And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment [Hardcover]

Laura M. Brotherson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2004

Finally! a book about physical intimacy and marital ONEness that is comprehensive, in-depth and frank, yet respectfully reverent—written to address the unique perspective and concerns of women, while shining a light into the mysteries of the female heart and mind. And They Were Not Ashamed--Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, by Laura M. Brotherson, is the ultimate how-to handbook—power-packed with hope and help for creating a mutually fulfilling intimate relationship.
As three books in one, this "marriage book," "sex book" and "parenting book":
* Shines light and truth on the intimate marital relationship, restoring sex to its proper position as ordained of God
* Effectively addresses, with self-help solutions, the emotional, spiritual and physical intimacy issues that plague so many marriages
* Provides principles and practices to help parents teach and better prepare their children for intimacy and lasting fulfillment in marriage.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Book Review from "Healthy, Wealthy, Wow" Women's LifeStyle Magazine, April 2005, Caralee Frederic, LCSW.

Laura's book is vitally necessary at this time in our nation, indeed in the world, where sexuality is so distorted and where the forces against marriage and families grow ever stronger.

It is indeed a rare phenomenon when an author can pinpoint a universal, cultural phenomenon, precisely define its existence and origins, and provide a comprehensive solution to address it. Laura Brotherson has done just this in her book, And They Were Not Ashamed--Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, as she identifies the sexual problems women and couples face, resulting in marriages that are weakened and often destroyed.

As a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with many couples, I can vouch for the desperate need for Laura's book. Her gentle directness in naming and addressing sexual problems counters the vast ignorance and misinformation that cause so many couples to struggle. Laura has addressed these problems in her book from every conceivable angle and offers valuable and practical solutions.

She inspires a new approach and a new attitude in effectively teaching our children and youth about sexuality while maintaining a focus on its sanctity. The last three chapters of her book help parents to prepare to teach, as well as to know what, how, and when to teach, to better prepare children for intimacy in marriage.

Laura speaks directly to issues not addressed anywhere else. Her conception of the phases of a woman's arousal, reordering them as she has, is a unique contribution to the understanding of the female sexual response, and gives legitimacy to what so many women experience, and yet are unable to put into words.

Laura's book addresses the primary issues of strengthening marriage and family in an uplifting and inspiring manner, relevant to all couples. She gives excellent and accurate information produced in the context of a deeply held faith and religious foundation.

She distills the best from similar resources, while adding her unique ability to speak as a woman of faith, to women of faith, contributing unique and valuable ideas, and giving couples hands-on homework assignments to apply, in the comfort of their own homes, thus improving their relationships immediately.

She addresses the negative cultural and media influences on sexuality, while simultaneously challenging the silence that pervades homes and churches in teaching the sanctity and godly purposes of sexuality.

About the Author

Laura Mason Brotherson, CFLE, is a marriage and family life educator certified by the National Council on Family Relations. She is the author of a new book on marital intimacy and ONEness entitled, And They Were Not Ashamed—Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment.
As a family life educator and author, Laura continues to strengthen marriages and families by writing a monthly column for Meridian Magazine, and by publishing a free electronic newsletter entitled "Straight Talk about Strengthening Marriage.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 373 pages
• Publisher: Inspire Book; 1ST edition (April 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587830361
• ISBN-13: 978-1587830365
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,427,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marriage and intimacy expert, Laura M. Brotherson, is the founder of StrengtheningMarriage.com and author of the bestselling book on sexual intimacy and marital ONEness entitled, And They Were Not Ashamed -- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment. Laura is the host of "The Marital Intimacy Show" (TheMaritalIntimacyShow.com) on The Women's Information Network (The WIN).

Laura shares her passion for building strong marriages and families as an author, marriage and family therapist and podcaster. She writes for various online magazines, publishes an electronic newsletter "Straight Talk about Strengthening Marriage" and a marriage blog, and speaks in various venues from couples' cruises and conferences to television and radio shows.

Laura is a trusted resource for education, products and services to strengthen marriages...intimately! Laura is the family-values version of Dr. Ruth.

Laura and her husband are the parents of three children, and have been married over 20 years. You can learn more by visiting StrengtheningMarriage.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read ..., January 21, 2006

By 

David "Knowledge Tree Books" (Kaysville, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment (Hardcover)

Laura Brotherson's book "And They Were Not Ashamed" is one of the best books I have ever read. Laura takes on the sensitive, yet crucial topic of marital intimacy with great reverence and candor using Christian-based teachings. No other book (apart from the scriptures) in my memory has had such an impact on my life. Though written especially for women, this book is equally as informative and helpful for husbands to help them better understand the intimate needs and concerns of their wives (emotional needs and female sexual response). Men can also benefit by learning to overcome their own inhibitions and misunderstandings about sex. Read it together as a couple!

Laura's book covers not only physical intimacy, but emotional and spiritual as well. It also discusses the great importance of teaching our children correct principles about sex and how we can go about teaching them.

I highly recommend this book to all married couples and those planning for marriage. It really will turn your intimate life as a couple around and bring you much closer together."

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and comprehensive, essential information for newlyweds and oldlyweds, December 23, 2005

By 

GlennHole (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment (Paperback)

This book is easily the best in its class of LDS based sex/marriage books. It is really great! Although written primarily to women, there is a wealth of relationship saving insight on offer here for men also. This is essential reading for the engaged couple, the newly married, or otherwise, the happily married or otherwise.

Rightfully concluding that societal convention, media extremism, church attitudes, and parental embarrassment have played roles in painting the wrong picture of sex; as something sinful, dirty, immoral, painful and distasteful, and barely allowed even after marriage, Brotherson's book is a tonic for all of us. With such negative, marriage stunting attitudes present in the average good LDS girl and boy's mindset, there is a desperate need for bold, appropriate sex education and Laura's book delivers! She fearlessly addresses this problem with a number of intelligent statements from other authors, medical professionals, church authorities and scripture. Indeed this is THE long awaited challenge to one of the, if not THE major cause of marital dysfunction and divorce in LDS society.

Although generally written from the female for the female perspective, Brotherson gives a startlingly accurate insight into both male and female behaviours within marriage and intimate situations. She then gives practical solutions and empowers the readers to initiate appropriate, constructive discussions on the topics we were once ashamed to speak about. There is also a particularly useful section on how to teach the facts of life to children, to help them to be aware, appropriate and unashamed through their development into adulthood and ultimately in their own marital relationships.

This can be a difficult subject to get right. I have read some LDS books on the subject and found them a little obscure and vague, while other sources can be a little too blunt, or graphic. The appropriate tone of this book rings true across all of its tricky content, succeeding in its aim to re-assert that intimacy is not meant to be tricky nor embarrassing. Even though it might be written to wives and wives to be - I personally find the insight invaluable and this book can improve all aspects of your marriage if you apply it. Just read it well before your wedding night!

What shines through this book is Laura's enthusiasm and spark for helping other people to find harmony in thier marriages. Such a comprehensive address to this problem can only have come from her own difficult experiences; after all as she is the first to admit - she knows it's tough, she's already been there and is willing to help.

All you have to do now is convince your wife to read it!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete coverage of the topic of intimacy within marriage, July 28, 2004

By 

Mark (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment (Paperback)

My wife, an LCSW who has practiced individual and family counseling, and has read many different books addressing this subject said 'And They Were Not Ashamed' was the most complete of any she has read and she felt the part about discussing sex with our children will especially help us in our parenting. I commend the author for having the courage to discuss the topic so openly and frankly. I believe there is an urgent need for it; I also believe the author was inspired to write this book and hopefully others will be enriched the way my wife's and my intimate relationship has been.