"Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house. Their baskets shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.  They shall not have right to the priesthood nor their posterity after them from generation to generation.  It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea". Doctrine & Covenants 121:19-22 Although this is a subject that I wish would never have to be discussed .  That it could never happen to any of our children, but I am afraid that it is far more prevalent than any of us might think.  I have spent many years researching this ,and have shed many tears while doing so.  I know that there are some subjects that we would like to ignore, and maybe think that they will go away if we do, but alas this is not one of them.  Our children are at risk!  Some of them even in their own homes where they should be able to find safety and protection from this horrible offense.  I know that in the last few yeas this has come to the foreground and that many have done as I have done, looked into it more deeply.  I also know that there are many that do not want to know what is going on in our homes, and would rather think that it is just some isolated cases.  I don't blame those who have a desire to think this way.  I can understand how hard it is for them to believe that this actually can happen.  I think this is a kind of societal denial thing.  But when we do this we are also part of the problem.  There is a saying prevalent among us . "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."  Sometimes we won't allow ourselves to see what is right in front of our noses.  Our Children will continue to suffer until we get "our heads out of the sand."  I could write many pages on this subject but it would take up more space than is available to me.  It involves so many different kinds of abuse and there is so many different sources of information on each kind.  I will give you an address that covers much about child sexual abuse: http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/index.htm http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/creek/9369/project/child.html Following are the names of some books that are very informative and will cover differnt forms of abuse. Confronting Abuse by Anne L. Horton, B. Kent Harrison, Barry L. Johnson Reach for the Rainbow by Lynne D. Finney, J.D., M.S.W. Victims no Longer by Mike Lew There are also many good reference books in the public library, such as the Silent Victims (author unknown) There are many different forms of Child abuse and none are excusable, and all are destructive.  We have all heard the words physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, and yes spousal abuse.  We may not look at spousal abuse as being child abuse, but it is one of the most destructive kinds because it usually involves all of the previous types.  The following are ways that abuse in inflicted on children: Using words and tone of voice calculated to hurt, punish, intimidate, or control them or others, rudeness, and vulgarity, threats of physical violence, downgrading, belittling , rejection, sulking , emotional tirades, emotional deprivation and neglect. phychological abuse does not allow autonomy. Such treatment may range from not allowing others to carry out any of their desires to actual brainwashing and psychologicl torture...verbal degradation, denial of power, isolation, monopolizing perceptions, occasional indulgences, hypnosis, threats to kill, induced debility, and the administration of drugs and alcohol. Spiritual abuse is very subtle, but, real and can occur in a family where either the father or the mother uses the scriptures to intimidate or control their children.   "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile." Doctrine & Covenants 121:41-42 It is my prayer that each of us will do more to protect not only our children but those of other families that may be endangered.  That we will though the Spirit become aware of those in abusive situations so that we might be able to protect them for this awful scourge. I would like to hear from anyone who might have any ideas, or would just like to talk. Click on the email button below...