Secrets

by Blaine M. Yorgason, Sunny Oaks

Powerfully and poetically written, Secrets is a story of abuse and healing, of private pain and of the power of Atonement to make us whole. A compelling novel based on true experiences, it follows Bishop Greaves as secrets of abuse are unfolded within his ward and within the walls of his own home

Genres: Lds, Fiction, Lds Fiction, Religion

502 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

About the author

Blaine M. Yorgason was born in Sanpete County, Utah. He attended Brigham Young University and received both a BA and MA in History. Blaine and his wife Kathleen have 7 children and numerous grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a spectacular way of looking at abuse from a religious-- particularly LDS-- standard. There were many, many good points, and few points that I disagreed with. I have three copies of the book, so anyone who has some spare reading time, I would HIGHLY recommend this book, and I have a copy to spare!!

I became very interested in reading every book available to me, that had to do with abuse, a few years ago while in high school. I've read 100+ books that dealt with abuse, and, y'know, most were okay, some were good, a few were excellent, and even fewer were spectacular. This book deals with abuse within the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You follow a growing bishop, whose ward, he is coming to find, is saturated in abuse. The principles taught in this work of fiction are accurate. I've talked with several people in small, casual group discussions, and the majority of those I've talked to have skewed perceptions of abuse, abusers, and the abused. This book helps clear up a lot of questions, and does it through an accurate, God-guided view of the Lord's gospel.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrible book! NO really a very well written book just a bit too close to home with some of the abuse issues for my comfort. BUT well written and anyone who is dealing with someone who has been abused or wants ot better understand the abused or the abuser should read this. Definitly NOT a light read. Very good at putting the gospel perspective on things and at showing some of the real points of view for those involved with abuses. Tough read but worth it.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though a work of fiction, this story took hold of me and wouldn't let go until I finished reading it. I often found it to be uncomfortable reading, and yet it proved to offer me insight and understanding that might have been impossible to gain otherwise. And it came at a time when I really needed that insight to help others. Recommended for those who are, or have been, in abusive relationships, and for those seeking to help the abused spiritually and temporally.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all about a bishop and all of the abuse that he has to deal with within his own ward/family. It is hard to read at times but if you are interested in abuse or know someone who has been abused I would highly recommend it.

[Diane Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who don't understand abuse this is a great read. For those who have experienced abuse this is a great read. For those who may have inflicted abuse this is a great read.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, the beginning of the book was really gripping, but it was over 500 pages, and got a bit redundant in the last half. But it was meaningful to me. Great LDS novel.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book on different types of abuse. In Twin Falls in our Stake it was recommended that all Bishops and Stake Presidents read this. The scriptures used in it are wonderful.

[Mark Smiley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this book. It, to me, was unlike other Yorgason books I have read, most of which were much more compact.
From the start, I felt offput by the theme, the situations, the continued tragedies of the people involved. I know it was to bring us as readers into the situation fully, to explore things which we bury. Instead of feeling uplifted through the whole thing, it was a slog for me.
I appreciate what they authors tried to do, but it did not work for me. I am glad others praised this book, that they found relief or sympathy and empathy through it.
The fault could be within myself.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fictional book is based on real events that happened in and LDS congregation. It was written quite some time ago, and the writing reflects this, but even still it is a revealing, powerful book. It opened my eyes to the problems of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. I realize that I will never know what it feels like to be the characters in this book- I have empathy- but I know that it isn't the same as understanding. Bishops, and other church leaders should read it.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very depressing at the beginning because it's about a ward that has a bunch of abuse going on, both sexual and physical. However, as the story progressed, I really liked it. I liked the compassion and the nonjudgmental way the bishop helped one of the abusers through the repentance process. It also gave good insight into healing from abuse.

[Jana Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave it 5 stars because of all I learned about abuse and the healing process. The storyline was a little far fetched with how many people within Frank's close circle had been abused but I still really enjoyed it. It also gives you sympathy for all that Bishops are asked to do to help those in their stewardship. Although it's a big book, I couldn't put it down and finished it quickly.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a story of abuse and of healing, of private pain and all of the power of the Atonement to make us whole. A novel based on true experiences, It follows Bishop Greaves as secrets of abuse are unfolded within his ward and within the walls of his own home.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a teenager, and again on January 3, 2023 because I was curious to see how the book held up a quarter of a century later.

I'll get the criticisms out of the way first: LOTS of scripture, and the last several pages were essentially a sacrament meeting talk absolutely crammed with scripture quotes. It was excessive, made for boring reading, and from my POV mostly not illuminating. It was funny to me how the characters were constantly reaching for their scriptures, always had them handy, and once or twice they lamented when they weren't available -- I rejoiced, but their memories didn't fail them -- so my rejoicing was cut short. Their was one particular phrase that was jarring and off-putting, "I opened the scriptures to them," the main character, the bishop, Frank would say this. Do people really talk like this? In the 1990's? Nice normal people you want to have lunch with? I don't think so.

The other thing that really detracted was this myopic, fervent belief that healing from abuse could ONLY happen through/by/via/with/for/under/over/around Christ. I guess the other 70% of the world's population is screwed. I get that this book was written for a very small niche audience -- Mormons -- but is the author's world really so small??? Does he really think abuse only happens to Christians and by Christians and that there is only one religion in the whole world that has any help or healing to offer? Just ludicrous. On the other hand, the authors stayed on topic, how to help Mormons confront honestly the abuse that happens in their own societies and from an anthropological perspective it was a fascinating read into how this author demonstrated how their particular culture, religious texts, and doctrine could be re-purposed to heal trauma. And it probably has a decent success rate.

Here's what was good: the authors had a respectable, professional grasp of trauma, its effects, how children deal with trauma (repression) and how adults handle that repressed trauma when it eventually, inevitably, makes itself known. It was like a manual with excellent examples from the field. Especially in the 90's when it was published, the Church should have made it required reading for any member in a leadership position. These days for something more applicable (no Christianity required) and building on three more decades of research I recommend The Body Keeps the Score.

The most difficult and probably controversial storyline dealt with the reconciliation of Bob and Claudia Nichols. He was physically violent and abusive to both his wife and son. The authors have Bob go through a repentance/awakening process, which I think was dealt with in a beautiful and fairly realistic way. They showed this man fully realize, feel, and accept his horrible behavior as inexcusable. It was a bold and risky move to play the story out that way in the book considering how common it is for domestic abusers to go on abusing and to eventually kill their wives. However, I agreed with the authors that it's important not to demonize the abusers and condemn them to that state forever. There has to be a way to break the cycle otherwise what's the point? And they got important things right: Claudia's changes and ownership of herself, her life, and her enabling of the abuse. Bob didn't just get to have his life back because he was lonely. He suffered the full knowledge of what HE had done, not anybody else, no one to blame, no one's fault but his own. He took ownership of what he'd done and regretted it whole-heartedly. I was so nervous the whole time I was reading this storyline when the Bishop encourages Claudia to give Bob a chance, via an ultimatum with a deadline and the promise that he would help her leave if Bob didn't change. I was just like, holy heck do you know how many times people have encouraged a woman to stay just for her to later end up dead or back in the hospital at the hands of her abuser?? Such a risk!!!

All in all, I'm glad I read this book when I was teenager, it probably did me a lot more good than harm.

[Laura]

This is a hard book for me to rate. Let me first say that the book itself is really not well-written. I believe the authors have sacrificed realistic dialogue and plot development in their effort to tackle this subject and incorporate gospel principles in a way that readers can use.

However--and this is what is interesting--I don't know that this sacrifice is necessarily a bad thing. I believe the book was written for the abuse survivor to understand their own experiences and gain hope at recovery--as well as for those who have a survivor in their lives. Thus, while it is unrealistic that characters very frequently recite a scriptural verse verbatim (including chapter and verse), this does allow readers to go directly to those verses for further pondering.

And the biggest indication that this book might have value is the effect that it had on my good friend who had been abused as a young girl: She now finally desires to really confront those issues she has dealt with. She gave me the book to read.

Sooooo...I didn't really like the book as a piece of fiction. But, looking at it from the perspective of a non-intimidating self-help book, I guess there were principles/scriptures that were incredible useful (although there were other principles that I frankly didn't accept).

[iLa · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the first 100 pages, I almost stopped reading it. It is about abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, etc) that is taking place in an LDS ward and how the bishop handles all of the situations. To set up the story, at first you just feel like you're reading one terrible thing after another. However, by the end of it you do come away with some good information on how to cope with abuse in your life, as well as how to handle situations you may become aware of in other people's lives. If you are in an abusive situation yourself, I could see how there might be some helpful information as well. There are characters in the book that get out of the abusive situation, stop abusing other, as well as those that do not overcome their weaknesses. Probably the one thing that is a little "cheesy" is how the people reference full scriptures (books, chapters, and verses included) throughout their conversations. Maybe it is just me, but I have yet to talk with people that can pull out the perfect scipture at the drop of a hat and quote it word for word. However, I also understand that it needed to happen to make some of the points that needed to be made to try and help someone. I am glad I read it, even though the beginning was hard to get through.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading it and it was AMAZING! “While the preceding story is fictional, all of the characters we described, as well as their experiences with abuse, have been based upon the lives and experiences of Latter-day Saints.” This book gave me new understanding both from the perpetrators viewpoint, and the victims and how they have to work through things. It also helped me understand that there are things surrounding individuals do that either helps or severely damages (again) the victims. I appreciated that it was written in story-form (I couldn’t put it down!), a message of hope, and an acknowledgement that overcoming these things can only happen with the Savior. In the process I found myself not envying a Bishop’s position. :) Abuse – any kind – is something we can’t just ignore… it happens, even in the church and through the experiences of the people in this book it shows things to look for and how to help.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book I finally got around to picking up and reading. And my feelings now that I have? I HATED IT!!! It was TOO LONG, too many story lines to follow before I started skimming and just too much information that really wasn't necessary and only confused the story.
Though I applaud Yorgason for tackling this sensitive topic during the early 90's, with the dawning of the internet age about to burst forth, I'm dissapointed that no connection was made between pornography and the horrible sexual abuse these characters suffered-I realize that's a strong statement making Secrets all the more depressing to read but here we are, almost twenty years later, and the sad fact still remains-pornagraphy is the leading cause of abuse in the lives of too many women and children. Here's hoping other writers out there will take up the torch and shed more light on this subject.

[Nancy]

Even though this book was written over 20 years ago, the topics are so valuable for today. The dangers or abuse are even more dangerous today with the internet. I hope that the sensitivity of Leaders and Counselors has improved in the last 20 years. I was amazed at many of the insights that were in the book that I have only learned about in my life in the last year or 2.

I've been studying abuse and addiction on the internet lately, but after starting to read this book I realized that I had been studying it from a academic point of view, and that I needed to also understand it from the personal or story point of view.

I love that although you understand the different types of abuse, it is tastefully done, and you are left with hope for recovery.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story told mostly from the point of view of a new bishop in an LDS ward and what he learns about the people in his ward and their secrets. He has to deal with two abusive fathers, one who physically abuses his son and one who sexually abuses his daughters (as I recall), and he also tries to help a woman who has finally begun to deal with abuse she suffered as a child. It's a huge trial of faith for the bishop as he struggles to know how to shepherd these people. I thought it was a book worth reading because I had been on the fringe of something similar and not seen much dealing with the problems at all on the part of the members' Church leaders.

[Rustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering story of a mormon bishop and school teacher who expresses his gratitude that he doesn't have any problems of abuse within his congregation. That is how the book starts and then the bishop discovers case after case of problems of abuse (of varied kinds) all around him. The story illustrates how naive we can be about abuse even when it is in our own back yard. Abuse is often a hidden destroyer that is so difficult to overcome.

This book is well written and easy to read, yet it gives great insight into dealing with abuse (of various kinds) and provides some education of how to help those that are victims of this horrible deed.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's obviously about a sensitive topic, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend a teen read it, but I feel like I can have more compassion for victims of all kinds of abuse now, and I certainly feel grateful for the life I've had. Throughout the book, the healing power of the atonement for both sides of abuse was heavily emphasized, and I came away wanting to tap into that power better for all the small things in my own life. I thought the book dealt with a very sensitive subject without getting graphic or dark.

I have it if anyone wants to borrow it.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might give this 3.5 stars. This is a book handed down to me from my mom's bookshelf. The basis is a ward where the bishop initially thinks everything is hunky-dory and then finds out there are multiple cases of abuse that he has to deal with. This goes through all the stages of recovery from all types of abuse using the Gospel as well as secular knowledge. While I felt there were times this story just dragged on, I learned a lot about abuse and the different ways that it needs to be addressed/handled.

[Bri Malan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful eye opener of the things that are going on around us all the time. Just because a family seems okay from the outside, doesn't mean that they are okay. We can never know what is going on behind closed doors. But there is strength in the Lord, and in the fellowship of the Church. We find friendship in similarities and love that we have for our fellow men. This book was a "can't put it down" book! I read the whole thing in three days...it is awesome.

[Roseanne Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child molestation is a very difficult topic to cover. Blaine Yorgason and Sunny Oaks do an outstanding job of writing a story about someone who has lived with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Like many victims, she has forgotten what caused her PTSD. You are drawn into the story while living through her process of remembering. Although it is a difficult story to tell, it also teaches important lessons. I highly recommend this book.

[Elisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to go against the grain here and say that I really hated this book. HATED IT. It was just too much for me. I actually didn't even finish it because it was just so dang depressing. Life is too short for me to read books that make me want to curl up in the fetel position in the corner and suck my thumb. That's what this book did for me.

Thumbs down.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with abuse and is not an easy read for some people. I gave it three stars, but I go back and forth on my feelings about it. I read this in its entirety years ago and then recently started it again, but stopped about half way through. I may pick it up and finish it eventually...we'll see.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read and hard to put down. this book explores abuse and repressed memories through the eyes of a well-meaning bishop, as he learns the issues going on under the smooth surface of his ward and begins to understand how to most effectively address them. All cases are true, but have been placed into a fictitious setting to better facilitate our understanding as we learn along with him.

[Rachael Burgess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Books like this contribute to the perpetuation of abuse through victim blaming, encouraging treatment from untrained professionals, and the misguided idea that the atonement heals everything. I read this book as a teenager and it definitely contributed to shame around abuse and delayed treatment of symptoms that were a result of abuse.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look inside the life of a woman who has kept secrets of abuse so deep inside that she has repressed most of the memories. In addition several other characters in the book own and deal with their own lives of abuse.

[Amanda DePew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. While it is both educational on the topic of abuse and also emphasizes the important healing power of the Savior, some of the incidences of abuse described are a bit depressing. I was quite emotional while reading this book.