Deborah Laake
Encyclopedia
Deborah Laake was a columnist
at the Dallas Morning News in the 1980s and later a staff writer, columnist, editor
, and executive at the Phoenix New Times
. She was famous for her 1993 book entitled Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond
, a candid and critical account of her experiences growing up and marrying as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
(BYU). After having stopped practicing the religion, she published the book Secret Ceremonies in which she describes her childhood, her marriage, her divorce and the temple ceremonies in the LDS Church. She also blames the church "for her inability to enjoy marital intercourse, for her three failed marriages, for her attempted suicide, and for the two months she spent in a psychiatric institution". The book was a commercial success; it spent 15 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list
and over 500,000 copies were printed. The LDS Church was not pleased with Secret Ceremonies and Laake was excommunicated for apostasy because of her criticisms and also for her "detailed revelation of top-secret Mormon temple ceremonies" shortly after the book's publication. In 1994, Laake was diagnosed with having breast cancer
. In 2000, she took her own life by "ingesting an overdose of pills" in Charleston, South Carolina
. At the time of her death Ms Laake was being actively treated for depression.
According to her friend and one-time coworker Terry Green Sterling, this depression was severe and ongoing for a period of several years prior to the suicide.
for her feature writing. Also in 1983 The Columbia School of Journalism gave Laake a special award for her short story "Wormboys". In 1987 she won Arizona
's feature column writing award. In 1988, she was elected Arizona's "Journalist of the Year" and won the National Headliner award in 1991.
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
at the Dallas Morning News in the 1980s and later a staff writer, columnist, editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
, and executive at the Phoenix New Times
Phoenix New Times
The Phoenix New Times is a free, weekly Phoenix, Arizona newspaper, put out every Thursday. It is the founding publication of the New Times Media , but The Village Voice is now the flagship publication of that company....
. She was famous for her 1993 book entitled Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond
Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond
Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond is a 1993 autobiographical book written by American journalist and columnist Deborah Laake.-Description:...
, a candid and critical account of her experiences growing up and marrying as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Biography
She was raised as a member of the LDS Church and attended Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU). After having stopped practicing the religion, she published the book Secret Ceremonies in which she describes her childhood, her marriage, her divorce and the temple ceremonies in the LDS Church. She also blames the church "for her inability to enjoy marital intercourse, for her three failed marriages, for her attempted suicide, and for the two months she spent in a psychiatric institution". The book was a commercial success; it spent 15 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list
New York Times Best Seller list
The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
and over 500,000 copies were printed. The LDS Church was not pleased with Secret Ceremonies and Laake was excommunicated for apostasy because of her criticisms and also for her "detailed revelation of top-secret Mormon temple ceremonies" shortly after the book's publication. In 1994, Laake was diagnosed with having breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. In 2000, she took her own life by "ingesting an overdose of pills" in Charleston, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. At the time of her death Ms Laake was being actively treated for depression.
According to her friend and one-time coworker Terry Green Sterling, this depression was severe and ongoing for a period of several years prior to the suicide.
Awards
She received various awards throughout her career. In 1983, she won a special citation from the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
for her feature writing. Also in 1983 The Columbia School of Journalism gave Laake a special award for her short story "Wormboys". In 1987 she won Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
's feature column writing award. In 1988, she was elected Arizona's "Journalist of the Year" and won the National Headliner award in 1991.