Holy Disobedience

Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows

De: Melissa Duge Spiers

Narrado por: Melissa Duge Spiers

Holy Disobedience is a gripping, unflinching story by Melissa Duge Spiers about growing up in the shadow of control, silence, and secrets within the strict, fundamentalist Seventh-day Adventist Church. When Melissa learns that her father, a respected pastor, was a serial child predator shielded by the church, her world implodes. But this revelation is only the beginning.

From being beaten for resisting a childhood home perm to seducing a forbidden public-school athlete to reclaim her autonomy, Melissa's early years were shaped by repression, shame, and indoctrination. Her escape from high-control religion launched her into a life of risk: Wall Street jobs, New York nightclubs, Hollywood hookups, and a series of abusive relationships. And yet, in these extremes, she was searching. Through self-reflection and finding her voice, and through an unexpected friendship with her father's first victim, Melissa slowly reconstructs the self she was never allowed to know.

Holy Disobedience is not just a survivor's tale. It's a story of fierce honesty, radical freedom, and the beautiful mess of becoming whole.

©2026 Melissa Duge Spiers (P)2026 Melissa Duge Spiers

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Holy Disobedience is a visceral portrayal of a daughter's quest for the dark truth beneath the religious veneer of forced beauty and familial cover-ups. Spiers's writing is propulsive and intelligent." -Tia Levings, author of the New York Times bestselling A Well-Trained Wife

The author’s resilience and her determination.

SDA is a horrible cult specially for women. I love that she didn’t let her upbringing and all the abuse she endured define her. What a strong articulate and compassionate person. I really admire her.

what a testimony!

This book is multifaceted with all the emotion! I could relate so much! I felt joy, pain, sadness, and also empathy having experienced the dichotomy of this church. it validated alot of what im currently trying to deconstruct myself. even after being out if the church for 14 years. Thank you for putting into words the things I still have trouble vocalizing!💜

Not pretty but Beautiful!

After catching clips of this story on TikTok, I knew I had to hear Ms. Duge Spiers’ story in full and it did not disappoint. Hearing her narrate it in her own voice made the experience even more powerful, it felt immersive, like being pulled directly into the moments she lived through.

As a former Adventist, this book resonated on a deeper level. It helped me make sense of behaviors and mindsets I witnessed growing up, especially with some of the lesser known Ellen G. White quotes she included things I hadn’t heard before, but that clicked instantly once I reflected on my experiences.

This isn’t just an entertaining read, it’s an eye opener. More than anything, I hope this book empowers other victims to find their voice, speak their truth, and ultimately free themselves.