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102nd out of 309 books
—
150 voters
If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard: And Other Reassuring Truths
by
Sheri L. Dew
Give someone a lift! Following a series of misadventures trying to get to Nauvoo on an airplane with several nieces and nephews, Sheri Dew writes that she was ready to scrap the trip and just go home. A simple statement by her niece restored her perspective: "Aunt Sheri, if life were easy, it wouldn't be hard." The fact is, life is hardbut that's okay. If we learn to turn...more
Hardcover, 152 pages
Published
by Shadow Mountain
(first published 2005)
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I have to say, Sheri Dew is not my favorite LDS author because I think she has the same problem I do: she talks sometimes when she should be listening. However, I respect her testimony and her amazing ability to embrace life and make lemonade out of lemons. I liked this book, I find myself having to put it down and take a mental break to absorb all the information that is being presented in often rapid - fire style; especially her thoughts on how we create many of our own mountains - which I com...more
With the exception of biographies, I tend to avoid the Deseret genre. I have never attended a Time Out for Women and I have no desire to. Motivational books in general have little appeal to me.
But I love Sherry Dew. She is straightforward, eloquent, and an incredibly wise woman.
In this book that is sort of like a long essay, Dew shares profound personal experiences and timely insights on charity, chastity, womanhood, and the strength of prayer.
Metaphors sometimes affect me deeply. I have alwa...more
But I love Sherry Dew. She is straightforward, eloquent, and an incredibly wise woman.
In this book that is sort of like a long essay, Dew shares profound personal experiences and timely insights on charity, chastity, womanhood, and the strength of prayer.
Metaphors sometimes affect me deeply. I have alwa...more
I've been given two copies of this book in the last five years so it's clearly something that people that love me think I need reminding. I pulled it off the shelf for a third time up re-read because I'm going through a difficult time again.
Even the first time through it really wasn't anything new or profound, although the chapters on charity are particularly good and one passage in particular provided an insight and change in perspective. "when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren't asking...more
Even the first time through it really wasn't anything new or profound, although the chapters on charity are particularly good and one passage in particular provided an insight and change in perspective. "when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren't asking...more
I've had the book on tape for awhile and hadn't listened yet because 1) I hadn't realized I had a cd player in my new van (yes, sometimes I am stupid) and 2) the title seemed too cute. I'm glad I got over that and have enjoyed the recording a great deal. I had forgotten how much I enjoy Sheri Dew - she speaks with thoughtfulness and intelligence and gave me a lot to think about. I find her real and grounded and able to discuss critical and timely moral issues with a unique voice as a single woma...more
Loved this book! Sheri Dew is oh so wise. Quick read, uplifting, insiring, thought provoking, wonderful!
few fav quotes from the book:
“Thus, when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren't asking for lovely feelings toward someone who bugs us or someone who has injured or wounded us. We are actually pleading for our very natures to be changed, for our character and disposition to become more and more like the Savior's, so that we literally feel as He would feel and thus do what He would do.”
“I...more
few fav quotes from the book:
“Thus, when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren't asking for lovely feelings toward someone who bugs us or someone who has injured or wounded us. We are actually pleading for our very natures to be changed, for our character and disposition to become more and more like the Savior's, so that we literally feel as He would feel and thus do what He would do.”
“I...more
She's a great writer. Some motivational books are lots of "Yay! You can do it! You're so awesome! I know you can do anything you put your mind to!" But hers are more effective for me, because I feel like she's saying more along the lines of: "Get up, off your butt, and do what you know you should be doing. It really will make you happier, even though it's harder."
I love the straight-shooting style of Sherri Dew. She tackles some tough issues with honesty here in this book. I especially liked chapter 3 ("Our Charity Sometimes Faileth") and chapter 7 ("You May Be Making Life Harder Than It Needs to Be").
Here are a few quotes I wrote down:
"The combination of diligently seeking after the Lord and paying attention to His tender mercies, His teachings, and His workings in our lives appears to pay remarkable dividends." (p. 131)
"Is anything too insignificant t...more
Here are a few quotes I wrote down:
"The combination of diligently seeking after the Lord and paying attention to His tender mercies, His teachings, and His workings in our lives appears to pay remarkable dividends." (p. 131)
"Is anything too insignificant t...more
One of my favorite things about visiting my mother-in-law's house is borrowing her jewelry and books while I'm in Utah. She had a couple of little LDS books that I read in a few days. I loved this book. I always enjoy reading the wisdom of Sheri Dew. She has a beautiful gift of explaining things in a way that is easy to understand and illustrates points from stories in her life. A few of the stories were even ones that she admitted that she made a bad choice, but she learned from them! This book...more
I liked this book so much I haven't started reading Mockingjay yet....I wanted to finish this one first! Sheri Dew has a great way of being encouraging while pointing out ways to improve in areas where we may be falling short. I felt inspired to seek to follow the Savior more earnestly and to truly walk the Christian walk more completely in my life.
Two favorite quotes:
"Why do we compete with each other? If we all had the capacity to work at our peak every day to build the kingdom, which none o...more
Two favorite quotes:
"Why do we compete with each other? If we all had the capacity to work at our peak every day to build the kingdom, which none o...more
I found this on my bosses bookshelf and then looked it up on here and could not BELIEVE that I had not read this book.. then when I started reading it I was pretty sure that I HAD read it.. because the stories were VERY familiar.. but I guess I needed to read it again. I had never before thought about how bold and straight-forward and conservative Sister Dew is.. and some of the stuff I was like WOW.. Sister Dew does not mince words.. she will straight up tell you.. at first I was not going to g...more
3.5 stars. A great, quick, inspirational pick-me-up. Most of it has been heard before, but it was still very strengthening and supportive. I especially enjoyed Dew's sections on charity and on seeking spiritual gifts. Two chapters in particular (about chastity and virtue) seemed to be randomly stuck in the middle of the book without reason. They were appreciated and very well written, they just didn't seem to have much to do with Dew's theme of enduring to the end... But other that I really enjo...more
The RS President here in Camden, NJ, bought me this book yesterday and I read it today. It is really an uplifting book. I loved it. I think my favorite part is about motherhood. I was surprised that I am in the 10 percent now of mothers who stay at home full time. I didn't realize our family was so odd. Even though she isn't a mother, she heralds motherhood and realizes the magnitude of it. I think we don't often realize the full magnitude of a mother's influence. No other accomplishment can eve...more
This is an uplifting read. The ideas & principles have left me with good things to think about - things that I hope will change some of my thoughts & behaviors. One of the main points of the book is that we as LDS women want to feel close to the Savior but don't seem to find time to do the basic things (searching the scriptures, saying sincere daily prayer) that allow that to happen. This book was a good reminder of priorities. Sheri Dew really tapped into some of the qualities we posses...more
I completely misjudged this book. I literally 'judged a book by it's cover'. I thought the title was stupid, but as I have read this book, I realize that although my opinion of the title is unchanged, the contents inside are unsurpassed in value.
I wasn't previously familiar with the writings of Sheri Dew but I enjoyed this book so immensely, I think I will read more of her works.
Her writing style is very down-to-earth. It is simple, yet her message is profound. I like how most of her examples ar...more
I wasn't previously familiar with the writings of Sheri Dew but I enjoyed this book so immensely, I think I will read more of her works.
Her writing style is very down-to-earth. It is simple, yet her message is profound. I like how most of her examples ar...more
I needed to have an LDS audio book to listen to during my trip home to Delaware, as well as for future Sunday drives to and from church. I ended up buying more than one, but this was one that I had aimed for. Well, it was anything by Sheri Dew--especially if she was reading it herself! "No Doubt about It" was not available, and I had wanted to read this one as well, so I bought this.
It was wonderful. I have always greatly admired Sis. Dew. I look up to her in many ways and she is an inspiration...more
It was wonderful. I have always greatly admired Sis. Dew. I look up to her in many ways and she is an inspiration...more
This was the selection for the Cache LAPoudre bookclub this month. I admit, I was skeptical about reading it. I thought the title is kind of lame and I don't really like self help/doctrinal books, so I borrowed it from a friend and figured I would scan the book so that I could discuss it and support Norma, who chose the book. Well, I read all night. I loved it. This book actually changed the way I view myself and my realtionship with God.
In our meeting Tuesday night, we discussed how charity...more
In our meeting Tuesday night, we discussed how charity...more
I used to despise Sheri Dew. Mainly because people would use her as a comfort when I was down about being single. It wasn't until I heard her say in one of her talks on cd that she hated being single and felt very incomplete that I actually started being interested in her writing. I got the collection of talks/books on cd for myself for valentines day, and this was the first one I listened to. I enjoyed it very much.
Sheri Dew says things that awake my understanding of women and our roles on Earth. I love the end where she talks about consistently and dilligently seeking after our Savior. It is not enough to sort of do this. Sometimes we expect Him to come to us without even so much as taking a step of faith towards Heaven. Through her struggles in life she has learned so much that has benefited me. I love this book.
This was a great book about how we should not expect everything to be easy. Things are hard for a reason. I have a few quotes that I like from the book; however this was my favorite: "God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God" (Journal of Discourses, 24:197)
I grabbed this because I thought it would be a light and entertaining read while my child was sick on Sunday. I must be at a time in my life where I was ready for it, but I feel like everything in this book just clicked for me. There wasn't really anything I haven't heard before, but I feel healed and that I'll be a better person for having read it. It was just right for me.
After a number of setbacks when she and her nephew and nieces were trying to visit Nauvoo, Sheri Dew was ready to cancel the whole trip, but one of the nieces remarked, "If life were easy, it wouldn't be hard," a statement that stuck with Dew and became the basis for her book, as she relates it to our experiences on earth. Acknowledging that life is hard, Dew also discusses how we may be carrying around extra baggage and burdens that make it harder than it needs to be and talks about how we can...more
Another wonderful book from Sheri Dew. She is one of the few people who can really motivate me to change and become a better person. Wow! Would I love to have dinner with her! Have you ever played the game of choosing 10 people you would like to have dinner with? I have and she is number ONE!
A fun little gem of the book. I listened to the audio version, which I believe was read by Sheri Dew herself and it was great! She shares so many fresh, fun experiences as she encourages those who are frustrated by life's trials. An easy read, and an inspiring pick-me-up. Go read it now!
I wasn't really excited to read this book, but I am really glad that I did. I have admired Sheri Dew for many years, but, I just wasn't in the mood for a serious book. It was something I really needed to read though. There was good insight and perspective on behaviour - that applied to me, because I am human- and it caused me to reflect on my behaviour and my faith, and my attitude. Yes it is a non-fiction, church book, but very engaging and entertaining as well as inspiring and insightful. No,...more
3.5 ish stars.
This book didn't really contain anything that I didn't already know, but I needed something to nudge me more in the right direction and this book did help like I hoped it would. I like her straight forward, honest, simple writing style. Just enough to help me feel a bit more hopeful and encouraged when I wasn't feeling up to anything bigger.
This book didn't really contain anything that I didn't already know, but I needed something to nudge me more in the right direction and this book did help like I hoped it would. I like her straight forward, honest, simple writing style. Just enough to help me feel a bit more hopeful and encouraged when I wasn't feeling up to anything bigger.
This book was fantastic, the chapter on Charity I quoted from extensively in a Relief Society Lesson. I love Sheri Dew anyway, she doesn't coddle, she says "remember who you are, quit feeling sorry for yourself, shape up and do it now". It's the type of tough love I need.
My husband felt like the title was too precocious, but when I explained why it was titled that, he understood. This book had many great insights. My favorite was when Sheri Dew addressed the UN gathering and what she said. Probably my favorite I've read by her.
An amazing author who wrote about our mortal existance being designed to test what we really care aboout, what we really believe and what we want to become. It makes you think about how we really feel about God and Jesus Christ. I need to read this again!
Sheri Dew is amazing. This book is one of the most motivating books I have read. It is packed full of eternal truths and hope. A must read for all LDS women!
It also contains one of the clearest explainations I've ever heard of why same sex marriage must be opposed.
It also contains one of the clearest explainations I've ever heard of why same sex marriage must be opposed.
A wonderfully inspiring book by Sheri Dew. She has a true talent for teaching concepts in a way that inspire me to try harder, to be a better person, and yet not get down on myself. I loved her analogies, and also the thought that life is hard for a reason, and through our trials, we come closer to God.
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Sheri Dew graduated from Brigham Young University. She served as second counselor in the general Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1997 to 2002. In March 2003 the White House appointed her a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. In 2002, Sheri Dew became president and CEO of Deseret Book Company.
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“We're not alone--at least, we're alone only if we choose to be alone. We're alone only if we choose to go through life relying solely on our own strength rather than learning to draw upon the power of God. ”
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55 people liked it
“If you're serious about sanctification, you can expect to experience heart-wrenching moments that try your faith, your endurance, and your patience.”
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52 people liked it
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Aug 20, 2011 04:10pm