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

Rebecca Musser grew up tightly wound in fear, concealing her family's polygamous lifestyle from the 'dangerous' outside world. Covered neck-to-calf 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, she was forced in her teens to become 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. More than 400 children were taken into protective custody, causing a national uproar. Rebecca's help in the trenches led to more authentic understanding of her people, although her 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 himself 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.