Customer Reviews

Confronting Abuse

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"Confronting Abuse" is an excellent resource for all manner of abuse, also solutions... the SOLUTION part is the best. Many books reveal types of abuse and how to recognize, but no solutions. This one teaches Godly principles for LDS members and gives excellent guidance in seeking help in resolving issues for the victims as well as the offender. It addresses issues that many of us may not be aware are abusive habits...to habits that are entrenched and need serious therapy and how to get professional help. It is one of the best self-help books I have found on the subject, as well as a resource for professionals. I recommend it to anyone, but especially LDS members who have issues of abuse that need to be confronted.

I read this book 14 years ago, and have read more than 40 on the subject since. This book, by far, is the best and most complete book I've read....and ultimately the most helpful in healing from abuses of all kinds. I have referred back to it many times in my path to healing. I shared it with my Stake President and he saw to it that each of the ward libraries in our stake have one. It should be required reading for every auxiliary calling in the LDS Church; lack of knowledge and resources is a massive problem within the Church; I say this with first hand knowledge. After telling 24 Priesthood leaders of the sadistic abuse I suffered for the first 16 years of my life and the continued abuses to keep my quiet; they simply did nothing in regard to the abuses. I know this is not what the Lord taught in administering the priesthood. I believe fear, misused patriarchy, stigma and lack of knowledge are among the biggest problems in confronting the ugly truths in this life. This book has outstanding depth, critical (sometimes disturbing) truth, and points to solutions. One of my favorite chapters deals with forgiveness and the complex nature of it in regard to such serious sin against us with horrendous long-term consequences, using one of the best scriptural examples we have. It emphasized forgiveness as a process, not an event and why offering forgiveness prematurely can truly inhibit healing in many ways. I love this book, love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the LDS Church. Though I appreciate very much, the efforts the Church has made in this direction in recent years, there is so much more that needs to be learned and expected as members, and especially leaders. This book is well-rounded, honest and I believe an inspired help in that direction. It's written by LDS professionals in this field, among them, abuse survivors themselves. I'm sorry to see it's not easily found and is out of print at this time. Not a huge surprise considering all the adversary has in mind for the individual, the family, the Church....the truth. I hope it will be back in print again soon. If not, I encourage all those interested to purchase a used copy or check it out at your local library. I am deeply grateful to the authors, contributors, and publisher for all this book has given to my life and healing.

This book is an excellent resource for all concerned with abuse. It is the most comprehensive book on the subject I've read, and I've read many, both while in udergrad and graduate work at the University and for personal learning. Abuse touches most, if not all of us, whether we recognize/realize it or are willing to admit it. This book has some excellent recommendations for recognizing and healing both the abuser and the victims. It does have a solid LDS foundation and that paradigm for healing spiritually and emotionally is well presented.

Locking secrets behind closed doors, many L.D.S. members try to ignore abuse ... they're told to pray harder, talk to their bishop then the situation will change, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Utah has the highest spouse/child abuse in the United States. Why? This book takes a penetrating look at the problem. It's an LDS perspective on understanding and healing. Although I do not agree with many of the solutions, it's a valuable guide for anyone who has been physically, emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually abused. One significant chapter on Elderly abuse was particularly interesting. The Church MUST face the problem squarely and this book suggests answers.