Welcome to Starling Warrior
A Latter-day Saint sexual abuse survivor transformed by embracing the feminine divine in herself: Creator.
An opportunity just disappeared from under my feet, and it freed me.
I’ve known it since spring. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. Covenant Communications has been subsumed into Deseret Book, and the editor I pitched to no longer works for them.
Losing that manuscript made me realize: I can do this on my own, with or without a publisher. It’s time to move. No longer do I wait to be chosen. The right people will choose me along the way.
Hi, I’m Crystal Redford, author of Starling Warrior, an inspirational nonfiction about a Latter-day Saint mom who uncovers memories of childhood sexual abuse.
1. I’m a Light Warrior.
At my lowest, I laid on the floor next to a Savior, looked into His eyes, and saw my own pain. He told me to look at my hands. He showed me who I was before this life: I held a golden sword and hordes of darkness fled before me. Light Warrior. I always was. I still am.
The Savior charged me to scream, shout, and yell my story. Shine His light into the darkness so that He can find His children in the shadows.
This is what it means to me to be to be a Latter-day Saint. I was a survivor. I am a creator.
2. With God, I create impossible things
A Latter-day Saint book about overcoming sexual abuse through the feminine divine.
A craft room with life-sized trees, green walls, and on the ceiling, a starling storm.
A fairytale woodshop. Miter saws painted with fairies, fantastical cottage walls, and creations by a mother’s hand.
3. This Latter-day Saint speaks openly about sexual abuse. You can too.
Starling Warrior is an inspirational nonfiction book in the middle of a publishing journey. Walk with me on this unknown path. I’ll upload videos, articles, and posts. Whether I am sewing a dress, building furniture, carving clay, or studying scriptures, the story is the same. Arms wide open, eyes closed, head back, I create.
I truly believe sexual abuse survivors around the world are being moved by God right now. We are at a watershed time for survivors who are also in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whatever you assumed Mormons wouldn’t talk about—all of that has changed. I intend to support anyone else brave enough to speak fearlessly inside our Latter-day Saint community, or any other community for that matter.
4. Join the Starling Storm
Starlings join in flocks of thousands, even millions, to dance together. A murmuration. Scientists are flummoxed how they do it. Birdwatchers call them invasive vermin, yet look up in awe.
So it is to be a creator in this mortal world.
Let’s dance together.
