Their Fear of Freedom

Manipulated. Coerced. Exploited.

These are only a few words out of many to describe the circumstances of thousands who are followers of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church), a polygamous cult-like branch of the fundamentalist Mormon religion led by Warren Jeffs. Up until now, he is able to arrange hundreds of child-bride marriages between the FLDS Church members and even re-assigning women and children to different husbands and fathers if he felt that a man was threatening his position of authority, going as far as ex-communicating his brothers from the FLDS Church community.

Amid his reign of terror, some began questioning their entire lives in the FLDS Church — some started to become skeptical about Jeffs' teachings. To them, challenging their so-called Prophet was outright sinful and disobedient, so some ignored their intuition, silencing the voice that would have broken their chains and set them free. However, some managed to escape their cages, leaving behind the only home they had ever known.

Rebecca Musser (née Wall, formerly Jeffs) was one of the escapees, leaving behind the community years ago. She was the 19th wife of Rulon Jeffs, Warren Jeffs' predecessor, marrying him at the age of 19 whereas he was 85 at the time from 1995 - 2002. Rulon Jeffs was said to have over 60 wives, each competing for his attention and favor. Musser's escape came at great personal risk, as leaving the FLDS Church meant severing ties with her family and facing the wrath of the community she once called home. Her courage and determination to break free from the oppressive environment she was raised in led her on a path of self-discovery and advocacy.

In her book, "The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice," Musser recounts her harrowing journey from an obedient woman to a woman who dared to challenge the patriarchal structures of the FLDS Church. She exposes the dark secrets hidden behind closed doors and sheds light on the psychological and physical abuse endured by countless women and children within the community, even testifying as a witness in the cases of multiple FLDS Church members, bringing them to justice amid the misogynistic views of members.

Rebecca Musser's sister, Elissa Wall, is another courageous person who escaped the FLDS Church. At 14, Elissa Wall married her 19 year old cousin Allen Steed under the direction of Warren Jeffs, where she was forced into unwanted sexual contact and sexually assaulted in which a long, abusive relationship ensued. The oppressive rules enforced by the FLDS Church pressured her to be silent, leaving her vulnerable as other men in her community took no action to help her.

Wall's escape was not without its difficulties, facing tremendous pressure from her family and community to remain silent and obedient, fearing the consequences of speaking out against her spiritual leader and the teachings of the "one true God." Yet, her resilience and determination to seek justice led her to testify in the landmark trial against Warren Jeffs, who exposed the dark secrets of the FLDS Church. Her bravery not only gave her freedom, but she also gave a voice to other victims who have suffered in silence for too long.

Warren Jeffs' nephew, Brent Jeffs, also managed to free himself from the oppressive control of the FLDS Church. Growing up as a member of the Jeffs family, he experienced first-hand the narrow confines of the FLDS Church community, had 19 siblings, and encountered abuse and manipulation from a young age from his uncle and other family members. Brent's escape was long and arduous, at first wishing to stay within the community, as his father left before he had to navigate the web of control and fear that bound him to the FLDS Church.

After leaving the FLDS Church, Brent found solace in telling his story and raising awareness of the atrocities committed in his community. His memoir, “The Lost Boys”, provides a harrowing account of the physical and emotional abuse he endured and exists within the FLDS Church, a name inspired by the term Lost Boys, referring to countless young men who were expelled from the FLDS Church community because there were too many men, while women were constantly married to much older men who were more "deserving." Through his advocacy, Brent aims to empower other survivors and encourage them to seek a life free from the chains of the cult.

The stories of Rebecca Musser, Elissa Wall, and Brent Jeffs are not isolated incidents, as they represent a larger narrative of individuals who have found the strength to break free from the oppressive grip of the FLDS Church. Their courage to challenge the status quo, confront their abusers, and rebuild their lives can inspire others trapped in similar circumstances and those who escaped yet are too scared to raise their voices.

Through their books, testimonies, and advocacy work, these escapees have given a voice to the voiceless and shed light on the dark secrets of the FLDS Church, sparking a broader conversation about religious coercion, manipulation, and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from the clutches of oppressive religious organizations. While their journeys have been fraught with pain and adversity, the escapees of the FLDS Church serve as beacons of hope and resilience, with their stories reminding us of the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most oppressive circumstances.

As society continues to learn from its experiences, many require support and resources, wishing to emerge from similar situations and rebuild their lives on their own terms. Even in the face of adversity, these escapees showed that liberation is possible and that no one should remain trapped in the chains of manipulation and control, and their stories remind us that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is entitled to freedom, autonomy, and the right to pursue a life free of fear and abuse.