Comment

Healing from Abuse

I am an adult sister with a large family, a good husband, and six children. I was a victim of child abuse and sexual molestation.

I have always had deep emotional problems, but I thought if I could ignore or mask my feelings they would disappear. But they never went away on their own. I was lucky that my mother married a new husband who raised us and took care of us and never hurt us in any way.

I had been married about 15 years when a good friend in our ward recognized my problem and recommended I go straight to the bishop for help. I didn’t want to unbury all my nightmares and face them, but my parents told me it might be a good idea.

The bishop helped me meet with a group of abused women through LDS Social Services. As I talked with them and a counselor, I worked through my problems, let go of my childhood pain, and realized I was not to blame myself. I began to feel a greater love for the Savior and for what he taught about forgiveness, which is very important in healing efforts.

It is not always easy to mend scars of abuse from long ago. But I have learned that we can cast off that burden and break the cycle, making sure it does not happen to our children or grandchildren.

Name Withheld

An Answer to Prayer

Thank you so very much for printing the article “Mending Our Marriage” (Oct. 1996). I appreciated the inspiration of others who were experiencing difficulties yet were determined to stick things out and work their problems through. It was refreshing to read of couples who, despite sometimes serious transgression, repented and became committed to keeping their covenants with the Lord and each other. The world is too full of encouragement for couples to find blame and seek divorce.

I have often felt very much alone in personal marital struggles, afraid to say anything to anyone except the Lord. The determination of the writers to seek the Lord for answers and support was most inspiring. This article was certainly an answer to my prayers.

Name Withheld

Living in Idabel

It is wonderful to read about the Church growing in the Gilmer, Texas, area (see “A Texas Welcome,” Oct. 1996). I lived in Idabel in 1971–72. I still remember seeing a sign posted at a Laundromat about the Church. I jumped up and down, crying for joy, and told my sister, “It’s here; it’s finally here!”

The people of Idabel were warm, loving, kind, and generous members. I thank Heavenly Father for their sweet spirit.

Annette L. Hansen
Lakewood, Colorado

Abstinence Applauded

“What about Abstinence?” (Sept. 1996) was such a great story. It is hard sometimes to know how to respond to the world’s philosophies on many things today. This story was a reminder of the powerful lessons the Spirit can teach if we allow it. What an example. Thanks.

Michelle Vincil
Atlanta, Georgia

Church in Ghana

I enjoyed reading about the Church in Ghana in the March 1996 issue of the Ensign. One thing I wanted to mention is that Emmanuel Abu Kissi was actually baptized here in the Macclesfield Branch, some 200 miles north of London. My family and other ward members remember the Kissis with fondness, and we have appreciated the opportunity to see the Lord’s hand in their introduction to the gospel.

Cedric Knipe
Macclesfield, England

Welcoming New Faces

I was touched by “Let Us Be One” (Mar. 1996) as the author described her mother’s efforts to join a new ward. Many times our ward leadership has gone to great efforts to make new people feel welcome. We as ward members need to give support to these efforts by welcoming new faces into our midst, that there will be “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).

Nihla W. Judd
St. George, Utah

Update

In a January 1996 Mormon Journal story, the author mentions Alma and Amulek watching as faithful new converts were burned by the evil King Noah. However, King Noah had actually been burned to death several decades earlier.