The Amulek Alternative: Exercising Agency in a World of Choice

by Anne Osborn Poelman

Citing Amulek as one who turned from the comfortable worldly road to the less-traveled path of righteousness, best-selling author Anne Osborn Poelman discusses the choices that we all face as a necessary part of our mortal existence. Amulek's story of choosing the right provides a natural backdrop for the issues of agency and accountability, choice and opposition, mistakes and repentance. Filled with personal stories and analogies, well-reasoned discussion, and concise conclusions, The Amulek Alternative is a thought-provoking look at topics of eternal significance.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction

132 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on agency, this book give many real-life, understandable stories.

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book. I felt the need for some spiritual wisdom and remembered that I had enjoyed this book before. I wasn't disappointed. Poelman is a renowned neuroscientist and convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka the Mormons.) This book focuses on a character from the Book of Mormon, comparing the consequences of the decision he made to the decisions we make in everyday life. She also offers some "real world" wisdom about accountability and responsibility. It's a very simple read and one that you may enjoy if you are wondering about what is wrong with individuals in our world today. I loved that she used the quote from Calvin & Hobbes on the culture of victimhood. I found it on the Web and pinned it :)

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays related to Amulek in the Book of Mormon and his determination to follow the promptings of the new found knowledge brought to him by Alma despite his ‘station and wealth.’ Sister Poelman uses experiences in her life to illustrate some of the things that Amulek must have gone through. She writes well and simply with many things to ponder. While this is not a sequel to her first book, Simeon Solution, I would recommend that anyone read that book first.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the product description: "'I knew, but I would not know,'" said the ancient American prophet Amulek. We may feel the same. Knowing or at least sensing that our lives are off track, we ignore those feelings, make excuses for our poor choices, or blame others, making unwise use of our God-given gift of agency."

Lots of food for thought concerning taking personal responsibility for the choices we make.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find this book quite as enjoyable as "The Simeon Solution," the first book I read by Poelman. I just didn't come away with an overall theme or even specific stories that I remember. In fact, several week after finishing it, I can't remember much about the book. Still, it was something nice to read a bit of before bed each night, and contained some good mini-messages.

[Jennifer Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters in this took me a long, long time to read. Then, the end got quite good. There's a line in the book that made the whole thing worth reading:

"Son, in this life there's just a little while of everything."

[Anderson8674 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I have read and enjoyed several of Anne Osborne's previous books. This one was pretty good but I loved her book the Simeon Solution. It was an easy read and very inspirational.

[Joe Wisniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting approach as to how we deal with agency in our lives. While not considered a "major actor" in the classical sense, in the BofM, Amulek's life changing decision to follow Alma serves as a rubric for the choices me make in life.

Very good short summer read.

Enjoy

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I like the author who books have a lot of teaching and also good story to go with it. Amulek was willing to give his all for our Father in Heaven. We need to ask ourselves if we are willilng to do that daily.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of insight.

[Karly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second counselor's wife gave this book to me for my birthday. It was okay; I am not one to read these types of books.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this. The prose moves smoothly and swiftly. I always enjoy personal stories the most, and Anne's are interesting.

[Janalee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the Simeon Solution written by the same author, but I didn't get much out of this one. Don't even ask me what it was about - I couldn't focus in on it. I don't know why I finished it.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got me thinking about the choices I make and consequences of not choosing what is best, even if I am choosing good things.