Thursday, December 30, 2010

First on line Book Club Books

For the inauguration of our online book club, we have chosen two books that deal with a very topical subject... Polygamy.
The Supreme Court of BC is currently hearing a rare constitutional reference case as to whether the law prohibiting polygamy in Canada is valid or should be struck down as an infringement against Freedom of Religion and therefore unconstitutional. The case is a result of polygamy charges laid by the B.C. Attorney General against two members of the Fundamentalist Chuch of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) who live in the community of Bountiful in the interior of B.C.  Those charges have since been stayed by the courts while the reference case is being heard...a case that is no doubt destined to make its way through the Supreme Court of Canada.

THE SECRET LIVES OF SAINTS by Daphne Bramham details the history of the Fundamentalist sect of the Church of the Latter Days Saints from its beginning under founder Joseph Smith to the criminal charges laid against the current prophet of the FLDS, Warren Jeffs.  As a reporter for the Vancouver Sun, Daphne Bramham has written extensively on the FLDS community that resides in the Creston Valley area of B.C. She offers an unparalleled insight into this very closed community, their beliefs and practices and the relationship they have with the community at large.

STOLEN INNOCENCE by Elissa Wall is the first hand account of a young girl growing up in the FLDS in America.  She talks about her life being raised in a home with multiple mothers, of the happy times with her brothers and sisters only to have her life come crashing down upon her when, at the age of 14 she is forced to marry her 19 year old first cousin.  She details the struggles she goes through to get out of her marriage, her struggles of faith and her decision to finally flee the FLDS and to testify against the prophet of the church, Warren Jeffs.

These are two books which give insight into a part of society that few of us know anything about.  We hope you will read one or both of these books and join our online discussion group where you can post your thoughts and read what others are saying.  There is one copy of each book in our library, available as a one-week loan, and a quick check online shows both books are carried in our local libraries.

2 comments:

  1. When the issue of polygamy is discussed in the media it often comes down to the rights of individuals to choose how to run their own lives. The argument is that consenting adults should be free to practice whatever lifestyle they choose. But, when that freedom affects the lives of innocent children then it must be restrained by society. As these two books point out, the more serious issue is not the idea of multiple marriages but rather the harm that is being perpetrated on innocent boys and girls. As a study of church history shows, just because something is being done in “the name of God” does not make it right or just. While it is tricky, society must take a stand to protect the innocent while preserving the Rights and Freedoms we are so blessed in this country to enjoy.

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  2. ‘Saturday Morning’ is a pleasant quick read, with some delightful characters and interesting locations. Disappointingly additional persons were popped in to fulfil a story line and not fully developed as part of the plot nor their problems resolved at the end.

    The description of many scenes and actions often appears to be written as specifically as stage directions, so this story might well be a cute small screen movie considering the two major settings of San Francisco, the Lavender Farm and the colourful characters.

    I found the first chapter cumbersome with references and explanations that these characters were Christians. I prefer to be “shown rather than told” so this was no doubt a personal problem for me only but wondered if this had been a mainstream novel originally and later changed to reflect the wonderful reality of these women struggling to cope in Christian ways with their multiple problems.

    The use of prayer and consulting God for everyday problems, was a refreshing reminder that we are encouraged to speak to ‘Big Dad’ (Hope’s term) on a daily, and if necessary more frequent, basis but we have Christian sisters and brothers to act as part of our family where mutual support can be experienced right here on earth.

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