Beneath Wings of an Angel by Janice Romney Farnsworth recounts the autobiographical personal journey of a woman raised in Mormonism who must find the strength to leave an abusive marriage. Differentiating her story from similar tales, she concludes the book with practical advice for finding internal strength despite abuse.

As her relationship with her husband passed from neglect into physical and emotional abuse, Janice tried many times to seek help from the Mormon community. The religious leaders, however, were not supportive and simply told her she should pray harder and follow the religious demands of Mormonism. Everything, they assured her, would improve.

Of course, as anybody knows who knows anything about abuse, an abuser is unlikely to change just because someone prays for him. The abuse continued until Janice found the strength to leave.

Beneath Wings of an Angel is a spiritual journey as well as a life lesson. Through her experiences, Janice learns that, contrary to what her Mormon leaders told her, she could find spiritual strength outside of that religion. Her newfound faith buoys her as she makes hard life changes.

Among those changes, she tries to improve her relationship with her many children. While she laments not being strong enough to rescue them from a bad situation in earlier years, she provides hopeful stories about connecting with some of them after she escapes. Sadly, at least one of her sons is lost to drugs and bad behavior, but she has made it clear to him that the door is open, should he ever want her help.

Although it might be painful to read some of the scenes of abuse, these pages serve as a cathartic experience for those who have experienced abuse, as well as a learning experience for those who haven't. At the end of the book, Janice provides very good hands-on exercises for changing the inner self-talk that fills the abused with hopelessness, to help them find their own spiritual strength so that they, too, can find brighter days ahead.

Turnkey Press, 2004: ISBN, 0-9747644-7-7