Leaving the Saints

"The book can only become a Rorschach test confirming whichever truth is more appealing to the individual."-- Tania Rands Lyon("An Exhausted Memoir of Reading Leaving The Saints"; March 2005, Sunstone Journal; p. 64)====================================================================MARTHA (NIBLEY) BECK IS A WONDERFULLY BROKEN AND IMPERFECT PERSON . . .She is also a superb scholar and gifted writer.I "read" the audio book and I had several "driveway moments" (when it was so hard to tear myself away from the story that I just sat in my car and listened to her narrative - she reads the audio book herself - until I could tear myself away). She's self-depreciating. She's humble. She's honest. She speaks in a warm, intimate, approachable tone that is pointed without being shrill. Her candor is stunning and her insight laser sharp. And, yes, the story is very, very gripping.In fact, of all the ex-Moron testimonies that I've read this one is my favorite. After finishing this book I feel like I had just had a long, warm, intimate Starbucks chat with a longtime friend. It was wonderful.. . . MORMONS HATE THIS BOOK . . .At the time that this review is being written there are 189-reviews for this work on the Amazon main page listing. The majority of 2-and-1-Star reviews are from Mormons and Mormon sympathizers trashing Martha Beck and this book.Running through the review comments I found it amusing to find post after post from Mormons (and some ex-Mormons such as her ex-husband John) doing their best to discredit Martha Beck and this book. That, naturally, lead to a broad Google search where I discovered that the LDS Church, BYU and just about every official and self-proclaimed Mormon apologist or group was doing the same thing. In their eyes, she's a devil, a Judas, a lost soul and enemy of "the only true church". And what's particularly amusing is that the accusations, criticism, and judgments on the web are generally the same as the ones that Martha documents in the book. You read most of them and think, "Nothing new to see here . . . move along . . . move along . . . "Conversely, the anti-Mormon and ex-Moron web references would have you believe that she's at the very least a flawed hero, an admired ally in the fight who is being unjustly villianized by the LDS Church.The more things change the more they stay the same.The only thing that I would add to the debate is this thought: Let's assume for a moment that Martha Beck is the unstable, drama queen, lunatic, "out-to-get-the-Church", attention seeking harpy that the LDS Church has painted her as. Why then, is her story so consistent with the thousands and thousands of ex-Moron testimonies? Toss this one out and that vast body still stands in silent indictment of Mormonism!Next point. Let's also assume for a moment that her family is right and her accounts of child abuse are indeed delusional. Again, why is her account and the data that she presents in the book so consistent with the thousands and thousands of testimonies from Child Abuse victims?I am of the opinion that if the "truth" is really true it will ultimately speak for itself. However, in this case the Mormon Church seems to feel that their "truth" needs A LOT of help. Yet through all their shouting, pontificating, and posturing I hear The Truth quietly whispering, "She's credible - listen to her."And I don't know what her motivation was in writing the book and, frankly, I don't care - it's a terrific work and one that she should be proud of.. . . AND I LOVE IT . . .Yes, I do indeed love this book and even more I love the way that it's stirred the pot in a really, really good way. It made me think, it gave me insights that I lacked and it made me love God and hate religion even more than I did before I read it.I encourage you to read the other reviews and consider ANY other book you've read that has caused as much spirited discussion and provoked thought as this one has! Whether you agree or disagree with the reviews and comments here there is no denying that Martha Beck must have done something extraordinary to have this many diverse, (generally) intelligent people swarming to discourse!. . . WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.The only caution that I would have regarding this great is the New Age mysticism. It's apparent that's where Martha Beck has "landed" in a big way. This is, in my opinion, sad but not unusual for ex-Mormons. For example, Deborah Laake (author of "Secret Ceremonies") landed in a similar pantheistic place after she left Mormonism. Most of the ex-Mormons on the Mormon Recovery sites seem to have gone this way too.I can only conclude that after being abused by "organized religion" via an abusive cult that claims to be "The ONLY true Church" many ex-Mormons are so hurt that they reject systematic Theology preferring to simply "roll their own" instead.To me this is tragic since I have found such comfort, security, and wisdom by serving God within the context of historic/contemporary Christian Community (for the record, this author is a Charismatic, Evangelical, Born-Again Christian with Reformed Theological leanings - try saying that 3-times fast).In the end, I'm not religious, I just love the Lord and I wish that everyone could find a similar spiritual home for their passage through this life. However, I am Calvinist enough (and probably just plain simple minded enough) to let every man that I meet on the trail walk their own path.God bless us one and all. I hope that you enjoy this book and the resulting dialog as much as I have!For what it's worth, here are other books that touch on the issues and thoughts contained in this review:Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin's Path to GodLoving GodMere ChristianityToxic FaithBoundariesThe Practice of the Presence of God: The Original 17th Century Letters and Conversations of Brother LawrenceThe Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview (5 Volume Set)Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and BeyondThe Pattern of The Double-Bind in MormonismBeyond Mormonism : An Elder's Story

*****The reason this book gets numbers of stars that vary so widely is because the subject matter is so controversial. It is about the author's life, which involved a lot of dysfunction and abuse, and this in itself is a controversial topic. It is also about the Mormon Church. The author has now left the Mormon Church, and people have widely divergent views on her leaving and on the Church itself.I thought that the book was very fair to the Mormon Church. I disagree with the reviewers who think that the author reviles and disparages the Church. I think that she writes in a fair way, and although much of it is not flattering, much of it is flattering, too---it is simply her experience. I think that the author goes to great effort to make the point that she is writing about what she knows and what her experiences were.That said, this is an unforgettable book. If it were just about Martha Beck's life, that alone would make for a riveting read. However, the details about the Mormon Church are so interesting, too. I could not put the book down. I read it in two days because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.It is a very, very brave, poignant, well-written book...Martha is a very intelligent woman who writes about her experiences in such a vivid way that you feel like you are going through them with her. The part of her life that she writes about in this book is her journey of faith, and I loved it. She uses vivid metaphors and great "laugh-out-loud" wit. She is entertaining, too...although much of the book is painful. That in itself was pretty incredible to me---that someone could write a book with so much pain and laughter and depth all at the same time. The book is so interesting that I think people who are not interested at all in the LDS Church would still enjoy it---to me, this is one sign of a really well-written book---when you can pick it up and be totally absorbed in something that on the surface you have no interest in whatsoever.The book is structured around a meeting Martha has with her father. Each chapter covers a few minutes of their meeting, and then flashes back to relevant experiences in her past. She ties her experiences with her family and with her church in with her journey of faith.I think that some Mormons may be very upset that the author dares to criticize their church or their leaders in any way. However, I think other Mormons will welcome her views and experiences and think about them as a part of their journey of faith too. If you are not a Mormon, I think you'll love it like I did.Some reviewers criticize the book because of what the author's family members believe and feel about it. When you read the book, you'll see why you couldn't expect them to all jump in and endorse what happened to Martha and what she found out. Don't let the negative reviews scare you off---just read the book and make up your own mind---it's really worth it. I bought it in hardback and my husband is now reading it and loving it too, so it's not just a "woman's book". This is one of the most unforgettable books I've ever read and I will read it again.*****

I’m a huge fan of her writing, her storytelling, her original ideas. I guess I’m just a huge fan. What an incredible life she has led. And yet through tragic and injurious circumstances, she never lost her huge capacity to love. I learned so much. Thank you Martha for being you!

Disturbing but very interesting

When Martha Beck decided to write this book, she did so knowing a large part of her family would be angered and alienated. But she also hoped, I'm sure, that a large part of her human family might be helped in some way by her courage. This is the very eloquent result of her choice. It resonates on a very deep level. I have also given it to others and it's been well-received.

Informative for LDS readers.