Rebecca Musser, the 19th wife of former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints prophet Rulon Jeffs, on Aug. 9, 2011, after Warren Jeffs was sentenced. (AP Photo/San Angelo Standard-Times, Patrick Dove)
Rebecca and the Dateline team, sent in by a fan from her Facebook Page.
Like her today!
https://www.facebook.com/rebeccamusserllc
Rebecca Musser was married at 19 to to Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
leader Rulon Jeffs. Musser left the religion and testified against Rulon’s son, Warren. In the first clip, Morrison promises that "the
story of the FLDS under Warren and his father has never been told in as
much detail by a participant as it is in our program."
She has authored a book we may cover, "The Witness Wore Red."
She has authored a book we may cover, "The Witness Wore Red."
I will most definitely watch Dateline tomorrow night! I think you get the "real" story about what goes on when these women finally decide to stop being brainwashed!!
ReplyDeleteI will too, and I need to read her book. Actually, I need to read several of them, but am always on here! Come post your thoughts, and I hope others will too!
DeleteI am looking forward to Dateline tomorrow night. Looking forward to the truth. On a similar note. Salt Lake City is getting ready to open a community center for those who are escaping polygamy. You can read all about it in the Deseret News (Sorry, I would have posted the link but I couldn't get it to post)
DeleteI just put her book on my Amazon wish list yesterday in fact. Thanks for letting us know about the show. I've got the DVR set.
DeleteIt's not Salt Lake City that's opening the center - its the charity Holding out HELP, and the center is right in Colorado City/Hildale
DeleteAnonymous 8:38 could you tell us more. I don't know much about Colorado City/ Hildale but I thought the towns were owned or controlled by the UEP trust. I also read that the Dept of Justice has a lawsuit against the towns for discriminating against citizens that are non FLDS. I guess I am surprised that the Help centre is in the city but I sure hope they can help some that are looking for help.
DeleteAccording to the article in the Salt Lake Tribune (online) the safe house is located 40 minutes from Hildale, UT and Colorado City, AZ. The article says it is a 5,500 square foot home with 10 bedrooms. The article is interesting and there are comments posted below the story that are just as interesting. Here's a link to the story:
Deletehttp://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55570599-78/decker-utah-polygamous-hopes.html.csp
I saw the show Id like toread her book
DeleteJust bought the audio version of book.
ReplyDeleteThe book was released on Sept.10th. I ordered mine from Amazon and it has been shipped and due tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Amazon - just went to iBooks. I had Elisha's book but it got lost in a move.
DeleteSorry - Elissa's book. I'd blame auto correct but it was me typing too fast. I know it seems minor but it was important to me to get her name right.
DeleteI am looking forward to reading the book. I have read almost every book out there on polygamy....be sure to pick one of them up from Mister Sister's Amazon links...my personal favorite is "Shattered Dreams" by Irene Spencer.
ReplyDeleteDidn't even think of using the link below, thank you CPA. MS maybe you can remind us periodically? If that helps you and the blog, that is.
DeleteWhere can I find the book list? I read swb from my phone. You said to find the list below but I can't find a post on this thread. I'm sure I will want to read them all. thanks
DeletePlygs - Ed Kociela
DeleteFifty Years In Polygamy - Kristyn Decker
Church of Lies - Flora Jessop
Shattered Dreams - Irene Spencer
Escape - Carolyn Jessop
Stolen Innocence - Elissa Wall
Thank you Mister Sister. You are so helpful. I have a small budget,so I only want to invest in the books that others reccomend so I don't waste my money. I read Stolen Innocence. It broke my heart. I also read Lost Boy. It was sad too,but interesting. Thanks again.
DeleteAlso reaf " 19th wife" its a recount of Brigham young s wife anna liza young.
DeleteSorry I was trying to say read lol
DeleteI do it everyday!LOL I swear, the minute I hit publish I see my mistakes. Most folks that come her must think I've got real problems I do it so much!LOL
DeleteYou may find your public library already has a copy of these, or can get them from an interlibrary loan transfer if cost is an issue. I recognize some of these titles from my library.
DeleteDon't worry about your typos mister sister. Kodster's ADD is rubbing off on all of us.
DeleteThe book mentioned by Anon 11:50 is a free download at http://archive.org/details/wifenoorstoryofl00youniala
DeleteIt's a very good read!
Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk by Dorothy Allred Solomon is wonderful!! So much historical information on the AUB. She's also Christine's aunt.
DeleteHas anyone read "It's Not About the Sex" My Ass by Steve Cuno & Joanne Hanks?
DeleteApparently this former sister wife has a sense of humor. Looks interesting.
yes, i've read "IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SEX, MY ASS!" and returned and reported about it here earlier this year. i highly recommended it to all at the time and several more bought it and read it and reported back. steve cuno is her new s/o she's been with the last couple of years or so and who helped her write the book but it's actually solely Joanne's real life story of her and her first husband leaving mainstream mormonism and getting back to its roots by hooking up w/the TLC plyg sect (Jim Harmon's group.) IT WAS A DISASTER from start to finish for them and it's the first book that didn't literally make me sick to my stomach but actually made me laugh out loud at times - in spite of the mostly dark times relayed in it. It's a GREAT read! (she's also a dang good artist)
DeleteI read it! She does have a good sense of humor and I enjoyed the book.
Delete'Zero Chance...power of love, love of power' is a good book on the So. Utah group. Jason Williams writes his own story of love and marriage. A good read!
DeleteJust set my TV to record it. It looks very interesting. Had to chuckle that Keith Morrison is the reporter on the story, however. If you get a chance you should see the funny skit spoofs of him done by Saturday Night Live (SNL) out there on You Tube etc... He does have a very dramatic way of speaking.
ReplyDeleteDude, I love Keith Morrison! Ooooh yes, yes I do
DeleteI will be watching this!
ReplyDeleteI just looked this strong lady up, and read about her...wow is all I can say, I wish you all the best in life!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe that the FLDS are some of the most extreme Polygamous Mormon groups, they are probably second only to the Kingston Group.
ReplyDeleteI just can't wrap my head around it. The more I read, the more bizarre it all gets.
If anyone would like to write a review of the book, just let us know!
ReplyDeleteOh I will definitely be watching! Can't wait
ReplyDeleteOh I will be watching! Can't wait
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up, MS.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely be DVR'ing this.
This blog is really soooo good !! We can indulge in the ongoing gabfest about KodyWord and the other assorted Plyg wannabee reality stars.
But thanks to expert administration, we also are kept abreast of breaking Plyg news. The good (and a big maybe on that), the bad and the ugly.
It is much appreciated !!!
Thank you Darlin'! I've got a crew of helpers backing me up!
DeleteLooking forward to it, thanks for the heads up!
DeleteThis blog seems to have grown exponentially during this last SW season. I am impressed will the interesting commentaries as of late. Mister Sister and your Crew, I applaud you.
DeleteThank you,it's because of all of you!
DeleteThis seems very interesting. Can't wait until it's posted online somewhere so I can watch it! She is very brave - bless her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up! Love Dateline, love Keith Morrison (I'd listen to him read the phone book), love plyg stuff (OBVIOUSLY). I'm currently reading Christine's aunt, Kristyn Decker's, book, and just ordered Musser's.
ReplyDeleteCome back and tell us what you think.
ReplyDeleteI talked to Kristyn just last week and she will be talking with us soon!
I couldn't put her book down, can't wait to see her on Sunday's show.
DeleteI was reading all the excerpts of her book on Amazon--looks like a really good book!
DeleteI read her book too, but it took so long for me get thru. It just upset me on so many levels. That poor child went thru so much without anyone giving a crap.its truly amazing the wonderful woman she has become. Christine was born into the same family & her life was all sunshine & roses.just makes u wonder.
DeleteGot book from Amazon on the 10th and read it yesterday. Oh my! So much more than I ever guessed. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sad on so many levels!
ReplyDeleteFor those who have a Kindle - Amazon does have it for Kindle. You can buy and read it instantly.
ReplyDeleteAt work I get regular mass-mailings from Warren Jeffs which are countersigned by somebody named Nathan C. Jessop and/or others. Isn't Ragin' Robyn part of this crew somehow?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I scan these rants to see what the latest "Revelation fron the Lord blah blah blah to His Prophet Warren"...or something like that are about. Surprisingly to me only about every other one includes a part about letting his best buddy go OR ELSE.
The rants are pretty unintelligible since apparently the Lord uses grammar and syntax like Yoda on crack.
OMG yoda on crack. You totally nailed it. I used to have to open those in my government clerical job. The FLDS postage budget must be absolutely MASSIVE. They send these to every single US and state senator/delegate/assemblyman/representative in the COUNTRY- every month AT LEAST. They are illiterate, unintelligible ramblings, and it scared me to death to open them. They immediately went in the recycling bin BTW. No decent receptionist in this country is passing those up the chain. What a massive waste of postage.
DeleteLOL "Yoda on Crack!" You're so right about the appalling grammar that the "Lord" uses in his revelations to that disgusting scumbag Jeffs. For a guy who was supposed to be a schoolteacher, you would think Jeffs would make his delusional rants a little more credible, but I guess that shows the level of education in the FLDS. Here's just a small sample - "Let nation of Turkey be no longer traitor of NATO defending, to be confidence and alliance peace order, or all ability to help also United States, as the enemy is determined to overthrow national authority your now prime Minister of the way to do own compromising." Say what?!
ReplyDeleteTo Mister Sister: I get confused when looking at the "Blog Archive" list on the right side of this site. Could you indicate on the list which subjects allow comments? And which are information only and not for comments? And which are full and closed to comments? Please explain.
ReplyDeleteA Post is open, in general, until it hits 200 comments. It used to be 250, but then mobile users couldn't see the last 50, so we are trying to keep it at around 200.
DeleteMan are open from this week. In the older one, now, it's somewhat hit/miss. When time allows, I am opening all up that are under 200.
Hope that helps!!
I just realized Rebecca Musser is Elissa Wall's sister.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Warren Jeffs, does anyone know if those poor children got off the bean diet? Is Jeffs still pulling the strings from prison? You know, the puppet master strings. Awhile ago it was said that many of the people left the Yearning For Zion and were starting new compounds elsewhere and they even demolished the big tower. Is that ranch empty now or are the FLDS still there?
ReplyDeleteI never heard whether that has stopped. Mister Sister can you ask someone?
DeleteI will have K Dee come and give us the very latest!
DeleteI worked for a company, who had the Utah Kingston's as a client. When we had to pursue them legally, we discovered they were creating companies under the wives names and bankrupting/defaulting the debts. All assets were of course under the husbands names. Around the same time as our lawsuit, the Kingstons were arrested for beating one of their 16 year old teenage girls & leaving her for dead. She had been given to her uncle as an underage wife. The family was practicing polygamy and incest with these girls and it became a huge news story/legal discovery. All in the name of their religion and God given right to procreate. The very example of sick & twisted, evil & vile - same as the Catholic church turnig an eye on molestation of young boys by the priests. Definitely not normal practices. What bothers me is how in the hell do these cults - and that's what they are - grow so large with enough money to build such a temple and no one pays attention to what is going on? It seems to me they either pay people off to look the other way, because the federal government is watchign everyone now days - or the government doesn't choose to care. Is this not human trafficking?? Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI have always suspected these cults sell off extra little boys for profit. They just don't dump enough teen boys compared to tween girls that marry off. Where are the little boys? The government doesn't watch churches, only cults. Somehow, these sickos are still a tax exempt church.
DeleteGovernment stays out of churches. They need to lose that tax exempt status and be declared a cult. Maybe after a bunch boys sold into child porn are linked to them, that might happen. They already have major birth defects from inbreeding, the AZ taxpayers are footing the bill for. Still a church.
Deleteanony 1:55 p.m. - that Kingston arrested sounds like Kollene Snow's sister that her dad was prosecuted for but got out after a light sentence. if you google Kollene's dad "John Daniel Kingston" - quite a bit of crap about him and his despicable full-blood brothers come up. Christine ALLRED Brown is lying when she said she never knew men could be such bastards. she HAD to know about all this crap as some of her own Allred family members have married into the Kingston Klan. The plyg world is a small world and word gets around to the various communities EASILY - even when it's NOT in the news like this case was!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen a more depressed group of women? I guess one of them will have to commit suicide or worse before the truth is known. Id say Meri or the blondest one snaps at some point. Happy wives don't self medicate with food.
DeleteWell, I have to demur that there are some happy wives who self-medicate with food. There are many reasons people use food as a comfort tactic, and it doesn't mean they are necessarily unhappy in their marriages. Though of course, they CAN be.
DeleteEx AUB, maybe you know the answer to this...I know it is common in certain groups that when individual families build a house, rather than a family owning it themselves, the ownership is actually held by the "order" or group. Could this be why Kody and Krew have not sold the house in Utah? It seems like I read on here that the title is in the name of Janelle, Meri, and Kody, but could they have consecrated the house somehow to the group at large? It seems like they have laws within the group that are outside the civil laws that society at large lives by. Like marriage, for instance...
ReplyDeleteI don't believe their home is owned by anyone but them. I don't think the AUB does that, at least from what I've read. I think the FLDS is the big one with ownership being held by the church or one of its holding companies. I could be wrong though.
DeleteThe AUB does - the Brady Williams family have 2 homes owned by the group - but Kody's wasn't.
DeleteInteresting. I didn't realize that. You'd think they'd do it with all or none.
DeleteGirlfriend, that's ok! I didn't mean to sound bad! I just happened to study that this week in preparation for My 5 Wives, everyone here knows I know very little and have to study, it just happened to come up. I didn't know it either.
DeleteI just finished watching the NBC dateline special. Thanks for the heads up.
DeleteI've been wondering how Kody and his wives were approached about doing a reality show. Was the AUB involved in any way with finding an 'appropriate' family through which to "market" their version of polygamy? Does the Brown family receive any type of "incentive" from the church, or did they at any point?
Bemused,
Deletefigure 8 productions had a team member that had grown up Mormon. he asked Mary Batchelor (see posts) of Principal Voices for some names. Kody's family was one of them. They actually had been filmed for a special in England (see below video) and I am sure caught the acting bug. Christine, Kody had been speaking at several Utah conferences before the show. Wonder if they have time for them now?
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-started-it-all-bbc-meeting-browns.html (video)
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/christine-brown-pre-sister-wives.html
(video)
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/sister-wives-anne-wilde-mary-batchelor.html
Thanks MS for all the info.
DeleteThis blog, along with the SW show and the multitude of books on polygamy, could provide the basis for maybe a Master's thesis or Doctoral thesis about the evolution of the perception of various polygamous sects by the "general public" (or something like that).
I've been thinking that and just wanted to share.
Thank you so very much for the link to this video "what started it all bbc meeting browns". It just brought home for me how destructive the addition of Sobbyn has been to this family. You can see how much Kody enjoyed being in Christine's company back then and how alive she was then. Compare the family tableau in the BBC video with what we have seen on the SW show week after week since season 2 (or whenever Sobbyn reared her head) and beyond. Kody looks like he has aged a tremendous amount since this BBC clip as well. Watching these videos of Christine pre-SW helps me better understand what a true believer she is in the lifestyle. Seeing her and the kids in the kitchen was touching. She provided the heart of the home for the family. Makes me all the more ticked off at Kody for what he has done to Christine.
DeleteIt was a little gem, wasn't it? It also shows that he probably had been wanting a show since2009
DeleteJust googled for information on the YFZ ranch. This is from Aug 2013.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogspolygblog/56765941-185/taxes-ranch-eldorado-success.html.csp
Looks like they have not paid their taxes but the FLDS are very wealthy from what it says.
Oh yes, have been caled what amounts to as a Mafia by govt., the same govt that hires them with contracts!
DeleteOne of my close family members was raped by on of the "lost boys" in our small southern Utah town. These boys are kicked out of the compound and are left to fend for themselves. The moved on to Salt Lake City, where the same boy raped and murdered a girl. He is now in jail. It almost tore our family apart. Our family member is strong and determined that this incident will not affect her live. She is now married and has a little boy.
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I were first married, we became friends with an ex-plyg couple. They both told horror stories about growing up in a compound. They fell in love, but their leader "assigned" her to be married to a man who was 30 years older than she was. The couple made their escape in the middle of the night, and were able to make a clean break from polygamy
I don't think that the Brown's are truly practising all the ways of polygamy. They are portraying their lives as happy(well at first they did). Polygamy is a horror to all those involved(except the men)
So sorry for you family, FT. It really becomes a nightmare - any way you look at it.
DeleteSo very sorry that happened. It was horrendous and I can't imagine trying to deal with something like that.
DeleteI agree with the Browns not really living polygamy. But they pick and choose what they want they want to live by and ignore the rest.
not sure why my post isn't showing up? Was it inappropriate?
ReplyDeleteWhich one babe? All have gone through
DeleteMaybe because your moderator literally fell asleep sitting up? LOL Loong week, sorry!
DeleteMister Sister, you are doing a great job!
DeleteThanks! I've got some great help!
DeleteI wanted to let y'all know I read the Witness in Red. It was fascinating. There was a lot I didn't know about Warren Jeffs. But what perplexed me the most was why Utah and Arizona have dragged their feet on this for so long. Texas put a stop to it before the chapel was finished and blessed. Any insight into that?
ReplyDeleteGoing to get a prop over to answer this!
DeleteI bought Witness in Red but have to finish reading Plygs first. Glad to know it was good, thanks Anonymous.
DeleteThanks for the heads up, I set our DVR!
ReplyDeleteWow! She looks so beautiful!! Not that she wasn't while living amongst the FLDS. Its just that in my opinion, women can enhance so much more of their beauty outside of the pioneer clothes and hairstyles. Everyone pretty much agrees that most, not all, but most polygamous men are pervs. How do they find the pioneer look more attractive than the above photo? I hope this comment doesn't offend anyone. I'm just saying what a lot of people have already thought. Sometimes the culture shock of it all still gets me. Thanks for the update, can't wait to watch :-)
ReplyDeleteShe is gorgeous. God bless her! Such courage! Her sister as well!
DeleteWatching now - these women are heroes not only for finding the courage to break free but to speak out.
ReplyDeleteI am a complete outsider to this world, and I am GLUED to the TV!
ReplyDeleteDo you GIVE yourself to your husband of your own free will....
ReplyDeleteEwwwww.....85 Rulon trying to have s3x with Rebecca......grooossss..
ReplyDeleteFrom a gal raised in the Midwest, never heard of Mormon, this is horrifying. And now her sister!
DeleteWatching now. Elissa Wall was just talking. I realize I've been saying her first name wrong (it is not a-liss-a, but rather a-lee-sa). Ooops.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine the horror this poor 14 year old went through.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Musser and her sister are telling an amazing story. I suggest if you miss it to see if it is on demand.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you two ladies.
God bless
Sorry, just got home from dinner and turned on my DVR'd copy of this. I'm in the middle of reading Plygs and it's about the guy who was a Private Investigator that started investigating Jeffs and his holdings. Was telling hubby about it at dinner. Got weird looks from the server.
ReplyDeleteWe have an "exclusive" post to put up, from Ed Kociela - author of Plygs, about when he was taped on Polygamy USA/debate there. However, he is so intriguing and written so many good books, we keep holding back and reading about this interesting author! SOON!
DeleteI am thrilled to hear that! I'm only about 15% of the way into the book but it hooked me right away. What a great guy to stand up for those people in the beginning when they didn't even have money to hire him! Not many people would do that.
DeleteDid you know that the FLDS staged many of those scenes you saw on many news outlets of mothers crying on the log cabin steps, etc. were staged?
ReplyDeleteMost moms were with the children.
STAGED by Warren Jeffs.
Yes, he's all about putting on a public face that makes the FLDS look good. I think Warren Jeffs is probably one of the most evil of all of these guys.
DeleteI've read before about how he raped little boys in that school they had in SLC. Poor little kids.
Boy he is, but he's not painting it much better. And so we should allow everyone else's dtrs to get raped? Come on Kody!
DeleteRemember Sally and the unibrow daughter of hers? She was one of the worst to allow her own to be married off, and even not get proper medical help as needed.
ReplyDeleteI have read much on this, seems those crying moms were staged.
DeleteA review of Warren Jeffs creepiness is coming up.
ReplyDeletewe applaud Rebecca for getting out, that must of been one scary experience to leave your family behind.
It had to be awful. And then, as we know from reading the books, Jeff's bodyguards and loyalists try to find you and intimidate you into returning. That would be worse I'd think. I'd be afraid to go out of the house.
ReplyDeleteLearned so much by using the search link on the right and searching "Warren Jeffs" and FLDS, this blog is really cool.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, my hat is off to you.
I hope she comes here sometime!!
I hate to make a joke, but the poor thing married Rulon, then ran when she was to marry Warren. Creep couldn't compete with his own dad.
According to Sam Brower, they will do anything as their path to salvation. Including following Jeffs in prison.
ReplyDeleteAs K Dee reported, only a handful of men can have sex with the women. How is that holy?
ReplyDeleteNow they have concern if Jeffs are going to die in jail, he will tell his followers to have a mass suicide.
I hope they are strong enough not to do so but then again when/if Jeffs dies another man will just take over and say he's the Prophet. Those poor people will never escape this life unless they get a lot of help and unless they can open their minds up as some of them don't want to know anything different (out of fear).
ReplyDeleteMy husband actually watched this with me and just can't understand how anyone can be sucked into this life. I reminded him that this is all they know. Rebecca did an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteBut as they build their huge compounds, I have to ask, where in the world does their money come from????
One thing that must be understood, they are not "sucked in" they are Borne into it.. it is drilled into them. They live it or they are damned. and the threat of that keeps most in the cults.
DeleteAs for paying for it... there is a press release on the 'plygs' FB page that will explain it.. it is called "Bleeding the Beast" to the tune of over $27 MILLION in YOUR tax $$ in just 20 months for a community of only 4,800 people... check it out... https://www.facebook.com/Plygs
Probably Nathan C Jessop.
ReplyDeleteI remember the crowds of people--journalists, law enforcement, Mormon fundamentalists, the plain curious--as they gathered in front of the 5th District Courthouse in St. George, Utah.
ReplyDeleteAt the time, I was the City Editor for The Spectrum, the local newspaper. We had devoted a lot of manhours over the course of the year to reporting on Warren Jeffs and his followers as he continually grew more and more egregiously defiant, arrogant, evil; when he fled; when he was captured; when he went to court.
I remember talking to media from across the country about the trial, the FLDS lifestyle.
Nobody, I remember saying to my staff, got it right. They missed the nuance, the detail, the overarching evil. It's what motivated me to write 'plygs.'
Tonight, "Dateline NBC" put together an honest, in-depth, informative report on Jeffs and the FLDS--the best I have seen on TV. It took patience, talent, courage, dedication to put together such an insightful piece. I only hope it has helped to open some eyes.
I don't know of one from among us who has taken the time to write books, articles, or produce television or radio broadcasts, blogs, or social media campaigns who has not been moved to do what we can to end the sexual, emotional, physical abuse of those children; the dehumanization of the FLDS women; the fraud and abuse of the welfare benefit system. I truly hope tonight's program will help to enlighten the public that, as so many of us have already said, polygamy is not as portrayed on so-called reality TV.
And, let's also try to understand how incredibly courageous it was for Rebecca Musser and Elissa Wall to go before the cameras and take us inside the world of Mormon fundamentalist polygamy.
Now, it is up to us to continue to do what we can to continue to shed light on a group that hides behind religion to feed its need for greed, power, and fulfilling its perverted and degrading appetites.
Just an FYI...'plygs'... Is Ed Kociela author of 'plygs' ... former Local News Editor of the Paper in St. George.
ReplyDelete#39;plygs'September 13, 2013 at 11:39 PM
ReplyDeleteI am from South Carolina. This is a whole new thing for me. I wish that more would come out. They want us to think (from the show) that all is well in polig land. Nothing about crazy planets and all the abuse. WAIT, I just got it, you are the author of PLYGS!!! OH MY GOSH, our little blog here has a celebrity, I for one, am honored. thank you sir. I loved your book!
Thank you for your insight. I am sure the blog would love to hear you write a post on your thoughts. I am thrilled here I also read your new book, ROCK ON SIR!
Darla,
ReplyDeleteThank you and I am so happy you enjoyed my books. I am honored by your words. It is always gratifying for a writer to learn that they have connected with somebody who has read the words we have struggled with for so long.
Please know that 'plygs' was not simply something to write about. It was something I HAD to do after living in the southern Utah area for 16 years and seeing the affects of polygamy and learning of the abuse of the children and women. (FYI: My wife, Cara, and I plan to return to Mexico in the spring so I can get to work on the sequel to 'plygs.' Working some of the storyline out at this time, as a matter of fact.)
Insight?
Evil. Perversion. Disrespect. False idolatry. Betrayal. Sadness. Lies.
It is also a sad statement of fact that the Warren Jeffs followers still allow themselves to be controlled by a man who will die in prison for his crimes against children. And, it must be understood, that is not the sum of his crimes.
There is a Bruce Springsteen quote: "Blind faith in your leaders can get you killed." As we have seen with Warren Jeffs, there are some fates worse than death. The damage done to those children, his followers, the outlying community that witnesses to this day the affects of his teachings is something that will never be healed.
Again, thank you for reading my efforts and your kind words.
Ed
I am thrilled to have someone here from Utah press here explaining things. Imagine my surprise when I saw you wrote It Rocked! (honest, comment name has been mine here a long time)
DeleteI haven't read Plygs yet but it is on my list. I'm sure Mister sister has hit you up for a post on this. It's so hard to really know what is honest and what is not.
I've never understood how these moms could let their kids go through such awful indecency and harm. I am a pacifist, but would kill for my children. And have no degree nor have worked, always been a mommy. But that would not stop me. Is FEAR a huge factor? Thank you so much for coming here. When folks read this, they are going to flip!
Yes, above Ed has graciously written for us, and hope to have more! I have a post i've been sitting on, maybe if he has time, he will write a bit about this. GREAT to see you here, WE ARE honored!
DeleteDear Ed, author of Plygs,
DeleteThank you for coming to my favorite place, this blog.
I haven't read your book yet, but it is on my list. I hope you will come back and help guide us through this mess. I'm lost when it comes to polygamy, but you have brought up a good point, one we have learned here on the blog.
When the bankruptcy papers of 3 of the wives came out here, I was shocked. Ed Kociela has made me think of something. If no one you know wants to hear about polygamy, hit them with the tax paying dollars going into it. Hck you can even find the papers of these stars right here.
Many don't want to be bothered to hear about why polygamy is wrong, but them them where it hurts, tax dollar, and their ears will perk right up.
Mr. Kociela brought up many great points. We should be thankful these ladies stepped up and shared their story. and yes, now it is time to step up and do our part. Kody wants everyone to have freedom. How else are they going to feed 20-40 kids if not by SNAP? Let's save the victims and the abused by spreading this word, too. thank you Ed, for giving me another perspective on what to do.
Is Plygs a true story or one gleaned from all your years reporting? Looking forward to reading! Thank you.
God bless you, Ed!
DeleteI was glued to the TV. Holy cow, Rebecca is so strong and courageous, as is her sister Elissa.
ReplyDeleteI am stumped as to HOW anyone can still be under the delusion that Warren Jeffs is a prophet!
I got chills when it was suggested that Warren will go out in style (mass suicide?) I fervently hope and pray that will not be the case.
These women need to wake up and stop drinking the KOOLAIDE and get out if these CULTS!!
ReplyDeleteSickened and horrified!
ReplyDelete1. How can these women be ministered to?
2. What words would get through the indoctrinated lies to speak truth to them?
3. How can Warren Jeffs be stopped?
4. How and why can a convicted sex offender and child molester still be given
access to those he has deluded, bullied, and abused?
5. Wonder if any of his fellow inmates watched Dateline last night?
Child molesters usually don't survive long in prison.
6. The USA was able to find and remove Osama bin Laden from the earth.
Perhaps someone will be able to help Jeffs move on to his special place
in eternity before he can take anyone else with him.
(Am thinking that he will be just as surprised with eternity as Muslim suicide
bombers are when 50 virgins they are promised aren't waiting for them.)
7. How can the men in this cult be reached and deprogrammed to understand
the abuse they have perpetrated on their children and their children's mothers?
8. Separation of Church and State is a fundamental building block of our nation,
however... when the self-appointed leader of a cult is convicted
of crimes which he was commanding others within the cult to also commit,
can't those others also be prosecuted?
9. Welfare fraud? Do we need to lobby our Senators and Representatives
to pass laws and reforms to prevent anyone living an illegal polygamous
lifestyle from receiving government funds?
ReplyDeleteFascinating to hear all that went into finally getting Warren Jeffs convicted.
It should never have had to have been that difficult to convict a *known* serial child molester. Thank god for Ed and his diligence. And for the courage and ethics of these two sisters.
Along with all the diabolical abuses of these sects, the mental image of Rebecca's story of having to endure a doddering old Roulon Jeffs, too old to have intercourse, demanding to fondle and abuse her for his perverse delights is just vile. How many plyg women have endured this part of the abuse where decrepit perverts have access to enslaved women and young girls ??
Thinking of how the White Temple was built with its "training beds" in full view of the surrounding populace is reminiscent of how Hitler was able to construct his death camps w/ovens in full view of the surrounding towns and villages.
And..*STILL*..Jeffs rules from his cell...
Beyond horrific!!
It really bothers me that the raid in Texas was based on a lie. I am a person who respects the law and handling problmes in a legal way. I do belive that the polygamous lifestyle is horibly abusive and should not be allowed. However, there has to be a way that is legal without having a made up person do the complaining. By doing this all information uncovered at he rance is possibly tainted.
DeleteBought the book yesterday and stayed up all night to read it straight through. Rebecca is such a brave, strong and beautiful woman to endure all she did in her years inside the FLDS and then to escape and testify against Warren Jeffs. Her sister Elissa is just as brave, strong and beautiful to endure as long as she did and to escape and tell her story as well. These two set a very strong example, not only to FLDS women, but to abused and opressed women everywhere. I have a lot of respect for these ladies.
ReplyDeleteShe Came In Through The Bathroom Window, Denise, Amused: First and foremost, thank you for the kind words. And, thanks for your questions, which are very good ones.
ReplyDeleteAs far as mothers allowing their daughters to be pulled into underage marriage, what must be understood here is that from the time they are born, they are raised to believe that plural marriage is a necessity to reach the Celestial Kingdom--the highest level of heaven in the Mormon faith. Their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and friends have been pulled into these marriages at a young age. When you know no different, when you are taught that either you comply or will be sent to hell, you comply, To rebel is to endanger your soul.
As far as 'plygs' is concerned, I call it a journalistic novel. The characters are based on real people. In some instances, to help the storyline, some are composites. But, there are law enforcement people, elected officials, church elders in the book who are, unfortunately, very real people. The family I focus on is a compilation of people and incidents. The newspaper reporter and editor are compilations, but other newspaper folks referenced are direct representations of real-life individuals. The only totally fictitious characters in the book are the two pilots, who were created to carry the story and make some very important points.
But the involvements, the fraud, the abuse, the greed, the arrogance, the hunger for power? That is, sadly, 100 percent real.
I worked in southern Utah 16 years at The Spectrum, a daily newspaper in the Gannett chain. I was a columnist and City Editor during the time when Warren Jeffs fled, was captured, and tried in the courthouse about three blocks from our office. It was a hectic time. I have met a number of former sister wives, including one who had escaped the community and was on the run. I have seen them in the community, walked next to them in Costco and Wal-Mart as they do their weekly shopping. I have seen the young men, who they call The Lost Boys, that were ex-communicated and thrown out of the community because there were simply too many males and Jeffs wanted to 'reward' his most faithful followers with more wives.
The most striking thing I ever saw was while walking through the local Costco, I saw an FLDS family. There was a man, who I recognized as having recently been convicted of polygamy and having sex with a minor, leading them. He was a member of law enforcement when all of that went down. And, his punishment was negligible, basically a slap on the wrist. Behind him was a woman in about her 20s and a younger girl, who looked to be no older than 15, who was pushing a small child in a stroller. I could not help but wonder if the little girl was pushing a sibling or her child in the stroller. That image will remain with me forever.
Ed
Ed, Thanks so much for providing more details and background.
DeleteIt is said in some thought systems that we all have a destiny, a reason to be if we are open to the signs and opportunities.
Without question, you heeded your signs and have, and are, fulfilling your destiny.
And without any exaggeration, you are literally saving lives and psyches as a researcher, informer and author.
Bless you !!!
Ordered Plygs from amazon; I've read books by women who left but want this perspective also. From articles I've seen, there is a growing financial problem in Utah because there are not enough tax paying adults to support the number of children on State assistance programs.
ReplyDeleteI know different FLDS groups have different prophets and most are not as bad as Jeffs but there is always the possibly that the mindset that leads to following these doctrines can lead to horrific abuse when a more decent-leaning prophet gets sick or dies and the group comes under control of a sociopath.
I am glad the Brown children are being educated in public schools and the Brown parents will not tell their children who to marry and when. However, although the Brown family think they are only marginally connected to the cults, that is false. They are not only directly familiarly connected to the cults, their faith is essentially the same faith as the cults. If the Brown children end up choosing polygamy, it is likely their mates will be someone from within these cults and they could easily end up living and breeding within the cult.
To Anonymous 3 p.m. - I concur with you. After watching the Dateline show today (I had recorded it) I am now questioning whether my fascination with and enjoyment of the train wreck that is TLC's Sister Wives is really harmless fun after all. For all of Kody's proclamations about them being so vastly different than other polygamist families, are they really? Women vying for the attention and resources of one man, teenage girls told to keep sweet, wives apologizing constantly for speaking up against a favored wife or having negative feelings, women favored for their baby-producing abilities over others no longer capable of or willing to procreate. Relying on public assistance to support an unsustainable number of children. Putting your children at risk by not having car or health insurance. Dividing your time between so many households that your children must compete for your attention. How is that healthy? I too am glad the children attend public school and hope they will be influenced by people outside of the faith to see that there are other options available to them.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the Dateline show today (I had recorded it) I am now questioning whether my fascination with and enjoyment of the train wreck that is TLC's Sister Wives is really harmless fun after all.
DeleteI do agree with you. All of Kody Brown's neglected children, welfare fraud, bankruptcies, mentally abused wives vying for attention and resources, it's all becoming sick to me. I just can't watch the show.
I grew up less than two miles from where Rebecca Musser and her family lived. I always knew there were polygamist families in our midst, but I rarely gave it a thought growing up. When "Sister Wives" came on the air, I watched it, already having read and followed much about the FLDS. I am horrified by the tragic lives these women have been forced to lead. But something in me tells me that the life of the Browns is not really like the FLDS. These were grown women who came to Kody (except Meri, his first wife) and ASKED to be his second, third or fourth wives. They were adults making adult choices. I know I probably don't know everything, but from what I see the Browns have meaningful distinctions from the FLDS. Just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:52 wrote: "These were grown women who came to Kody (except Meri, his first wife) and ASKED to be his second, third or fourth wives. They were adults making adult choices."
DeleteTo that I would respond - were they making INFORMED adult choices or had they been essentially brainwashed into believing their salvation after death required plural marriage? As the plyg expert in a prior post said essentially - it's not so much choosing as being born into it (or had family members in it even if their family members converted into the faith later in life aka Janelle). This is how they were inculturated.
They don't have a real choice when they are brainwashed into believing that their eternal salvation or damnation depends on becoming a subservient plural wife and that is their only value and they way they earn their salvation.
DeleteYes, clearly the immediate relations of this SW Brown clan were not toxic, so they are not coming from a toxic web of abuse.
DeleteHowever, on a more subtle level there are many metaphorical parallels. But, yes, they were informed young adults making decisions within the confines of their belief system that were outwardly not seemingly harmful like , say the FLDS plague. The undercurrents of the lifestyle still resonate at a much lower level, but from the Brown test case, anyway, they are apparent.
I just finished watching the Dateline program online. A big thank you to Dateline for putting the video online for all to see.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to read her book. I read her sister's book, Stolen Innocence (Elissa Wall) about a month ago. My husband and I watched it together, I talk to him a lot about this insane "lifestyle choice". It's NOT a choice to these people. Walk this way or go out into the evil world and perish as a diseased whore in the streets (to roughly quote Rebecca from the program).
I would hope that America could somehow become outraged enough to force action against this cult and its practices. How on Earth can they allow ANY contact by Warren Jeffs to those people. I don't think the adults could be saved, maybe the young children. I remember wondering if they would even kill each other if their "prophet" ordered them, it's a scary thought.
My book list is growing. I have Escape by Carolyn Jessops coming this week.
Rebecca Musser: a truly strong beautiful woman.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! I watched and was very touched.
ReplyDeleteI've watched many of these shows. Only the one on Biography with Flora Jessop and this one really tell the tale. This is a MUST SEE and we have it all on the post for you to watch!!
ReplyDeleteJust finished this and it sent goosebumps down my spine. If you haven't watch it, you won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteWow! These women who escaped are truly an inspiration. I'm so glad they are sharing their stories.
ReplyDeletePart of the last of the videos sent a chill down my spine. I believe 100% of what was said. There will be a mass suicide there. It's only a matter of time. My heart is breaking :'(
ReplyDelete