The Witness Wore Red

The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice

Non-Fiction - Audiobook
352 Pages
Reviewed on 11/14/2013
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice written by Rebecca Musser is a shocking look at her life with the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). The FLDS practice polygamy. I feel it important to point out that the FLDS is no more a representation of the LDS Church (Mormons) than the Westboro Baptist Church represents all Baptists. Rebecca Musser is very respectful of the FLDS. This is an expose of the leaders that allowed the tempting taste of power to corrupt them. The leaders controlled the people through fear of losing their salvation. The women of the FLDS were indoctrinated or brainwashed from birth to be subservient to males. The people of the FLDS look to the Prophet as God incarnate.

Rebecca Musser was only 19 years old when she was forced to marry Roulon Jeffs, a man in his 80s. She was only one of his 60-something wives. Upon his death, his son Warren Jeffs declared himself the Prophet. He changed the rules and allowed men, especially himself, to “marry” children. Rebecca Musser escaped when Warren told her he would break her. Despite threats against her, she assisted the Texas authorities in capturing Warren Jeffs and prosecuting him for sexual crimes and abuse against children.

While the author never once called the FLDS a cult, I will. The events that are described in this book are sickening. I admire the author for coming forward with the truth. Even after leaving the FLDS, their brainwashing left her feeling like she was unworthy of respect. As I listened to this book, I was saddened by the depravity of man. Rebecca Musser eventually comes to know her self-worth. This is a good vs evil tale that will stay with readers long after they read the last page. I am reviewing the audio format of The Witness Wore Red; it was read by the author which added depth to the story. At times this book brought tears, at times it brought a smile or a laugh, and it definitely brought a sense of triumph.