Chapters 5 and 6 Summary and Analysis

In chapter five, one requirement the Robertsons had to meet was giving up all vices including drinking coffee, tea or alcohol and smoking—this according to the Doctrine and Covenants, one of the four books of Mormon scripture. Back in Arkansas, they abandoned friends from their former church—even family gatherings became strained. Eventually, their wedding vows would have to be performed again in the Mormon temple. They found a local Mormon church which was housed in a dreary store-front building. The Mormon hymns they sang made Judy uncomfortable. They referred to a "prophet" and a "heavenly mother." After years of Christian beliefs, Judy was suddenly singing "to a god with flesh and bones who had a wife and spawned millions of spirit babies" (p. 36)

In chapter six, Judy played the piano for the dozen children who...