The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice

by Rebecca Musser

Book Overview

Rebecca Musser grew up in fear, concealing her family's polygamous lifestyle from the "dangerous" outside world. Covered head-to-toe in strict, modest clothing, she received a rigorous education at Alta Academy, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' school headed by Warren Jeffs. Always seeking to be an obedient Priesthood girl, in her teens she became the nineteenth wife of her people's prophet: 85-year-old Rulon Jeffs, Warren's father. Finally sickened by the abuse she suffered and saw around her, she pulled off a daring escape and sought to build a new life and family. The church, however, had a way of pulling her back in-and by 2007, Rebecca had no choice but to take the witness stand against the new prophet of the FLDS in order to protect her little sisters and other young girls from being forced to marry at shockingly young ages. The following year, Rebecca and the rest of the world watched as a team of Texas Rangers raided the Yearning for Zion Ranch, a stronghold of the FLDS. Rebecca's subsequent testimony would reveal the horrific secrets taking place behind closed doors of the temple, sending their leaders to prison for years, and Warren Jeffs for life. THE WITNESS WORE RED is a gripping account of one woman's struggle to escape the perverse embrace of religious fanaticism and sexual slavery, and a courageous story of hope and transformation.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1455527858
• ISBN13: 9781455527854
• Release Date: September 2013
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Golden, chef's kiss

I've read Escape, Under the Banner of Heaven and a few others about fundamentalists and I have to say this one was the best for its detail and complete story of the fall out and raid on the Texas ranch. The story is heartbreaking, but also gives hope for the victims and some semblance of peace knowing that these cruel monsters went to prison. A wonderful, sad, and accurate account of this tragic sect of people.