Writing from the perspective of an

Evangelical, Trinity believing Christian. I have looked at Mormonism a number of times and one thing I have noted is how, unlike lapsed members of some other cults and sects outside the church, they do not tend to become Christians.

Therefore when I saw the title "leaving Mormonism and finding my faith" I was hoping that Martha would be an exception and would now be in a mainstream Christian church.

I was not surprised but only disappointed and confirmed in my observation of the phenomenon when it transpires that Martha has come to a faith rather informed by Buddhism and other similar areas of thought than the Bible.

This book is of value to the Evangelical reader anyway as it shows us more from the inside how the Mormon religion works and what it really is, and how we need to watch out in our own churches not to make similar mistakes.

Beyond which this is a harrowing account of child sexual abuse and denial by the perpetrator, which I don't presume Mormons have any monopoly on. Be ready for that, if you want to read this book.

On the plus side it was a well narrated and we'll written book with an idiosyncratic but enjoyable style of writing with many humorous observations. It was the kind of humour in adversity one usually associates with Jewish culture. I certainly enjoyed that part, as well as new information on what it is like inside which was largely confirmatory of accounts other ex Mormons have given but which at first hand seem like exaggeration but clearly they are not.

The devil had a field day on Joseph Smith a bit like he had on that other receiver of dubious revelations Mohammed. Interesting how many parallels there are, including polygamy and violence. The end of it all is, when Mormons see how duped they have been by the phoney revelation, they are inoculated and cannot be reached easily by the true revelation, writing this remember mainly for other Christians. So they need our prayers and our love to get them into the fold of God when they have been so traumatised by a false Church and its weird teachings which nonetheless are intertwined with Christian scriptures, teachings, even our hymns, that they have autoimmune reactions against Christianity also. And that's exactly what the devil was up to when he whispered in Smith's urim and thummim-like ear.

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spiritual and psycohological autobiography

I knew nothing about Mormonism or Martha Beck before listening to this audiobook, though I've since gathered that she is well known in the US - unsurprisingly with notoriety in the Mormon world. I chose it out of interest in the spiritual autobiography of which the subtitle indicates.
What the title doesn't indicate is that the book is as much about sexual abuse as it is about religion and faith. Had I known this I wouldn't have chosen it, but though I was shocked and upset by the content on this subject, I'm glad I listened to this book because it's not just about surviving abuse and the consequences of a traumatic childhood, nor just about the (also disturbing) inner workings and foundations of the Mormon church, but is very much about finding the paths of healing, grace, courage, forgiveness, love, and truth.
I think Martha and I would have to part company on some of the New Age-y aspects of spirituality that the synopses of some of her more current books indicate, nevertheless, I found this book spiritually uplifting and challenging and I'm glad I listened to it.

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Beautifully written memoir on overcoming trauma

This book not just about surviving abuse and the consequences of a traumatic childhood, & not just about the inner workings and foundations of the Mormon church, but is very much about finding the paths of healing, grace, courage, forgiveness, love, inner growth, spirituality and truth.

An uplifting, encouraging and magnificent book about learning to trust in oneself.

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An interesting and well written book

This book is very interesting and for someone who knew almost nothing about the Mormon religion, it was fascinating to hear about it and my attention was captured all the way through. I would discourage anyone considering reading this book from reading the whole synopsis as it gives to much away - it spoils some of the shock and surprise and that is a pity.
The book is wonderfully narrated and that makes it probably an easier book to listen to rather than read since the author tries to explain some complex religious ideas and discusses her very intense thoughts. There is a lovely thread of humour that runs through the book and I would recommend this book to people who are looking for an eye opening read that is very well written.

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