Rebecca Musser is a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamous sect that practices a radical form of Mormonism. She was married to the late prophet Rulon Jeffs when she was 19 and he was 85, and endured years of sexual abuse until his death in 2002. She escaped the compound shortly after, with the help of her brother and Ben Musser, who was technically her step-grandson. Who is Ben Musser, and what is their relationship like? Here are some facts you need to know about Rebecca Musser husband Ben Musser.
Ben Musser Was Rulon Jeffs’ Grandson
Ben Musser was born to one of Rulon Jeffs’ many wives, who was also a sister-wife of Rebecca Musser. This made him the grandson of the FLDS leader, and the step-grandson of Rebecca Musser. Ben Musser grew up in the FLDS community, where he was taught to obey the church’s strict rules and doctrines. He was also expected to follow the principle of plural marriage, and marry multiple wives as his grandfather did.
Ben Musser Helped Rebecca Musser Escape the FLDS
After Rulon Jeffs died, his son Warren Jeffs took over the leadership of the FLDS, and claimed all of his father’s widows as his own. He also tried to force Rebecca Musser to marry another man, threatening her with eternal damnation if she refused. Rebecca Musser decided to flee from the compound, and contacted her brother, who had been exiled from the FLDS years earlier. Her brother arranged for Ben Musser to meet her at a nearby gas station, where he picked her up in his brother’s truck. Ben Musser had shown kindness to Rebecca Musser before, and told her not to do anything she didn’t want to do. He helped her escape from the FLDS, and they drove to Salt Lake City, where they started a new life together.
Ben Musser Married Rebecca Musser in 2004
Rebecca Musser and Ben Musser fell in love, and got married in 2004. They had two children, Kyle and Natalia, and lived in Utah. Rebecca Musser wrote a memoir about her experience in the FLDS, titled The Witness Wore Red: The 19th Wife Who Helped to Bring Down a Polygamous Cult. She also became an activist against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and testified against Warren Jeffs in several trials, where he was convicted of child sexual assault and other crimes. Rebecca Musser dedicated her book to Ben Musser, whom she called “a most incredible and loving father”.
Ben Musser and Rebecca Musser Divorced Later
Despite their love and support for each other, Rebecca Musser and Ben Musser eventually divorced. The exact reason for their split is not known, but Rebecca Musser hinted that it had something to do with their different backgrounds and beliefs. She said in an interview, “We both came from a very different place, and we both had a lot of healing to do. And sometimes, when you heal, you grow in different directions.” She also said that they remained friends, and co-parented their children. Rebecca Musser still uses Ben Musser’s surname, and continues to advocate for the victims of the FLDS and other cults.