southern Baptist to Lutheran and my family and extended family never made us feel like I had done something wrong. Their idea was thank God we were still attending church.
I’m sorry that your family didn’t extend that same curtesy to you and your other siblings.
I come out of an extreme version of christianity & I 100% understand the weird emphasis on following your feelings as a way to follow the Spirit. I don’t ascribe to that now, but I do think it’s hard for us to have to pendulum swing back in learning to trust intuition again. That’s been a big thing for me. That plus the emphasis on God’s will being ‘the safest place you could be’ - the two together were very powerful behavioral guides. I’m almost 20 years out now & I still see ways the ideals shaped and haunt me.
It will always be a part of you in certain ways, but being able to reclaim your sense of self and trust in your own intuition & decisions is so big.
Really grateful to hear what good people your parents were, Sam. That they would risk church punishment or judgment to drive you & your brother (though you said it wasn’t as high of stakes at that point)… it just speaks to what good people they are. I hope you can feel proud of that. My heart breaks that they are still under warren’s heavy hand, but I have hope that the evidence of your peace and joy and security in life can be a new kind of testimony to them. I hope they will stay safe and Warren will continue to lose his grip. ❤
This was your best video yet, guys! thanks for sharing.
Thank you so so much! ❤️😊
@ absolutely!
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Ohhhh Sam… thank you for sharing this part of your story. I can’t imagine how your mom must have felt. Almost like a death. As a post Mormon I’m so grateful you are where you are. You have a beautiful family. Your story is inspiring.
Thank you! ❤️
Watching your videos has been so helpful for me unpacking my own high-demand religious childhood, evangelical Christians. My parents were missionaries, my father a pastor. As a way of processing, I wrote some poetry. One poem is called, My thoughts on Religion. And it’s part of a short collection called, Self Taught. I feel like you might like this. If you see this message and are interested, let me know.
Sam your courage is amazing ❤
Thank you for sharing your journey.
If there are any youtuber couples that deserves millions of subscribers...its you Sam and Melissa of GUIP!❤ Awesome, smart, kind people with a great moral compass and big hearts!💯 I really hope you hit your 100k goal soon, and get big enough to make a ton of money. Yall deserve WAY more followers than some of these "RUclips Celebs"💯😊
I'm so sorry Sam. You are truly a good man. I'm so glad you and your brother broke free but I'm so sorry for your wounded heart. Would love for you both to interview your brother.
Sam was a diamond in the rough and Melissa finally discovered it....
I am teary listening to this part of your story from leaving your family, to being welcomed in an obviously loving community, to meeting to my. Elder Holland and Uchdorf, to the preparation of your mission and your dads reaction and the last part.. 😭😭Honestly it makes me sad you’re no longer a member of the church( though of course you have to do what’s best for you) thank you so much for sharing.
Your story is so interesting!
I literally cried when you said your mom was in the car.
I'm so excited for this episode!!! Thank you for labeling little Sam, I wondered which one he was!
I'm really loving this story of Sam's childhood and coming out of his past into a completely new life.
Love hearing about your story!! That is so cool that both your Dad, and your Mom were able to drive you and your brother there! I was wondering if you guys have gone through a lot of counseling/do they call it debriefing from the cult/FLDS? And, did you say you got your ged and attended/graduated from college too? And what was/is you and Melissa's jobs/careers when married, and now? Thank you for sharing! ❤
Thank you so much! We will be answering all of these questions in the following videos of this series 😊
Oh wow! Knowing that you were actually able to see your parents before you left on your mission brought tears to my eyes. ❤ I’m a daughter, mother and grandmother and I couldn’t imagine not being able to see my family.
I've been watching your videos for a long time but really enjoying the new level of insight in this mini series! :)
Amazing interview of Sam! Thank you both so much!
I cannot wait to hear about Sam’s mission experience. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Wow. Sam- thank you for being brave enough to share your story. How lovely that your parents showed their love for you and your brother. What I get so far is that it really does take a village to make things happen. I can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you so much!
Oh my god! I didn't realize your dad AND mom drove you to the MTC? T_T I'm not crying, you're crying.
Wow! You said from the start that your family was very kind and happy, quite different from a lot of FLDS families that I heard about on other youtube channels that are much more strict and harsh. So to hear that not only was your family different/more kind during your upbringing, but different/more kind even after you left, that's incredible. I'm so sorry that Warren drove a wedge between such a beautiful happy family.
What a blessing that your mom and dad were able to join you on your journey to the training center. No matter the motivation, I’m sure it did everyone’s hearts a lot of good. 🥰 Also I wonder if part of them could have realized that with all of the external forces you could have been drawn to outside of your faith, this one may have seemed like the lesser of evils? 🤔 I enjoy your story and the way both of you tell stories with kindness and a lack of judgmental attitudes. I imagine all of your experiences have made you wonderful parents to your own kids, as well as really good human beings.
Thank you so much! ❤️
When Sam said his mother was inside the car with his father picked them up, I lost it and just burst out crying. ❤
Your story is so interesting Sam. Thank you for sharing it with us. Looking forward to the next chapter.
really incredible 👏 thank you for sharing these parts of your journey
Sam was doing what it says on the sign behind you, "Chase Adventures."
Love this new series. You guys are great storytellers, your videos are always filled with genuine emotion ❤️
Watching now and thanks for sharing today....back from the gym this afternoon
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is such an inspiration to see how far you have come.
I really enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing ❤
👍 keep it coming!
Thanks for sharing your story Sam. ❤
You guys are adorable..Im surprised you 2 don't have a "How We Met Story"..Im nosy so i did check the playlist..lol .but i didn't see one.
We've talked about it a little a long time ago but we will be talking about it in more detail in the series that we are currently doing 😊 We will also be diving into Melissa's store 😊
So sweet of your Mom and Dad taking you to MTC! 😊
How difficult that must have been for you😢. There are differences in how profits run their groups and then learning another way within main stream Mormonism. That in itself must have been confusing, then add the emotional turmoil of cutting ties with your family. Thanks for your insight Sam🙏🏼
Another great story! Can’t wait for next week to hear about Chile 🇨🇱
Religion is a very personal journey glad you found faith that suits you. My story is leaving the LDS cult. For me I have discovered so many lies within the history and even current workings of the church. I'm sad for my children who I raised in the church. None are even religious at all now. The church supports and protects abusers of all kinds .it's very sad. That being sad glad you both are happy with your faith.
Can’t wait to hear more
Sam...what a great testimony. Can’t wait for more! Hugs! 😁👋🏼💞
Thank you, Melissa, for ensuring you asked about culture shock! As soon as he said they moved to Vegas, my first thought was the culture shock haha.
Yes sending prayers that u see /speak with your mom. ❤ You are a beautiful couple Ontario Canada
Thank you so much! ❤️
Wow. So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the next episode. You both seem like lovely kids.
Thank you so much for sharing ❤
Love to your Mom and Dad.💜💜💜
😂 What a surprise for the congregation at church on that Sunday!! What an amazing story!! 😊
Leaving a comment for the algorithm
I can relate in some ways. My mom brought her stricter then her new Christian husband into our home arroud my 16th birthday. I kept trying to get away from him by going on a two month mission trip with teen missionaries international and then right after getting my grade 12 at almost 19 to Bible College in another provence. Then getting married to my friend at 23 because I wanted to establish my own stable less restrictive Christian family. Thankfully after many trials my husband and I are happily married for 25 years and counting. Ps my stepdad, mom, siblings and I do have a good relationship now. We now live only 5 hours apart. Infant my brother who was born while I was in Bible College came to visit us yesterday to celebrate his 30th birthday and our daughters 20th birthday. If we are willing to let God heal us and our family he will; like he did for us 🙏
Can u talk more about your mother.
Is she still alive?
Can u see her now? Has she seen ur kids?
Ty for sharing ur story,very interesting.
You were amazingly brave Sam. x
I did that but ended up in word of faith teachings/new apostolic reformation and it wasn’t a good experience after realizing it was not a healthy movement. I got into it after being under my parents who over sheltered me. Mostly my mom being overly critical. I feel that was catalyst for falling into those two teachings.
Still just in wonder of your fortitude , your compassion , the precision and accuracy you insist on when describing the intricacies of your experience . Your skills for this particular project are so apt !
I have a question - I’m sorry if it’s been covered and I just haven’t seen it
Could you have a video to represent your perspective on the issue of the “lost boys” - that is - your same experience as a teen boy - and maybe compare the experiences of some of those other boys - and now men - whose labor and dedication were taken advantage of - while they found themselves enmeshed in a religion that made their futures so fragile and replete with heart ache . It would be interesting to compare and contrast your way of surviving to the boys from other families
Beautiful story.
You guys are a very cute couple. Glad you have each other. SUCH an interesting, inspiring story Sam! You’re an admirable person! And your values you had growing up and when you were lds did shape you. So I think it’s great!
It would be great to meet your brother, Sam.😊
Your mom was in the car!!! That’s amazing
Great interview!!
The thumb nail looks sooooo cool
Thank you so much!!
I am curious if you feel comfortable answering. Is there a reason you didn't reach out to your older brothers you mentioned had already left the church?
9:53 what if they had said, “come to church as you are. You’re clothes don’t dictate your relationship to God”?
When you mentioned that your mom was in the truck... tears
How on earth is this LOVE? Makes me sad! I love my Jesus. He would not be able to understand how families could do this.
I am a Roman Catholic … I will die being a Catholic. I didn’t know the missionaries needed to pay for their missions. When the Catholic Church sends missionaries the church pays for their expenses.
You guys are great! Have you ever done a video about Rebecca Musser?
It makes me happy that her parents didn’t freak on you guys being there too much. My parents would’ve been angry & would’ve sent you “home.” In quotes since you couldn’t really go home then.