By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 21:38 EST, 18 July 2013 | UPDATED: 02:54 EST, 19 July 2013 A teenager banished from the insulated world of the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints Church (FLDS) has spoken about how his life has dramatically changed since being forced out of the polygamous sect. Willy Steed, 19, together with his parents and six sisters were among a group of between 500 and 600 people banished by the sect’s leader - and so-called prophet - Warren Jeffs, who has spent the past seven years behind bars after being convicted of sexual abuse of young girls.
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Willy Steed, 19, is enjoying his freedom after leaving the polygamous sect
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In June a photographer approached him about posing for modeling work
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A number of friends died just weeks after he left the church when they were involved in a car crash after a beer party
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The young members of the church hold secret parties in the desert because their religion forbids them from speaking to one and another
Like most boys in the FLDS, @placeholder was pulled out of grade school to work and so he has also had to learn to read for the first time.