Book Review: The 7-Day Christian, by Brad Wilcox

The 7-Day Christian, by Brad Wilcox
2014, 154p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review

Christianity is facing great opposition. No one is being thrown to lions, but many followers of Christ face persecution because of their beliefs. At the very least, most know how it feels to end up on the wrong side of a "politically correct" conversation. More than ever before, we need believing and behaving disciples—men and women who are ready to stand up and stand together to change the world as early Christians did: one righteous choice at a time.

Filled with personal experiences and insightful stories, this book emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with our values every single day, with practical suggestions for how to actually pull it off. "Christ doesn't just want people to acknowledge His grace," writes Brad Wilcox. "He wants them to be transformed through it. He doesn't just want people to come to Him. He wants them to become like Him— a process that takes place 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, and throughout all the years of our lives.

Brad Wilcox is one of my favorite authors and speakers, so I was excited to see that he has a new book and was really intrigued by the title. I am a Christian, and definitely still have a lot to learn. There have been many times that I have not behaved the best. This book is a great reminder that it's important to work every day towards becoming more Christ-like.

Chapter One starts with the big question, "Is there a God?" He also goes into the great debate on this question where there are those who give an emphatic yes to that question and those who will give an equally emphatic no. Each side produces evidence to support their belief. The beauty of it all is that we are given the freedom to choose whether or not we believe in God. I like what he says about this. "To me, one of the clearest evidences of God's goodness is that He does not prove himself to us beyond all possibility of doubt. The fact that He allows compelling evidence on both sides of the argument of His existence preserves and honors my freedom...He may ultimately want me to believe, but more important, it appears He wants me to want to believe." (p. 11) (You can read Chapter One here.)

In another chapter, he says to not check your religion at the door, but rather to live it wherever you may be. There are times when that won't be easy to do, but it does matter. I also loved his chapter titled "Seven Days of Re-Creation." He tells how the pattern God used when He created the earth is the same pattern He uses to re-create us. Then he shares his experience of losing weight and running (first a 5K and later a half marathon), which he started at the age of 50. I found that to be quite inspiring!

There are quotes, scriptures and stories to back up his points as he goes through each chapter. He concludes with a chapter titled "The Core of Christianity." With Easter yesterday, Christ's resurrection and atonement has been on my mind a lot. He had a conversation with a man who told him that it didn't matter if Jesus was resurrected or not and it only has relevance in the next life. He disagreed and said, "Knowledge of Christ's resurrection not only changes the hereafter, it can also change what we are here after. It can profoundly affect our choices, our loves, our priorities, and our ways of reaching our potential." (p. 136)

There are lots of great gems to be found in this book. It is possible for each of us to make a difference in the world simply by living our beliefs on a daily basis. This is a book I will definitely read again and again and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Deseret Book * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

BRAD WILCOX has lived in Ethiopia, Chile, and New Zealand; he and his family now make their home amid the Rocky Mountains. Brad taught sixth grade before obtaining his PhD in education from the University of Wyoming. His contributions as an author and teacher have been honored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and his work has appeared in Guideposts magazine and Reader’s Digest. He once served as a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and has addressed thousands of youth and adults across the United State, Europe, Australia, and Japan. He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children.

Blog Tour/Review: Power to Become by David A. Bednar

Power to Become: Spiritual Patterns for Pressing Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ, by David A. Bednar
2014, 208p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review

As followers of Christ, our desire is to become like Him. In fact, we have been commanded to do so. But how?

In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi 12:48).

Chapters in this thought-provoking book highlight the importance of the Atonement, the spiritual gift of personal peace, the importance of priesthood ordinances, and the responsibility we have to obey willingly and endure valiantly.

"As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel," Elder Bednar writes, "as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him." Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives.

This is the third book in Elder Bednar's series. The first book is Increase in Learning and the second book is Act in Doctrine. The first thing I noticed about this book is that there are wide margins to take notes and questions to consider at the end of each chapter, along with space to write your own questions and feelings about what you've read. That encouraged me to get out my scripture markers and start highlighting. Since everything can easily be highlighted, I limited it to what I felt spoke to me particularly at this time. 

There are only 5 chapters in this book but each one is meat-filled and takes a while to digest. Here's just a taste: Chapter One talks about what it means to become and the role the Savior's Atonement plays in our lives. Chapter Two talks about the spiritual gift of personal peace and he shows us the pattern that invites the gift of peace into our lives. In Chapter Three, he discusses Priesthood ordinances and willing obedience. I loved the section about obedience operating at a number of different levels and the explanation of that. Chapter Four is about enduring valiantly and what that entails. 

In Chapter Five, he brings everything together from all three books, briefly reviewing the sequence and  basic concepts and principles from each book (Increase in Learning, Act in Doctrine and Power to Become.) I really enjoyed this chapter as I haven't read the first two books and feel like I got to sample the teachings in those books and look forward to reading them as well!

This book is filled with scriptures, quotes, stories and hymns. I loved that the most. Music is a big part of my life and I enjoyed reading his words and then reading the words of a hymn that reinforced what he spoke about. I know I've only scratched the surface of what I can learn from this book. This is definitely a book I will read again and again and look forward to getting more and more out of it every time I do!

You can find video discussions that go along with this book here.

Deseret Book * Amazon

About the Author

ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004. Prior to his call, he had served as an Area Seventy, regional representative, stake president, and bishop. He served a mission to southern Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received a PhD in organizational behavior from Purdue University and was a professor of business management at Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. Elder Bednar served as the president of BYU-Idaho from 1997 to 2004. His previously published books include the bestsellers Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of three sons.

Blog Tour: Living in the Eleventh Hour by Robert L. Millet

Living in the Eleventh Hour, By Robert L. Millet
2014, 160p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from publisher for an honest review

Just as the scriptures teach us that the Second Coming of the Lord will be "at midnight" (Matthew 25:6), so the signs of the times teach us that "midnight" is close at hand.

In Living in the Eleventh Hour, author Robert L. Millet points our minds and hearts toward the future—to the glorious day that lies ahead. This encouraging work not only assists us a Latter-day Saints to recognize and better understand the signs of the times but also reminds us of our individual responsibilities as we prepare ourselves and the world for the much-anticipated return of Jesus Christ.

Filled with uplifting quotations from Church leaders, insightful scriptural texts, and engaging personal experiences, this timely book inspires us to live today as if He were coming tomorrow.

Brother Millet's faith-building message is clear: Steadfastly doing the small things that allow us to live each day with faith, rather than fear, builds our trust that the Savior's return to earth to rule and reign will be a glorious and welcome event.

This book is a good reminder of what we all need to be doing daily to prepare for the Second Coming. Since nobody knows when it will be, we need to be prepared at all times. There are lots of scriptures, quotes and personal stories included. 

He spoke on filling our lamps with oil. When he was a Bishop, a couple came to him asking for help in getting more spirituality in their home. They hadn't been active for many years and their home life was falling apart. He gave several suggestions and they had a "reason" not to do each thing he suggested (reading scriptures, family prayer, Family Home Evening, even attending church). He asked again what they wanted and they said they needed to get God's Spirit in their home. At that point, he understood the parable of the ten virgins more fully. As much as he wanted to help them, there are some things that just can't be shared. They wanted the blessings that come with doing all those things but weren't willing to actually do them to obtain the blessings themselves. 

He also spoke about what it means to treasure up the word. I like this quote: "...Because we are largely a product of what occupies our minds and because our feelings and actions are so inextricably linked to our thoughts, we must see to it that what we think about is worthy of a son or daughter of God striving for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. ..." (p. 42) It's not possible for us to be thinking about the scriptures every minute of the day, but we can each find time to read or listen to something uplifting each day. He also spoke on the importance of memorizing scriptures and how remembering them in our tough times can give us strength. 

There are some other great insights and discussions and towards the end, he has a chapter on knowing the signs of the times. He doesn't go into them in any detail but shares principles he has gleaned over the years relative to reading the signs of the times. He ends by listing some of the personal responsibilities we share as we do our part to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Son of God. 

I enjoyed reading this book and I felt like I was able to check off some things that I'm doing well and also determine the areas where I need to make improvements. This is a book that reminds us that there is a lot to look forward to in the coming days and years and we need to be full of faith rather than fear.

You can read an excerpt here.

Amazon * Deseret Book

About the Author

Robert L. Millet, an Abraham O. Smoot Professor and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, is a professor of ancient scripture and a lifelong scholar of the last days. After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU in psychology, he earned a PhD from Florida State University in religious studies. He has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a seminary teacher, bishop, stake president, and member of the Materials Evaluation Committee. He and his wife, Shauna, are the parents of six children.

Blog Tour/Review: In Tune by Gerald N. Lund

In Tune: The Role of the Spirit in Teaching and Learning, by Gerald N. Lund
2013, 182p, LDS Non-Fiction
Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are all teachers. Not only do we have a glorious mandate to "teach all nations" the gospel (Matthew 28:19), we also have numerous charges to "teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom" (D&C 88:77). In formal and informal settings, as parents or leaders or friends, we are constantly teaching and learning.

Not only has the Lord commanded us to teach, but He has taught us what we are to teach and how we are to do it: diligently and by the power of the Spirit. But how do we know if we're "doing it right"? What signs can we watch for that the Spirit is actually present in a teaching setting?

In this insightful companion volume to Hearing the Voice of the Lord, bestselling author Gerald N. Lund brings his decades of experience working in the Church Educational System to the topic of teaching and learning by the Spirit. He discusses common misconceptions, important questions we should ask about our teaching, and the role of the Holy Ghost in the process.

"The Lord has given the responsibility to save His children to teachers," writes Elder Lund. "The charge is clear. It is specific. It is inspiring. And, gratefully, the Lord blesses us greatly when we strive to carry out His will."

As members of the church, we are charged with teaching. Bro. Lund gives lots of scriptures to illustrate this point. He also gives many examples of the resources the Church commits to preaching and teaching the gospel, including providing meetinghouses, sending out missionaries, maintaining websites, preparing curriculum and producing movies and videos. 

There are many scriptures, quotes by general authorities and stories given throughout the book to illustrate his points.  He starts with chapters that focus on teaching and learning by the spirit and the functions of the Holy Ghost. Then he discusses the principles in action and ends with putting ourselves in tune.

One of my favorite stories was when he told of a mission tour he was doing and the mission president and his wife told them of a recent baptism. It was an older man named Bro. Jones who tended to be crusty and gruff. At the man's baptism, the mission president asked him what it was that made him decide to listen to the missionaries. The man told him that he was home one day watching television and could see out his front window. He saw two young men in white shirts and ties coming down the road. When they reached the gate to his picket fence, they opened it and started up his walk. As he watched them, the thought came to him: "I didn't know that God made young men like that anymore." So he let them in. Bro. Lund makes the point that the missionaries would have known that they had the Spirit with them when they taught Bro. Jones that day, but neither of the young men probably knew that their teaching by the Spirit began as they opened the gate and started up the walk, yet if that hadn't happened, nothing else would have followed.

Towards the end he shares four ways we can better help nurture others as we teach, and the focus there is on preparing ourselves so we can create an environment for the spirit to be felt and to teach directly from the scriptures. There's a lot of great information and insights in this book. I learned a lot from reading it and will definitely read it again and again!

You can read Chapter 1 here.

Amazon * Deseret Book

Elder Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He also did extensive graduate work in New Testament studies at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California, and studies Hebrew at the University of Judaism in Hollywood, California.

During his thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, the author served as a seminary teacher, an institute teacher and director, a curriculum writer, director of college curriculum, and zone administrator. His Church callings have included serving as stake president, bishop, and teacher. Elder Lund served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008.

Elder Lund is a prolific author; his novels include the Work and the Glory series, the Kingdom and the Crown trilogy, Fire of the Covenant, and The Undaunted. He has also written several books on gospel topics, including Hearing the Voice of the Lord and Divine Signatures.

He and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Website 

Blog Tour/Review: Do Not Attempt in Heels: Mission Stories and Advice from Sisters Who've Been There, by Elise Hahl and Jennifer Knight

Do Not Attempt in Heels: Mission Stories and Advice from Sisters Who've Been There, Compiled by Elise Babbel Hahl & Jennifer Rockwood Knight
2014, 224p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review

Whether a sister has already worn a missionary badge or is still planning to wear one, this collection of personal stories from the mission field is sure to inspire and entertain. Feel the elation, exhaustion, humor, frustration, and faith of these dedicated sister missionaries. Share the spirit of the divine work of sister missionaries with Do Not Attempt in Heels.

This book is great! I served a mission eons ago now and this book proves how timeless missions truly are. I could totally relate to the experiences of these much younger girls. I felt like some of them were telling my own experiences and others I didn't experience myself but have heard stories from other returned missionaries throughout the years. There are seven girls in my family and we all served missions, so we have lots of stories between us! Oh, and a side note, everything interesting at home will happen when you're on your mission. Or some world event is discussed and you have a blank look on your face because it happened when you were on your mission. Ahem, back to the book...

I could relate to Mary Jones Scoresby's story titled "Sweet Lemons." She got her call to Italy and envisioned the perfect mission where she and her companion's "...discussions would be a seamless sequence of truth, testimony, and tears" and she was prepared to go forth and change the landscape of the church in Italy. However, the reality was insomnia, difficult companions, lack of investigators and failing branches. It was easy to become discouraged. She started to understand agency better and was blessed with the Spirit and went on to have a much better mission experience. Yes, negative feelings are felt on missions but that's usually when the most growth occurs.

From experiences with rejection, success, homesickness, investigators, companions, elders, ward members, health, discouragement, happiness, teaching, praying, and many more, you can experience the ups and downs of missionary life through reading this book. It truly is a roller coaster yet it is worth it! Missions are hard but they don't seem like they will be until you experience it for yourself. 

In the Introduction, they explain the title of their book: "...wherever you may serve, take this one last piece of advice about missions to heart: Do not attempt in heels! (We're not kidding.) In the end, the most attractive footwear is the kind that allows you to work all day. ...That's true in every mission." I wholeheartedly agree! 

This is a book I think everyone would enjoy. If you're planning to serve a mission, if you wanted to but never got the chance, if you're a returned missionary, or even if you're not quite sure what a mission is, there are stories to help you begin to understand what a mission entails or to jog your memories of your own mission experiences. The chapters vary in length and are all well written and entertaining! This is a great read!

Amazon * Kindle * Cedar Fort * Deseret Book

Elise Hahl

Elise Babbel Hahl is a mother of four, freelance writer, editor, and recent graduate of the M.A. in Writing Program at Johns Hopkins. Her oldest son Caleb wants Elise to be his companion on his mission, so she’s about a decade away from another adventure. In the meantime, she enjoys running, playing the piano, and trying different Brazilian restaurants with her husband.

Jennifer Knight

Jenn thrives on adventure, whether it’s raising her four children, writing, running, opening a pre-school, or traveling abroad. She recently finished a thesis examining declining church attendance among Christian singles in the U.S., which culminated in a master’s degree in religion from Harvard University. After that arduous adventure, her husband Kurt now tries to encourage more relaxing pursuits like knitting and sleeping. It doesn’t work.

Blog Tour/Review: Fox Talk by L.E. Carmichael, PhD

About the Book

Title: Fox Talk

Author: L.E. Carmichael, PhD

Book Designer: Michael Penman

Illustrator: Jody Bronson

Photography: Brian Dust

Publication Date: August 8, 2013

Publisher: Ashby-BP Publishing

Pages: 62

Recommended Age: 8+

Summary

When you talk to a dog, does the dog talk back? Many people think so. But for a long time, scientists didn't know how our furry friends learned to communicate with people. Luckily, Russian scientist Dmitri Belyaev had a plan. If he could tame wild red foxes, he could learn how dogs first came from wolves. By studying the way these foxes changed during domestication, the mystery of communication would be solved at a last. More than 50 years after the experiment began, Belyaev's foxes have become so tame, you can have one as a pet! Packed with eye-popping photos and first-hand research, FOX TALK reveals the story of these amazing animals... and everything they've taught us about wolves, dogs, and communication.

When I first saw the title for this book, I started singing "What does the fox say?" Go ahead, admit it. You did, too. If your child wasn't obsessed with that song and you don't know what I'm talking about, consider yourself very lucky! (I will admit that I liked it the first couple of times I heard it but it got old when I heard it over and over and over.)

I did realize that I didn't know that much about foxes so I was interested to learn more, and so were my kids. Dr. Carmichael starts with the domestication of dogs. Then she explains Russian scientist Dmitri Belyaev's experiment to try to turn wild red foxes into tame ones. We all enjoyed reading about this experiment and learning the results. She also discusses their body talk and sounds. Then, in the chapter titled "Meet the Foxes," there are pictures of them playing tag, dancing and chasing each other through a tunnel. We also learned the noises they make when they play. 

This is a book that we all enjoyed! It's easy to understand, and it's packed with information and pictures to help illustrate the points she's making. This is a great resource for any home library and one we will definitely read again and again!

My Rating=4.5 Stars

Early Buzz About the Book

"Fox Talk is an educational non-fiction title exploring the domestication of dogs by studying fox behaviour and communication. The information is presented with beautiful photographs, illustrations, bubbles/boxes of brief information, and descriptions of the research findings using age-appropriate language. I think this would be an excellent resource in elementary schools or for homeschoolers in particular and I highly recommend it." ~ 5-Star Review, Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Purchase

Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Chapter/Indigo (Canada)

About The Author: L.E. Carmichael

Lindsey Carmichael never outgrew that stage of childhood when nothing's more fun than amazing your friends (and correcting your teachers!) with your stockpile of weird and wonderful facts. Her sense of wonder came in handy during her career as a scientist, and in 2006, she received the Governor General's Medal for her PhD thesis, Ecological Genetics of Northern Wolves and Arctic Foxes. Lindsey finds talking about science more fun than doing it, however, and now writes for kids, teens, and occasionally adults (a sense of wonder is essential for this, too). Lindsey publishes under the name L E Carmichael, and her work has appeared in Dig, Highlights for Children, Kiki, and Canadian Tales of the Fantastic. Her published science books cover everything from animal migration to hybrid cars. When not digging up obscure or wacky details for her next nonfiction project, Lindsey's probably working on her young adult fantasy novel.

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Fox Talk Blog Tour Schedule (2014)

January 27

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch)

Books Direct (Author Interview)

January 28

Victoria Simcox's Blog (Guest Post)

Once Upon a Time (Review)

January 29

Baby Bookworms in Black Words - White Pages (Review)

Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Book Spotlight)

January 30

Generation iKid (Guest Post)

BeachBoundBooks (Review)

January 31

Bound 4 Escape (Review)

No Doubt Learning (Review)

February 1

Cherry Mischievous (Guest Post)

We are the DinoFamily (Review)

February 2

Deal Sharing Aunt (Review)

February 3

Stitch Says (Author Interview)

February 4

Maude's Web (Review)

February 5

Musings by Jay Faulkner (Guest Post)

Brooke Blogs (Review)

February 6

Books, Books The Magical Fruit (Review)

February 7

Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)

Bailey's Book Blog (Author Interview)

Mel's Shelves (Review)

February 8

On the Go With Zeppi (Book Spotlight)

February 10

The Squishable Baby (Review)

Hershey Wishes and Kisses (Review)

February 11

Christy's Houseful of Chaos (Review & Author Interview)

Lakshmi Gosyne (Book Excerpt)

February 12

Christy's Cozy Corners (Review)

Dawn's Disaster (Review & Guest Post)

February 13

Manic Mama of 2 (Review)

The Adventures of Lovable Lobo (Author Interview)

February 14

Domestic Randomness (Review)

The Dragyn's Lair (Review)

February 15

Crystal's Tiny Treasures (Review)

February 16

Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash) + a Skype visit to a school or library of the winner's choice ($250 value).

Contest runs: January 27th to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Worldwide

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, Ashby-BP Publishing and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

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Book Review: Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat? by Michelle Wilson

Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat? by Michelle Wilson
2013, 176p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review

• Why do clothing stores hang fun-house mirrors in their dressing rooms?

• The laundry doesn’t cry when it’s not folded, so why should I?

• Can I be confident even if an elevator calls me fat?

Michelle Wilson’s humorous yet poignant insights help women examine the limitations we place on ourselves out of insecurity and self-doubt. We have faith in God, but do we know that He has faith in us?

When we see ourselves with God’s eternal perspective, we can feel confident and whole—even in our imperfection. Just think what we might accomplish if we truly believe that we are more important than we know, stronger than we realize, and extraordinary in every way.

When I first read this title, I laughed and knew this was a book I wanted to read. I enjoyed Ms. Wilson's writing style and found myself laughing a lot throughout her book. She shares her experiences that have taught her different principles. One of the largest points she makes in her book is perspective and the importance of seeing ourselves with God's perspective, which will then help each of us see our true worth.

She shares some great personal stories. One that made me laugh hard was when she went to a Mother's Day Tea with her daughter in elementary school. All the girls read poems they had written to their mothers and she beamed with pride as her daughter read hers. When she was done, her daughter came and sat on her lap and shared some of her other less flattering poems with her (believe me, when you read them, you will laugh hard). She was horrified and talked to the teacher to assure her that the things her daughter said weren't true. The teacher assured her that she knew they weren't true. Her daughter told her she wrote them because she just wanted to be funny, like her mom. The compliment worked and she couldn't stay angry with her daughter. She said that she was grateful that the teacher was able to look past her daughter's slanderous statements and knew the poems didn't define her because the teacher knew the kind of person she was. She compares that to God knowing that our mistakes don't define us but rather give us opportunities to change and our shortcomings aren't permanent but opportunities to grow.

I also really laughed at her camping experience, choir story, her basketball experience and so many more. There are also stories that are more serious. She shares what she has learned through each experience. I enjoyed that because it's helped me to look at some of my own experiences with a different perspective and see that I'm learning more than I thought I was!

I also enjoyed her chapter on understanding our relationship with God. She discusses how God sees us and what he expects from us. There are Nine Expectations and she first lists them and then goes through each one in a little more detail. Her book ends with an old-fashioned pep talk, which is something we all need to hear. This is a book I will read again and recommend it to any woman that needs a new perspective in life!

      

About the Author

Michelle Wilson is a native of California. Through serving a full-time mission, teaching seminary, Sunday School classes, and speaking at various firesides and conferences, Michelle has developed a love of the power and simplicity of the gospel.

She believes in the healing power of laughter and chocolate. She and her husband, Jerey, are the parents of three children and live in Washington State.

Book Review: In Wisdom & Order by Boyd K. Packer

In Wisdom & Order, by Boyd K. Packer
2013, 260p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Provided a copy by the publisher for an honest review

The timeless counsel King Benjamin lovingly presented to his people includes this simple and thoughtful caution: "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order" (Mosiah 4:27).

In this new collection of addresses, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reiterates an ancient prophet's call to do all things "in wisdom and order."

These twenty-eight chapters—selected from President Packer's conference addresses, mission presidents' seminars, and other speeches given over the past five decades—will instruct and inspire parents, youth, teachers, priesthood leaders, indeed, anyone who desires to learn at the feet of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this book you will find classic discussions on—

• Faith, "the kind of faith that causes things to happen, the kind of faith that moves people and sometimes moves things."
• Self-reliance, with a reminder that "you have great and powerful resources at hand. You, through prayer, can solve your problems without endlessly going to those who are trying so hard to help others."
• Temple covenants, which "become our credentials for admission into His presence. To worthily receive them is the quest of a lifetime; to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality."
• And much, much more.

As you read the words of this faithful disciple-leader, you will recognize anew that the Savior's hand is ever present in our lives and that the gospel plan is one of great "wisdom and order," designed to return us to our heavenly home clothed in glory and righteousness.

This book is a great collection of some of President Boyd K. Packer's talks. It's 28 chapters, divided into six parts:

Part One: Gospel Foundations
Part Two: Principles for Perfection
Part Three: Priesthood
Part Four: Youth and Family
Part Five: Teachers and Servants
Part Six: Lessons from Our Leaders

There's something for everyone in this book: children, parents, spouses, teachers, leaders, etc. Sometimes I felt like I was being given a hug and other times I felt like there is plenty more for me to be doing. Some of his messages were delivered in the '60's but feel like they were given last month. This is an excellent resource on a variety of topics which I will refer to again and again!

Deseret Book * Kindle * Nook

About the Author

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been a member of that quorum since 1970 and a General Authority since 1961. Immediately prior to that, he was the supervisor of seminaries and institutes for the Church. He is a former president of the New England States Mission.

President Packer was born in Brigham City, Utah. He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and later obtained his doctorate in education from Brigham Young University. He is the author of several best-selling books, including The Holy Temple, That All May Be Edified, and Teach Ye Diligently.

He and his wife, Donna Edith Smith Packer, are the parents of ten children.

Blog Tour: Happiness is a Habit by Michele Phillips

Happiness is a Habit, by Michele Phillips
2013, 216p, Self-Improvement
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Provided copy by the publisher for an honest review

Renovate the rhythm of your life to create a healthier, happier you! Forget superficial fixes like fad diets or shopping sprees and instead learn how implementing simple daily habits can improve your quality of life. Author Michele Phillips will guide you in your quest to happiness by introducing you to helpful routines like

• listening to audio books in the shower
• spending time with nature
• establishing bad day emergency plans

As you read this practical guide to happiness, you will come to see that the confidence, vitality, and joy that you deserve are just a habit away!

This is the perfect time of year to read a book like this! As you start thinking about New Year's Resolutions, this book will give you 45 ideas on good habits to cultivate. She doesn't suggest that you do them all at once, either (that's way too overwhelming), but gives a 90 day challenge at the end. It's definitely doable and I've had a habit I've been wanting to develop for a while so I'm going to take the challenge.

I've read a lot of these types of books over the years and I like that her book brings a lot of the ideas together in one book which makes it an excellent resource. Some of the habits that are suggested are cultivate patience, guide your thoughts all day long, have a clear vision and goals, use your words wisely and make time to play.

Some of my favorite quotes from her book are, "Challenges come to us all, the key is how you deal with them. I have come to the conclusion that no one escapes pain and bad experiences. Everyone has something they have to deal with in life. Pain just comes to each of us in different packages. Pain is not reserved only for the poor and destitute, and how we deal with pain will determine our level of satisfaction with life," and this one at the very end of the same chapter (Chapter 2), "Happiness has less to do with what is going on in your external world and more to do with what is going on with you internally. Happiness is a state of being, not a place to arrive at."

Each chapter starts with a quote, the habit, her experiences and research on each habit and suggestions for how to make it a habit at the end. This book is packed with great information for making positive changes in your life and is a book I will refer to often! 

Amazon * Cedar Fort

Book Trailer:

Michele Phillips is the president of Key Performance, Inc. She is a self-esteem and peak performance expert with over 20 years experience, and she is the founder and creator of the CORE Performance System. As an experienced presenter, keynote speaker, and executive coach, Michele has worked with Fortune 500 companies around the globe. She holds numerous certifications and has trained thousands of leaders, and individual contributors in sales, emotional intelligence, leadership and peak performance. Michele holds a Masters degree from Fordham University. She resides in New York. Current blogs, upcoming seminars, and updates for Michele can be found at www.key2unlock.com.

Book Review: I Will Lead You Along by Robert Eaton & Henry B. Eyring

I Will Lead You Along: The Life of Henry B. Eyring, by Robert Eaton & Henry B. Eyring
2013, 560p, LDS Biography
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review

In 1970, Henry B. Eyring (known to all as “Hal” because his mother didn’t care for the name “Henry”) received an impression to make a daily record of his activities. Years of his journals form the backbone of this intimate biography, a candid look at his walk through life with his beloved companion, Kathy. “The journal shows how a good-but-imperfect man works each day to win divine approval,” write the authors, and this window into his past provides unforgettable insights about the man the Lord has shaped him to become. Henry B. Eyring’s professional, academic, and personal experiences all combined to make him uniquely qualified for the responsibilities that would become his. And Kathy, always at his side, matching his intellect and spirituality, has influenced him profoundly and contributed to his life mission in unmatchable ways. Their story, told largely in his own words, vividly demonstrates the power of the Lord and the example set by one who strives to follow His commands.

I've always enjoyed listening to Pres. Eyring's talks in general conference so I was excited to learn more about who he is and what his life has been like. First of all, I didn't realize he grew up as "Hal" since his mother didn't like the name Henry. It was a family name and she and her husband argued over it until she compromised and said he could be christened Henry but they would call him Hal. 

He's well known for keeping journals and there are a lot of journal entries included. He also enjoys drawing so some of his drawings are included and there are also lots of photos. This book is quite thick and seems overwhelming at first, but the layout is great and so many interesting stories are included that it's easy to get lost in it.

I enjoyed learning how he met his wife (their tennis date made me laugh), how faithful he was in his callings and how he was able to balance his busy schedule with his home life. His wife, Kathy, was very supportive. He is a kind, compassionate, faithful man who tries to do his best and learns from his mistakes. After reading about his life, I feel inspired to be just that much better myself. This is a book I highly recommend!

About the Authors

Robert I. Eaton began serving as president of the Washington Federal Way Mission in summer 2013. Prior to that, he was a professor of religious education at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He is a graduate of BYU and of Stanford Law School. He and his wife, Diane, are the parents of four children.

Henry J. Eyring graduated from Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor’s degree in geology and graduate degrees in business administration and law. He is the advancement vice president of BYU-Idaho and has served as director of the BYU MBA program. He also served as president of the Japan Tokyo North Mission. He and his wife, Kelly, are the parents of five children.

Blog Tour: 12 Gifts for Christ by Merrilee Boyack

12 Gifts for Christ, by Merrilee Boyack
2013, 99p, Non-Fiction, Christmas
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review

Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ and a time for giving. In the middle of this busy season, it is easy to forget the very reason why we celebrate. The first Christmas began with gifts of light and gold. This Christmas ask: What gifts can I give to Him?

In 12 Gifts for Christ, author Merrilee Boyack suggests ways we can give to the Savior, including having gratitude, sharing through service, and loving others. With examples of these gifts shared through personal stories, scriptures, activities, and family home evening lessons, she suggests presenting those gifts to Christ in letters placed in stockings or brightly wrapped boxes. Following the ideas of this book will truly add joy to the spirit in our hearts and homes during Christmas!

I love the ideas in this book! I originally thought this would be a great December activity but after reading it, I personally would feel too rushed trying to get everything done in one month. In the Introduction, she mentions that you may choose to have twelve Family Home Evenings where the entire family focuses on one gift a week or month. I like that idea so it will give more time to focus on each gift. She also states that we are certainly not limited to these twelve ideas but hopes that this will simply be a place to start.

Each chapter starts with her thoughts about each gift, then she gives ideas for Personal Scripture Study, Family Devotional, Family Home Evening and Just for Christmas! I think she provides a good variety of activities which can be adapted for all age ranges. 

The twelve gifts are:

* The Gift of Personal Knowledge
* The Gift of Gratitude
* The Gift of Remembrance
* The Gift of Repentance
* The Gift of Obedience
* The Gift of Emulation
* The Gift of Charity
* The Gift of Forgiveness
* The Gift of Faithfulness
* The Gift of Love
* The Gift of a Healing Balm
* The Gift of Joy

In the Conclusion, she gives ideas for starting new family traditions and states, "The important part of the process is to focus on Him and to help you remember Him." With that goal in mind, this is a great resource which I plan to use all year!

      

About the Author

Merrilee Boyack is a crazed woman who loves eating out and taking naps when she can. She is an estate-planning attorney who conducts her law practice from home. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in business management—finance, and from University of Santa Clara Law School. Merrilee is also a professional lecturer, featured for many years at BYU Education Week, and a published author. Her interests include reading, camping, talking, eating, and helping children in Africa. She’s now a pesco-vegetarian and is having to relearn how to cook!

She is the author of several books and talks, including The Parenting Breakthrough, Strangling Your Husband Is Not an Option; Toss the Guilt and Catch the Joy; and her most recent, In Trying Times, Just Keep Trying. Merrilee and her husband, Steve, reside in Poway, California, and have four sons, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way!

Website  * Facebook * Twitter

Blog Tour: 52 Life-Changing Questions from The Book of Mormon by Brad Wilcox and John Hilton, III

52 Life-Changing Questions from the Book of Mormon, by Brad Wilcox and John Hilton, III
2013, 240p, LDS Non-fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Copy provided by publisher for an honest review

Ready for a change in your life? Turn to the Book of Mormon! Popular authors Brad Wilcox and John Hilton III help us recognize and ponder 52 powerful Book of Mormon questions which can help us with the challenges in life. Could a simple question change your perspective?

How is it that ye have forgotten?
Have ye inquired of the Lord?
Lord, how long?
Have ye spiritually been born of God?
Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?
Have miracles ceased?
Lord, how is it done?

One short chapter each week can inspire you in life-changing ways. Just imagine how much better your life could be one year from now!

The first line reads, "Has a question ever changed your life?" For me, the answer is yes. And lots of questions over the years have given me pause and some have shifted my perspective on certain issues. I learned that there are 543 questions in the Book of Mormon. They've taken 52 questions, one for each week of the year, and discuss it in context and then focus on how pondering and applying the question can impact our lives.

I enjoyed reading through the questions. Some I have pondered on: "Have ye inquired of the Lord?," "Have ye received his image in your countenances?" and "How long shall we suffer?" Others I've never even considered: "Is not Calno as Carchemish?" is one and I'm glad it's included because I'm not sure where I would have started with that one. The chapters are short and they give good stories and examples of how we can apply the questions in our own lives.

This is a great book for someone like me that hasn't thought to do this regularly on my own. As I was reading through it, I thought it would be a great self-development project for 2014. I have index cards so I figured I would write a different question on each one and jot my notes on the back of the index card during the week and see where I am at the end of the year. Then I read the Conclusion where they remind you that there's still 491 questions to go, which at one each week will take a little over nine more years to get through. And they didn't end there. There are 3,444 questions in the other standard works (another 66 years' worth) and the reminder that we receive new inspired questions in every general conference. So, my one year project has turned into a lifetime of pondering and asking questions from the scriptures. And you know what? I'm excited to get started--and I better buy a lot more index cards!

Deseret Book

Click here for a sneak peek at one of the life-changing questions included in this book.

Brad Wilcox is an associate professor in the department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University, where he also works with programs such as Especially for Youth and Campus Education Week. As a young man, he served his mission in Chile, and he was later called back to that country to preside over the Chile Santiago East Mission from 2003 to 2006. He currently serves as a member of the Sunday School general board.

Brad is the author of the bestselling book The Continuous Atonement and the BYU devotional “His Grace Is Sufficient.” He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children and grandparents of three.

John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. Along the way he met his wife Lani and they have five children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Mexico and Miami. Currently, they live in Utah. John has a Masters degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education, and currently is an Assistant Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He has also written several books with Deseret Book. Besides being with his family, his favorite hobbies are learning Chinese and doing humanitarian work.

For more information, visit http://www.johnhiltoniii.com/.

Blog Tour: Follow Me to Zion: Stories from the Willie Handcart Pioneers, by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene Spendlove Allphin; Art by Julie Boswell Rogers

Follow Me to Zion: Stories from the Willie Handcart Pioneers, by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene Spendlove Allphin; Art by Julie Boswell Rogers
2013, 272p, LDS Non-fiction
My Rating=5+ Stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review

James G. Willie knew the trek would be arduous when he left Iowa City in July 1856, leading 500 handcart pioneers on a 1,300-mile journey across the plains.

But he could not have known that his people would run out of food while still hundreds of miles from Salt Lake City nor that the winter of 1856 would begin in the middle of October with prolonged, severe storms. Sixty-nine members of his company would die along the way. Yet from this tragedy emerged triumphant stories of personal endurance, courage, heroism, and unwavering faith.

Follow Me to Zion recounts 20 compelling stories of members of the Willie handcart company and their rescuers. Dozens of full-color images by artist Julie Rogers enrich this keepsake volume, which pays tribute to the men, women, and children who have become enduring witnesses of the power of faith and sacrifice.

Here you will find excerpts from their own accounts of the journey, learn what those faithful pioneers did after reaching the Salt Lake Valley, and read reflections on their lives by descendants.

The simple words “Follow Me to Zion,” cross-stitched onto small pieces of fabric kept in the journal of a handcart pioneer, are an invitation that still calls to us today.

The stories and paintings in this beautiful volume can inspire us to live true to our faith and reach out to help others do likewise.

I've heard many stories of the Willie Handcart pioneers and seen the movie 17 Miracles (I still want to see Ephraim's Rescue) and have always been amazed by the faith the pioneers displayed through all their trials. This book is incredible! First of all, it's absolutely gorgeous with thick pages and beautiful illustrations. Here are examples of some of the pictures and you can view more here. I also love that these stories are compiled into one book which makes them easier to find and read.

This picture represents one of our favorite stories from the movie 17 Miracles so I read this chapter with my children. Ann Jewell Rowley originally came from England. Her husband died before they left England so she started the journey as a single mother with 8 children. In mid-October, the food supply was dangerously low and it appeared they had no food at all. She remembered two hard sea biscuits she had in her trunk which were left over from her sea voyage. She didn't think it was enough to feed her family, but remembered the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes and knew that with God nothing was impossible. She put the biscuits in the dutch oven, covered them with water and asked for God's blessing. Then she covered it and put it on the coals. When she took the lid off a little later, she saw that it was full of food. Her family knelt to thank God for this miracle and were able to eat well that night.

I really like this picture because I think it depicts the journey and how they all had to work together to make it, and unfortunately many of them still died along the way. There are so many other wonderful pictures, so be sure to check them out.

This book starts with an introduction to Captain James G. Willie and how he came to be their leader. It also talks about the decision to move forward even though it was so late in the season. It then goes on to highlight other individuals and families who were part of the Willie Handcart Company. We get their story, an Epilogue so we know what happened to them after they reached Salt Lake and Reflections of a Descendant. There are also photographs of some of the landmarks and monuments that are currently found in Wyoming, and other photos related to their stories.

The last chapter is dedicated to their rescue. Salt Lake didn't know they were coming and were stunned when Elder Franklin D. Richards arrived in Salt Lake and told them about two large handcart companies and two wagon companies that were still on the trail. The handcart companies were limited in what they could bring so Salt Lake would send relief teams with fresh supplies to meet the companies halfway. Since they didn't know anyone was coming, those supplies weren't there. Brigham Young realized the urgency of the situation and sent rescue teams out right away. It took another month to get the Willie Handcart Company to Salt Lake. During that time, there were many miracles that occurred and still more heartache to endure. 

This is a great book to read when you need a good cry! I read many of these stories through tears and find myself once again amazed at their faith and strength. None of them complained about their journey and they never criticized anyone for decisions that were made to continue on (they actually knew at the beginning that it could have been just as rough if they had stayed in Florence for the winter, and there are stories about how rough it actually was for those that did stay behind). This is a great book to read when I think I have it so rough. I feel like my problems are small compared to what they endured and am grateful for the strength I feel from their stories which inspire me to be better and carry on! I highly, highly, highly recommend this book!

Deseret Book

About the Authors

Andrew D. Olsen is an editor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the author of The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers. Andrew and his wife, Linda, are the parents of 3 children.

Jolene Spendlove Allphin has a love for the 1856 pioneers and rescuers that continues to grow. She has published nearly 300 biographical sketches of them in Tell My Story, Too. Jolene and her husband, Michael, are the parents of 11 children.

Julie Boswell Rogers is an acclaimed artist who has won many awards. Her art has been featured in Church publications, visitors’ centers, and the Church History Museum. The book Emma, the Elect Lady contains many of her paintings of Joseph and Emma Smith. Julie and her husband, Russell, are the parents of 5 children.

Book Review: Shedding Light on the Dark Side by Stephen J. Stirling

Shedding Light on the Dark Side: Defeating the Forces of Evil, by Stephen J. Stirling
2013, 128p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 stars
Source: Received copy from publisher for an honest review


It is time to rip the mask from the master of deceit.

Using the scriptures and modern revelation, Stephen Stirling defines who Satan is and what his role is on this earth. In a way that is engaging and perfect for youth to understand, he evaluates:

• What the scriptures say that Satan is and does
• Where Satan gets his power and why it influences us
• How to be better soldiers in the war Satan is waging on this world

We can overcome this deceiving yet unavoidably real being with the light of truth. The Prince of Peace holds the power to defeat the Prince of Darkness. The only question is where you will stand in this eternal battle of good and evil. Shedding Light on the Dark Side will help you understand the Adversary and his tactics so you can fearlessly stand on the Lord’s side.

Whenever you're engaged in battle, it's always good to know the enemy so you can figure out what strategy to use to defeat them. There have been times in my life when I felt like Satan was winning the war against me and it would be easier to give in than to continue fighting. In those times, something always seems to happen to help me keep going and turn to Christ. At that point, life always improves!

This book is packed with scriptures and quotes from General Authorities, past and present. I highlighted so many sections so I can go back and reference them as I need to. The main point I felt the author tried to get across is that Satan is, indeed, real and his objective is to destroy the world by taking us down individually. Because of choices he made, he's miserable and wants us to feel the same.

This book is not all doom and gloom, though. There is a winning formula and it is outlined in this book. There are things we can do here and now to win the battle. We each have our agency and are able to choose for ourselves who we will follow. This book says it's a guide for Youth and Young Adults, but I still learned plenty and it's a great resource to use in the future. I highly recommend this book to Youth, Young Adults and Adults!

Deseret Book * Amazon * Cedar Fort * Website

Stephen J. Stirling was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the Southeast LA semi-ghetto of Huntington Park. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Brigham Young University in 1976, and then spent the next several years wandering America in search of adventure as a professional vagrant. Interspersed through his college career and days on the road, he served a mission in Chile and taught for 5 years as an early morning seminary teacher in various ports of call.

Stopping in Chicago, he entered the profession of advertising, a field in which he ultimately held many positions with companies from the Mid West to the Pacific Coast. He eventually settled in Orange County, California, where he established Stirling Communications and spent 15 years as a freelance copywriter, scriptwriter, and video producer. In 1994 he was hired by the Church Educational System and relocated with his family to the Phoenix Valley in Arizona, where he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching released-time seminary for the past 19 years.

He and his wife, Diane, were married in 1981. They have five adult children, two horses, several chickens, and a farm in Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Missouri—where they plan to retire someday.

Book Review: Written on Our Hearts by Emily Freeman

Written on Our Hearts, by Emily Freeman
2013, 176p, Inspirational, LDS
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Provided copy by publisher for an honest review

If you have ever found the Old Testament intimidating, you're not alone. The less-familiar history, themes, and language, coupled with the length of the book, make it a difficult read for many. But author Emily Freeman loves the Old Testament, and as she shares some of the wonderful things she has learned in her study of this book of scripture, you will find yourself coming to love it too.

Written on Our Hearts is not a commentary or an intensive doctrinal study. Instead, Emily writes about the stories of the Old Testament, stories of trusting and overcoming and enduring and believing. Within these stories are all kinds of applications for the challenges we face today.

"There will come a moment in your life," the author says, "when you or someone you love will struggle with a challenge so great you will wonder how you will make it through. In that moment you will long to better understand the Savior's role as the Deliverer, and to do that you must go to the book of scripture that describes that role the best—the Old Testament."

Discover the delivering power of the Lord yourself in the pages of this book—and experience the scriptures in a new, more personal way!

What a fabulous book and a gorgeous cover! I am definitely intimidated by the Old Testament and over the past two years have studied it more than I have in a long time. I realize I have a long way to go so I was interested to read Ms. Freeman's perspective on how the teachings contained in the Old Testament can apply to our lives today. 

The chapters are short so it's easy to read a few pages at a time. However, the information found in these short chapters can be pondered over for a long time. I needed to get through it quickly but plan to read it again more slowly so I can savor her teachings and stories.

One of my favorite stories was found in her chapter titled, "Here I Raise My Ebenezer" (p. 53-55). She said that 25 years ago, she was asked to play "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" at a missionary homecoming and she had never heard it before. The part that says, "Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I've come" didn't make sense to them so they changed the words and left out that part of the song. After the meeting, the missionary came over to thank them and then told them that they left out his favorite part of the song. They explained why they left it out and asked him what it meant. With a smile, he told them they would need to figure it out for themselves and gave a hint that it could be found in the scriptures. She found the answer in 1 Samuel 7. You'll need to read her book to see what she learned. I enjoyed this because it's also one of my favorite songs and I've never taken the time to figure out what that part meant and now it means even more to me! And I'm thinking I need my own Ebenezer.

There are many other great experiences to learn from and I'm grateful for how much she opened up and shared. Her explanations have helped me see how the lessons taught in the Old Testament can apply to me and help me find peace during the tough times. This is a book worth reading again and again and I highly recommend it to everyone! 

You can learn more about the women of the Old Testament by clicking here to take a trivia quiz.

Deseret Book * Amazon

Emily Freeman took her first creative writing class in high school and has loved writing ever since. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. She is the author of several books, including The Ten Virgins; 21 Days Closer to Christ; and The Promise of Enough. There is nothing Emily enjoys more for breakfast than a bowl of vanilla ice cream, raspberries, and chocolate chips. Other favorites include parades, vacations, firework displays, and going for a long walk with a good friend. Emily and her husband, Greg, live in Lehi, Utah, with their four children, whom she adores.