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We welcome your comments about our books and CDs, this website, our newsletters, and author events, etc. If you would like to post a question for feedback or discussion, please post it on our "Open Forum 3 Discussions" page at "Laura's Strengthening Marriage Blog."
Laura was a top rate guest! As a host of a weekly women's television show, rarely do I find guests to be as articulate, entertaining, smart, and personable, as Laura!
Date:
May 6 2005
Name:
Robert
Comments:
This is a must read for anybody that's about to get married or even some who already are. I'm engaged and my Mom gave me the book to read saying, "I wish something like this had existed when your father and I got married." All I can say is WOW! Talk about eye-opening! I had no idea, and I don't think I would have even after getting married. I had no idea that intimacy was such an involved and complicated thing. I have been given a new perspective going into marriage that will help to prevent many problems that might have otherwise developed. I really appreciate that the book is designed to put the woman and her feelings first. The book encourages a very loving and selfless approach to intimacy. Women are too often the first to be forgotten and neglected. I hope I can live up to making my wife the focus in all things.
Date:
May 2 2005
Name:
L.S.
Comments:
Dear Laura, Just wanted to tell you about how much my brother-in-law and his wife are enjoying your book. I had been a little hesitant to send your book to them for their wedding, since it's such a sensitive subject. But I asked them later about it and they told me that they had previously heard about your book and had told each other that they needed to get it. Then just the next day they received the copy I sent them in the mail. They had been reading another popular book on the subject, but told me that your book was by far much better than that one! Thought you'd appreciate their response to your book.
Date:
April 25 2005
Name:
R.H.
Comments:
I went to a marriage preparation class that my stake has engaged couples go to and the instructor kept mentioning how much he liked your book. He used a few quotes too. Just thought Id pass on the good word. Thanks for your good work!
Date:
April 19 2005
Name:
David
Comments:
I continue to be amazed at what you have written (currently on Chapter 10). Thank you. Thank you for all you are doing to bless people's lives (including mine). You are doing the right thing no matter what anyone may say.
And They Were Not Ashamed is truly one of the best books. "... seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).
I also received the latest newsletter and really enjoyed it. Thank you. Of particular interest were "35 Reasons to Make Love" and Straight Talk Q&A. I found myself laughing at a few of the reasons such as "To burn calories" and "Just because." I really needed to hear what you wrote in Straight Talk about men ("Becoming aware of underlying conditioning and
our core beliefs is key to overcoming them.") and will start to apply your advice. Writing about deep feelings and beliefs is the hard part; but it likely gets easier over time. Men need this information (and the book) just as much as women. Excellent.
Date:
April 17 2005
Name:
Reader from Tennessee
Comments:
It's about time! WOW. That's all I can say. I wish I had this book nine years ago, when I first got married. This book deals with so many issues regarding sexual fulfillment in marraige, and helps prepare you to have the relationship with your spouse that God intended you to have! I love the fact that everything is presented in a very reverent, practical and spiritual way. I was so impressed with this book, and my relationship with my husband has been strengthened because I applied the principles taught in it. It is so bizarre that something as powerful and sacred as the sexual relationship within the bond of marraige is dealt with so infrequently. This book opens the doors and sheds light on a subject that EVERY marriage needs.
Date:
April 15 2005
Name:
Fred Proulx
Comments:
As a husband of a most precious wife 26 years, and parent to five precious sons (three on past and present fulltime missions), I was utterally stunned last night in studying what a inspired work God has directed you in, Laura. I only add my deepest appreciation for your gift, to so many people. Thiry years of following the admonition of Alma 17: 2-3 regarding Scripture, fasting, and prayer, to obtain personal revelation,...have spoken to the fantastic truth of the pages and pages that you have so richly given us. Nothing I could say, nor the fantantic reviews already given, could adequately express to God what He has worked through you, in this blessed book. God's richest blessings to you and your family. Love, the Proulx's
Date:
April 9 2005
Name:
Marcine
Comments:
Words are not enough to express what has happened to me and my husband through reading and listening to your book. During the first presentation of the BYU Family Outreach Conference we went through the syllabus and decided on the classes we wanted to take. We came across your class and I said to my husband lets go to this one. Unbeknownst to me until later my husband was leaping with joy inside because he wanted to go to your class but was reluctant to say so first. After your presentation we decided to buy your book and also the book on tape and we agreed to read it together. Well, we started to read it and got to chapter two, which I absolutely love. My husband loves it too. The next day I just had to read more of the book while my husband went to work. He came home pleasantly surprised that I hadn't waited for him to read the book.
What an eye opening revelation. We were able to talk about our differences as a man and woman and likes and dislikes concerning sexual intimacy and everything in between like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was the most awesome experience. Chapter 2 in your book is the most coolest (is that a word?) thing I and my husband have ever read. I absolutely love it. We want to buy a book for each of our married children and their spouses. I want to incorporate this (chapter 2 at least) somehow in my ward's young women group. (I am second counselor in Young Women's). My husband and I have a renewed, vitalized affection for each other that is unbelievable and we are only on Chapter 7 of the book. AWESOME!! My husband said to me that the next morning after reading with me that he had to get down on his knees and thank our Heavenly Father for letting him feel like he was no longer this loathsome, male sex fiend that he thought he might be. He had felt this way for many years. He was so relieved that most other men are "just like him" and it is normal and natural to be the way they are. He said he "wept" with relief and joy. He knew also that I understood him, too. I, myself, am so excited about what I have learned. I can now understand why my husband is the way he is and it's an okay thing. It's a wonderful thing, really. We are open and honest and do not have the least degree of animosity, or embarassment or ridicule or any bad feelings at all between us when we discuss what we read in the book. Just honest, loving, feelings of understanding and hope for a better life and eternity together. We are grateful to you for following the inspiration given to you by our Heavenly Father. I am sure it wasn't terribly easy. But I tell you now that it was oh so worth it for us. I want you to tell your husband "Thank You" from us also for letting you be so candid and personable and for sharing you with us. I know now why I was prompted to go this conference. Thank you !! Thank you!!
Date:
March 16 2005
Name:
Thomas R. Lee, Ph.D.
Comments:
Laura, we appreciate you participating in our stake Marriage Seminar. We have heard many good comments from your presentation at our seminar. We appreciate you taking the time to come and be with us and for the great message and spirit that you shared with us. Your expertise as a teacher and speaker, and your knowledge of the important topic of intimacy in marriage made it a very useful presentation to many. Sincerely, Tom Lee, 2nd Counselor, Logan Utah East Stake, USU Professor/Department Head
Date:
March 3 2005
Name:
David
Comments:
Laura, as a bishop I now recommend your book to every engaged couple, about to be married, that I counsel with. The "Good Girl Sydrome" is pricless information. I see too many women in the marriage relationship, who don't see "anything it in it for them." Who have the attitude of, "I don't care what you do, as long as you don't wake me up." This eventually can give the husband the feeling of approaching his beloved wife as "only to be serviced." Which is a dangerous situation because the husband will stop the approaching and is placed in a position where he must rely on his willpower to resist the temptations of the world in this area. Your wonderful book explains, that there is something beautiful for both the wife and the husband in their intimate relationship. Young men also would do well to educate themselves before they ruin this area on the honeymoon "for many moons to come" as you put it. The book discusses how a young couple can learn together, what works and doesn't work. The insights you give on learning how to communicate as husband and wife in this area is invaluable. The book is so straight forward, yet in a personal, not clinical way. I also am glad it's coming from an LDS women's point of view, so the women both inside and out of the church, can "trust" the information. I have recommended this book to all the bishops in our stake. Laura, thanks for the help! The Bishop, Orem, Utah
Date:
March 1 2005
Name:
Terence L. Day
Comments:
Laura, your book is a marvelous work and a wonder! I marvel that in the official Church context, physical intimacy is rarely if ever mentioned in lessons or articles on strengthening marriage.
You have done an absolutely wonderful job of opening up a sacred subject that needs to be openly discussed.
Your book is greatly needed.
Terry
Date:
February 26 2005
Name:
Mark D. Chamberlain, Ph.D., Auth
Comments:
As a clinical psychologist working with many LDS couples with sexual difficulties, I want to thank you for the wonderful resource you have created. Your book, "And They Were Not Ashamed," is a comprehensive and well-researched guidebook for couples. What impresses me even more is that you've also provided a warm and personal, yet powerfully corrective manifesto, helping readers elevate the gift of sexual enjoyment to its divinely intended place in our lives. The book has enabled some of my female clients to give themselves permission to thoroughly enjoy sex for the first time in their lives.
Unfortunately, the divide that has always separated many couples seems to be worsening lately. With pornography and all of its distortions and perversions becoming more rampant, many women seem to be viewing sexual enjoyment as a male weakness. This perpetuates and further entrenches the "good girl syndrome" rather than challenging or softening it. Unfortunately, the more they withdraw and distance themselves from this aspect of life, the more vulnerable their husbands are to the temptations of the adversary. In my practice, I'm seeing more and more otherwise righteous and faithful men coming in for help with sexual "obsessions" and temptations because their resolve doesn't always hold firm over months or years of deprivation.
Date:
February 21 2005
Name:
Craig
Comments:
Hi Laura, I really appreciate what you are doing...especially your honesty and the righteous desires of your heart! Thank you, Craig
Date:
February 19 2005
Name:
Belinda
Comments:
Dear Laura,
My husband (of 23 years) and I read your column regularly in Meridian Magazine. We think you are a great voice for advocating the importance of sexual intimacy in marriage. Your columns have also reinforced our ideas of the need to better prepare our own children for sexuality after marriage. Our own honeymoon wasn't exactly what either one of us thought it would be, but with "time and experience" we have figured it out. How nice it would have been to have known more about what to expect back then!
In regards to one of your previous columns about educating our children, I wanted to share something our oldest daughter shared with us. She is a nearly 20 yr old sophomore at BYU and has not been sexually active, though she has been well educated thus far. She let us know that is not unusual for roommates to get into discussions about sex and ask one another what is known on the subject. After a recent talk among the girls, one of them, after being told what happens during intercourse, exclaimed: "You mean it goes INSIDE you?" At first I nearly cried laughing. After some reflection however, I felt extremely sorry for her and incredulous towards her parents, who apparently haven't covered even the anatomy and physiology of sex. I hope someone gives her educated, experienced advice prior to her marriage.
My husband and I are already talking about the preparation we will offer our children (and sons/daughters in law). We feel it is our duty and obligation to be a resource for them. We feel confident that we can provide information, guidance, and reassurance to them in a comfortable way; that will help them and strengthen their marriages. You have helped us realize that we are not odd in feeling this responsibility.
We appreciate your candor and courage in addressing sexuality in the LDS culture. Others' efforts have been less than adequate in this area. My husband and I have wondered when someone with credibility would tackle the issue - then you came along! It is reassuring to know that we are not the only LDS couple on the planet who find immense pleasure and fulfillment in one another. Keep up the good work, you are doing many people a great service.
Date:
February 16 2005
Name:
Dr. Steven P. Frahm
Comments:
I'm a psychologist in private practice and also work for LDS Family Services here in south Florida. I'm also a member of the Stake Young Men's presidency. What exerpts I have read of your book have been delightful. I am really looking forward to reading, using, recommending this much needed book. Thanks for your hard work. Your book addresses such a big need. I applaud and admire your efforts.
