I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My parents were LDS, but called "Jack Mormon" back in the day. I was not raised LDS at all. There was no prayer, no talk of God or Jesus or Joseph Smith. We didn't go to church.

I was molested by my father for a two year period. I would never write a book about it. I would consider it revenge. I forgave him. I believe my father was "ill" and hopefully he repented and was forgiven, as he has passed on.

How is it that a person that teaches gospel and is a pioneer in lds history, neglects the one thing that any religion, not just mormonism, hold most highly, even to equal that of jesus; family. There are no words to describe it.

I was a convert to the LDS church and loved so much about it when I joined but as I was involved things were revealed that just didn't sit right. A lot of things.
I just finished reading Ms. Beck's book and it seems strange to me that all the LDS responses I've seen fit so directly into the "anything against the LDS Church is anti-mormon and therefore completely untrue" catagory. I have not read one LDS response that shows the least bit of compassion towards her. Her own family, who should by Church standards should be deperate to reconnect and help her heal from whatever wounds real or unreal she has, discount her experience without asking "what can we do to help her?" or sounding at all loving. They are angry she has written a book. And it is funny to me that she understands the smiling facade and pent up anger so well for someone who apparently has nothing to have been angry about herself. I think she got it right on. God has given me great joy through Christ but common people, we are human (always will be) and real life should generate real emotion.

I appreciated Marsha's book enormously, as we are indeed contemporaries in more ways than one (although, curiously enough, not our church affiliations). I'm about her age, spent a few years in Tooele as a child, and am the daughter of a very strict Lutheran offshoot minister. Ms. Beck addresses church domination and control with an authenticity that crosses denominational lines, and whether her allegations are sexual abuse are true or not, her clear depictions of how fear-based religions operate is right on the money. I walked away from my own cultish experience (having tried at first to desperately comply... 7 kids in 10 years; submitting to and obeying my husband) and discovered the blessed joy of finding a loving and gracious God waiting for me on the other side. The shame is that so many loving and well-intentioned folks remain trapped inside the insidious control of such sundry religious constructs.

People are human and make mistakes. The LDS church (in case anyone hadn't noticed) is made up people. Unless someone is actually living the way that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches then they are subject to any problems that anyone else in the world has except that now they are jugded by a different standard. In the LDS church we are taught to study the scriptures daily (not just read), pray multiple times a day to a loving and listening Heavenly Father, not just pray but express real gratitude and seek for answers to big and little problems and questions. We are counseled to serve our family, neighbors and in the church. We are taught to be self-sufficient and hard workers not relying on government aide if we can help it in anyway. Happiness in family life is essesntial to our own happiness in general. If someone is not living the way that the gospel of Christ teaches then don't blame the "Mormon church" blame the person for choosing not to follow the teachings of Christ.

I read Dr. Beck's book about her son with Down syndrome (it is fashionable in medicine these days to leave the apostrophe off the syndrome name). It was worth reading. I also used to see her father, in his old age (his late 80s?), up at the library at BYU. He was an Einstein like figure on campus in his old age. He was not shabby, but endearingly unpolished in his button-up sweaters and mismatched socks, still chipping away at some puzzle deep inside the library. The allegation of abuse is very disturbing. I hope that Dr. Beck's memory is erroneous, but that is only my hope. It would be difficult to come to grips with a world where a father could do something so peculiar and tragic, and then blossom into such a endearing old gentleman.

I don't believe Martha Beck. Her sister (Zina) makes a pretty strong case that the abuse did not occur. Repressed memories being uncovered by therapist? Sounds iffy at best. How can we believe someone who wrote a book on curing homosexuality and then changes her mind and says she is gay?

I read Martha's book "Breaking the cycle..." many years ago. I found it very helpful and full of true principles. I only wonder now if her and her former husband believe what they wrote back then. Were they being true and honest when they researched and interviewed so many and made conclussions? Or would they say that they are now more enlightened and honest and that their book is out dated somehow? I admire both of their talents and ability. I do hope that they are happy. I still value and believe what they wrote in their book. I feel sadness about her pursuit of happiness including alienation from her family and people.