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Hi, it's Carl.

A quick warning before we start that this episode includes allegations of child abuse. 11 miles 11 miles southwest of Cedar City, Utah.

The Pent family home sits as a dot of white against the arid and

unchanging landscape. The three-story seven-bedroom house lies in a shallow valley. The backdrop is a

mountain range of iron red rock. It's just before dawn,

and for Christopher Pence, the day begins, much like any other.

Chris is 40 years old and looks like your typical All-American dad

with curly brown hair and square glasses.

He looks like he is an IT security expert.

He works remotely for Microsoft from his home office.

Barefoot, Chris leaves his wife Michelle and pads down the hallway to wake up some of his

children, including his daughter, Serenity.

Today is Serenity's 11th birthday.

But even so, for her and all the Pence children old enough,

the day begins with Bible study.

In the Pence family, children are, as Chris likes to say, a blessing. They have 16 children

in total, from a tiny baby through to college-aged teenagers. Chris settles onto the floor of the

living room with his children gathered around him. They begin with a prayer before turning

to the scripture.

It's still dark outside as they read.

...