Book Report: My Peace I Give Unto You

I am having an amazing experience reading the Mendenhall's book, "My Peace I Give Unto You."

Outside of the scriptures, I haven't had the words of a book speak so powerfully to me on a personal level since I read Rick Joyner's "The Final Quest" several years ago.

Having met the Mendenhalls on two occasions now, and thus having had the blessing of feeling of their spirit as they have recited in person essentially the same account as is had in their book, minus a few choice details that the book bring out (and vise versa), I am convinced in my mind and heart that these folks are genuine and that their story is told with integrity. Their story rings true to my soul, and is consistent with the spiritual accounts I've heard told by others who have died and returned, as well as others who are simply blessed with amazing gifts of the spirit, as well as experiences I myself have had.

The book is told in language so simple that any child as young as Denise who is receptive to spiritual teachings could understand it. Yet the principles are so profound that they provide inspiration and direction for even the most advanced of souls. The underlying message of the book is not to showcase the Mendenhall's spiritual experiences, but to serve as a witness that these gifts and blessings are available to all, beginning with the meek, and ending with the sort of meek, for some degree of humility is the prerequisite for any of these special gifts of God; and any person born to this earth is capable of meekness, so these gifts are available to all.

Basically, the book is the story of four people.

First, and most apparent, is the story of a ten year old girl who died in a diabetic coma and chose to come back to earth to perform a special mission for the Father (in heaven). She woke up from death without the veil being returned. Though she is but twelve now, I get the feeling almost as though she is more wise and courageous than most anyone I've ever known of before. Not having the veil, she can see spirits, pre-born as well as departed, good and bad; visit at will with the Savior, which she does nearly constantly, giving him hugs freely; see auras; go wherever she wants in her spirit when she sleeps and remember the experience when she awakens; visit with great men and women of history, including prophets of the scriptures; and other gifts. Not only does she have these gifts, but she uses them with discretion, as the Father (in heaven) sees fit for the blessing of people's lives and the upliftment of the spirit.

Second, it is the story of Doug, Denise' father. When you hear them talk in person, they still carry the father-daughter image of "father-knows-best," though the daughter certainly has great wisdom to share with her father. However, in reading the book, it is apparent that Denise is the more mature soul, even now, and that her mission is to teach her father, and through him and his associate, Rob Lake, teach as many as will listen. One of the biggest and first lessons he learns is to not judge people. "The final judgment" is the last time one judges.

The book relates how Doug goes from being a very successful multi-level-marketer to utter financial destitution as he is taught to rely on the Lord. At their darkest financial moment, Doug is tempted to use Denise' gifts for financial gain, as one of her abilities is to be able to predict the outcome of a lottery or know the face of any card. But she has been given the strictest of instructions by Christ that she is NOT to use her gifts for money. Doug finally learns that lesson, and realizes that he is to trust in the Savior to provide for their financial needs. You see, shortly after Denise returned from death, she told her father that he was not to work for anyone, but that the Lord would provide a way for them to be able to take care of things. As the bills began to mount, and money dwindled for groceries, his faith was tried, but every attempt he made to earn money was a failure. Now that he has learned this lesson, his needs have been taken care of as the Lord promised.

They don't charge for their book but give it away for free, receiving with gratitude any donations people feel to give. And of course they don't charge for their firesides.

The third person that the book is about, indirectly, is its writer, Rob Lake. The book doesn't address this, but in the fireside presentation Rob begins by telling the story of how he came to write the book. Basically, Doug comes to his door, hands him some thirty pages of notes, and says, "Tag.  You're it." The Savior had told Doug to deliver it to Rob, and Rob would know what to do with it. Rob is not a writer by profession. He is a math teacher. He had never written a book before.

In his first phase of writing, as the story began to unfold, he entertained thoughts of grandeur, how he would become famous as the book became a hot item, like those that his friend writes. The next time he sat down to write, nothing came. Same thing the next time after that, and the time after that. Finally, he realized that the Lord was holding back his gift because of his thoughts of pride. When he realized that, and repented, not only did the gift return, but now he didn't even need to consult the notes Doug had given him. The Lord told him to start all over. And he did.

It is one of the purest books I've ever read. I don't get the feeling as I read that I'm reading through Rob's perspective. His filter is nearly completely absent. He doesn't try to make Doug or Denise look good, or bad. He just tells the story as it happened. It is very real. Speaking in Doug's voice, in Denise voice, objectively telling their experience as if he was there observing, experiencing every moment; and in so doing, he gives the story to us, as if we are there observing, experiencing every moment.

Finally, the book is a portrait of Jesus Christ, who is in near constant dialogue with little Denise. It's not just his words of wisdom that are inspiring, but his whole personality that comes through the book. He is approachable, humorous, occasionally stern, patient, playful, and always full of love -- and hugs for Denise.

He, really, is the focus of the book. It is an invitation to each of us to nurture that kind of relationship with the Lord.

I am so grateful to the Mendenhalls and to Rob, and to the Lord, for giving us the blessing of this marvelous book and for sharing their experiences with us.

I hope all of you will get a copy of this book and read it. Money is not an obstacle, for they give the book to anyone who wants it.

And if you want them to come speak to a group of people where you live, who will be receptive to their message, they will come. The means of their getting there will be provided by the Lord.

Praise be to the Lord.

Sincerely your brother in Christ,

Sterling D. Allan
October 24, 2001

See also:
Sterling's Report on the Conclusion of the Book