Chainbreakers: a True Story of Healing from Abuse

by Michele R. Sorensen

This is recommended for LDS church leader to help understand abuse and what it means to victims. It is hard to conceive of what the author went through. It is also a story of how a victim is able to use Christ to overcome the pain of abuse and ignorance of Church members and leaders.

230 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I got from a friend. It was tough read but I was engaged in the story to see how the MC overcomes the trauma she had endured from her stepfather. The writing style was unique with it going between the present with MC talking about what she learned from her past with her counselor and husband then to her past experiences. There were moments where the writing could have been written better but the overall message of healing despite the trauma experienced was clear. The following were a few quotes from the book that I thought were good;

——“I don't want to become another link in the chain of victims-turned-abusers!" I fumed. "Don't you see? I could become like him unless I keep myself carefully under control. I feel like a diseased person who never knows when she'll start a plague. There's no way I can protect myself and my family if I just forget it all, Maria. Forgiving's forgetting," I said again. "I don't dare do that."——

——“Thinking back on that tender moment of communication, I told Ben, “Prayer is a mighty tool—lots more powerful than we can guess until we’ve really invented in it."
"What strikes me as significant about prayer," Ben ventured,"is that it reveals our desire to trust God. The very act of praying showed you were making an effort toward hope."
"And it invited the Lord to intervene more directly in our lives," Darren agreed. "All these things reaffirmed our desire for help. Liz and I have noticed that whenever we make a point of watching for the answers to our prayers, and then give thanks for those answers, our hope and trust have grown."—-

[Jeff Stockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave an excellent portrayal of the dark emotions that are felt by abused children. While reading it I felt the fear that the little girl felt. The first few chapters were almost painful to read because of how powerful the imagery was.

But in the end it also highlighted the power of the atonement and how Christ is able to heal any wounds. The atonement is not just for cleaning sins but for bringing healing to those who have been wronged through no fault of their own.

[Tiffhubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I read that inspired me to always forgive and not judge.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days. I didn't want to put it down. I found it very inspiring. It has given me some insight that will help me in my own parenting of my children who experienced abuse in their birth family.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, but I thought it was interesting and gave some insights into experiences and perspectives of a teenage girl who had been sexually abused.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was both touching and heartbreaking at the same time. I enjoyed reading this book though.