Carlfred Broderick is one of my favorite Mormon authors
because he is remarkably humorous while at the same time being very insightful
and poignant. His patriarchal blessing
(which he received at the tender age of 9) states that he would write
literature that would bless others. Well
as they say - I am a great believer in prophecies that come true. The essays compiled in "My Parents
Married on a Dare" certainly are a fulfillment of the patriarch's words;
blessing my life and many others.
The second chapter, "The Core of My Faith"
deals with how he has approached and resolved the contradictions that occur
between his faith and his scholarship; including issues such as Blacks and the
priesthood, evolution, and homosexuality.
No doubt there will always be contradictions in this life where we are
to walk by faith and prove ourselves.
Broderick's methodology helps one stay safely on the strait and narrow
path while not ignoring troubling questions.
While he values both faith and scholarship, he concludes with "I
never forget that when the Savior greets me at the veil, it will not be my
scholarship that will be examined."
Part II of the book entitled "Some Incidental Observations
on Mormon Marriages" should be required reading for any member of the
church who is married or even considering marriage. I have often considered the pursuit of a
happy marriage to actually be the quest for the Holy Grail of life. As a leader in the field of marriage and
family counseling/education Carlfred Broderick provides incredible insight in
his four short articles based on research and years of experience working in
the field. It is not often that you get
such good and concise answers to questions such as, "But what if your
husband is a jerk?" and "How come good people can have bad
marriages?"
Broderick saves the best for last. The final three chapters deal with "The
familial relationships of Jesus", "What justification can there be for
innocent children being born into abusive families?", and "The uses
of adversity." If you have
heartache because of family members, Broderick provides consolation and good
reasons why the Savior understands because of His own family experience. How often do you get an opportunity to
experience an expert in family counseling talking about the familial
relationships of Jesus?
Abuse and pain of any kind are just hard to
understand. I have been deeply touched
by the reasons and explanation that is provided in the last two articles. They can change your perspective and the
respect you will have for people (including yourself) who have to endure such.
I love Broderick's humor like this example, "It goes
without saying that all of that religious precocity made me an obnoxious child,
the bane of every Sunday School teacher.
Once when I was ten, I was sent home for explaining to the class what
'Thou shalt not commit adultery' really meant.
It had seemed clear to me from her explanation that our teacher did not
quite understand the concept." My
recommendation of this book, however, is not based on the incredible wit but
rather on how it deals with and answers some of the hard aspects and questions
of life. Mortality was not intended to
be a cake walk and we all get beat up and wounded while on this battlefield. It is reassuring to know that there is a
purpose and good can come out of this.
This book helps provide that. I have
extra copies and will be happy to lend a copy (since it is out of print) if
anyone is interested.
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