The Witness Wore Red

The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice

By: Rebecca Musser, M. Bridget Cook

Narrated by: Rebecca Musser

Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

You've watched Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, the top 5 true-crime docuseries on Netflix. Now discover the revealing memoir of one woman featured in the series who was forced into polygamous marriage and her brave struggle to protect others from the same fate.

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 19th 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Rebecca Musser (P)2013 Hachette Book Group

Critic reviews

"Compelling . . . the book speaks to the ways isolation, fear and secrecy can shelter insidious abuses until someone has the courage to step forward as a witness."—Kirkus Reviews

Heartbreaking

I have read several books on this "religion" and they are all simply heartbreaking. This one is no different. The book is interesting and eye opening and I am thankful this lovely lady was able to get out of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this type thing. I think the author did a fine job reading her own book. Strong lady.

Heart Moving

This book is very informative. Heart Touching , Emotional Roller Coaster. Embodies the height of brain washing.

hmm

i guess i expected more about the trial and the testimony and its effect where that was seemingly just almost glossed over.

Very Informative

Very well written. Full of information. I know members of this church and have grown to love them and respect them. I have had questions but know I can’t ask them. This book explained so much to me and verified a lot of what I was seeing and wondered about. Thank you for not only the book, but also all you did to help these people.

Amazing.

Rebecca’s strength is unreal. Thank you so much for patiently enduring all of the trials you went through and for sharing your story so thoroughly.

Insightful

Would you listen to The Witness Wore Red again? Why?

Yes, because I think I would learn more the second time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rebecca is a strong woman and intelligent. She fought hard for justice and for God.

What about Rebecca Musser’s performance did you like?

The delivery was good, even though she wrote it her voice was clear and the inflections followed her experiences.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to mention. This is a true story that is compelling. The biography is sensitive and loving. Her struggles are well written and well spoken. Some are terrifying and rock the deepest part of the soul.

Heartwrenching, fascinating, haunting, depressing

If you could sum up The Witness Wore Red in three words, what would they be?

Personal, epic, conflicted

What other book might you compare The Witness Wore Red to and why?

I'd compare it to The Escape, Stolen Innocence, and Lost Boys--all books that are written by FLDS apostates about their experiences with various sorts of abuse by FLDS leaders.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes....but the narration also had a consistent, but jarringly unusual, inflection pattern. I found it hard to get used to (normally I will get used to something in the first few chapters; this sort of twinged every time I heard it).

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The narrator/author does a particularly good job of portraying the world that she experienced as a child. I felt my heart in my throat when she was describing her fear of the beatings, her confusion at what she was being told to do...she sounded just like one of my young cousins.

Any additional comments?

This book makes a big effort to be objective and fair, and reminds you frequently that that is what it is doing. I find it a little weird, because of course there's no way that this could be other than partisan, but I do appreciate that the author/narrator really emphasizes the emotional turmoil that she experiences. The narration was acceptable, but distracting in its inflection. I feel a little bad criticizing it, because in comparison to what happened to the author, I have had a very very very easy and privileged life...on the other hand, it really isn't perfect.

So: Overall, this is a fantastic book, but it's not a flawlessly executed book.

So inspirational!

I am so grateful this woman shared her story. This book is a window into her world growing up with the secretive Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. She gives us a glimpse of a way of life that few of us could otherwise see, but the truly unique part of this story is her amazing strength, resiliency, and beautiful character. She uses the terrible events of her life to become a beautiful person who has helped others in immeasurable ways even when it has caused her pain and strained her own relationships. I have so much respect for her after listening to her words!

Very moving

This is not a book written to sensationalize the FLDS story. It is a book to inspire others in similar circumstances to see that you can rise above physical, mental, and spiritual abuse. You can trust and love again.

Moving story

Extremely well written. Excellent narration. Kudos to a very brave person, Rebecca Musser. She is inspirational.