A review by tamarayork
Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith by Martha Beck

4.0

Having lived in “Happy Valley” (Orem/Provo, UT), with a Mormon ex as a Non-Mormon, I found this book very interesting. The details of the LDS Church, it’s formation, beliefs, history, and structure are so bizarre. The more you learn and the digger you dig, the weirder it gets. Yet, I found the LDS people to be super nice, like living in a Disney movie. The author manages to share her experience and detachment from the Mormon faith while still maintaining a love for LDS people. This is not a bitter memoir. Her abuse as a child is heart-breaking, but her attitude and journey to healing are uplifting. This reminded me of Educated by Tara Westover a little bit. Very good.