Wendell Musser was once a good and faithful servant to the “prophet” Warren Jeffs. Unfortunately, while running from safe house to safe house, playing caretaker for eight or nine of Jeffs’ wives, Musser got pulled over and the police questioned him extensively about Jeffs’ whereabouts. He didn’t tell them anything, but it was enough to anger Jeffs.
Musser waited a few days to return to the current safe house, to ensure that he was not followed there, but upon his return he found that everyone had moved out. All of the wives were gone –including his own- and his son. Musser began trying to find his family but even his own relatives and in-laws declined to help him.
He was told that his family was not his any more and that he should just move on. He began searching, filing missing person reports, and since Jeffs’ somewhat recent capture, he’s filed a lawsuit. Musser loves his wife and child very much and wants them back.
He was devastated at first by being banished from the church community, but now all he wants is the return of his family. It is said that many men simply walk away. Another woman was on the news last night looking for her mother. While people are certainly entitled to their own religious beliefs, holding people captive seems a bit beyond the pale. It is illegal for one thing, yet law enforcement in many cases is not interested or simply does not have the resources to find these people.
Wendell Musser wants his story told, not only so others know that they’re not alone, but also so that someday his wife or child may hear his words or hear of his actions and know that he’s still trying to find them. Vivian, Levi, you are loved.
Let’s hope that Musser’s family is safe and that they can be found and released soon.