Here are notes on that Unification Church memo marked "for leader's eyes only" for "educating members for what may emerge in the coming months" re Nan Sook's book. This memo was issued "for leaders' eyes only."

While this does not seek to address all the questions which her book might raise, nor to provide the absolute answers, it does touch upon many of the underlying themes and hopefully puts the book and our response to it in a proper context.

Caution and discretion should be exercised so that this document itself does not stimulate unnecessary controversy or distraction.

Our final decision [to distribute the memo to membership] will be affected by your feedback.

Q. How does True Father view this book & the media stories?

A. Father's recent speech at E. Garden on 9/21/98 reveals that he takes this book, the media attention and member's concerns very seriously. However, True Father places this controversy, even though it arises from his own family members, in the same category as any other attacks upon his work. He does not allow these attacks to interfere with his fulfillment of God's will. He urges us to have the same attitude. As during any time of persecution or difficulty, one's faith will be challenged. Now is the time for prayer & unity.

Q. Why aren't the problems in the True Family more widely known within the Unification Church?

A. The True Family is the Abel-type family and thus serves as a role model. They are intimately connected to us members who are in the position of Cain-type families. Only together can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The True Family, like other families, tries to solve family problems within the love and embrace of the family. Just as we all have our own course of restoration and face our own difficulties, so too does the True Family.

It is simply normal for any family to put on their best face in public and not betray its members by broadcasting personal struggles and difficulties. When problems arise within the True Family, solutions are sought and applied. Sometimes the solutions don't' work and then other solutions are tried. Nobody, including the True Family, wants to air their problems while solutions are being worked out. To do this would only undermine the healing process.

Hyo Jin's problems became public many years ago when he himself decided to inform the membership during a public speech. Many members, if not all, knew his situation. The resulting marital problems he and Nan Sook suffered are all too common in a marriage where there is substance abuse. Also, Father himself announced Nan Sook's appointment to run Manhattan Center Studios. This was all done very openly and members knew this change was meant to stabilize both the business and their marriage. These are two examples of the True Family making very public personal family problems.

When we think back over our own life of faith and the problems we've struggled with, none of us would want to have such things publicly exposed. How would we feel if the Unification Church state leader publicly announced our personal or family struggles?

True Parents have chosen to live their lives in a totally public manner. While the True Children are the children of famous parents and have internal providential positions, for the most part they do not hold any public leadership positions. Therefore, their normal expectation for privacy should be honored.

Q. Why didn't True Parents intervene sooner in Hyo Jin Moon's substance abuse problems?

A. Despite the constraints placed on them by their worldwide mission mentioned above, the True Parents did tend responsibly to Hyo Jin Moon's situation, and particularly his substance abuse problems. It was their unceasing hope that through their unconditional love and support, along with the love and support of his family, Hyo Jin Moon would overcome his difficulties. Not only True Parents but many members of the family, as well as responsible staff and friends, invested continually in an effort to find a solution to Hyo Jin Moon's problems. Hyo Jin Moon himself sought professional help. But, as those who are familiar with addiction know, the battle is fierce and often requires a lifelong struggle. In Hyo Jin Moon's case there was no immediate or quick solution.

Q. Why don't' we (Unification Church) mount an aggressive media campaign to answer the book?

A. Fundamentally, this book is Nan Sook's viewpoint of her marriage. We have very little to say about that since we weren't present when much of her story took place. Our response to that part of the book is to have compassion for her struggles and to convey hope that she and Hyo Jin Moon can reconcile themselves enough to be good parents to their children.

The secondary theme of Nan Sook's book is the portrayal of the True Parents as uncaring, self-absorbed and ultimately fraudulent. While we as members can refute this, the media is mainly interested in hearing a response directly from True Parents. and/ or True Children. Father and Mother have appointed a spokesman to represent True Family to the media and have issued a heart-felt statement concerning this matter. It was considered unwise for the True Children to be interviewed about this matter since the media has been known to manipulate and misconstrue sincere efforts to communicate.

Nan Sook's story as an abused wife is credible and provokes sympathy. A big media blitz to discredit her or her story would surely backfire. Nevertheless, because she persists in attacking the Unification Church and True Parents in her book and media tour, it is necessary to rebut some of the inaccuracies & omissions in her story.

It is unfortunate the Nan Sook has chosen this course. True Parents wanted to show only the heart of compassion towards her. Since she is attacking them so vehemently, going far beyond her personal story, a factual response from our side is called for.

Q. Is it true that Nan Sook was left without any financial resources?

A. No, it is not true. Nan Sook left East Garden with a substantial amount of money. Soon after leaving, she purchased a house in the Boston area. Eventually, a divorce proceeding was initiated by Nan Sook that was greatly complicated by the fact that she demanded over 20 million dollars to settle her case. Because of Nan Sook's unreasonable settlement posture, the divorce proceeding took more than two years to resolve. Nevertheless, during this two year period, True Parents graciously provided her and the children with fair financial support. Finally, with True Parents' desire to provide for their grandchildren's well being, and to bring this heart-breaking matter to a conclusion, a settlement was reached, with Nan Sook receiving (after taxes) $600,000 up front, $9,000 per month and health insurance.

Q. Have some of the True Children left the Unification Church? If so, do they still have a providential position?

A. Although each True Child was born to fulfill a specific position in restoration history, some of the True Children are not active in any providential position. No doubt some, like many of us at one time or another, are struggling with their faith. As we stated above, the challenges they must face and the burdens they must bear are massive.

We cannot say that they have left the Unification Church as such, for ultimately their primary relationship is to God, to their family, and to the Divine Principle. Ultimately they cannot leave these primary relationships. While some may have no position in the Unification Church and demonstrate no visible participation in Unification Church life, they are forever children of True Parents. Ultimately, we should not be quick to pass judgement on the quality of anyone's relationship with God. Nor can we fully understand anyone's course in life. We err when taking a narrow or superficial assessment of other people at a given snapshot in time. For those who appear to have strayed from God's ideal, we can only hope and pray they return soon. Any of us might recall times when the quality of our own faith was subject to question, and yet how often has God resurrected us time and again?

For any True Child, who directly challenges the Divine Principle or True Parents, we can say that they are certainly jeopardizing their providential position, at least temporarily. They can never forfeit their position as children of God and True Parents. For this reason, even when someone strays, we may continue to refer to them honorifically and to keep a place of honor at the table, symbolizing our desire that they return fully to God's embrace and to our True Parents.

Q. Is there truth to the accusations that Father has sexual impropriety in his history?

Father's teaching, training, and personal practice about the evil of the misuse of love has been absolute. He is a man of God and of exceptional self-discipline. He has lived his entire life under the close scrutiny and constant presence of God, Satan and us, his church members. He has never violated the Divine Principle nor violated his responsibility as the messianic protector of True Love. Father has done nothing in his past about which he is ashamed.

Father has taught extensively about the complicated biblical and providential history of the restoration of blood lineage, including the role of such providential figures a Jacob, Tamar, Mary and others in fulfilling conditions in this area. Unification Church members thus can realize more deeply about True Parents' providential position and responsibilities through study and deep prayer.

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