Let's Talk about Religion and Mental Health

by Daniel K. Judd

More than ever before, mental health is a significant issue in the lives of individuals, families, and communities among “every nation, kindred, tongue and people” (1 Ne. 19:17). Let’s Talk about Religion and Mental Health—written by Daniel K Judd, a professor of religion who is trained as a psychologist—is a brief introduction to this complex subject and focuses specifically on the relationships between mental health and religious belief and practice.

Drawing from doctrinal teachings, scientific evidence, and examples from Church history and scripture, this book examines how individuals may experience a variety of mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety. It also discusses how we can meaningfully address these concerns in our own lives and in the lives of those we love and serve. In analyzing these issues, Judd focuses particularly on the people and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he relates promising findings on how a true understanding of God’s love and grace can offer hope and relief to those facing the challenges of mental illness. This book is based on the doctrinal foundation that God is our Father, He loves us, and He has provided the means to find comfort, hope, and healing. As we humbly and diligently press forward, recognizing the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ and following inspired guidance from prophets and capable counselors and physicians, we can find the answers and peace we seek.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Mental Health, Psychology, Self Help, Audiobook

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2021

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very well researched and written book. This is a tricky topic that really most of us, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or not, struggle with. I appreciate that this book is not an apology, either in the “I’m sorry for” or the “explanation in support of” way. It is an explanation of what it was, what it looked like, where the faith of the practitioners came into the decision making and life living of the choice to practice polygamy, and what it could mean for members of the Church of Jesus Christ in the future. And done in a very respectful way. I was impressed. And helped me settle a little bit myself as well - I live my faith in ways that don’t always make sense to others, but make deep sense to me. And I can give grace to those who practiced polygamy because they were living their faith in a way that didn’t make sense to a lot of people then, and still doesn’t make a lot of sense. But they were living in a way they deeply felt was essential to their faith. And I can respect that, even if my deepest prayer is that I am never asked to demonstrate my faith like that. So, if you are interested, this is worth a read. Welcome to the table of discipleship where being a disciple is hard, no matter where or when you live.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polygamy has always been a topic that has made me uncomfortable because I did not understand why women would choose to live that way. I've also been fearful that I may be required to live it in the afterlife and share my husband with other wives. (How is that fair?!?) So I put polygamy on a shelf for at least the last 25 years--since I was old enough to understand that this was apart of church history and part of MY history.

The last year as I attended an institute class about the book Saints 2, I finally took polygamy off the shelf I've put it on and examined it from more angles. I followed that study up by reading this book-- twice--because I found it so helpful in giving me new insights and a new lens to look at polygamy. Ultimately, through many stories shared in the book, I learned that the Saints found polygamy to be hard. In most instances, it was SO hard. Yet the Saints strongly believed or gained testimony that it was a commandment of God. And they chose to obey even though it was so difficult and at times quite lonely and painful. It is truly humbling to see their example of faith, and that is a legacy I can admire and respect. From a 2022 perspective, polygamy seems so weird, repulsive, and maybe an embarrassing part of church history. But diving into the Saints' personal stories, I can learn to understand polygamy in a new way and learn to give grace. I'm truly so grateful for Nash's research and writing this book.

I really liked the author's final quote, "We can gain strength from our polygamous past. How? We can talk about it. We can discard shame and embarrassment about the practices. We can make room for complexity, knowing that each Saint had a story...We can share the stories of polygamous Saints and find meaning in their devotion. We can allow their faith to invigorate our own resolve to make difficult choices and sacrifices for the gospel's sake. We can sit in the discomfort of not having all of the answers and accept the reality that, even in important questions about polygamy, the answers may not be known right now. We can leave the burden of choice with the nineteenth-century Saints; they've already borne it. They knew their lives and situations better than we do. We can trust in God, as they did, and make and keep our own sacred covenants."
"Polygamy was a difficult principle to live. What is remarkable though, is that so many Saints infused plural marriage with love, compassion, and forgiveness, transcending early circumstances through the power of faith."


Other personal notes I want to remember:
-Church members anticipated that by being sealed to prominent men--either through adoption or marriage--they would inherit eternal blessings in the next life.
-Plural sealings were sometimes conducted, so they were sealed together for eternity but did not have sexual relations as was the case with many of Joseph Smith's wives. Though two wives that Joseph was sealed to for time and eternity did claim their marriages to him included sexual relations.
-Joseph Smith is the only person known to have engaged in polyandrous sealings (women married to other men, typically men who were not active or members of the Church)
-According to reminiscent accounts, Joseph hesitated to introduce plural marriage until a sword-bearing angel threatened his life and the progress of the church if he did not go forward.
-Plural marriage was a huge conflict in Joseph and Emma's marriage
-No plural marriage could occur without the permission of the Church President or his designee
-After obtaining permission from his first wife and the Church President, a prospective husband was then to receive the permission of the woman's parents and then finally of the woman herself.
-One practical challenge of plural marriage was there was no successful model to follow
-In general, the most visible leaders of the Church practiced plural marriage; polygamists set the standard of obedience for Church members.
-As wealthy men married plurally, it raised the standard of living for some women and helped to equalize the distribution of wealth per capita.
-Latter-day Saints perceived a great hypocrisy between accusations that they were sexually immoral while the sexual indiscretions of Victorian men, such as employing prostitutes, were at that time figuratively swept under the rug.
-There was a misconception that single women outnumbered single men in Utah, making plural marriage necessary. But such was not he case. In fact, single men were consistently drawn to the territory due to mining and other trades. What is not known is how many of these men were desirable marriage partners.
-Plural marriage was often seen as a solution if it seemed a wife could not have children.
-President John Taylor: "Nothing but a knowledge of God, and the revelations of God, and the truth of them, could have induced me to embrace such a principle as this."
-Some young women, knowing they wanted plural families, proactively selected a sister wife with whom they knew they could be happy even before marriage prospects came.
-Difficult on men- couldn't compliment one wife without piercing an arrow in another wife's heart
-Some women thrived in their expanded autonomy.
-Loneliness, neglect, and unmet expectations were particular trials in polygamous families
-Some women coped with polygamy by stifling love for their husbands
-Was it possible for a husband to have several wives and love each one? "He always answered by asking me if a woman could love more than one child." Silas D. Smith married his second wife and found his capacity to love increase rather than divide in two.
-Polygamy amplified the need to subdue selfish tendencies and develop attributes to maintain family harmony.
-Two sister wives described their relationship as "a closer tie than could be maintained between the most intimate friends."
-With the support of their sister wives, some women were able to expand their skills and pursue interests outside of the home.
-Women often valued polygamy for who it helped them to become--not because it was easy, but because it was hard.
-Household tasks such as sewing, shopping, laundry, and cooking were divided according to talents and tastes between sister wives.
-Many wives shouldered the responsibilities of single mothers.
-Elizabeth Felt: "When people had what I call the spirit of polygamy they were happy and they raised good and happy families...it was a hard principle to live, but when it was lived at his best, it was truly a divine principle."
-The Edmunds and Edmunds-Tucker Acts caused many Saints to flee to Canada and Mexico in order to practice polygamy
-Financial abandonment was a common reason for divorce among polygamists.
-Although Brigham Young and other General Authorities preached against divorce, President Young was liberal in granting women divorces.
-In Utah in 1870, there was one divorce for every 185 legal married couples, giving Utah the second highest divorce rate in the US, with only Wyoming ranking higher (shows how difficult polygamy was)
-Lasting effects of polygamy: the birth of large numbers of children within faithful Latter-day Saint homes, the availability of marriage to virtually all who desired it, equalized wealth per capita, ethnic intermarriages, aid in uniting a diverse immigrant population.
-Approximately 20% of living Church members descend from those who practiced polygamy
-The practice could never have been sustained for a half-century by compulsion, manipulation, or simple sexual desire.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long had an interest in understanding how and why my ancestors chose to practice polygamy. During my time at Utah State University, I spent most of my spare time reading Mormon Studies materials and went on a polygamy binge at one point. While reading Kathryn Daynes’s More Wives Than One: Transformation of the Mormon Marriage System, 1840-1890 during some downtime in the laboratory, a visiting biologist from Pakistan saw what I was reading and asked if I was preparing to take a second wife. I wasn’t quite sure how to respond, so explained that I was not and tried to steer him away from his joking about picking up a second wife himself while in Utah.

While it’s perhaps understandable that someone who was from the opposite side of the world and a culture that does nominally accept polygamy would have some misunderstandings, it seems like many Latter-day Saints also have little grasp of polygamy beyond that it happened in the Church in the past and struggle with what they do know (myself included for most of my life). For example, I had a mission companions who swore up and down that it was only practiced to support widows and the poor, but the husbands never had children with the plural wives (as a descendant of a couple second wives, I’m living proof that he was wrong). Another mission companion was visibly shaken for days after an investigator talked about Joseph Smith marrying women who were already married to other men and I confirmed that it had happened. I also remember a teenage girl giving a talk in sacrament meeting in a ward in Illinois where I served where she wrestled with the fact that early Latter-day Saints practiced plural marriage. Based on observations like these, it seems like there has been a need for an accessible overview of plural marriage for members to gain a better understanding about the principle in a setting that is not hostile to the Church. A recently-published book—Let’s Talk About Polygamy by Brittany Chapman Nash (Deseret Book, 2021)—is a small, readable paperback that fills that need.

Let’s Talk About Polygamy is the second book in a series being published by Deseret Book that is intended to include small, approachable books on important Latter-day Saint topics, written by trusted faithful scholars. It is small and a quick read—clocking in at 4.25” x 7” and 144 pages, it can easily be read in one evening. In fact, the experience of reading it reminded me of reading a volume in the Very Short Introduction series by Oxford University Press, but with more testimony and faith promotion included. Like the Very Short Introduction books, this volume presents through a concise, but well-researched and clearly-communicated survey of its central topic. To do so, the book is broken up into three main sections. The first (and largest) is a chronological history of polygamy in the Church, with chapters covering specific time periods of Church history. The second is a section devoted to how polygamy was practiced and why the earlier Saints chose to practice it. The third section is devoted to sharing descriptions of relationships within plural marriage, given by those who lived the Principle. While brief, it provides an introduction to most of the major discussion points with enough depth to walk away with an increased understanding of Mormon polygamy.

Another point in which Let’s Talk About Polygamy resembles the Very Short Introduction series is that it provides a thorough notes section that points readers to further reading on the topic. One of the major criticisms of the Gospel Topics essays on polygamy was that they avoided some important studies of polygamy like Martha Bradley and Mary Woodward’s Four Zinas: A Story of Mothers and Daughters on the Mormon Frontier (2000); Lawrence Foster’s Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community (1981); George D. Smith’s Nauvoo Polygamy: “… But We Called It Celestial Marriage” (2008; 2nd ed. 2011); D. Michael Quinn’s research on post-manifesto polygamy; or The Persistence of Polygamy books in favor of sources like Brian Hales’s work that is heavily apologetic. In contrast, most of the aforementioned works are cited in Let’s Talk About Polygamy, with the Persistence of Polygamy series being the first recommendation in the “Further Reading” section; Foster’s Religion and Sexuality being cited in the introduction; Todd Compton’s In Sacred Loneliness appearing repeatedly in the notes section; while also maintaining a surprisingly intense focus on using primary sources for such a small survey on the topic (including—as one would expect from a specialist in women’s history—many female voices). It provides a solid roadmap for more in-depth study of the subject for those who are serious about learning more.

As mentioned, this volume does come from a place of faith and commitment to the Church. It is written by a believing Latter-day Saint with believing Latter-day Saints as the primary audience. Because of this, there are apologetic elements woven into the fabric of the book. I appreciated, however, that it didn’t feel like it was being crammed down my throat while reading. The author openly acknowledges that she began her journey of studying polygamy “angry by what I saw as injustice that God required such a difficult principle to be lived” before coming to a place where she “found peace” in accepting what the polygamous Saints did and believed on their own terms. She also wrote her view that: “We can sit in the discomfort of not having all of the answers and accept the reality that, even in important questions about polygamy, the answers may not be known right now,” even while seeking to deepen our faith by understanding and honoring their devotion. Her style of accepting that we don’t necessarily have the answers here and openly acknowledging things like how people didn’t always find happiness in the principle, calling out coercing teenage girls to marry older men as abuses of polygamy in the Church rather than defending that reality, and bringing up other complexities and concerns about the principle permeated the book. I loved that it was able to at least discuss difficult topics and talk openly about painful and difficult aspects of the history in a rigorous way without feeling the need to defend the Church at every turn. Yet, alongside all of that it did so in a way that didn’t feel threatening as a member of the Church.

The only area that I felt a serious lack while reading the history section of the book was the failure to discuss Fundamentalist Mormon splinter groups. While it does openly discuss post-Manifesto polygamy, the Reed Smoot Hearings and the Second Manifesto, the book essentially jumps from the removal of John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley from the Quorum of the Twelve to declaring that “polygamy became a relic of the past in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” There is virtually no effort to discuss the debated revelation attributed to John Taylor, the formation of polygamous splinter movements, or the Church’s ongoing antagonism towards and struggles with polygamists throughout the twentieth century. Perhaps this omission is justified by stating that the Fundamentalists are not members of the Church and thus aren’t a part of our history, but it’s an important topic to cover when discussing Mormon polygamy and its ongoing effects for Latter-day Saints.

In any case, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Brittany Chapman Nash’s Let’s Talk About Polygamy. In addition to being readable, brief, and thorough, it’s also highly affordable, at $11.99 for the paperback. I would definitely add this as a must-read for any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is looking to understand more about polygamy and might even recommend it to non-members too as a way to gain insight. And, gratefully, I was able to read the whole book on the train without anyone asking me if I was considering taking a second wife.

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot to think about. I have been struggling with the whole concept of polygamy and being seen and valued as equal (as I know my Heavenly Parents do). Though this book can't possibly answer all my questions, it was verybwell researched and brought in some new perspectives. I will not get all my answers in this life, but also recognize I am not asked to live this principle, so don't need all my questions answered right now.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. It is short and small is size (physical). The information provided is super readable and informative. Nash does a superb job at providing depth and complexity of a difficult subject in the minimal space she was provided. The Oxford's Brief Introduction series, there are wonderful recommendations at the end of the book of works that may provide an interested person with further information. This, however, does not take away from the many primary sources she cites to support her own work. Unlike, Oxford's Brief introduction series, this book is not out of reach for the average reader, and many will find it approachable and enlightening. I was surprisingly impressed with this book, and am looking forward to others from this series that handle other historical/doctrinal issues.

[Anna Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this book well researched with broad spectrums of perspectives on polygamy? Absolutely.
Did it help broaden my understanding on how polygamy looked during the early church? A little.
Did it talk about the how, why, when, who and where’s? Yes. It did. I loved hearing so many personal journals and memoirs.
Did it help settle some of my own inner battles with polygamy? Not really. In some ways it put a little more fuel on my personal fire.
BUT.. I found myself thinking if I can truly put aside some of those battles and look at the reasons “why” and how so many of them were personal to each individual then I can put my best faith-filled step forward. And yes this book helped me overall with a little more faith in my footsteps forward.

[Lisa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great balance between faith and psychology. Lots of good information in a short read.

[Shelbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and well researched book. Talks about the timeline of polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, personal experiences and records of polygamy and why it was a policy that was on for 50 years and later discontinued. I can see why it was a heavenly principle - to truly love everyone in that family relationship, you have to put aside a lot of personal preferences. Thank goodness it is the exception not the rule - definitely don’t think it’s for me. I learned a lot, reading this book and now I feel better prepared to talk about it if I were to get a question about it.

[Courtney Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of my favorite things to talk about are religion and mental health, so I gladly accepted the invitation extended by this title haha! This was a nice concise look at how clinical work and spiritual work can come together to help those who are religious (specifically members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and struggling with, or helping a loved one with, mental health.

That being said, I don’t think I’m the target audience for this book. The audience for this seems to be 1. Leaders who are seeking to help those in their organizations who are struggling with their mental health 2. People who are new to learning about mental health/have been taught to be skeptical of psychology, therapy, etc. or who are resistant to professional help. I am very much not in the “pray your way out of depression” crowd, but I know that there are people who feel that way. For that reason, I think it’s fantastic reading for any religious person, regardless of their mental health journey.

I found the examples of incredible Saints—modern day and Biblical—who seem to have worked through mental illness to be the highlight of the book. Mental illness is nothing to feel guilt or shame about, just as you wouldn’t feel guilty for having the flu. The condition of your mental health is not a reflection of your goodness nor your worth. You are worth any work it takes to find healing and strength. So many spiritual and clinical tools are available to take care of that health—we can use them all!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of first-hand accounts of the practice of polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I found the huge range of experiences to be so interesting. To some, plural marriage was a blessing, to some it was a curse, and to some, it was both.

This book seemed well researched and helped me better understand why some early saints were loath to adopt the principle while some readily embraced it. The author also did a good job of representing some of the complexities and long-lasting effects of the practice. I never knew how common divorce was among polygamists. I had also not thought much about the relationships of "sister wives," but found it interesting that some were closer than sisters, while others made life very difficult for each other. I didn't realize how much plural marriage had influenced the rights and independence of women in the Utah Territory and in the Church. Like many aspects of the gospel in the early days, polygamy required often incredible faith and major sacrifices, but it was interesting to see some of the blessings that came from it as well.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched look into the interplay between religion and mental health and how the gospel can be part of improving our mental health, but also the need for additional help when facing mental health challenges.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeper dive into the practice of Polygamy in the beginning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had many questions and while I didn’t get them all answered, I’m left with the conclusion that there aren’t answers for everything, and that’s okay. I appreciated the hard facts and non sugar-coating of the issues and that there were 2 sides to this practice.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny little book has a lot packed in it. Polygamy is a tough subject and whatever we may think of it today, it's clear that many in the church, including my own ancestors, eventually came to believe it was doctrine from God. Nash's book, especially the last third, humanizes those people in a way that astonishes - they were eloquent, thoughtful, and fully realized the complexities and refinement of being asked to live such a law. There is a lot of bravery on display here - especially from the women. I found the subject to be much more nuanced than I expected, and in more sympathy with those who lived it (even the men!). There's much to think about here. Whatever you think you know about polygamy, my guess is you'll find a new lens or two to look through.

[Jason Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book, but very well-written and gives a glimpse of why early polygamy was practiced as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and what it was like.

[Matthew Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is well-researched and well-written. Her premise of using primary sources seems simple enough, but for some reason with this taboo topic, it was actually quite remarkable. I liked the idea behind learning about polygamy from the people who lived it. The topic is laden with emotional baggage, negative historical snippets, and religious misunderstandings, but Nash is able to cut right through a lot of that. She also has to deal with the problem of the modern gaze. I think she does quite well. And the fact that she accomplished it in a ‘short’ book that is easy to read is remarkable.
I am a descendant of polygamous marriages, and I know nothing about it but the oral stories told by my dad. This book has inspired me to read the journal of my ancestors and see their perspectives.
I’ve always steered the topic away from polygamy whenever polygamy came up. Now that I’ve read this book, I think I will be more able to discuss the issue and gain valuable perspectives from others.
I love that she ends with a list of sources to check out to get a deeper understanding. This book is really meant as an introduction and maybe as a guide to approaching the primary sources on our own.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well-researched and presented. Not sugar-coated, but coming from a place of faith and charity. I just wished there were more stories.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like they missed a good opportunity here. I appreciated learning more about the history: the many reasons why, how, and what. I loved that so many personal experiences/writings were shared from the time period. However, the “so what,” or “what do I do with this info today?” Was not even given a full chapter, but just an afterword. This would have been more aptly titled “The History of Polygamy in the LDS church.”

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I’m glad someone was brave to tackle this topic. It’s not an easy history, but pushing it aside and not trying to understand it isn’t the answer.

Nash (LDS) is practical in her research and doesn’t stray with speculation or opinion. Many things I’ve heard about “this or that” concerning certain leaders was not mentioned because it cannot be proven by the first-hand facts. So in a way… I’m still left wondering how close to the truth the second and third hand stories that were given really are.

Honestly, there was a lot of discomfort when I started reading… feeling like there was not much justification for that lifestyle, and sadness for those who struggled with it to show their faith.

But hearing first-hand accounts from those that lived it themselves, though also cringe-worthy, I found myself understanding more WHY they would follow the command to enter plural marriages, and saw them for what they were in their own terms. When I looked with the perspective of the times and trends, I found myself nodding in understanding at some of the thoughts behind it.

Some positives that came from living polygamy in those days: Fervor of faith, numbers in the church, to give women the gift of motherhood and security, other in-house mothers for children who lost theirs to untimely deaths, independence among women (by not having the sole duty as day-to-day wife— more time to develop self and talents. Funny quote about the “visiting husband”: “I was as excited to see his back as I was his face when he first came to the door.”)

And for negatives… those are more obvious. But for good or bad, I am alive because of it. It has caused a ripple effect in humanity that has produced thousands and thousands of offspring that have a deep love for Jesus Christ, and own a legacy that faith can get us through any hardship.

[Jamie Moesser · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to tell if this was written for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or, really, members of any religion), or for the Church leaders that help them. Regardless, it helped me, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (known as Mormons) to place my struggle with mental illness in the larger context of both my church congregation and my belief in God and Jesus Christ. There were no specific, practical points of advice on how to navigate mental illness in the Church, or at least to start discussions about it, which was something I'd hoped for. But then, how do you write an instruction manual for that, since everyone's experience is slightly different?

[Kayla Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant to read this book but I'm glad I did. The author lays out the facts and history of polygamy in the church very clearly and unapologetically. This book helped me understand how women of the church viewed marriage and especially polygamy during that time. It was also helpful to know how the marriage ceremony was performed when adding another wife to an already married man, that divorce was available, and how families transitioned after polygamy was discontinued. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting further clarification on the facts and history of polygamy in the church.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be helpful in my own dealings with the combined topic of religion and mental health. Here you can find several examples of well known,and regular saints who struggle with one form or another of mental illness. While not in-depth, this book provides several jumping off points for greater conversation and understanding. It also urges to look at certain scriptures with a lens of dealing with mental health. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is, or is close too, struggling with this topic.

[Lacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five hundred stars

This book is so needed. The author expertly, professionally, and faithfully discusses the various causes, afflictions and manifestations of mental illness in our day as especially concerning members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christian faiths. If you or anyone you know has been touched by mental illness or struggle in this life, this book is for you.

[BC Sterrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polygamy as the people who lived it understood it :) Very well researched book, about a much misunderstood topic. Explained simply and plainly, answering many questions. A topic that has to be understood by way of how the original people involved understood it, otherwise people will label it according to their own perceptions of presentism.

[Kat Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I loved this book so much! It goes through the history of polygamy in the LDS church and goes through the why’s, how’s, and when’s it happened. I highly recommend this book and I loved it so much!

[Melody Warnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even Martin Luther suffered from mental illness, so...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful little book, reminding us about the reality of mental health challenges and how religion can actually help, specifically the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That's not to say that medication and doctors are not also sometimes needed, but Jesus Christ has suffered all things and can heal and comfort and bless those who turn to Him. Our trials can help us grow, if we let them. This book helped me have greater understanding and compassion for these types of challenges, as well as a greater appreciation for the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Here are some great quotes:

"Progress is being made, but identifying the origins and cures of mental and emotional disorders has been, and continues to be, one of the great challenges facing the human family (p. 2)."

"God is our Father, He loves us, and because we are 'subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind' (Mosiah 2:11), He has provided a means to 'heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease' (Matt. 10:1, p. 2)."

"I learned of my inability to overcome my physical afflictions and emotional burdens alone, which allowed me to discover the love of God; the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ; and a thirst for knowledge, both sacred and secular (p. 3)."

"Research supports the conclusion that Latter-day Saints who are striving to live their lives consistent with the teachings of the Savior and His servants experience greater well-being, increased marital and family stability, less delinquency, less depression, less anxiety, and less substance abuse than many of those who are not (p. 4)."

"Misunderstanding and misapplying the doctrine, principles, practices, and beliefs of the restored gospel can contribute to emotional and mental instability (p. 5)."

"'Members of the Church should seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information' (p. 5)."

"The 'good news' is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ reconciles the hopeful expectations of the Creation with the oftentimes disappointing and even tragic realities of the Fall... We must also remember that the fullness of the blessings we seek through the Atonement of Christ will not be realized until after we are resurrected (p. 6)."

"I believe our Heavenly Father wants us to understand and to exercise both faith and reason as companion principles to our pursuit of truth and peace (p. 6)."

"'Good inspiration is based on good information' (p. 7)."

"Because distorted ideas (counterfeits) can be found in the writings of science as well as in religious belief and practice, I believe it is vital for us to learn how to discern truth from error as we attempt to understand the relationship between religion and mental health (p. 8)."

"'A virtue when pressed to the extreme may turn into a vice. Unreasonable devotion to an ideal, without considering the practical application of it, ruins the ideal itself' (Boyd K. Packer, p. 8)."

"'By proving contrarieties, truth is made manifest' (Joseph Smith, p. 8)."

"The principles of faith and reason... are complementary and mutually sustaining and help define one another (p. 9)."

"'Faithfulness is not foolishness or fanaticism. Rather, it is trusting and placing our confidence in Jesus Christ as our Savior, on His name, and in His promises' (David A. Bednar, p. 10)."

"Elder Holland's personal account illustrates that the Lord allows even one of the most faithful among us--even one of the Lord's Apostles--to experience mental distress and emotional affliction (p. 13)."

"'When the nervous system is once broken down the patient is too often a wreck for life. No class of diseases resist so stubbornly the efforts of the physician as nervous diseases (p. 14).'"

"President [George Albert] Smith's journals indicate that he suffered most every day of his adult life... from physical affliction and mental distress. The challenges [he] faced and the afflictions he endured were certainly a part of what identified him as one of 'the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God' (D&C 138:55, p. 15)."

"'The bitter experience through which you are going is but designed for your purification and uplifting and qualification for an extended life work' (p. 16)."

"Depression can be an experience God allows for the qualification and purification of those who suffer (p. 16)."

"'Jesus wept'... Sorrow, sadness, and tears are attributes of God--characteristics to be emulated and embraced and not pathologized (p. 17)."

"If Adam and Even had not partaken of the fruit of the tree of knowledge and good and evil and remained in the Garden of Eden, they would have had 'no joy, for they knew no misery' (2 Ne. 2:23, p. 19)."

"'These thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mind own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge.... gave I unto man his agency... and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father' (Moses 7:32-33, p. 20)."

"'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain' (Rev. 21:4 p. 20)."

"The phrase 'I am like a broken vessel' is particularly descriptive of the feelings of those who suffer with depression. These individuals often describe their lives as once having meaning and purpose, but their experience with depression includes feeling useless and unwanted (p. 21)."

"'Despair cometh because of iniquity' (Moro. 10:22, p. 22)."

"'Some anxiety and depression is caused by physical disorders, but much of it is not a pain of the body but of the spirit. Spiritual pain resulting from guilt can be replaced with peace of mind' (Boyd K. Packer, p. 23)."

"The philosophical, cultural, and therapeutic shift in emphasis from sin to sickness is a recent phenomenon, but the discussion has ancient origins... 'Neither this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him' (John 9:1-3, p. 24)."

"'Too many people want to sin and call it psychology' (Jeffrey R. Holland, p. 24)."

"'Most mistakes can be settled between us and the Lord, and that should be done speedily... Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the would you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ' (Boyd K. Packer, p. 25)."

"Each one of us has spiritual, physical, and emotional weaknesses and afflictions that are beyond our ability to understand or to heal... These afflictions, int he words of Abinadi, can all be 'swallowed up in Christ' (Mosiah 16:8, p. 26)."

"'We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love of God and His children' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 28)."

"Clinical research suggests that blaming ourselves and blaming others... are both related to a wise variety of mental health concerns (p. 29)."

"It appears that Hannah's despair was 'swept away' at least in part, because of her faith in the promise given to her by the Lord through one of His authorized servants (p. 32)."

"The stories of President George Albert Smith, Job, and Hannah are representative of good and faithful people across time and around the world who have loved and served God, loved their families and neighbors, and yet have done so while suffering from feelings of sorrow and despair (p. 33)."

"Similar to the different expressions of depression, the severity of anxiety ranges on a spectrum from the feelings of anxiousness we all experience to the anxiety that is debilitating (p. 34)."

"Both anxiety and fear can be normal and protective parts of the human experience (p. 35)."

"Most feelings of anxiousness are associated with specific life events that are short-term and become manageable as life progresses. Some forms of anxiousness have also been demonstrated to 'enhance motivation and achievement' (p. 35)."

"My first experience with understanding grace came during the beginning of my mission... my mission president... told me 'grace, by definition, is undeserved' (p. 38)."

"In many situations, exact obedience can lead to miracles, but in other circumstances, obsessive obedience becomes a manifestation of what the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob described as 'looking beyond the mark' (Jacob 4:14, p. 39)."

"'On our own we cannot earn the kingdom of God--no matter what we do... those works--as good as they may be--are hollow unless they are accompanied by a complete dependence on Christ' (M. Russell Ballard, p. 39)."

"'I almost fasted myself to death.'... Luther warned that those who practiced fasting beyond its intended purpose (as he had) would 'simply ruin their health and drive themselves mad' (p. 42)."

"'Satan has somehow managed to make covenants and commandments seem like curses and condemnations. For some he has turned the ideals and inspiration of the gospel into self-loathing and misery-making' (p. 42)."

"'Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God. Our obedience to God's commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 44)."

"The redemptive and enabling power of the grace of Christ allows us to be forgiven of our sins, transform our weakness into strength, and receive the peace we cannot obtain through our own righteousness, no matter how faithful and obedient we are (p. 45)."

"'God and man are at work together in the salvation of the human soul. The real question is not whether we are saved by grace or by works. The real questions are these: In whom do I trust? On whom do I rely?' (Robert Millet, p. 47)"

"Some Latter-day Saints become 'so preoccupied with performing good works' that they forget the importance of having a 'complete dependence on Christ' (M. Russell Ballard, p. 48)."

"Life, by divine design, is intended to be difficult (p. 51)."

"Some clinicians and scholars in our day... believe religious belief and practice are 'in many respects equivalent to irrational thinking and emotional disturbance... The less religious people are, the more emotionally healthy they will be.' In comparison to the people they serve, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals are 'more than twice as likely to claim no religion' (p. 52)."

"Ben's affliction with schizophrenia is being consecrated for his gain and for the gain and good of his family and friends (p. 64)."

"Having an inspired understanding of the character of God and the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can lead to emotional healing (p. 65)."

"'Lucifer said he would guarantee salvation for his spirit brothers and sisters. He promised salvation without excellence, without effort, without hard work, without individual responsibility. That is the lie he promulgated... That so-called short-cut to salvation captivated many gullible and lazy spirits. They wanted something for nothing' (Robert J. Matthews, p. 66)."

"Understanding the true nature of God and our divine relationship with Him is a 'potent antidepressant' (p. 72)."

"Perhaps one of the greatest lessons of life is to learn to love as He loved and to strive to help our families and others to do the same (p. 74)."

"The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have never condoned suicide for any reason, but... prophets past and present have addressed the issue with mercy and grace... the origins of mental illness and emotional suffering can't always be explained as an act of freewill for which the individual is responsible (p. 76)."

"We must be aware some forms of mental illness and physical disability are outside the bounds of our agency (p. 78)."

"'The spirit and the body are the soul of man' (p. 80)."

"Healing can come through priesthood power and personal and prophetic revelation, as well as through clinical intervention (p. 81)."

"'It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us--not only to direct us but also to empower us' (David A. Bednar, p. 82)."

"'For many, the infirmity of depression is painful or permanently disabling. Those who suffer this circumstance should remember that our Savior experienced this kind of pain also and that, through His Atonement, He offers the strength to bear it' (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 82)."

"'Seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values... Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available. So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation' (Jeffrey R. Holland, p. 82)."

"'It is a wonderful thing to be faithful, but a much greater thing to be both faithful and competent' (Richard L. Evans, p. 84)."

"Some of the best outcomes I have observed have been when patient, therapist, and Church leaders all work together to address the needs of the individual or family (p. 87)."

"Above all else, we can be grateful for an almighty and all-loving God, who loves His children and who sent His Son to redeem us from our fallen state... 'Instead of being swept along in the anxiety and fear... rely on the assurances of a loving Heavenly Father' (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 91)."

"In response to the Savior's invitation, 'all the multitude did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner, and he did heal them every one' (3 Ne. 17:9, p. 92)."

"'Whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should' (Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 93)."

"People's experiences with mental illness are rarely the same (p. 94)."

"Alyssa is an example of the Lord's promise that He will 'ease the burdens which are put upon our shoulders.' She also exemplifies one who is following the Savior's direction to 'stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions' (Mosiah 24:14, p. 95)."

"'Talk, I will listen. Ask, I will help. Cry, I will comfort. Always' (p. 97)."

"'What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 97)."

"Being in a covenant relationship with God is much different than seeing our relationship with Him as a contract... Striving to keep the covenants we make, most importantly to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and to keep His commandments, allows the enabling power of His Atonement to heal our minds and hearts. And sometimes keeping the covenants we have made with God means that we do less and not more (p. 98)."

"'Turn everything over to his counselors and take the needed break and follow the doctor's orders, including using medication if prescribed' (p. 99)."

"'We simply don't have control over all the variables--conditions of a fallen world, including a body and mind that are moving toward death' (p. 100)."

"Sometimes, going the second mile is what the Lord asks of us, but other times, true discipleship means going only one mile, not two (p. 101)."

"The 'good part' was doing less and not more (p. 102)."

"Research studies and clinical observations alike identify 'perceived burdensomeness and failed belongingness' as two of the most common reasons why people take their own lives (p. 103)."

"'Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer... that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds... his hail and his mighty storm... it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo' (Hel. 5:12, p. 105)."

"While we do need to be cautious of simplistic answers that distract us from real problems and solutions, profound answers to complex problems can sometimes be simpler than we may suppose (p. 105)."

"'The simpleness, the easiness of the gospel is such that it causes people to perish because they can't receive it' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 105)."

"'Feast upon the words of Christ... the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do' (2 Ne. 32:5, p. 107)."

"One of the prophetic resources Janice credits with helping her through these difficult days was a general conference address given by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1986 entitled 'Do Not Despair.' The article includes the following principles for building a Christ-filled foundation: repentance, prayer, service, work, health, reading, blessings, fasting, friends, music, endurance, goals (p. 108)."

"'The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed' (3 Ne. 22:10, p. 108)."

"The Lord has promised that if we are true to the covenants we have made with Him, we can have the peace and the direction that comes through the influence of the Holy Ghost (p. 108)."

"'If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right' (Howard W. Hunter, p. 109)."

"Each of us, no matter who we are, are entitled to the blessings of God's love (p. 112)."

"'There is much to be learned in stillness and suffering. I have found the Lord in new, beautiful, and personal ways. I know Him better now. I trust Him better now... Trials invite us to progress. We all suffer. Great lessons will be learned in our suffering, if we turn to Him' (p. 113)."

"The mental health problems some people experience may not be resolved until the next life, but most can be managed and even healed in this life if the proper course is taken... The most important factors in overcoming emotional afflictions and mental disorders are discovering, renewing, and maintaining a meaningful relationship with God, following His guidance, and receiving the redemptive and enabling blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (p. 113)."

[Britni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very informative, concise, and comforting. I wasn’t sure how much I would get out of this book since I have read some other books about polygamy. Fortunately, I got a lot out of this. This book gives some background and specifics of the practice but mostly gives nineteenth century Latter-day Saint women a voice. She used many direct quotes that give a broad perspective of the good and the bad of polygamy.

Although this book was relatively short, I walked away from it feeling more at peace. I didn’t live at that time, I have never been asked to practice polygamy, and I can’t insert my current day perspective into their past life experiences. Although I still don’t like it, I was happy to hear how incredibly wonderful it was for many women and even how it helped women to become more independent, run for political office, and start businesses. There are definitely some terrible experiences people had with polygamy (and she mentions some of those terrible things) but it really is like anything else in life. There are too many variables to declare whether something is “good” or “bad”. Oftentimes, because of human imperfection, it can be both. At least I can better see the positives and how people were able to gain testimonies of something that seems so difficult.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book for because of the things that I learned about polygamy not because I liked the practice or think that I could ever live it. It is something that really just makes me shudder to think about having to live. What I am glad to know is that it is not required of me to do thankfully. There were parts of this book that made me feel at peace with the polygamy of the past in our church and then there were other stories that just made me so sad for the women who entered polygamy and just had terrible lives living it. But I did like how the author closed the book. "What is essential is that we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ TODAY and make keep sacred covenants TODAY". Latter-day Saints of the Polygamist time period lived the life that they were asked to live but that is not what I am being asked to live. That is how I can come to peace with it and know that as long as I am continuing to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it is today that I'm doing the best that I can as were they.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book hoping to get answers to the question, "Why did the Lord establish polygamy in this dispensation?" I left the book with less clarity on that question, but that isn't the author's fault. She does a fantastic job exploring polygamy through the eyes of those who actually practiced it. What I learned is that polygamy was an extreme trial for most of those who practiced it and largely a terrible marital system (the divorce rate was enormous and there was a period of years where teenage girls were regularly pressured into marriage with much, much older men). I learned a ton about what polygamy looked like - and I'm extremely grateful for the two manifestos ensuring its demise in the modern church. So, if you genuinely want to learn about polygamy in the early years of the church, this book is incredibly detailed, insightful, and does not have an agenda. If you are looking to resolve questions about your faith, this book is still interesting, but may not have the answers you are looking for.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was mostly about the history of polygamy in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and what life was like living under the principle. Many stories and accounts were shared from those who lived it, both men and women. It was interesting to hear the different perspectives but I was hoping for more content on helping me understand the principle from my position as a member of the church today. One thing I now know is that we can't fully understand today what the Lord required of these saints over one hundred years ago. I'm comfortable knowing that I don't know all the answers behind this aspect of church history but this book was good in helping me understand a little more about those who lived it and why.