Court Hears Tape of Jeffs Teaching Girls About Sex

It was another exciting day in the Warren Jeffs trial yesterday as prosecutors played tapes of Jeffs telling young women how to please him sexually—as the polygamist leader shouted objections over the recordings. First they played a clip of Jeffs teaching two of his new “spirit wives,” one of whom was then 14 years old, to be “honorable vessels, property of your husband’s kingdoms” and to “draw close” to him—the church’s euphemism for sex, according to the AP. Jeffs objected a half-dozen times to that one, saying it was protected under religious privacy rights.

But things got really heated when prosecutors played a second tape in which Jeffs instructs 12 “young ladies” in the art of drawing close. “You have to know how to excite sexually and be excited. You have to be able to assist each other,” Jeffs is heard saying. He also instructs them on shaving their pubic hair. Jeffs stood up and shouted objections over the recording. “I am but a mortal man seeking peace!” he cried. Eventually, judge, jury, and prosecutors put on headphones to block out his protests. Prosecutors say they will play a third recording, reportedly of Jeffs having sex with a 12-year-old, before resting their case. (More Warren Jeffs stories.)