BOOK
by   Colleen Peterson and Sherie Faerber  

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This book is dedicated to
the work of the Master
in whose hands we put our trust.
May our Savior's love
guide you in all
your relationships.

This fictional, clinical novel is based on human experiences and real life situations. Is it possible to create healthy relationships when all members of the family do not share the same values or beliefs? Can children live gospel truths and still honor the virtues of those who don't believe?

Many families in the gospel have one or more members who live outside of the secure bond of the ward family. Our Savior has always admonished us to care about and to love those who struggle spiritually. Our Prophet has made this a priority in recent years.

Our book, Shared Bond, Unshared Belief, published in 1997, is one of the first books that addresses the concerns of families where all do not share gospel bonds. Often, when an active, committed member is married to a less-active or non-member, the relationship can be challenging. Combining our experiences and insights, we, as authors, felt this story could best be told in a manner that would be non-threatening, non-judgmental, and yet keep the interest of the reader. Thus, it was written in a fictional format.

Our story takes us through twenty years of the lives of the main characters as Carol learns to strengthen bonds with her husband, teach her children the gospel, and still respect his agency, as she grows from the depths of despair to Christ-like love.

We have had a very rewarding response to our book and have received many letters of appreciation for the strength it offers. We have given many presentations, seminars, and classes in wards, stakes, and various groups including three years at Ricks College Women's Week and two years at Education Week. Our presentation is approved by the Church Correlation Continuing Education Committee.

The authors are available to give presentations to your groups. Presentations are designed to share ways of feeling and showing unconditional love and acceptance to less active members. Approval by your Bishop or stake president may be necessary.

We needed the response of other families who live in this situation, so we shared our book in manuscript form with them. Some of their comments are included on this page. Our work is not sponsored by the church; it is our own missionary effort, and the authors have pledged any profit to further missionary work.

May our Savior's love guide you in all your relationships.

Table of contents

Reader's Comments

"It has helped me to see and feel more the need to do things the Lord's way and trust in His time table..."

"It has given me a stronger desire to keep trying, to have greater patience, to understand more how necessary it is to learn the lessons in life as we struggle with adversity..."

"I felt the Spirit...This book can and will bring greater knowledge and understanding and peace to those who read it with the Spirit..." "It can help the individual see more clearly how and why to endure well our testing in this life. Also to see where we need to change, and not worry about changing the other person, but just to love them. Our life is not based on what others do--but on what we do..."

"Great gospel teachings are in the book, again, written with the Spirit that you can feel."

Alair Hanni

"I think every woman in the church should read and could benefit from the enjoyable story. This book would also benefit a young woman preparing for marriage."

Linda Miller

"I enjoyed reading it. It reaches out to people outside the secure core of the wards. I believe the ministry of Christ reached out--publicans, sinners, lost sheep, hurt traveler, people with unpleasant afflictions."

Mary Jane Fritzen

"The book is so heart-wrenching and yet so compassionate that it left me with hope and conviction that all is possible with the Lord's help.." "My favorite part in the book is where the Bishop advises not to dismay, not to give up, to love the husband unconditionally, no matter what his short-comings may be.."

Ingrid Ray

"Well, you were inspired (to give him two books). It wasn't much time after we saw each other that I received a note from a dear sister. She told me it was so hard to be a member of the church and have a husband that didn't want anything to do with the church. She was asking for help and advice.

I immediately thought of your book. (Keep in mind this was the second book you had given me. The first book I knew was to go to another sister.)

I took it with me on my next trip to Utah. As I sat down and explained the story behind you giving me the book, she just broke into tears and said, 'this is my book, I know this book is for me.' It meant so much to her.

I want you to know that if all the trouble you went through to write the book was to just give it to this dear sister--it was worth it. You brought her such peace and comfort."

Jon Parre

List of Some Presentations

Ricks College Education Week (June 4-6, 1998 & 2000) Shirley Watson (Continuing Ed.) 356-2336 (Cont. Education Church Correlation Committee approved)

Ricks College Women's Week- 1998 Kris Fillmore - (208) 356-2283 (Director of Women's Programs)

Eagle Rock 39th Ward Relief Society Ruana Ransom (208) 524-5473 RS Pres.

Clark Ward Combined Priesthood and Relief Society Julie Clark (208) 745-7088

Eagle Rock Stake Women's Conference Sandra Christenson (208) 529-9920

Rose Ward Relief Society Sis. Lilya- (208) 785-4679

Fox Hollow Ward Relief Society Luanna Carney, (208) 522-3706, or Lenna Barber (208) 529-5413

Pocatello 16th Ward Combined Relief Society and Priesthood (5th Sunday), Marie Wheatley, (208) 238-1621

Ricks College Class on Self-Concept Robin Bergstrom- 356-8830

Ricks College Women's Week- 2000 Kris Fillmore- (208) 356-2283 (Director of Women's Programs)

Shelly Ward Relief Society Ann Winder, (208) 357-3357