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Daughters of God: Scriptural Portraits
Explore the lives of the great women in the scriptures Why was Deborah called upon to save her people? How did Priscilla and Claudia help with spreading the gospel? The scriptures are filled with the stories of women, spiritual giants who played vital roles in sacred events, and everyday women who quietly helped to change their world for the better. Because the record of their lives is often sketchy, we may not realize how important they are. This book shares the inspiring stories of the women who have played key roles in spiritual and historical events – Eve, Rebekah, Ether, Mary, Dorcas, Sariah, Emma Smith – and many others.
305 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
31 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
S. Michael Wilcox
53 books143 followersS. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 7, 2007
"Chastity creates confidence and strength."
"A man courts a woman for a short while to win her for time, but he must court her for a lifetime to win her for eternity."
"No man ever comrpomised a woman and loved her when he did it. No man ever tried to force a woman, whether physically or through persuasion, and had her best interests at heart while he did it. Every act of immorality is inherently selfish and therefore and act not of love but of folly. If a man does not love a woman's virtue, he does not love her."
"Faith is critical, but faithfulness may often be more important. Faithfulness produces faith."
"There is no truer friend than a righteous woman."
"There is a beauty every girl has - a gift from God, as pure as the sunlight, and as sacred as life. It is a beauty that all men love, a virtue that wins all men's souls. That beauty is chastity. Chastity without skin beauty may enkindle the soul; skin beauty without chastity can enkindle only the eye. Chastity enshrined in the mould of true womanhood will hold true love eternally." ~ David O. McKay
"Many women have a natural capacity tp be as thrilled over their sisters' blessings as over their own. This is a Godly quality - one we would all do well to emulate. It is a quality that destroys envy, jealousy, and pride. Such women also feel the pains of others as if they were their own."
"In the Lord's kingdom, the one most esteemed is the servant of all."
"One of the greatest gifts a mother gives her children is the gift of her own faith and testimony."
"When the frailties and imperfections of mortality are left behind, in the glorified state of the blessed hereafter... then shall women be recompensed in rich measure for all the injustice that womanhood has endured in mortality. Then shall woman reign by divine right, a queen in the resplendent realm of her glorified state... mortal eye cannot see nor mind comprehend the beauty, glory, and majesty of a righteous woman made perfect in the celestial kingdom of God." ~James E. Talmage
"I beg of you, you who could and should be bearing and rearing a family: wives, come home from the typewriter, the laundry, the nursing, come home from the factory, the cafe. No career approaches in importance that of wife, homemaker, mother - cooking meals, washing dishes, making beds for one's precious husband and children. Come home, wives, to your husbands. Make home a heaven for them. Come home, wives, to your children, born and unborn. Wrap the motherly cloak about you and, unembarrassed, help in the major role to create the bodies for the immortal souls who anxiously await.
When you have fully complemented your husband in home life and borne the children, growing up full of faith, integrity, responsibility, and goodness, then you have achieved your accomplishment supreme, without peer, and you will be the envy [of all] through time and eternity." ~Spencer W. Kimball
"All the honor that comes upon one partner comes upon the other, for they are one."
"When the virtuous woman delights in her husband and in others, she creates in them a confidence that helps them become all that the Lord desires. This delight brings out the best in those who receive it. It creates in them a desire to delight in others also, including the woman who first delighted in them. A mother's delight in her children can be life-changing, for children as well as husbands thrive on sincere praise and love."
"We are created in the image of God, male and female. I have seen God's mahesty and strength in the great men I have known and studied. I have seen His purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen His heart."
"A man courts a woman for a short while to win her for time, but he must court her for a lifetime to win her for eternity."
"No man ever comrpomised a woman and loved her when he did it. No man ever tried to force a woman, whether physically or through persuasion, and had her best interests at heart while he did it. Every act of immorality is inherently selfish and therefore and act not of love but of folly. If a man does not love a woman's virtue, he does not love her."
"Faith is critical, but faithfulness may often be more important. Faithfulness produces faith."
"There is no truer friend than a righteous woman."
"There is a beauty every girl has - a gift from God, as pure as the sunlight, and as sacred as life. It is a beauty that all men love, a virtue that wins all men's souls. That beauty is chastity. Chastity without skin beauty may enkindle the soul; skin beauty without chastity can enkindle only the eye. Chastity enshrined in the mould of true womanhood will hold true love eternally." ~ David O. McKay
"Many women have a natural capacity tp be as thrilled over their sisters' blessings as over their own. This is a Godly quality - one we would all do well to emulate. It is a quality that destroys envy, jealousy, and pride. Such women also feel the pains of others as if they were their own."
"In the Lord's kingdom, the one most esteemed is the servant of all."
"One of the greatest gifts a mother gives her children is the gift of her own faith and testimony."
"When the frailties and imperfections of mortality are left behind, in the glorified state of the blessed hereafter... then shall women be recompensed in rich measure for all the injustice that womanhood has endured in mortality. Then shall woman reign by divine right, a queen in the resplendent realm of her glorified state... mortal eye cannot see nor mind comprehend the beauty, glory, and majesty of a righteous woman made perfect in the celestial kingdom of God." ~James E. Talmage
"I beg of you, you who could and should be bearing and rearing a family: wives, come home from the typewriter, the laundry, the nursing, come home from the factory, the cafe. No career approaches in importance that of wife, homemaker, mother - cooking meals, washing dishes, making beds for one's precious husband and children. Come home, wives, to your husbands. Make home a heaven for them. Come home, wives, to your children, born and unborn. Wrap the motherly cloak about you and, unembarrassed, help in the major role to create the bodies for the immortal souls who anxiously await.
When you have fully complemented your husband in home life and borne the children, growing up full of faith, integrity, responsibility, and goodness, then you have achieved your accomplishment supreme, without peer, and you will be the envy [of all] through time and eternity." ~Spencer W. Kimball
"All the honor that comes upon one partner comes upon the other, for they are one."
"When the virtuous woman delights in her husband and in others, she creates in them a confidence that helps them become all that the Lord desires. This delight brings out the best in those who receive it. It creates in them a desire to delight in others also, including the woman who first delighted in them. A mother's delight in her children can be life-changing, for children as well as husbands thrive on sincere praise and love."
"We are created in the image of God, male and female. I have seen God's mahesty and strength in the great men I have known and studied. I have seen His purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen His heart."
September 12, 2016
This book is full of wonderful examples of faithful women from the scriptures, some well-known, others less know, but there is much we can learn from each. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"We have a stereotype of the man as the protector, but the wife also surrounds, protects, and aids her husband. The spirit and influence of wives and mothers make our homes places where we are surrounded by peace and love and protected from the contention, temptations, and opposition of the world (p. 7)."
"Eve realized that it was better for her and for Adam to pass through the sorrow of mortality that they might know good from evil, understand the joy of their redemption, and receive the blessings of posterity (p. 13)."
"The Lord did not give the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth solely to provide bodies for his spirit children. He also knew that of all the labors a couple share, parenting is the most conducive to unity. Parents simply must work together to be effective (p. 19)."
"Sarah had faith that the Lord would fulfill his promise of children as numberless as the sands of the sea or the stars of the heavens. She waited years for the Lord to grant her desire. Her example gives hope to those who have been promised blessings from the Lord and have yet received them (p. 24)."
"Sarah's portrait gives us strength and inspiration. It reminds us that faith in the Lord and in his counsel is the only sure way of surviving an evil world. It teaches us to make eternity our covering and our rock and our salvation, of the need to be strangers and pilgrims, always seeking that better world and trusting the promise that one day we will find it. 'Patience and faith in the Lord's promises will always bring their fulfillment even though one must wait many, many years,' she seems to whisper. We learn from her that difficult decisions, even painful ones, must be made. Her portrait teaches us that through life's trials and hardships we will be blessed, if we learn to trust in the Lord and patiently wait for his promised blessings (p. 29)."
"The Savior counsels us to not look back to the things of the world we are leaving. If we seek the temporal things of Sodom we shall lose the eternal things of the Lord (p. 33)."
"When we add to a principle, we often diminish from another (p. 37)."
"Holy men need holy women to stand by their sides. Brigham Young taught, 'There is not a young man in our community who would not be willing to travel from here to England to be married right, if he understood things as they are; there is not a young woman in our community, who loves the Gospel and wishes its blessings, that would be married in any the way (p. 39).'"
""We have all seen modern Rebekahs run to draw living water for a Primary or Young Women class. I have watched many of my students leave their studies and graciously draw living water for people of many different countries. Every time we see these modern Rebekahs coming up from the well with their pitchers dripping, we, like Abraham's servant, wonder at seeing such unrehearsed demonstrations of character (p. 41)."
"In Rebekah's willingness to obey the Lord's will, we are reminded of Mary's sweet words, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord' (Luke 1:38). Her words also echo the Savior's own words in the premortal existence when he said, 'Here am I, send me' (Abraham 3:27) (p. 43)."
"When questions arose in their lives, the women of the scriptures sought counsel. Latter-day Saint women do the same.... Women across the Church, like Rebekah, enquire of the Lord. In his own way and his own time, he answers them (p. 44)."
"A man courts a woman for a short while to win her for time, but he must court her for a lifetime to win her for eternity (p. 52)."
"Many latter-day Rachels hunger for children that they cannot bear. Not all women will have this hunger satisfied in his life, but the Lord will bless them eternally for their desires (p. 54)."
"Shiprah and Puah faced a dilemma discussed again and again throughout history: Should an individual defy government when its commands are repugnant to moral sensibilities (p. 61)?"
"By the Lord's foreknowledge of the natural sympathies of this particular woman, Moses was placed in the safest place in Egypt, Pharaoh's own house. The Lord knew before she was born that she would have compassion upon a crying baby. He knew she would desire to keep the child and rear him as her own. Once again, a woman of compassion defied unrighteous authority to save Moses' life (p. 63)."
"The Lord's daughters, even those who are prophetesses, make mistakes, but they receive correction and repent (p. 65)."
"Deborah stands out as a woman of wisdom and integrity in a time of wickedness and foolishness. 'The children of Israel came up to her for judgment' (Judges 4:5). In the scriptures 'to judge' often means to minister or to serve. Deborah judged her people by drawing upon the spiritual gifts the Lord had given her. Latter-day Saint women also live in an atmosphere of wickedness and foolishness. Deborah is an example to them of the necessity of being filled with the spirit of prophecy, of the testimony of Jesus (see Revelations 19:10), that their wisdom may guide their families, friends, and communities (p. 75)."
"All sisters are given spiritual gifts through the Holy Ghost which enable them to bless the lives of others and contribute to the edification of the Church (see D&C 46:11). Often we are unaware of the power of our gifts, because we do not understand the many ways in which these gifts manifest themselves (p. 76)."
"A lone woman could defeat the mightiest warrior. The theme of the weak defeating the mighty through the help of the Lord is repeated throughout the Old Testament. Jael's story teaches us that one need not be mighty to accomplish the Lord's work or to save her people. Many fought in the battle that day, but the Lord reserved the defeat of the general to a woman at home in her tent. Any woman may win the greatest victories in the spiritual battles against Satan, just as Jael triumphed over Israel's greatest enemy (p. 79)."
"In addition to her discerning spirit, Samson's mother exemplified one of the most treasured aspects of a mother--the desire to rear her children in a manner pleasing to the Lord. She and her husband asked the Lord to 'teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.' When the angel returned, they asked him, 'How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?' (Judges 13:8, 12). What wonderful questions! Many righteous women have petitioned the Lord in like manner. Samson's mother and father were asking this question even before their child was born. The Lord has instructed us, 'Bring up your child in light and truth' (D&C 93:40). If light and truth have not been taught in the early years, it is often too late (p. 82)."
"Unlike Delilah, a righteous woman seeks to know the heart of the man she loves in order to help and support him, not to manipulate and destroy him (p. 85)."
"All of us from time to time have felt like Hannah. She provides a beautiful example of what we can do when we find ourselves troubled with sorrow. In conjunction with her fasting, Hannah took her heart full of grief and poured it out at the feet of the Lord: I 'have poured out my soul before the Lord' (1 Samuel 1:15). There is great relief in openly sharing our sorrows. Hannah chose one of the best possible places to do this at the house of the Lord. Occasionally we hold back some of our grief, bitterness, sorrow, or complaint, because we don't want to appear ungrateful or to accuse or bother the Lord. In the midst of these thoughts, if we listen carefully, we may hear the voice of the spirit whisper, 'The Lord already knows what is in your heart. You do not need to try and conceal it. Lay it at his feet.' The Spirit will help us make the distinction between pouring out our souls to the Lord and murmuring or complaining to him (p. 92)."
"When we desire great blessings from the Lord, it is also appropriate to renew our vows of consecration to him. It is pleasing to the Lord when we acknowledge that we belong to him, and that all we possess is his (p. 94)."
"The eternal purpose of our existence is to become like our Father in Heaven and his Son. Life is designed to help us become like them--perfect. Which experiences best increase love, compassion, mercy, kindness, and patience? Which experiences best focus the need for justice? Suffering creates and enhances those and other needful characteristics. When others sin against us, we learn to forgive and show mercy. When we see others suffer, compassion, empathy, and love are born in our hearts (p. 102)."
"The prophet Alma taught that the controlling, or bridling, of passion fills one with love: 'See that ye bridle your passions, that ye may be filed with love' (Alma 38:12) (p. 114)."
"The portrait of this poor widow teaches us to put the Lord first in our lives and trust his promises. Fulfilling his commandments must be our priority, even when obedience demands sacrifice or tests faith. We must believe and practice the counsel the Lord gave on the day the Church was organized: 'Thou shalt give heed unto all [the prophet's] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, ...for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine down mouth, in all patience and faith' (D&C 21:4-5). It often takes patience and faith to follow the prophet. The widow of Zarephath reminds us to trust in the Lord's promises (p. 118)."
"The Lord in his goodness and mercy will from time to time renew our faith and silence our fears (p. 120)."
"The Lord often gives us more than we ask. The widow was concerned only with her payment to the creditor, but the Lord provided sufficient for her family to live on (p. 121)."
"Each of us is tested in different ways. I testify that if we live a life of faithfulness, a life of following the prophets in a world where few obey, and if we use what we have, the Lord will multiply it so that we will have sufficient and beyond (p. 122)."
"I am impressed with her words, 'I perceive that this is an holy man of God.' In a society where most could not perceive men of God, she could. Our society, like hers, fails to recognize 'holy men of God.' .... It takes the Spirit to recognize the Spirit in others. Her recognition of a man of God and her willingness to act on that knowledge produced great blessings in her life (p. 123)."
"I have at times received my desires from the Lord only to discover they did not bring the fulfillment I had anticipated. Other times I have been denied what I wanted only to discover the Lord had chosen a better path for me (p. 124)."
"When we look at the portrait of the Shunammite woman, we see one who served without expectation of reward. We are reminded that the Lord will grant us the blessings that will bring us the greatest growth and joy. We see one who perceives when men are holy, desires their company, and goes to them for help with faith and confidence. Hers is a portrait we shall not forget (p. 125)."
"There is a wisdom that teaches and a wisdom that desires to learn (p. 130)."
"We see the strength and loyalty that women often give one another in times of trial (p. 143)."
"Latter-day women often find themselves in a similar position. If they are to save the home, their families, and the foundations of society, they will find themselves increasingly believing and doing things that go against the customs and conventions of their day (p. 144)."
"The virtuous woman is compassionate and charitable (p. 149)."
"When it would be easy to accuse God or doubt his wisdom and love, let us recall the portrait of Job's wife and draw upon our last reserves of trust and faith to endure. Many women have carried tremendous burdens of sorrow and pain and yet continued to love, believe, and serve God when every sing of his presence seemed to have vanished. Their courage and patience witness that Satan's assertion that we love God only when things are going well is not true (p. 156)."
"Of all the images the Lord could have chosen to depict his Church in her glory, he chose this one. The dress itself symbolizes the righteousness of his Saints. The Lord's people, like a bride, desire to be beautiful for him. They array themselves in layer upon layer of righteousness. How wonderful it would be if every member of the Church felt toward the Savior the way a bride feels toward her bridegroom on the day they are united for eternity (p. 163)."
"Many women have a natural capacity to be as thrilled over their sisters' blessings as over their own. This is a godly quality--one we would all do well to emulate. It is a quality that destroys envy, jealousy, and pride. Such women also feel the pains of others as if they were their own (p. 171)."
"Mary not only magnified the Lord but rejoiced in him: 'My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior' (Luke 1:47). The purpose of our existence is to be happy. Some try to find happiness without God. Others find only secondary joy in the gospel. Mary rejoiced in the Lord and in his work. She rejoiced in her contribution to it. We can teach our children the joys our Father has prepared for those who love him both now and in eternity (p. 173)."
"When spiritual experiences took place in Mary's life, such as the visit of the shepherds or Jesus teaching in the temple, we read the words, 'Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart' (Luke 2:19, see also v. 51). Mary is a great example of the Lord's counsel to 'treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds' (D&C 43:34) (p. 174)."
"Countless Marys quietly and without attention--and too often without hearing expressions of gratitude--teach, guide, direct, comfort, weep with, and pray for their children, who then grow to live lives of service and dignity (p. 178)."
"It is one thing to be righteous when everything is going right. It is quite another to do so when the greatest desire of your life is denied, when your prayers are not answered even after years of pleading (p. 181)."
"What did Anna choose to do during her years of widowhood? Luke tells us she 'departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day' (Luke 2:37). Anna's life was a life of service (p. 184)."
"Anna did not keep her joy and gratitude to herself.... She fulfilled Peter's admonition to be 'ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear' (1 Peter 3:15) (p. 185)."
"Many of the women in the New Testament were widowed or unmarried. In an apostate world of unbelief and hostility, their mildness, love, and devotion served as a calm in the midst of the storm encircling Jesus. Their sacrifice and dedication inspire us all and set standards of true discipleship (p. 188)."
"Martha's home was a haven of peace for Jesus in a troubled world. He often visited to rest (p. 189)."
"The portraits of Mary and Martha remind us of the need for balance in our lives. We are invited both to serve and to search out the opportunities to rest at the Savior's feet. That may be difficult, but when we do take the time to rest and refresh ourselves at the Savior's feet, we find our spirits rejuvenated to serve (p. 191)."
"How long had she kept that alabaster box of ointment? It was a gift of great expense, and yet to Mary, I am sure, it was not sufficient to show her love for the Master. The very best she had to offer belonged to the Savior, and she poured out that offering willingly, grateful to show her devotion.... This virtuous woman of Bethany demonstrated what all disciples need to do. Willingly, gratefully, lovingly we must offer our very best (p. 194)."
"With what joy Mary must have run to give the news to the disciples. Her tears had been wiped away (p. 197)."
"When I was a new bishop, I was told to focus my efforts on the youth. Eager to do everything I could for the youth, I planned to put the best teachers in the ward in Young Men, Young Women, and youth Sunday School programs. When the Primary president was told that another one of her teachers was going to be taken from the Primary, she came to see me in my office. With deep emotion, she said, 'Bishop, little children are important, too!' The Spirit bore strong testimony to me of the truth of her words. I love that Primary president for the lesson she taught me (p. 204)."
"President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed the influence of this widow's life on his own: 'I keep on the credenza behind my desk a widow's mite that was given me in Jerusalem many years ago as a reminder, a constant reminder, of the sanctity of the funds with which we have to deal. They come from the widow…and they are to be used with care and discretion for the purposes of the Lord (p. 210).'"
"I cannot adequately express how much admiration I have for this woman of Canaan who refused to be offended either by Jesus' silence or by his words. She simply chose not to take offense. How many of us, if we had endured the Savior's silence or heard his reference to dogs, would have walked away, never to return (p. 212)?"
"There is no more beautiful picture than that of a penitent person doing what she can do to have the stains of her sins taken away. We feel her repentance (p. 216)."
"Neither birth nor position establishes us as citizens in the kingdom of God but rather humility, faith, and a willingness to declare and testify (p. 218)."
"Let us likewise constantly affirm the reality of the presence of living prophets who are among us in this dispensation, even when others doubt and even when others mock (p. 226)."
"The home of Priscilla and Aquila was a center of the Church, and meetings were held there. That would have necessitated some labor, especially on the part of Priscilla. Church members must have gravitated to them and received strength from their testimonies (p. 230)."
"The childlike faith of Abish strikes us deeply (p. 251)."
"Faith sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice. These Nephite women were willing to pay that price (p. 257)."
"One critical measure of a civilized people is its treatment of women and children (p. 265)."
"The comforting words in Emma's letter produced in her husband a spirit that invited the Lord to reveal to him some of the most loved and beautiful words in latter-day revelation. They were the catalyst for the comfort that only the Lord's spirit can bring. How often did Emma's influence give Joseph the calm he needed to receive inspiration (p. 277)?"
"'Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world...will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world (President Spencer W. Kimball, p. 285).’"
“When the virtuous woman delights in her husband and in others, she creates in them a confidence that helps them become all that the Lord desires. This delight brings out the best in those who receive it (p. 287).”
“All of us, men and women, owe a debt of gratitude to the Lord’s daughters…. I have seen God’s majesty and strength in great men I have known and studied. I have seen his purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen his heart (p. 292).”
"We have a stereotype of the man as the protector, but the wife also surrounds, protects, and aids her husband. The spirit and influence of wives and mothers make our homes places where we are surrounded by peace and love and protected from the contention, temptations, and opposition of the world (p. 7)."
"Eve realized that it was better for her and for Adam to pass through the sorrow of mortality that they might know good from evil, understand the joy of their redemption, and receive the blessings of posterity (p. 13)."
"The Lord did not give the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth solely to provide bodies for his spirit children. He also knew that of all the labors a couple share, parenting is the most conducive to unity. Parents simply must work together to be effective (p. 19)."
"Sarah had faith that the Lord would fulfill his promise of children as numberless as the sands of the sea or the stars of the heavens. She waited years for the Lord to grant her desire. Her example gives hope to those who have been promised blessings from the Lord and have yet received them (p. 24)."
"Sarah's portrait gives us strength and inspiration. It reminds us that faith in the Lord and in his counsel is the only sure way of surviving an evil world. It teaches us to make eternity our covering and our rock and our salvation, of the need to be strangers and pilgrims, always seeking that better world and trusting the promise that one day we will find it. 'Patience and faith in the Lord's promises will always bring their fulfillment even though one must wait many, many years,' she seems to whisper. We learn from her that difficult decisions, even painful ones, must be made. Her portrait teaches us that through life's trials and hardships we will be blessed, if we learn to trust in the Lord and patiently wait for his promised blessings (p. 29)."
"The Savior counsels us to not look back to the things of the world we are leaving. If we seek the temporal things of Sodom we shall lose the eternal things of the Lord (p. 33)."
"When we add to a principle, we often diminish from another (p. 37)."
"Holy men need holy women to stand by their sides. Brigham Young taught, 'There is not a young man in our community who would not be willing to travel from here to England to be married right, if he understood things as they are; there is not a young woman in our community, who loves the Gospel and wishes its blessings, that would be married in any the way (p. 39).'"
""We have all seen modern Rebekahs run to draw living water for a Primary or Young Women class. I have watched many of my students leave their studies and graciously draw living water for people of many different countries. Every time we see these modern Rebekahs coming up from the well with their pitchers dripping, we, like Abraham's servant, wonder at seeing such unrehearsed demonstrations of character (p. 41)."
"In Rebekah's willingness to obey the Lord's will, we are reminded of Mary's sweet words, 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord' (Luke 1:38). Her words also echo the Savior's own words in the premortal existence when he said, 'Here am I, send me' (Abraham 3:27) (p. 43)."
"When questions arose in their lives, the women of the scriptures sought counsel. Latter-day Saint women do the same.... Women across the Church, like Rebekah, enquire of the Lord. In his own way and his own time, he answers them (p. 44)."
"A man courts a woman for a short while to win her for time, but he must court her for a lifetime to win her for eternity (p. 52)."
"Many latter-day Rachels hunger for children that they cannot bear. Not all women will have this hunger satisfied in his life, but the Lord will bless them eternally for their desires (p. 54)."
"Shiprah and Puah faced a dilemma discussed again and again throughout history: Should an individual defy government when its commands are repugnant to moral sensibilities (p. 61)?"
"By the Lord's foreknowledge of the natural sympathies of this particular woman, Moses was placed in the safest place in Egypt, Pharaoh's own house. The Lord knew before she was born that she would have compassion upon a crying baby. He knew she would desire to keep the child and rear him as her own. Once again, a woman of compassion defied unrighteous authority to save Moses' life (p. 63)."
"The Lord's daughters, even those who are prophetesses, make mistakes, but they receive correction and repent (p. 65)."
"Deborah stands out as a woman of wisdom and integrity in a time of wickedness and foolishness. 'The children of Israel came up to her for judgment' (Judges 4:5). In the scriptures 'to judge' often means to minister or to serve. Deborah judged her people by drawing upon the spiritual gifts the Lord had given her. Latter-day Saint women also live in an atmosphere of wickedness and foolishness. Deborah is an example to them of the necessity of being filled with the spirit of prophecy, of the testimony of Jesus (see Revelations 19:10), that their wisdom may guide their families, friends, and communities (p. 75)."
"All sisters are given spiritual gifts through the Holy Ghost which enable them to bless the lives of others and contribute to the edification of the Church (see D&C 46:11). Often we are unaware of the power of our gifts, because we do not understand the many ways in which these gifts manifest themselves (p. 76)."
"A lone woman could defeat the mightiest warrior. The theme of the weak defeating the mighty through the help of the Lord is repeated throughout the Old Testament. Jael's story teaches us that one need not be mighty to accomplish the Lord's work or to save her people. Many fought in the battle that day, but the Lord reserved the defeat of the general to a woman at home in her tent. Any woman may win the greatest victories in the spiritual battles against Satan, just as Jael triumphed over Israel's greatest enemy (p. 79)."
"In addition to her discerning spirit, Samson's mother exemplified one of the most treasured aspects of a mother--the desire to rear her children in a manner pleasing to the Lord. She and her husband asked the Lord to 'teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.' When the angel returned, they asked him, 'How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?' (Judges 13:8, 12). What wonderful questions! Many righteous women have petitioned the Lord in like manner. Samson's mother and father were asking this question even before their child was born. The Lord has instructed us, 'Bring up your child in light and truth' (D&C 93:40). If light and truth have not been taught in the early years, it is often too late (p. 82)."
"Unlike Delilah, a righteous woman seeks to know the heart of the man she loves in order to help and support him, not to manipulate and destroy him (p. 85)."
"All of us from time to time have felt like Hannah. She provides a beautiful example of what we can do when we find ourselves troubled with sorrow. In conjunction with her fasting, Hannah took her heart full of grief and poured it out at the feet of the Lord: I 'have poured out my soul before the Lord' (1 Samuel 1:15). There is great relief in openly sharing our sorrows. Hannah chose one of the best possible places to do this at the house of the Lord. Occasionally we hold back some of our grief, bitterness, sorrow, or complaint, because we don't want to appear ungrateful or to accuse or bother the Lord. In the midst of these thoughts, if we listen carefully, we may hear the voice of the spirit whisper, 'The Lord already knows what is in your heart. You do not need to try and conceal it. Lay it at his feet.' The Spirit will help us make the distinction between pouring out our souls to the Lord and murmuring or complaining to him (p. 92)."
"When we desire great blessings from the Lord, it is also appropriate to renew our vows of consecration to him. It is pleasing to the Lord when we acknowledge that we belong to him, and that all we possess is his (p. 94)."
"The eternal purpose of our existence is to become like our Father in Heaven and his Son. Life is designed to help us become like them--perfect. Which experiences best increase love, compassion, mercy, kindness, and patience? Which experiences best focus the need for justice? Suffering creates and enhances those and other needful characteristics. When others sin against us, we learn to forgive and show mercy. When we see others suffer, compassion, empathy, and love are born in our hearts (p. 102)."
"The prophet Alma taught that the controlling, or bridling, of passion fills one with love: 'See that ye bridle your passions, that ye may be filed with love' (Alma 38:12) (p. 114)."
"The portrait of this poor widow teaches us to put the Lord first in our lives and trust his promises. Fulfilling his commandments must be our priority, even when obedience demands sacrifice or tests faith. We must believe and practice the counsel the Lord gave on the day the Church was organized: 'Thou shalt give heed unto all [the prophet's] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, ...for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine down mouth, in all patience and faith' (D&C 21:4-5). It often takes patience and faith to follow the prophet. The widow of Zarephath reminds us to trust in the Lord's promises (p. 118)."
"The Lord in his goodness and mercy will from time to time renew our faith and silence our fears (p. 120)."
"The Lord often gives us more than we ask. The widow was concerned only with her payment to the creditor, but the Lord provided sufficient for her family to live on (p. 121)."
"Each of us is tested in different ways. I testify that if we live a life of faithfulness, a life of following the prophets in a world where few obey, and if we use what we have, the Lord will multiply it so that we will have sufficient and beyond (p. 122)."
"I am impressed with her words, 'I perceive that this is an holy man of God.' In a society where most could not perceive men of God, she could. Our society, like hers, fails to recognize 'holy men of God.' .... It takes the Spirit to recognize the Spirit in others. Her recognition of a man of God and her willingness to act on that knowledge produced great blessings in her life (p. 123)."
"I have at times received my desires from the Lord only to discover they did not bring the fulfillment I had anticipated. Other times I have been denied what I wanted only to discover the Lord had chosen a better path for me (p. 124)."
"When we look at the portrait of the Shunammite woman, we see one who served without expectation of reward. We are reminded that the Lord will grant us the blessings that will bring us the greatest growth and joy. We see one who perceives when men are holy, desires their company, and goes to them for help with faith and confidence. Hers is a portrait we shall not forget (p. 125)."
"There is a wisdom that teaches and a wisdom that desires to learn (p. 130)."
"We see the strength and loyalty that women often give one another in times of trial (p. 143)."
"Latter-day women often find themselves in a similar position. If they are to save the home, their families, and the foundations of society, they will find themselves increasingly believing and doing things that go against the customs and conventions of their day (p. 144)."
"The virtuous woman is compassionate and charitable (p. 149)."
"When it would be easy to accuse God or doubt his wisdom and love, let us recall the portrait of Job's wife and draw upon our last reserves of trust and faith to endure. Many women have carried tremendous burdens of sorrow and pain and yet continued to love, believe, and serve God when every sing of his presence seemed to have vanished. Their courage and patience witness that Satan's assertion that we love God only when things are going well is not true (p. 156)."
"Of all the images the Lord could have chosen to depict his Church in her glory, he chose this one. The dress itself symbolizes the righteousness of his Saints. The Lord's people, like a bride, desire to be beautiful for him. They array themselves in layer upon layer of righteousness. How wonderful it would be if every member of the Church felt toward the Savior the way a bride feels toward her bridegroom on the day they are united for eternity (p. 163)."
"Many women have a natural capacity to be as thrilled over their sisters' blessings as over their own. This is a godly quality--one we would all do well to emulate. It is a quality that destroys envy, jealousy, and pride. Such women also feel the pains of others as if they were their own (p. 171)."
"Mary not only magnified the Lord but rejoiced in him: 'My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior' (Luke 1:47). The purpose of our existence is to be happy. Some try to find happiness without God. Others find only secondary joy in the gospel. Mary rejoiced in the Lord and in his work. She rejoiced in her contribution to it. We can teach our children the joys our Father has prepared for those who love him both now and in eternity (p. 173)."
"When spiritual experiences took place in Mary's life, such as the visit of the shepherds or Jesus teaching in the temple, we read the words, 'Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart' (Luke 2:19, see also v. 51). Mary is a great example of the Lord's counsel to 'treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds' (D&C 43:34) (p. 174)."
"Countless Marys quietly and without attention--and too often without hearing expressions of gratitude--teach, guide, direct, comfort, weep with, and pray for their children, who then grow to live lives of service and dignity (p. 178)."
"It is one thing to be righteous when everything is going right. It is quite another to do so when the greatest desire of your life is denied, when your prayers are not answered even after years of pleading (p. 181)."
"What did Anna choose to do during her years of widowhood? Luke tells us she 'departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day' (Luke 2:37). Anna's life was a life of service (p. 184)."
"Anna did not keep her joy and gratitude to herself.... She fulfilled Peter's admonition to be 'ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear' (1 Peter 3:15) (p. 185)."
"Many of the women in the New Testament were widowed or unmarried. In an apostate world of unbelief and hostility, their mildness, love, and devotion served as a calm in the midst of the storm encircling Jesus. Their sacrifice and dedication inspire us all and set standards of true discipleship (p. 188)."
"Martha's home was a haven of peace for Jesus in a troubled world. He often visited to rest (p. 189)."
"The portraits of Mary and Martha remind us of the need for balance in our lives. We are invited both to serve and to search out the opportunities to rest at the Savior's feet. That may be difficult, but when we do take the time to rest and refresh ourselves at the Savior's feet, we find our spirits rejuvenated to serve (p. 191)."
"How long had she kept that alabaster box of ointment? It was a gift of great expense, and yet to Mary, I am sure, it was not sufficient to show her love for the Master. The very best she had to offer belonged to the Savior, and she poured out that offering willingly, grateful to show her devotion.... This virtuous woman of Bethany demonstrated what all disciples need to do. Willingly, gratefully, lovingly we must offer our very best (p. 194)."
"With what joy Mary must have run to give the news to the disciples. Her tears had been wiped away (p. 197)."
"When I was a new bishop, I was told to focus my efforts on the youth. Eager to do everything I could for the youth, I planned to put the best teachers in the ward in Young Men, Young Women, and youth Sunday School programs. When the Primary president was told that another one of her teachers was going to be taken from the Primary, she came to see me in my office. With deep emotion, she said, 'Bishop, little children are important, too!' The Spirit bore strong testimony to me of the truth of her words. I love that Primary president for the lesson she taught me (p. 204)."
"President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed the influence of this widow's life on his own: 'I keep on the credenza behind my desk a widow's mite that was given me in Jerusalem many years ago as a reminder, a constant reminder, of the sanctity of the funds with which we have to deal. They come from the widow…and they are to be used with care and discretion for the purposes of the Lord (p. 210).'"
"I cannot adequately express how much admiration I have for this woman of Canaan who refused to be offended either by Jesus' silence or by his words. She simply chose not to take offense. How many of us, if we had endured the Savior's silence or heard his reference to dogs, would have walked away, never to return (p. 212)?"
"There is no more beautiful picture than that of a penitent person doing what she can do to have the stains of her sins taken away. We feel her repentance (p. 216)."
"Neither birth nor position establishes us as citizens in the kingdom of God but rather humility, faith, and a willingness to declare and testify (p. 218)."
"Let us likewise constantly affirm the reality of the presence of living prophets who are among us in this dispensation, even when others doubt and even when others mock (p. 226)."
"The home of Priscilla and Aquila was a center of the Church, and meetings were held there. That would have necessitated some labor, especially on the part of Priscilla. Church members must have gravitated to them and received strength from their testimonies (p. 230)."
"The childlike faith of Abish strikes us deeply (p. 251)."
"Faith sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice. These Nephite women were willing to pay that price (p. 257)."
"One critical measure of a civilized people is its treatment of women and children (p. 265)."
"The comforting words in Emma's letter produced in her husband a spirit that invited the Lord to reveal to him some of the most loved and beautiful words in latter-day revelation. They were the catalyst for the comfort that only the Lord's spirit can bring. How often did Emma's influence give Joseph the calm he needed to receive inspiration (p. 277)?"
"'Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world...will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world (President Spencer W. Kimball, p. 285).’"
“When the virtuous woman delights in her husband and in others, she creates in them a confidence that helps them become all that the Lord desires. This delight brings out the best in those who receive it (p. 287).”
“All of us, men and women, owe a debt of gratitude to the Lord’s daughters…. I have seen God’s majesty and strength in great men I have known and studied. I have seen his purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen his heart (p. 292).”
February 2, 2019
I really want to re-name this book "Daughers of God: Mansplaining Scriptural Stories about Women". I finished it because I wanted to try and understand other perspectives than my own.
He generally did okay summarizing the scripture stories, but then his interpretation of the stories was written in this faux spiritual tone that made it easy for him to get away with saying very silly things. For instance: "The Lord has chosen, called, and sent modern Esthers who have come to earth for such a time as this. They have come to save the family, to save the principles of decency, righteousness, and honesty. They have come to save virtue, modesty, and respect." Esther underwent a twelve month beauty regimen. I'd hardly call that modest. Her marriage with the king is hardly one I'd use as an example of someone saving The Family(TM). Presumably the king chose her (as opposed to the many other beautiful virgins) as his queen because she was good at sex. This is not the first thing I think of when someone mentions the principles of decency, righteousness, and virtue.
Wilcox has no problem putting women on a pedestal. "The depths of depravity to which participants in secret combinations invariably sink is foreign to the nature of most women, who have no taste for such evil and rightly rebel against it."
This line put flames on my cheeks: "We have already seen portraits of women who learned to worship the God of their husbands." From the context in the following sentences, it's clear he meant women, like Ruth, who chose to worship the same god as their husband. But the first time I read the sentence it sure seemed like he meant the husbands were the god for the women. I can't discount the possibility that Wilcox thought he was being clever and intended it as a double entendre. Squick. Mormonism already has enough problems with that kind of thinking.
He generally did okay summarizing the scripture stories, but then his interpretation of the stories was written in this faux spiritual tone that made it easy for him to get away with saying very silly things. For instance: "The Lord has chosen, called, and sent modern Esthers who have come to earth for such a time as this. They have come to save the family, to save the principles of decency, righteousness, and honesty. They have come to save virtue, modesty, and respect." Esther underwent a twelve month beauty regimen. I'd hardly call that modest. Her marriage with the king is hardly one I'd use as an example of someone saving The Family(TM). Presumably the king chose her (as opposed to the many other beautiful virgins) as his queen because she was good at sex. This is not the first thing I think of when someone mentions the principles of decency, righteousness, and virtue.
Wilcox has no problem putting women on a pedestal. "The depths of depravity to which participants in secret combinations invariably sink is foreign to the nature of most women, who have no taste for such evil and rightly rebel against it."
This line put flames on my cheeks: "We have already seen portraits of women who learned to worship the God of their husbands." From the context in the following sentences, it's clear he meant women, like Ruth, who chose to worship the same god as their husband. But the first time I read the sentence it sure seemed like he meant the husbands were the god for the women. I can't discount the possibility that Wilcox thought he was being clever and intended it as a double entendre. Squick. Mormonism already has enough problems with that kind of thinking.
May 18, 2008
What a beautiful and insightful book. I loved reading this book. this book has sat on my shelves for years, waiting for me to discover the gold within its pages.
Michael Wilcox writes of the women in the scriptures. These women are the true heroines I would like to model my life after.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Spiritual things as well can be miraculously multiplied. When we feel unable to fulfill our callings or face our challenges, if we are willing to pour out what we do have, the Lord will give us sufficient for our needs and beyond" (story of woman and vessel of oil - Old Testament)
"The entire section about Mary Magdelene was so enlightening to me. Here is a small excerpt.
"Jesus has many titles. The one I love best is "I am. . . the beginning and the end." He is the end of crying. He is the end of death. He is the end of sorrow. He is the end of pain. He is the end of guilt. He is the end of tears. By contrast, he is the beginning of life. He is the beginning of happiness. He is the beginning of peace. He is the beginning of mercy and forgiveness. He is the beginning of tears of joy. There is such sweetness in the words, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." One day a wonderful sister pointed something out to me. "The Savior will wipe the tears away," she said, "He will not just hand us a tissue." Suddenly the image became much more intimate. Only my mother and my wife have ever actually wiped tears from my eyes, and I have wiped tears only from the eyes of my children and my wife. I would not presume to wipe the tears from the eyes of anyone else. It is a gesture of love and tenderness, a gesture of the Savior Himself."
Michael Wilcox writes of the women in the scriptures. These women are the true heroines I would like to model my life after.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Spiritual things as well can be miraculously multiplied. When we feel unable to fulfill our callings or face our challenges, if we are willing to pour out what we do have, the Lord will give us sufficient for our needs and beyond" (story of woman and vessel of oil - Old Testament)
"The entire section about Mary Magdelene was so enlightening to me. Here is a small excerpt.
"Jesus has many titles. The one I love best is "I am. . . the beginning and the end." He is the end of crying. He is the end of death. He is the end of sorrow. He is the end of pain. He is the end of guilt. He is the end of tears. By contrast, he is the beginning of life. He is the beginning of happiness. He is the beginning of peace. He is the beginning of mercy and forgiveness. He is the beginning of tears of joy. There is such sweetness in the words, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." One day a wonderful sister pointed something out to me. "The Savior will wipe the tears away," she said, "He will not just hand us a tissue." Suddenly the image became much more intimate. Only my mother and my wife have ever actually wiped tears from my eyes, and I have wiped tears only from the eyes of my children and my wife. I would not presume to wipe the tears from the eyes of anyone else. It is a gesture of love and tenderness, a gesture of the Savior Himself."
August 20, 2017
Just quickly because I have no time:
LOVED that it focused on women in the scriptures.
Loved that its target audience included men.
Enjoyed the breadth of women covered. Learned a few new things about a lot of them.
Appreciate a man took the time and made a sincere effort to write this.
But: A man wrote this. So at quite many parts I felt a bit talked down to. I'm sure it wasn't the author's intention, and I believe him when he expresses gratitude to all the many women in his life. Still, it did feel patronizing here and there.
While I enjoyed the breadth of women covered, I also felt the text lacked depth. The chapters on some of the greatest characters, Mary, Elisabeth, Esther, Ruth, etc, felt insufficient to me. I would have enjoyed hearing more of the historical context of the women covered and less anecdotes of women the author knows from his ward.
I thought he did a good job of bringing out of obscurity those lesser known women in the scriptures like Tamara etc. I think I enjoyed those chapters the most.
I think this book makes for a nice starting point for further study. I do wish it were less anecdotal and more analytical/theological in nature.
LOVED that it focused on women in the scriptures.
Loved that its target audience included men.
Enjoyed the breadth of women covered. Learned a few new things about a lot of them.
Appreciate a man took the time and made a sincere effort to write this.
But: A man wrote this. So at quite many parts I felt a bit talked down to. I'm sure it wasn't the author's intention, and I believe him when he expresses gratitude to all the many women in his life. Still, it did feel patronizing here and there.
While I enjoyed the breadth of women covered, I also felt the text lacked depth. The chapters on some of the greatest characters, Mary, Elisabeth, Esther, Ruth, etc, felt insufficient to me. I would have enjoyed hearing more of the historical context of the women covered and less anecdotes of women the author knows from his ward.
I thought he did a good job of bringing out of obscurity those lesser known women in the scriptures like Tamara etc. I think I enjoyed those chapters the most.
I think this book makes for a nice starting point for further study. I do wish it were less anecdotal and more analytical/theological in nature.
February 25, 2014
A friend of mine had purchased this book and enjoyed it. I was delighted when she loaned it to me, looking forward from learning from the examples of the amazing women in the scriptures. I was glad to see that there was more to it than just the standard women of scriptures about whom we know more, such as Esther or Ruth or Deborah. I was glad that the author included both the good and the bad experiences depicted in the scriptures, showing that women have the opportunity to bless or to damage lives and communities. It was good for me to take stock of my own behaviors and evaluate them for their impact on those around me. I was impressed by several of the examples and the author's explanations. I was somewhat disappointed in the chapter on Emma Smith. I had hoped to hear more about her. That being the case, the author did shed light on things I had not known or had not previously considered. Overall, this was an uplifting and insightful book.
July 13, 2017
Every Christian woman should have this on her bookshelf. Wilcox teaches about women like Priscilla and Rhoda that we've never heard of. The lessons we learn from these incredible women in the scriptures are profound and memorable. I can't wait to sit and read a story from this each night to my daughter.
May 21, 2010
It was ok, I don't really feel like it told me anything I couldn't have read in the scriptures.
July 25, 2019
I wanted to like this book so much, but I really didn't enjoy the execution. I didn't find Wilcox's analyses very compelling or deep, and I wished for more historical and cultural context about almost every story. There was one point when Wilcox was writing about Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and instead of taking the time to put this story into the proper context, he said something along the lines of "First and Second Kings present a very complex social and historical situation that is too convoluted to get into here." He might as well have said, "I didn't feel like doing any more research on this topic."
Also, about halfway through, I noticed that Wilcox was including at least one personal anecdote for every scriptural passage he analyzed. Not only did this take me away from the whole reason I picked up the book in the first place, but Wilcox didn't even go into much depth with any anecdote. We only got the absolute bare bones, glossed-over treatment for every trial he and everyone he loves dearly has every experienced. By the end of the book, I started skipping these passages, which came off as humble brags more than anything else.
Lastly, I felt that the metaphor of "portraits in a gallery" was forced and overdone. If this had been used in a 15-minute talk or sermon, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, Wilcox reminded us in every intro and conclusion of each section of the book that all of these scriptural accounts can be thought of as paintings or sketches in an art gallery. It just made for clunky and stilted writing. I guess I'll keep looking for a book that offers insight into the female figures of the Bible.
Also, about halfway through, I noticed that Wilcox was including at least one personal anecdote for every scriptural passage he analyzed. Not only did this take me away from the whole reason I picked up the book in the first place, but Wilcox didn't even go into much depth with any anecdote. We only got the absolute bare bones, glossed-over treatment for every trial he and everyone he loves dearly has every experienced. By the end of the book, I started skipping these passages, which came off as humble brags more than anything else.
Lastly, I felt that the metaphor of "portraits in a gallery" was forced and overdone. If this had been used in a 15-minute talk or sermon, I think it would have worked much better. Instead, Wilcox reminded us in every intro and conclusion of each section of the book that all of these scriptural accounts can be thought of as paintings or sketches in an art gallery. It just made for clunky and stilted writing. I guess I'll keep looking for a book that offers insight into the female figures of the Bible.
April 13, 2019
"I have seen God's majesty and strength in the great men I have known and studied. I have seen his purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen his heart."
Wilcox is very thorough in finding every woman in the scriptures, no matter how small, and discovering lessons we can glean from each (even the lessons of what not to do). Some women I was grateful to spend more time with and gain additional insight, and others it seemed like a stretch to find something. Some parts were very insightful and others dragged on. But overall, I appreciate a book that highlights the lives of all the strong, faithful women in scripture. I only wish we had more of their voices and insights.
Wilcox is very thorough in finding every woman in the scriptures, no matter how small, and discovering lessons we can glean from each (even the lessons of what not to do). Some women I was grateful to spend more time with and gain additional insight, and others it seemed like a stretch to find something. Some parts were very insightful and others dragged on. But overall, I appreciate a book that highlights the lives of all the strong, faithful women in scripture. I only wish we had more of their voices and insights.
July 26, 2017
Started out loving this, and by the end I still enjoyed it, but the writing was getting a little tedious. I appreciated that this covered every mention of women in the scriptures, whether a real person or an idea (like Proverbs 31). And I like that he included bad examples as well as good ones. There is something to be learned from every mention of women.
September 11, 2018
This is by far the best church book I have read in years!! The author was truly inspired to write a book about how all the women in the scriptures teach us about our lives today and can relate to every circumstance modern women go through. I want to buy several copies to give as gifts - SUCH an inspiring book!
July 30, 2024
I have read other books by this author that I loved, but this one didn’t give me the same feeling. Some of the author’s thoughts on the different women in the scriptures seemed plausible and felt like they gave me deeper insight. But other things he said made me mad or very uncomfortable.
September 11, 2020
I enjoyed the reading, though it isn't a sit down and read all at once sort of book. I recommend reading it in smaller increments... just a few minutes every day.
December 6, 2021
I will definitely refer back to this book in the future. I love that he takes the time to discuss each woman in the scriptures. I found his insights helpful and his writing intriguing.
March 23, 2017
This was not an easy read for me, but I wanted to finish the book. I was able to find bits and pieces in the book that stood out to me and gave me some spiritual thoughts and feelings.
February 9, 2016
"I have seen God's majesty and strength in great men I have known and studied. I have seen his purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen his heart."
This book has added a rich and deeply needed layer to my scriptural understanding. I've been reading it forever because I think it's best read slowly and deliberately. In Scriptural Portraits S. Michael Wilcox walks us through an imagined art museum, each wall filled with the images of women mentioned in the scriptures. Depending on the prominence of their story and the information we have, some women are depicted in large paintings fleshed out with great detail, while others occupy small, rough sketches. But each and every woman's story is highlighted. Names and events that I've never given much thought to have become powerful examples of gospel truths and vital life lessons. My copy is highlighted like crazy and I'll be revisiting it often to reabsorb the insights I've gained. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add another dimension to their knowledge of the scriptures and the immense importance and powerful influence women have.
This book has added a rich and deeply needed layer to my scriptural understanding. I've been reading it forever because I think it's best read slowly and deliberately. In Scriptural Portraits S. Michael Wilcox walks us through an imagined art museum, each wall filled with the images of women mentioned in the scriptures. Depending on the prominence of their story and the information we have, some women are depicted in large paintings fleshed out with great detail, while others occupy small, rough sketches. But each and every woman's story is highlighted. Names and events that I've never given much thought to have become powerful examples of gospel truths and vital life lessons. My copy is highlighted like crazy and I'll be revisiting it often to reabsorb the insights I've gained. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add another dimension to their knowledge of the scriptures and the immense importance and powerful influence women have.
September 18, 2008
Though a little long compared to our usual fare, this was a great choice for our Book Club: before reading it straight through, I skipped around and read about some of my favorite scripture heroines first, which really drew me into the author's concept and intentions for this book.
I found it to be insightful and thought-provoking in many ways. The image of a portrait gallery in a museum was a beautiful conceptual thread to tie the chapters together. I also appreciated that the author limited his references to scripture, prophets, and a few cultural insights from the ancient historian Josephus.
The writing was sometimes a bit repetitive, and I felt that I didn't always entirely agree with the author's commentary; but the very fact that so many new ideas were being presented actually made it a positive experience to ponder and consider whether I found his interpretations valid. I learned a lot from him - even if it wasn't exactly what he may have intended to teach.
I found it to be insightful and thought-provoking in many ways. The image of a portrait gallery in a museum was a beautiful conceptual thread to tie the chapters together. I also appreciated that the author limited his references to scripture, prophets, and a few cultural insights from the ancient historian Josephus.
The writing was sometimes a bit repetitive, and I felt that I didn't always entirely agree with the author's commentary; but the very fact that so many new ideas were being presented actually made it a positive experience to ponder and consider whether I found his interpretations valid. I learned a lot from him - even if it wasn't exactly what he may have intended to teach.
October 20, 2009
The author once visited the Louvre. He was pressed for time and dashed from room to room seeking out only the most famous works of art. He noticed many small, simple and even unfinished pieces. He wondered why they were even showcased in such a famous museum.
Years later, he returned with his wife (who knew much more about art). She taught him about the small, simple and less famous paintings. He realized that they were the most inspiring and beautiful. He regretted having missed them before.
Similarly, the scriptures have many references to women, but they are sometimes small, simple and less famous. Usually, we're so focused on Moses, Nephi and Alma, that we miss them.
I loved this book. He pointed out the beautiful and inspiring lessons taught by the lives of the women in the scriptures. A lot of it I think I could have figured out by myself, but I needed someone to show me how.
Years later, he returned with his wife (who knew much more about art). She taught him about the small, simple and less famous paintings. He realized that they were the most inspiring and beautiful. He regretted having missed them before.
Similarly, the scriptures have many references to women, but they are sometimes small, simple and less famous. Usually, we're so focused on Moses, Nephi and Alma, that we miss them.
I loved this book. He pointed out the beautiful and inspiring lessons taught by the lives of the women in the scriptures. A lot of it I think I could have figured out by myself, but I needed someone to show me how.
January 8, 2009
This was a great book about all the women in the scriptures (Old Testament, New Testament, BOM, & D&C). Michael Wilcox talke about each woman and what we can learn from them. The book is all about how important woman are and how we effect those around us for good or bad. I had a hard time being understanding of the women in the Old Testament and learning what he was trying to teach about them but I really enjoyed reading about the other woman.
I rated this a 3 because, I probably won't ever read it again and it's not a book that goes fast because you are so into it. But, it is definitely a book I am walking away from thinking, "I am a better person for reading it, I learned something, and it is one of those 'seek ye out of the best books'".
I rated this a 3 because, I probably won't ever read it again and it's not a book that goes fast because you are so into it. But, it is definitely a book I am walking away from thinking, "I am a better person for reading it, I learned something, and it is one of those 'seek ye out of the best books'".
October 12, 2007
I enjoy the speaking and writing style of Michael S. Wilcox. This particular book explores the woman of the scriptures...all the woman. The women whose names we know because of their amazing stories as well as the women who seem to play small parts, whose names we never even know. The author has a way of showing how those women impacted the lives around them. Also included are the stories of those women who were wicked and how their choices influenced those around them. An example of what not to do.
I have used this book for Young Women activities and Relief Society lessons and for my own personal study. There are women whose stories uplift and inspire me because the simplicity of their actions and lives seems within my own grasp.
I have used this book for Young Women activities and Relief Society lessons and for my own personal study. There are women whose stories uplift and inspire me because the simplicity of their actions and lives seems within my own grasp.
July 26, 2008
The style of writing was a little tedious, more like a text book and a little repetitive. Some of the assumptions might be a stretch, but gave something to consider. There are some very insightful ideas that made it worth reading, and I'll probably reread and review some of the "galleries." Especially enjoyed reading of the women who came in contact with Jesus when He was on the earth and who surrounded and cared for Him and were steadfast to the end. Also enjoyed the insight into the mothers of the 2000 Stripling Warriors, realizing what they had endured, and were stronger for it, that many of them were probably single since their husbands had been among those slain because of their covenant with the Lord. Worth reading!
February 28, 2011
I loved this book. It started with Adam and Eve and talked of their relationship and how each of us as women should be treated and then on to each of the women in the Old Testament then to the New Testament and to the Book of Mormon. It told of their good deeds and of their bad deeds. Whether they were good or bad and how we should treat each other. A lot of insight of how we should live our lives. It did not matter whether they were good people or not it still told of how they lived their life and how we should live ours. If it was a not so good kind of life they told you how to not live that kind of life and why. A good book to pattern your life after those who have lived and were an excellent example.
October 17, 2014
I was really looking forward to learning more about women in the scriptures and this was a great start! I didn't give it 5 stars because I was expecting more information rather than all of the anecdotes the author shared. But I fully understand there isn't a lot of information on some of these women! I appreciated all of his effort to be comprehensive. I thought he illustrated very well that choosing to be a righteous, or unrighteous, woman makes a difference in not only your life but all those around you.
April 29, 2008
Found this book half done in one of my drawers where it had sat who knows how many years. I found this book hard to read. I wish he would have put all the references eather on the bottom of the page or the end of the chapter. It made very choppy reading when you have to skip references sometime 3 or 4 in one paragraf!
I did enjoy his personal insights and experiances and all the less known women that were mentioned. Oh there is wonderful stuff in the more known female stories as well.
I did enjoy his personal insights and experiances and all the less known women that were mentioned. Oh there is wonderful stuff in the more known female stories as well.
December 15, 2008
Signed by the author at Time Out for Women 2008!
The book is actually a lot less substantive than I thought it would be. The author makes really lightweight observations about women from the scriptures, and his conclusions are not too enlightening. Still, each passage about each woman brings a reminder and a small new insight. It's just not as powerful as I expected and not his best work. A little disappointing.
The book is actually a lot less substantive than I thought it would be. The author makes really lightweight observations about women from the scriptures, and his conclusions are not too enlightening. Still, each passage about each woman brings a reminder and a small new insight. It's just not as powerful as I expected and not his best work. A little disappointing.
May 4, 2009
There are more women in the scriptures than I realized. And each has a story, even behind the few verses that illuminate them for us. Some of those sories we can read form those bits of scripture, and others we know nothing more than where she was from. But each woman has a lesson that can be learned from, and a life to be followed or shunned. My favorite is still the mothers of the Strippling Warriors. If only we could all be mothers like that!
December 20, 2010
I gained admiration for the women in the scriptures. Their faith and strength inspire me! Quote from the book: "We are created in the image of God, male and female. I have seen God's majesty and strength in the great men I have known and studied. I have seen his purity in the guileless innocence of little children. But it has been in women that I have seen His heart." I am thankful for S. Michael Wilcox and his willingness to share the things he has learned and studied.
December 16, 2011
One of my favorite books ever. I used this alot in my yw lessons. He is so good at making us see people in the scriptures as real people and see their lives and stories with new purpose and meaning. Helps me see what Heavenly Father wanted me to see when I was reading but flew over my head. Love this author I got to hear him give this book in talk form and it was one of the best evenings Ive ever sat through.
October 20, 2012
This is a book where every chapter focuses on one women from the scriptures. Wilcox treats each women with a great love and respect and brings them to life. I am fairly well read when it comes to the scriptures and there were many women in there that I hadn't heard of before so that made it even more interesting. It includes women from the bible, book of mormon and the modern restoration. It is a great book if you don't have a ton of time since you can sit and read a chapter easily
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