Review
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Title: Healing the Wounded Soul
Author: Jack R Christianson
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Genre: Non-Fiction/Inspirational
Year Published: Book 2008, CD 2006
Length: Book 88 pages, CD 67 Min.
Binding: Hard
ISBN: Book – 13:978-1-59811-588-8 and 10:1-59811-588-X
CD – 13:978-1-59811-174-3 and 10:1-59811-174-4
Price: Book $11.95, CD $11.95
Reviewed by Andrew Hamilton
Jack Christianson’s new book, “Healing the Wounded Soul” is based on a recording of a fireside talk by the same name that was released as a CD in 2006. In the Introduction he states that the book’s, “objective is to aid in the healing of wounded souls and to help each reader choose the light, the good, and the uplifting when a choice between good and evil is presented in the course of everyday living.” Brother Christianson further states, “the fullness of my intent…is to help every reader to ‘come unto Christ’” and “the main intent of my writing is to help others…choose to follow Him – and in following Him find peace and healing of the soul.”
The genesis for the talk and later the book came from an experience that he had with his beloved German short hair pointer, “Sassy Cassie.” He tells the story of the time he took her to a hunting club with several of his friends. During the forty-five minute drive to the club he kept going on about his “brag dog,” to the point where the others were bored or annoyed.
When he was signing in at the clubhouse he let Cassie run free. When it was time to go to their designated area she was slow and unresponsive. He gave her signals and commands and she would not obey. He finally shoved her in the direction of a downed bird and she begrudgingly retrieved it. His friends heckled him about his dog. He began to insult her and treat her roughly because of her insubordinate behavior.
When they got home he began to inspect her for ticks and burrs. As he did so he discovered two large wounds, a four to five inch gash that went right to the bone on her chest, and a six inch long gash on her right leg that also went to the bone. As he embraced her and began to apologize he realized that, “Cassie had not been misbehaving…because she was a bad or rebellious dog. She had been misbehaving because she was wounded.” Later, as he meditated on what had happened to his dog he realized “that much of the misbehavior witnessed in our day by young and old alike, is not necessarily the result of people being bad. Often it stems from deep, hidden wounds: anxiety, pain, or insecurity. These wounds are often obscured as were Cassie's. Yet they are, nonetheless, real and hurtful.” (see pp. 33-36)
A few pages later he states, “As I meditated, I realized that I needed to stop being critical of people's mistakes and shortcomings, and needed instead to start asking, ‘What events have caused such deep pain, wounds, or insecurity that would cause you to behave in such a manner? Why are you having such a difficult time making the connection between your behavior and your beliefs?’
“When people would come to me as their priesthood leader and confess serious sin, I would often say, ‘Okay, now that we know what you've done, how can we get to the root of the problem? What is behind all of this? Why would you do this? Why would drugs be so attractive? Why would pornography be so inviting? What is missing in your life? What pain, what hurt, what insecurity, what need is not being met?’” (pp. 40-41)
He then connects these ideas to Jacob 2:8, “And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul,” and says, “If hearing the word of God can heal the wounded soul, our great challenge, then, is to get the word of God into our souls so that the healing can begin. How do we do that? How do you get wounded souls to let the word of God-the scriptures, and particularly the Book of Mormon drench them like the waters of a warm, cleansing shower? We must learn to answer this question if we are to successfully lead ourselves and others to the one who waits ‘with healing in his wings’ (2 Nephi 25:13).” (p. 43)
After this fairly lengthy set-up, which takes up the first half of the book and the talk, he spends the remaining time answering the above question. His main focus is on using the Book of Mormon and the doctrine, teachings, and stories it contains to lead people to Christ so that they can be healed. He cites the story of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, stating that Jacob was “a victim of abuse” at the hands of Laman and Lemuel and shows how his words can be used to lead people to Christ. He quotes liberally from the General Authorities including: Gordon B. Hinckley, Marvin J. Ashton, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Russell M. Nelson, and Harold B. Lee.
He spends a couple of pages discussing a quote by James E. Faust. Brother Christianson states that he was at a meeting where President Faust was asked the question, “What are we going to do to overcome all of the addictions that we face in this world? How do we help those who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, and pornography? What are we to do?” He states that President Faust replied, “Get them to hold faster and tighter to the iron rod.” He spends the next several pages discussing the significance of this answer.(see pp. 51-55) He also spends some time discussing the importance of recognizing that everyone is allowed to have their own perspective and views on life and that we should never judge others based on our own limited viewpoints, but allow them to make their own decisions about life. He reminds us that Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “Men are that they might have joy, not guilt trips!” (see pp. 69-7
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At 88 pages, and measuring only 5 x 7, “Healing the Wounded Soul” is a short book which is easy to read and use. It is divided up into five sections, “He Healed Them All,” “Finding Healing ‘In The Midst Of Meditation’,” “Understanding The Wounded,” “A More Powerful Effect…Than…Anything Else,” and “Men Are That They Might Have Joy.”
The question then is: Does Brother Christianson fulfill his purpose statement? Does this book help, “in the healing of wounded souls,” and does it help the, “reader to ‘come unto Christ’” and, “choose to follow Him – and in following Him find peace and healing of the soul”? For me it was a great help, not just in giving me perspective on my own life, but also in my work with others. My current calling is Elders Quorum President. By profession I am a “Job Coach” for Deseret Industries. I spend much of my time each week working with those who are struggling with bad habits and difficulties in their lives that keep them from being able to hold a regular job. I spend my weekends working with Elders who are struggling in their gospel activity. At times both of these activities can be very frustrating. I have heard every excuse in the book as to why someone was late to or absent from work every day for weeks at a time. I have heard story after story as to why a person should be excused from following the rules everyone else has to follow at work. There was a time where I was tempted to think, “What is wrong with these people, can’t they see how bad their behavior is? Can’t they see what they are doing to their lives? Can’t they see that if they don’t straighten up and learn to work they’re going to go nowhere and be welfare cases for the rest of their lives?” Brother Christianson’s talk and book gave me a new perspective on my church and professional work. They gave me a renewed sense of compassion. I have been reminded that as I work and counsel with these individuals I need to try and see life from their perspective and look for the hidden “wounds,” experiences and such that are causing their behavior. I would recommend this book or talk both to those who are struggling with their own emotional or spiritual “wounds,” and especially those who work with the wounded.
