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For and In Behalf Of: Poems of Transition
In the fall of 2017, Kari Ferguson surveyed over 150 individuals who had left the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to find out how leaving the religion affects a person’s mental health, relationships, and community. This book of poetry records those experiences, as well as containing poems recounting her own feelings and reflections on holding and knowing these stories.Reading these poems is an important step for anyone in the Church to understand and empathize with those who have left. Individuals who have experienced or are interested in faith transitions will also enjoy the candor and familiar sentiments in these simple, powerful poems.
- GenresPoetry
158 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2020
5 people want to read
About the author
Kari Ferguson
2 books6 followersKARI FERGUSON is a mental health advocate and blogger. She writes at theocdmormon.com, encouraging openness and dialogue about mental health and religion. She is a contributing writer for The Mighty, a popular online resource for mental health and disabilities, and has written freelance for other publications including Utah Diners Guide, World Art Glass Quarterly, and Desert Saints Magazine. Kari received her BS from BYU in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership and her MA in Sociology from Goldsmiths College, University of London. After returning from her LDS mission to Washington DC South, she taught Writing for Mass Media and Media and Society courses at Utah Valley University.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 14, 2021
3.5 stars
I imbibe quite a bit of poetry, and this slim volume is not in my preferred style: it's very casual and free-form. I like a little more structure and meter. HOWEVER, this collection is a journalistic / anthropological exploration which I thought very valuable and well executed for what it is. I think poetry succeeds when it says what you cannot and/or helps you understand "the other." These poems achieve both.
This collection of poems was written "in proxy" for those who are post-Mormon by a current member. I have many friends and family who are the former, which is part of why I was interested in reading this. (I also happen to know the author, though not intimately.) Let me be clear: this is not a faith affirming book, nor is it neutral. It is giving voice to those who have given up their church membership.
There is a strange conflation of culture and religion in this church (of which I am a member). I was raised by faithful intellectual truth-lovers and have always been encouraged to have questions and to reject the culture without rejecting my faith—and, yes, of course my efforts are often precarious with such an audacious goal. In this context, I appreciate the intellectual and spiritual honesty reflected in these poems as well as the author's efforts to build bridges of understanding. "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 We should not condemn others in their pursuit of truth.
These poems will be hard for some to read, but I would still recommend this to Mormons past and present who are interested in this perspective. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 I have noticed that when I feel fear it is because I haven't yet faced (or maybe even articulated) an important question yet. Trust yourself to the exercise: you do not need to fear the answers.
Other recommendations that explore this topic: That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith & Family by Tom Christofferson — a memoir by a gay man whose family treated him with the love and respect that everyone deserves regardless of his choices.
I imbibe quite a bit of poetry, and this slim volume is not in my preferred style: it's very casual and free-form. I like a little more structure and meter. HOWEVER, this collection is a journalistic / anthropological exploration which I thought very valuable and well executed for what it is. I think poetry succeeds when it says what you cannot and/or helps you understand "the other." These poems achieve both.
This collection of poems was written "in proxy" for those who are post-Mormon by a current member. I have many friends and family who are the former, which is part of why I was interested in reading this. (I also happen to know the author, though not intimately.) Let me be clear: this is not a faith affirming book, nor is it neutral. It is giving voice to those who have given up their church membership.
There is a strange conflation of culture and religion in this church (of which I am a member). I was raised by faithful intellectual truth-lovers and have always been encouraged to have questions and to reject the culture without rejecting my faith—and, yes, of course my efforts are often precarious with such an audacious goal. In this context, I appreciate the intellectual and spiritual honesty reflected in these poems as well as the author's efforts to build bridges of understanding. "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 We should not condemn others in their pursuit of truth.
These poems will be hard for some to read, but I would still recommend this to Mormons past and present who are interested in this perspective. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 I have noticed that when I feel fear it is because I haven't yet faced (or maybe even articulated) an important question yet. Trust yourself to the exercise: you do not need to fear the answers.
Other recommendations that explore this topic: That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith & Family by Tom Christofferson — a memoir by a gay man whose family treated him with the love and respect that everyone deserves regardless of his choices.
Displaying 1 of 1 review