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Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith Audiobook, by Martha Beck Play Audiobook Sample

Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith Audiobook

Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith Audiobook, by Martha Beck Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Bernadette Dunne Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2005 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781415923580

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

41

Longest Chapter Length:

30:43 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

10:22 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

18:35 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

10

Other Audiobooks Written by Martha Beck: > View All...

Publisher Description

Leaving the Saints is an unforgettable memoir about one woman’s spiritual quest and journey toward faith. As “Mormon royalty” within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Martha Beck was raised in a home frequented by the Church’s high elders—known as the apostles—and her existence was framed by their strict code of conduct. Wearing her sacred garments, she married in a secret temple ceremony—but only after two Mormon leaders ascertained that her “past contained no flirtation with serious sins, such as committing murder or drinking coffee.” She went to church faithfully with the other brothers and sisters of her ward. When her son was born with Down syndrome, she and her husband left their graduate programs at Harvard to return to Provo, Utah, where they knew the supportive Mormon community would embrace them. However, soon after Martha began teaching at Brigham Young University, she began to see firsthand the Church’s ruthlessness as it silenced dissidents and masked truths that contradicted its published beliefs. Most troubling of all, she was forced to face her history of sexual abuse by one of the Church’s most prominent authorities. This book chronicles her difficult decision to sever her relationship with the faith that had cradled her for so long and to confront and forgive the person who betrayed her so deeply. This beautifully written, inspiring memoir explores the powerful yearning toward faith. It offers a rare glimpse inside one of the world’s most secretive religions while telling a profoundly moving story of personal courage, survival, and the transformative power of spirituality.

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"I have so much love for Martha Beck. Everything I've ever read by her blows my mind: Finding Your North Star, Expecting Adam, her columns in Oprah, this book. Amazing. Brave. Intelligent. Funny. Open-hearted. She is a role model and hero for living with integrity, and living well."

— Wendy (5 out of 5 stars)

Leaving the Saints Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 53.838709677419355 out of 5 (3.84)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was very interesting to say the least. It's an amazing biography of the authors life experiences and how she came to love and believe in herself and God. "

    — Falina, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm always fascinated by religious fundamentalism, and so getting the inside scoop on the Mormon religion from a dissenter was a real hoot. Wow! It reads more like a tell-all than a memoire, and I had been afraid of just the opposite. A good read, if a little wordy. "

    — Jessica, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very good book, but very hard to read. Too much sexual abuse, I almost didn't finish it, but I'm glad I did. "

    — Pat, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Martha Beck's personal story of healing her past and finding her true self "

    — Kim, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Marth Beck writes well, so all her books have that to offer. The subject matter here was of great interest to me. It's a great story about her spiritual journey and a look into the Mormon faith. "

    — Jody, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read in 2 sittings. Funny, well-paced. I never thought anyaone could write about abuse and use humor, but some of her phrases just made me laugh. "

    — Marsmannix, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Can't get this story out of my mind. "

    — Paul, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Although this book deals with all kinds of painful issues, I couldn't put it down. Martha Beck deals with her personal tragedies with clarity and humor. I would recommend her books to readers of Anne Lamott's nonfiction. "

    — Leslie, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I would actually give this book 3.5 stars. "

    — Kim, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Beck is an amazing storyteller. Loved Expecting Adam, and Leaving the Saints did not disappoint. Beck weaves memoir and Mormon church insight flawlessly making for an amazing page turner. "

    — Chris, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved this book. Martha Beck is a fabulous writer, and I found the stuff on Mormonism fascinating. "

    — Helen, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While the narrator doesn't seem very reliable, she is a good writer. I wasn't particularly engaged in her personal story of abuse, but the structure and customs of the Mormon church are fascinating. "

    — Kaye, 12/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very interesting... had a great discussion at book club about this one. "

    — Janelle, 7/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While the style of the book was a bit emotional, this Harvard-trained sociologist does convey her point well. My real interest in the book lies in the discussion of her research, and in the historical facts surrounding the church. "

    — Iliana, 5/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I don't know how much stock to put into 'recovered memories', which really forms the basis for this book which details disturbing memories of the authors father, famed Mormon intellectual Hugh Nibley, brought out through therapy. Very disturbing if true. Equally disturbing if not true. "

    — Barry, 3/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My curiosity about the Mormons abounds. Here is another look into that very interesting faith. "

    — Dianna, 12/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting and worth a great discussion in a group. "

    — Peggy, 6/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was quite a slam on Martha Beck's father, and probably the most famous Mormon apologist of all time--Hugh Nibley--ouch! "

    — Brandon, 6/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent, excellent book that reads like my home movies. I know these characters, have heard their voices. Helped me immensely, and started a very important conversation with one of my sisters. "

    — Pamela, 4/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love Martha Beck. She writes in a way that is accessible to all, while not 'dumbing us down'. I find her humor to be quite enjoyable as well. Of course, this is a serious subject matter about how she made her journey out of Mormonism. Quite a compelling story. "

    — Michelle, 12/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " For such a heart wrenching account of her past her tone is surprisingly light. An excellently told story. "

    — Valerie, 10/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good read about a woman who's father is very prominent in the LDS church and the abuse she lived through as a child. It has a lot of good insight into some LDS beliefs and ceremonies. Pretty trippy, let me tell you! It's worth the read. "

    — korey, 9/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting stuff on Mormonism. As with Expecting Adam, I could have done without the author telling me how smart she is every 5 pages or so! "

    — Nicole, 8/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A truly chilling story about the Mormon faith and this one woman's personal journey. This book is disturbing and makes you reassess your opinions on religion, Mormonism in particular. "

    — Lauren, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Jerry Springer-esque <br/>post-religious pulp fiction <br/>“Bee-tee-dubs – we’re gay!” <br/> "

    — Merissa, 4/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Eye opening look into life as a Mormon woman, mother, and wife. "

    — Alexgarrity, 3/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " In a way, this book reminded me of Eat, Pray, Love. As far as spiritual journey memoirs go, I liked it better! It was sad and powerful and very well written. "

    — Laine, 3/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Equal parts fascinating, horrifying and absurd. I loved Expecting Adam but this was even better. "

    — Renne, 2/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Moving, disturbing, encouraging, and unexpectedly funny. Martha is blatantly frank and her honesty carries the story through her own grasping for truth. "

    — Malerie, 12/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Entertaining. The wire-tapping black helicopters were especially humorous. "

    — Stephen, 12/23/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book. Well written, touching and loving portal of growing beyond the messes life sends our way. I will have to read this again as I think the wisdom in this book will deserve repeating. "

    — Suzan, 11/17/2010

About Martha Beck

Martha Beck is a writer and life coach who specializes in helping people design satisfying and meaningful life experiences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology, all from Harvard. She is currently a monthly columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine and the author of the bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live and the memoir Expecting Adam. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

About Bernadette Dunne

Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.