Description

Explores authoritarianism within the Mormon Church and the ecclesiastical and spiritual abuse that occurs.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Effects of Authoritarianism

Chapter

Issues to Consider - Lavina Fielding Anderson

1. Anonymous Voices - Comp. Lavina Fielding Anderson
2. "The Kind of Experience That Changes You Forever" - Devery S. Anderson
3. Shrinking to Fit -  Phyllis Ford Rueckert
4. "One Day You Finally Knew" - Vivian D. Ellsworth

Part 2: Secondary Abuse

5. McConkie and Dad: Memories, Dreams, and a Rejection. A Personal Essay - David G. Pace
6. Context and Analysis: "You Have Heard True Doctrine Taught": Elder Bruce R. McConkie's 1981-82 Addresses - Lavina Fielding Anderson

Part 3: Review of Relevant Books

Religion as Addiction - Thayne I. Andersen

Father Leo Booth. Breaking the Chains: Understanding Religious Addiction and Religious Abuse

A New Kind of Abuse - J. Frederic Voros, Jr.

David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse and Ronald M. Enroth, Churches That Abuse

Not about Blame - Warren S. Parkin

Marlene Winell, Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

Part 4: Documentary History

White Bird Flying: My Struggle for a More Loving, Tolerant, and Egalitarian Church - Janice Merrill Allred

• Case Summary
• Introduction
• "Toward a Mormon Theology of God the Mother," 1992-93
• "Him Shall Ye Hear," 1994-95
• First Court, 12-13 October 1994
• Aftermath of the Probation
• Additional Speeches, November 1994-February 1995
• Prelude to the Second Court, March-May 1995
• Summons, 7 May 1995
• The Second Disciplinary Council, 9 May 1995
• Unfinished Business
• The Appeal Process, June-November 1995
• Interviews with Church Leaders: November 1995 to January 1997
• Being Excommunicated: What It Means
• Excommunication and Judgement

Appendix A: Defense of Janice M. Allred, 12 October 1994

Appendix B: Appeal of Janice M. Allred, 7 June 1995