Seek This Jesus

by Neill Marriott

Neill Marriott was raised in the Deep South of the United States and grew up an active member of her Methodist congregation. As a young girl, Neill developed a strong faith and desire to seek Jesus, and a foundation for the rest of her life was set. When she was introduced to the Church in college, her religious paradigm started to shift. In Seek this Jesus, Neill Marriott shares her unique conversion story and how she learned to give her heart to Jesus, find strength in Him, and follow Him despite life's hardships. Told with her characteristic Southern charm, you can't help but feel as though you are settling down in an airy sitting room surrounded by magnolias and chatting with an old friend.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Inspirational, Church, Audiobook, Lds Non Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published September 25, 2017

Reviews

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the loveliest books I've ever read. I felt the warmest, sweetest spirit the whole time I was reading it. My love for the author, Neill Marriott I'm sure influenced my feelings. I feel such a kinship with her because of our Southern roots. She is a leader of Young Women in my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I've heard her speak many times in meetings broadcast on television. I have been captivated by her soft, feminine, Southern speech and manners from the first time I heard her speak a few years ago. She is an example of everything a woman should be, especially in the spirituality area. This book is just what the title proclaims: Seek This Jesus. Sister Marriott shares her story of how she as a twelve year old girl felt the power of Jesus in her life as a member of the Methodist faith when she was at a girls' camp for her church. She proceeds to lead us through her spiritual quest to find Jesus and her relationship to Him. It is a beautiful story. Her convictions are powerful and real. If you love Jesus Christ, you will relate to her journey and feel the sweetness of finding Him in your own life. I did. She also shares her feelings and lessons she's learned in some personal, intimate ways that touched my heart. This is a book to return to again and again to feel the power of Jesus' love and example. I am thankful she took the time to write and share her life with us.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so soothing and inviting about Neill Marriott's voice. I've loved every time I've had the chance to listen to her speak. She came and spoke at a regional conference where I live and her words and thoughts touched me deeply. Her stories of motherhood and trying to teach her children to live good lives. Her words of love and reverence for Jesus Christ and teaching her children to trust in and have faith in Christ. Her words and lessons of forgiveness. All her thoughts are just real and beautiful.

I listened to this audiobook and was so happy that she was the narrator of her own book. She is so fun to listen to. It's like you're sitting in the same room with her and she's telling you an experience she had. I will admit that I was in tears at one point during listening to this. I remember her sharing that story that brought me to tears at a conference and the Spirit that was there was beautiful. I cried then as well, feeling the sorrow and yet feeling the hope and peace that she spoke of as well.

As a mother of four daughters, ranging from teenagers down to elementary age, life has had some fun moments for sure. Ha! Hearing a mother of 11 children sharing a few of her own moments of ups and downs and how she continual was seeking for strength and guidance from the Lord was very endearing. Especially that some of her stories are so similar to my own and many, many other mothers everywhere. We're all in this together. We're all experiencing the same ups and downs, day to day struggles and we all can gain strength in our journey as we Seek Jesus Christ. As we seek His love and peace and strength, His comfort and healing.

Beautiful and one I highly recommend to everyone, not just mothers. One of my teenage daughters was with me while driving to pick up another daughter and we turned this on. We laughed together and cried together, we even looked at each other and smiled together. I jokingly said to her 'you're not enjoying this are you' and she instantly replied back with a big grin on her face, 'I love it mom'. I love those moments. Highly recommend for sure!

Content: Religious

I listened to the audiobook from Deseret Bookshelf

Happy Reading!!!

[Cathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, inspiring book, and it makes me love Neill Marriott even more than I already did! I appreciate her honesty about some of the struggles she's experienced in her life, as well as the story of her spiritual journey from her early childhood in the Methodist church in her small Louisiana town to her current life as member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love how she sprinkles this book with lyrics of some of her favorite Protestant hymns. It makes me wish that knew more of these great hymns! I could go on and on, but this book was just what I needed this week.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

(pssst! the audio book is read by Neill Marriott herself... it's amazing!)

I don't really know how to convey the message of this book better than the title. It is beautifully written and beautifully read (I think because those personal experiences mean more to herself than they would have to a stranger reading them). Just read it. Or listen to it. It's perfect for this time of year, too (Christmas).

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspirational and uplifting book. I appreciate Sister Marriott’s spiritual insights and experiences, and her humor and candor about herself and her family. Her writing style is warm, intelligent, and engaging. Her lifetime quest to come to know Jesus Christ is exemplary!

[Melynne (mels_booknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great religious book with good advice.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Sister Marriott is funny, relatable, and willing to show some imperfect parts of her life. I would like her as a friend! The book was uplifting and inspiring. I am better for having read it.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful little book! This was sort of a spiritual memoir, told in all the warmth that you know and love from Sister Marriott. Some of these stories are retold from her conference talks, and some are not -- I loved how they were all stitched together loosely through the themes of each chapter, making up the rich fabric of her experience. Inspiring story that reminds us to come unto Christ.

[Debbie Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet relating of how Marriott earned her testimony in Jesus. I feel that everyone in their lifetime should document how they came to know and understand Jesus in their own special way.

[Ashley Furness · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the title of this book is from my very favorite verse of scripture, Ether 12:41. Second of all, Neil Marriott is one of my favorite religious speakers, so I knew this book would just feel so good to read, especially with her sweet Southern accent reading the audiobook. But I underestimated just how good this would be. I love the depth of her conversion and I really gained a lot from her stories as she not only gave an example of how to apply principles, but also broke her examples down into actions and well through through processes. She is a great teacher of how to apply and live the gospel.

[Mariah Critchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point. Neill Marriott has recently become one of my favorite people after I heard her as a guest on a Thriving with 8 podcast episode from about a year ago. I was very excited to read her book and really enjoyed listening to her narrate the audiobook version.

Marriott comes across to me as someone who just very genuinely wants and needs Jesus. I loved hearing her examples of how she would turn to the Lord during difficult moments--especially during difficult parenting moments! She's someone I'd love to meet. Reading her book made me feel empowered.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a little book that I carried in my purse to read when I would be somewhere I needed to wait. As I read I found myself often thinking of my mother. This is really Neill Marriott’s own conversion story and testimony. I could hear her sweet southern drawl in my head as I read. With a mix of anecdotes both funny and heartbreaking along with real doctrinal substance, this was a good way for me to be reminded and fortified against my own personal struggles and doubt.

[Shannon Nicole Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Southerner myself, I feel especially connected to this endearing lady and sister in Christ, and her sweet and powerful testimony. There is absolutely nothing not to love about this thought-provoking and faith-promoting little beauty of a book.

[Kelsi Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sister Marriott!! Her talks were always so wonderful, and I loved her testimony of Christ. It was also inspiring to read about how as a mother she continually strived to teach the gospel and bead simple testimony of Christ every day.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet, quick read. I really loved the southern, Bible Belt perspective. The author’s Christian southern roots go deep. I love how personal Marriott gets in sharing a message so dear to her heart. She shares what is hard for her, what strengthens her, her journey to “seek this Jesus”.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is a beautiful testimony of the reality of the Savior's love and presence in our lives. Marriott was able to share many thoughts and feelings and experiences so similar to my own, yet unique to her. Lovely!

[Kristina Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook read by Sister Neill F. Marriott, the author herself, which was very neat. I loved being able to hear of her conversion story and what drew her to the gospel, as well as how she found more ways to incorporate the gospel into her everyday life. Quite inspiring. I would recommend it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It is a fantastic and quick read. Her conversion story is so inspiring! I love reading about converts to the LDS faith, since I grew up in the church. I love Sister Marriott and her testimony is so strong!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Neill is darling, and I thought her stories were helpful. Sometimes these books strike me as too lame to tolerate (because I'm such a nice person) but I truly enjoyed this one.

[MOLLY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I could hear Sister Marriott's southern voice in my head.


I loved reading about her conversion. I see similarities between her and my own Mother...a desire from a very young age to seek out the Lord.

Favorite story:

We have had challenges of all sizes in our family. When one of our children tearfully related that she didn't have any friends at recess, I was crushed. We talked; she was alone, left out, and sad. What could I do? The closest I could be to her during her lonely time at school was to draw near through prayer.

I learned the times when the recess bell rang for the children to go out to play. That was when she needed me, and that was when she would have me. Each day at 10:10 a.m. I dropped to my knees wherever I was in the house. The kitchen floor, the family room rug, the bathroom tiles, all became prayer places as I petition the Lord on behalf of my lonely daughter. For several weeks she continued to wander timidly around the playground. When the recess bell rang, I prayed.

Something good will come, I would tell myself.
Just keep at it.

I thought of Nephi's testimony to his brothers when they refused to return for the plates of brass, as they fumed that Laban was a mighty man who could kill them. As I confronted the recess problem, I reminded myself of Nephi's response to his brothers that the Lord is mightier than all the earth, then why not his 50, yay, or even then his tens of thousands? I took Nephi's words to the more personal application: The Lord is mightier than all the Earth, then why not mightier than loneliness on a school playground?

We needed His help.

Faith is a principle of action, and I believe this action has to be consistent, not spotty. Just as Lehi's family had to hold firmly to the iron rod because letting go meant a possible loss of guidance, I saw no good in a casual attitude about praying for the well-being of loved ones.

One happy afternoon this daughter, Caroline, bounced in the door from school with a darling, pigtailed, freckled face girl in tow. "Look, Mom!" She announced. "Liz asked me today at recess if she could be my friend." Never has an answered prayer looked so adorable. There she stood, grinning at me if she too had been connected to the spirit at 10:10 a.m. on the playground.

The Lord is mightier, I whispered to myself.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother of 11 children, she is a faithful woman who truly goes to Jesus Christ for help, healing, refuge and wisdom. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from her book.

“These mortal moments of active agency (crossroads) call for a parent to stand in the place of a heavenly parent and speak the guiding truths with simplicity and conviction”.

“If I could say only one thing to parents it might be: “Anchor yourself consistently to eternal truth and stand ready to share with a loved one at the crossroads”.

Christofferson
“In all events, A mother can exert an influence unequalled by any other person in any other relationship”.

“Mothers have power to generate courage in their children.”

“Our small acts of faith and service are how most of us can bring ourselves and our families to Jesus Christ”.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I've ever read by a Southern woman who is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this little book gave me hope, strengthened my faith, encouraged me to look to my ancestors and to the scriptures and words of living prophets and apostles.
Marriott tells of being raised to believe and honor God but of feeling that there was more than the good and faithful people who raised her could teach her. She writes of having intense spiritual experiences that led her to hunger and thirst after more truth and eventually led to her conversion to the Church and to the fullness of the Gospel. She doesn't skip places and times where her faith was sorely tested, including the loss of a child. Hope and faith in eternal principles and covenants carried her through.

Highly recommended.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I naturally loved this book because I grew up with her children and hung out in her home. I could picture the events she was talking about as I read. I love Neill's accent and could picture her voice as I read. This book is full of hope and inspiration in a world where we need it. It helped me realize how I could be a better spouse, a better mom and a better sibling. I love this quote from the book, "Whatever it was that was going to happen, I knew I had put myself in the Savior's hands, and it would work out. Perhaps it would be a struggle, but perhaps we needed that struggle, and we had the Lord to strengthen us and give us wisdom to manage, come what may. As I walked out of the temple that day, I was a different person from the one who had entered earlier. I know things would work out as they should, even though I didn't know what it would look like."

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with Neil! She’s a breathe of fresh, southern air. In Seek this Jesus, Neil tells her story of finding the Savior in her life. She shares how from a very young age she sought out learning how to become a disciple of Christ. Throughout the book she relates personal experiences and trials from early adolescence to adulthood, in her marriage and relationships with everyone around her. She talks of joy, loss, grief, financial struggles, parenting, motherhood, relationships and finding true and lasting happiness. I found myself laughing and crying as I listened to this audiobook. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as it is read by the author. Her southern charm is sweet and her voice tender and uplifting. This book is great for anyone who needs a reminder of through who we will find everlasting joy in this journey called life.

[Kevin R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the intended audience of this book is women, I found that the messages and principles taught in this book apply to anyone. As the title of the book suggests, her book is an invitation to seek Jesus Christ, and to seek Him in all aspects of life. She talks about her conversion and her lifelong quest to seek Jesus. She talks about seeking Jesus during times of depression and discouragement, as well as in the good times. With every principle, she has an experience from her own life that she shares. I quite enjoyed this book, and it has given me a lot to think about.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and inspiring book by Sister Neill Marriott, who served in the General Young Women's Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As she shares her testimony of Jesus Christ and how we should all seek Him in our lives, she offers her unique perspective of growing up in Louisiana and finding the church in her early twenties. As she shares insights and stories from her own life of seeking Jesus, she inspires others to find and follow Him as well.

I really loved listening to this book over the past few Sundays. Wonderfully uplifting and inspiring.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of Neill Marriott’s talks, so of course it would make sense that I would love a book written by her. She shares about her childhood, growing up in a strong Methodist family, and her spiritual journey. Per the usual secret Deseret Book code, some chapters have large snippets from previous conference talks, and also per code those sections are sandwiched with other family stories that make it interesting. I very much enjoyed her perspective and felt like her advice ended too soon.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was so good. It had simple truths combined with stories from Sister Marriott's life. I thought it was simple and concise yet profound and gave me things to think about and strive to apply as well as a desire to learn more in depth. It was uplifting yet there were real and imperfect and difficult moments discussed so you knew Sister Marriott has struggled and overcome just like we all do. I was inspired by this book and I'm glad I read it.

[Lisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I listened to the audio book and I think I loved it even more than reading it. I am glad it was read by the author, because her gentle, Southern voice made it so enjoyable. I enjoyed hearing stories of her upbringing, her conversion, and especially of raising her children. She had me laughing and crying and definitely inspired me to do a little more and be a little better. She has a beautiful testimony and she shares it in such a warm and inviting way.

[Eve Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book, and I promptly stuck it on a shelf. I found it in a box after recently moving and decided to sit down with it. It took very little time to read but has given me much to ponder. I was moved by the stories, and want to put into action the principals taught therein. I will certainly share this one with friends who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I've been craving the upliftment true edification gives, I indeed found it in this book!