Mothers of the Prophets

by Leonard J. Arrington, Susan Arrington Madsen, Emily Madsen Jones

[From the front flap]

Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the prophet Joseph Smith, is a well-known and well-loved figure. We know how she hid the gold plates from thieves, wrote Joseph's history, and was fiercely loyal to her son as he helped restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation.

But what of the mothers of other latter-day prophets? What were they like? What stories do we know of their lives? Each of the 14 prophets and presidents of the church since Joseph Smith had a mother who taught and influenced him as much as Lucy Mack influence Joseph. Their stories are perhaps not as well known to us, but are just as powerful.

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[From the back flap]

In this newly revised edition of Mothers of the Prophets, you will get to know these remarkable women, who taught their children to love the gospel and love the Lord. You will be moved by their stories and touched by their faith.

Originally written by the father-daughter team of Leonard J. Arrington and Susan Arrington Madsen, this revised edition was recently updated by daughter and granddaughter Susan Arrington Madsen and Emily Madsen Jones. Expanded to include all the mothers of the latter-day prophets through President Gordon B. Hinckley, and enhanced with photographs throughout, this book is a must have for anyone interested in Church history or anyone who is curious about the power of a mother's influence.

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[From the back]

David McKay, father of the Prophet to David O. McKay, was telling his family about his mission to Scotland. As he described the fields of heather, the music of bagpipes, the imposing castles, and the thousands of sheep dotting the hillsides, one of his sons asked him if he had seen any miracles while on his mission. David's eyes immediately met those of his wife, Jeanette, and putting his arm around her and pulling her clothes, he replied, "Your mother is the greatest miracle I have ever seen on this earth."

Filled with such stories, Mothers of the Prophets is a book that will both inspire and delight. In these pages, you will come to know and love the mothers of the latter-day prophets. And your testimony will be strengthened as you see how the Lord sent each of his prophets to a home with a mother that would love, nurture, and teach him--helping to prepare him for his calling to leave the Church in this dispensation.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Religion, Lds, History, Inspirational, Biography Memoir

275 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

The first professionally trained official LDS Church Historian.

Reviews

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the quality content of this book. Many of these men were raised by tough women who were far from "complacent and docile."

However, after taking a history class and quite a few writing classes, I'm rather appalled by the amount of conjecture in a couple of chapters. So we don't know anything about Agnes Taylor. The best writing will admit that and move on to what we do know. Similarly, an editor who could streamline trains of thought would tighten up logic and storylines that jump around a bit.

The research was impressive. And many of the stories fascinating-- Read Mary Fielding Smith's chapter for a taste. But the technical areas could use a little changing. Presentation helps the case and I, personally, have found very little to be wrong with professionalism in scholarship.

[Francie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I expected more from this book than what I got. It was very dry -- I didn't get a picture of these women as real people really although it was interesting reading about their backgrounds and heritage. I'm sure they were all really amazing women and its unfortunate that I just didn't get any real feeling from this book - just interesting facts.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about each mother of the latter-day prophets from Joseph Smith to Gordon B. Hinckley. I learned a lot about Church history, the prophets, their families. It was interesting to see lives overlap, especially in the earliest days. The conversion stories are inspiring. There isn’t the same amount of information for each, but what there is paints a picture of faith. A few favorite quotes:

Lucy Mack Smith
"Joseph Sr continued to have dreams and visions that were impressive enough for him to relate them to Lucy and the family. Each of the dreams dwelt on the search for healing, for salvation, for beauty (p. 12)."

"Their lives were inextricably tied up with their prophet-son and with the tumultuous history of the infant Church of Jesus Christ that had been organized that day (p. 17)."

"'So you are the mother of that poor, foolish, silly boy, Joe Smith, who pretended to translate the Book of Mormon,' he mused. In writing of the experience later, Lucy says she shook her finger in his face, stoutly proclaimed the truth of Joseph's work, and prophesied that within three years the Latter-day Saints would have a third of his church, including the deacon. The minister laughed, but the prediction came true in two years (p. 19)."

"In Kirtland, the leaders of the Church began to erect a meetinghouse-schoolhouse. It was not finished before they had to go to Missouri in the spring of 1834… Impatient for the building's completion, Lucy told her husband that she would try to raise the means herself. Within two weeks she had raised sufficient funds and employed carpenters and cabinetmakers. The building was completed in time for use that fall (p. 20)."

"The Smith family gathered at the home frequently. On one occasion when all of the family were present, Joseph Sr. gave each of them a special blessing. Then he addressed Lucy… 'Mother, do you know that you are one of the most singular women in the world?... You have brought up my children for me by the fireside and, when I was gone, you comforted them.... Do not mourn, but try to be comforted. Your last days shall be your best days.' Shortly thereafter, in September 1840, he died… After the death of her husband, Lucy continued to bear her testimony, attend meetings, visit her children and grandchildren and nurse them when they were sick, and comfort and assist many who had suffered as the result of the exodus from Missouri.... In 1843 Lucy moved into the home of Joseph Jr. and Emma. Many visitors came to Nauvoo, the City Beautiful, desiring to meet not only the Prophet, but his mother as well (p. 22)."

"Lucy…had endured the deaths of her husband and five of her six sons who had lived to manhood… After she was able to quiet her feelings, Lucy decided that the most important contribution she could make to the memory of her husband and sons, as well as to the church they had been agents in establishing, would be to tell the complete story of her family and of the restoration of the gospel (p. 25)."

Abigail (Nabby) Howe Young
"Two events had occurred in Durham that had lasting effects on the family. The first was that Nabby came down with consumption...and eventually she would die when she was only fifty. The other event was the conversion of Nabby and John to Methodism (p. 33).

"Brigham...reported that the boys baked bread, milked the cows, and made butter. He spoke of fixing breakfast for the family, carrying his mother from the bed to the table and then to a chair in front of the fireplace, and then going out to work for the day. Upon his return he would prepare supper, carry his mother once more to the table, and after the meal back to her chair, and then tidy up things for the family's evening together at home (p. 36)."

"That she continued to function as a wife and mother, despite her inability to work and despite her wracking cough, increasingly emaciated frame, and bodily pain, suggests the magnitude of her courage. In a very real sense, she was heroic. Witnessing her struggle, the children also developed compassion, a quality they retained throughout their lives (p. 37)."

Agnes Taylor Taylor
“We have no direct evidence of the schooling of Agnes…. There is evidence that Agnes's parents were active in the local Church of England.... She believed devoutly in the teachings of Jesus, and she was brought up to be a moral and happy person (p. 45)."

"Once more...the welfare of Agnes and James and their family would be affected by an action of their son. John…had continued to preach Methodism in Canada, but he was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the doctrines… 'I often wondered...why the Christian religion was so changed from its primitive simplicity, and became convinced…that we ought to have Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists--inspired men--as in former days.'.... One day in 1836, Elder Parley P. Pratt…arrived in Toronto...and was introduced to John. John's response.... 'I wrote down eight of the first sermons that he preached, and compared them to the scriptures.... I...followed Br. Parley from place to place. At length being perfectly satisfied of the truth of Mormonism, I was baptized by him.... I have never doubted any principle of Mormonism since (p. 50).'"

"'Agnes was always of a buoyant, hopeful and cheerful turn of mind, and deeply religious withal. She took great delight in her religion.... She was remarkable for her sprightliness, energy and strict attention to business.... During her sickness she maintained her cheerfulness and equanimity. Death had no terrors for her, and his approach could not disturb her happiness. She knew in whom she had trusted (George Q. Cannon, p. 54).'"

Bulah Thompson Woodruff and Azubah Hart Woodruff
“Since Connecticut had an official religion (Congregationalism), religion and morality were prominent in the daily routine (p. 59)."

"The responsibility of a wife in those days was to follow the will of her husband, and this was no problem for Bulah, who was brought up to be polite and agreeable (p. 60)."

"Tragedy came to the Woodruff home on June 11, 1808, when Bulah died of spotted fever at the age of twenty-six.... At the time of Bulah's death, Wilford--the future prophet--was only fifteen months old (p. 60)."

"An intelligent, industrious, and religious woman, Azubah served well as a second wife and mother. She and Aphek had six children of their own (p. 61)."

"Azubah's responsibilities for caring for Wilford, Bulah's youngest child, were particularly important. Wilford seemed to be accident prone (p. 63)."

"Wilford left home when he was twenty.... While he was out in the fields one day, two Mormon missionaries came to the house.... Without waiting to eat supper, Wilford left to attend their meeting at the schoolhouse. Because of what he had been taught as a child--that the church of Christ was not on earth at the time but would one day be restored, and that what he had read in the Bible supported the doctrines that church would espouse--Wilford knew instantly that what the missionaries said was true. He was baptized on a cold, wintry day in December 1833.... As with his Puritan ancestors, once Wilford had been persuaded, he was totally converted. A valiant Latter-day Saint, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where the headquarters of the Church was located.... He...served as a proselyting missionary in Tennessee and Kentucky....and...to the Fox Islands in Maine. While on that mission he went to the home of his family in Farmington (Avon), Connecticut, and saw his parents for the first time in seven years.... A year later, in connection with another mission, he was back in Connecticut, and on July 1, 1838, he baptized his father, mother, and sister (p. 64)."

"On July 2, 1840, his mother, Bulah, appeared to him in a dream. She 'clasped me in her arms and kissed me three times and said the Lord Almighty bless thee forever and ever.' Two years later, he was able to arrange for her baptism by proxy (p. 67)."

Rosetta Leonora Pettibone Snow
"'A more kind, indulgent, and affectionate parent than her [my mother] no man ever had. She was good, and virtuous, benevolent, and charitable to all (Lorenzo Snow, p. 72).'"

"They freely invited preachers of any faith or religious persuasion into their home to share meals and religious conversation. Thus, the Snow children had ample opportunity to form acquaintances with persons of all religious persuasions. One of these visitors was...Sidney Rigdon, a 'reformed' Baptist preacher in nearby Kirtland (p. 80)."

"Prayerful investigation of Joseph's message and of the Christian gospel he preached during the next few weeks led Rosetta and her oldest daughter, Leonora, to be baptized.... They were followed within the next five years by Oliver, their daughter Eliza, and their son Lorenzo (p. 82)."

"After three years of labor, the temple was ready for dedication on March 27, 1836. Impressive indeed were the dedicatory ceremonies, attended by more than a thousand converts. Oliver and Rosetta were probably there although we have no direct evidence to be sure (p. 83)."

Mary Fielding Smith
"Mary...was brought up to be a trusting person, willing to 'depend upon the unseen hand of our Heavenly Father (p. 92).'"

"'Elder Pratt laid before us the ordinances of the Gospel, which were very plain, being perfectly in accordance with the scripture, being still more clearly expressed in the Book of Mormon.' On May 21, 1836, Joseph, Mary, and Mercy Fielding were baptized in a stream called Black Creek on Joseph's property, and the following spring they joined the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. The arrival of Mary and Mercy in Kirtland created quite a stir. Still single, they were both pretty, personable, well educated, and imparted an enthusiasm for the gospel that was contagious. Their entrance came at a time of dissent and division that was eroding the morale of many of the Kirtland Saints (p. 95)."

"'The Lord is willing that thou shouldest have a companion in life--a man after thy own heart--thy children shall be blest of the Lord (Mary Fielding Smith's patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr., p. 97).'"

"Jerusha had died after giving birth a few days earlier to a healthy daughter.... Joseph inquired of the Lord what should be done, and he was instructed that Hyrum should marry the English convert, Mary Fielding. On December 24, 1837, just three weeks after his sad return from Missouri, Hyrum married Mary in Kirtland. Hyrum later said, 'It was not because I had less love or regard for Jerusha that I married so soon, but it was for the sake of my children.' There were five children under the age of ten. As for Mary, she certainly would not have undertaken the task of becoming mother to Hyrum's children had she not believed it to be the express will of the Lord (p. 98)."

"On November 13, 1838, just a few days after Hyrum had been forced from home at gunpoint, Mary gave birth to a son. He was named Joseph F. (for Fielding) Smith, and one day he would become president of the Church.... Hyrum pleaded for Mary to bring little Joseph F. to visit him at the jail before they left (Liberty Jail was forty miles from Far West) (p. 100)."

"Mary inevitably had a public life that made her domestic life with her stepchildren even more difficult than it might have been if she could have given them her full attention... She was always positive, always full of faith and hope, but her frustrations occasionally came out, as when she signed and 1842 letter to Hyrum, who was on a tour of Church branches in the Northeast, 'Your faithful Companion and Friend but unhappy StepMother, M. Smith (p. 101).'"

"When they finally reached the edge of the Salt Lake Valley, on September 22, 1848, Mary, who by now was ahead of the captain, was elated--and thankful. She had brought Hyrum's and her own children to the Promised Valley (p. 105)."

"'Widow Smith, it's a shame that you should have to pay tithing.'.... My mother turned upon him and said, 'William [Thompson], you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing I should expect the Lord to withhold his blessings from me; I pay my tithing, not only because it is the law of God but because I expect a blessing by doing it (p. 106).'"

Rachel Ridgeway Ivins Grant
"'My mother was both father and mother to me, as father died when I was but nine days old. So near to the Lord would she get in her prayers that they were a wonderful inspiration to me from childhood to manhood (Heber J. Grant, p. 110).'"

"'I thought religion ought to make people happier and that was the kind of religion I was looking for (p. 114).'"

"Clearly, the gospel should work to expand spirits, not confine them (p. 116)."

"She was among the thousands who attended the meeting at which the Twelve Apostles were sustained to provide leadership for the Church.... Clearly, in her mind, Brigham Young was the divinely approved successor to Joseph Smith (p. 116)."

"Only twelve months and two days after her marriage, Rachel become a widow (p. 119)."

"She decided to try supporting herself and her son by custom sewing (p. 121)."

"Rachel was a supportive mother to her son. She encouraged him to play baseball and inspired him to do well in school; but, above all, she encouraged him to remain faithful and active in church and to respect the authorities of the Church. When Heber was a mere boy, Rachel predicted that he would one day be an apostle, and she wanted him to live worthy of it (p. 123)."

Sarah Farr Smith
"Sarah and John Henry Smith began their married life in humble circumstances, their first home being a log house with a mud roof in Provo… Sarah's cheerful disposition and frugal ways enabled the family to endure and accomplish much more through the years than they ever thought possible (p. 134)."

"An accident in the family brought evidence that Sarah had succeeded in training her children to rely on faith and prayer in time of need. While reaching for something on the top shelf of her kitchen cupboard...it came crashing down on top of her. Young George Albert…ran to her aid and found her unconscious… He was able to move the cupboard off his mother, but he couldn't revive her. Fearing that she was dead or dying, he prayed with all his might for the Lord to save her. In return, he pledged to devote his life to God's work. Sarah recovered, and George Albert never forgot his promise (p. 135)."

Jeanette Eveline Evans McKay
"Jeanette's willingness to sacrifice by having her husband gone for this length of time surely reflected her own personal gratitude for the two humble missionaries who knocked on the door of her parents' home in 1850 in southern Wales and changed their lives so enormously (p. 144)."

"The early Latter-day Saint settlers in Ogden considered the proper education of their children second in importance only to the worshipping of God. They erected schools almost as quickly as they built homes (p. 148)."

"Motherhood was a role that fit Jeanette perfectly. Together with her husband she created an atmosphere in her home of tenderness, patience, and love. Daily prayer was held with the children, and gospel principles were taught by word and example (p. 151)."

Julina Lambson Smith
"Julina entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the islands. She took lessons in Hawaiian, learned to say the blessing on the food in Hawaiian, attended native feasts, was active in the Lanikuli Relief Society, where only three of the forty women present were Caucasians, and went on excursions to scenic areas. She wrote regularly to her children and prayed that they would remain healthy... She also served as a midwife, delivering dozens of other mothers (p. 172)."

Louisa Emeline Bingham Lee
"'I have been blessed with...a grand and lovely mother, one who didn't display her affection, but showed her love in tangible ways that, as a child, I came early to recognize as true mother love (Harold B. Lee, p. 177).'"

Olive Woolley Kimball
"Olive's mother considered her calling to keep the bishop's home ready for callers at all hours, be they General Authorities or members of the ward seeking advice or assistance. History shows that she responded to her assignment cheerfully and effectively (p. 193)."

"Andrew developed a special love and admiration for the Indian peoples that remained with him for the rest of his life, and that inevitably influenced Olive and their children (p. 199)."

"Olive had been brought up to hate idleness, and this part of her character was passed on to her children. She also believed in plenty of schooling (p. 204)."

"Andrew and Olive were cultural, intellectual, and spiritual leaders of the Arizona Saints. They had a large library and were knowledgeable about the scriptures (p. 205)."

Sarah Sophia Dunkley Benson
“‘We had great spiritual moments in our home, many of them after Father left for his mission. In our prayers at night [Mother] would pray and pray and pray that Father would be successful, that he wouldn’t worry about home. She’d pray that our work might go well in the fields, that we’d be kind to each other… When your mother prayers with such fervor, night after night, you think twice before you do something to disappoint her (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 211).’”

Nellie Marie Rasmussen Hunter
“While Nellie’s exuberant people-loving personality made her the center of attention, Will’s markedly quiet manner made him more than happy to grant her all of the limelight. Will absolutely adored her (p. 229).”

“Despite Will’s good nature with regard to the rest of the family’s involvement with the Church, there were disagreements, particularly with respect to baptism. Will felt strongly that his children should not be baptized at the age of eight, but should wait until they could decide for themselves (p. 235).”

“Nellie also imparted to her son and daughter the elements of personal worship that would enable them to form a relationship with God (p. 235).”

Ada Bitner Hinckley
“The transition from life as a single woman and successful college teacher to that of a new wife with an instant family of six children in the home was, to say the least, a dramatic change. Bryant’s children from his first marriage…were greatly in need of a nurturing mother (p. 248).”

“Ada possessed a gentle, generally quiet disposition, but was also quick to laugh (p. 252).”

“Due to Bryant’s callings in the Church, the Hinckleys also had a continual stream of visitors and enjoyed a busy social life… Ada loved having visitors in her home and was the perfect hostess (p. 253).”

“Ada Bitner Hinckley died at fifty years of age…. Bryant’s arrival by train in Salt Lake City to greet his grief-stricken children was a scene that would always be remembered with soberness and reverence by the family (p. 257).”

“Even after her death, Ada’s influence would still be felt in years to come… Three years following her death, her oldest son, Gordon, was desperately saving his money in order to serve a proselyting mission for the Church. The enormity of the sum needed to do so seemed hopelessly out of reach... With humility and deep gratitude, it was discovered that Ada had set aside a small savings account with the money left over from her grocery purchases. She had designated the money to be used for her sons’ missions. Such sacrifice and foresight enabled this son, Gordon Bitner Hinckley, whom the Lord would later call as the fifteenth president of the Church, to serve a mission in the British Isles. The young elder’s service there would be the catalyst for spiritual experiences of profound importance in his life, which would forever commit him to the Lord and service in His Kingdom (p. 258).”

[Helynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love women's histories of all kinds, cultures, time periods, so I knew I would enjoy these sketches of mothers of the prophets from Lucy Mack Smith to Ada Bitner Hinckley. Actually, I loved these stories even more than I thought I would. There is so much dignity and joy in these women's lives. Even though none was a celebrity, scholar, artist, etc, each had a strong faith, unbending morals and a devotion to family that made her life extraordinary. The research that went in to finding out the details about each of these women's lives from her early childhood to her death is amazing. Lucy Mack Smith is probably the mother of a prophet who is best known because she played such an important part in the earliest days of the church. However, the others mothers have equally inspiring lives. I didn't know that Mary Fielding emigrated from England after she joined the church, then, at age 36 married Hyrum Smith just weeks after his wife died, and took in his five childen. Long before her own son Joseph F. Smith would become prophet, Mary endured the martyrdom of her husband and the long trek west during which she told a skeptical wagon team captain that she and the children would "beat him to the Salt Lake Valley." (They did). Jeannette Eveline Evan McKay was a beautiful woman who had just lost her two daughters from illness, had two small sons, David O. and Thomas E., and was expecting another baby when her husband was called to serve a mission in Scotland. The elder David refused to leave his family for such a long calling, but Jeannette spoke up quickly and said "Of course you will go! David O. and I will manange things quite nicely." (They did; and Scotland became a wonderful legacy for young David O. himself). And so these vibrant biographies with their various colorful vignettes go on--one admirable life after another. These sketches are a true treasure and a rich source of inspiration.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars. I enjoyed learning a little more about the mothers of the prophets. I liked the fact that the Arringtons didn't say specifically that a woman DID something if they didn't actually know she did. They said "she probably did" based on what were the customs for girls of the times.

There were a couple of times I got a little lost. They started out talking about the woman herself, then went to her parents or even grandparents, and I didn't always make the transition with them.

My biggest complaint with this book, as with another book I recently finished, is that the quotes weren't cited. At the end of each chapter was a list of sources, but I didn't know which source individual quotes came from. I expected more from Leonard Arrington -- he should have known better (and he should have trained his daughter better...)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't like those "mothering" books because they all say the same thing. I LOVED this book. It is just a small biography on each of the mothers of the latter-day prophets. Reading about their lives and the things they went through gave me a whole new outlook on my life and the way I'm raising my own children. Most of them had very busy husbands who were rarely home, missing years and years of their children's lives, and so were left to raise the children on their own. They were so grateful for everything and truly counted their blessings.

I highly recommend this book to any mother. Learning from the past and others' lives is so much more effective than advice books.

[Jennilynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the latest read for our Relief Society book club. The beginning of the book is a little on the "textbook" side, but it picks up in the middle. It's interesting to see how the lives of the mothers shaped their son's (and futute prophets) lives. My copy of the book ended with Pres. Benson; I know there is an updated version that has through Pres. Hinckley. I would recommend the updated because it has actual pictures--the older book just has one line drawing per chapter. An inspiring and uplifting book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. The only unfortunate thing is that it was written in the 80's and therefore only has up to President Benson. The authors agreed that each mother exhibited the qualities that social scientists have found to be correlated with raising high-achieving and successful children:
1-teaching children to be self-reliant at an early age.
2-insisting upon certain standards.
3-demonstrating a warmth and respect for the children.
4-encouraging them to be independent and creative.

Truly, these were remarkable mothers.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Very inspirational.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm being generous with three stars because the content is uplifting. I'm sorry to say that the writing is not terribly engaging, and there is no continuity. Lucy Mack Smith's history is basically just excerpts from Joseph Smith History. There was a lot of "she probably did this" and "we assume that". Their history seems whitewashed as well, although I cannot say so with authority. Also, of the 109 books I read this year, this is the one that got put aside the longest. I did finish it, though. Take that as you will! The women were clearly remarkable, and I was still glad to have had a consolidated place to read about them.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book told about each mother of LDS prophets from Joseph Smith's mother to Gordon B. Hinckley's mother. It was well-researched and I learned so much about the strength of these women, and these families. The hardships endured, the great faith through all of it. The prophets said such lovely things about their mothers, such tender comments. I thoroughly enjoyed MOTHERS OF THE PROPHETS.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly well-researched. Interesting to read. I enjoyed learning about the women who raised the prophets, though it did leave me feeling a little inadequate. Glad it finished with Gladys Monson, someone I felt I could relate to.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely stories! I greatly respect these women and am so grateful someone took the time to compile their biographies.
It needs to be updated to include President Monson's and President Nelson's mothers.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring book that lets us see the lives of the prophets' mothers from Joseph Smith to Ezra Taft Benson. It was remarkable to me that many of these woman raised their children often without the help of their husbands because the men were away on missions for the Church.

[Ranee · Rating 5 out of 5]

These ladies are true everyday heroes!

[Sharlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't read more than one chapter at a time, it got too confusing with 3 generations being talked about per chapter. And there were a lot of Smith's that I couldn't keep straight!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be cliche, but this book has changed my life and my perspective by making me think about who I want to be and become. An easy, interesting and inspiring read.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for personal reasons. I have always enjoyed reading memoirs/biographies and the like. This book is an abbreviated biography though the mothers eyes of each man who became a Prophet.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from reading this book.

Not only did I find new treasures about the environments of home and community where modern-day prophets were raised to become the men they were, but I also gained a perspective of what really matters as a mother.

Many of the mothers were quite talented in handiwork or gardening or in social organizing and valiantly served God by serving in the Relief Society. They amazed me with their accomplishments, even if, like Heber J. Grant's mother, it meant making due with very little as a widow by cooking and taking in boarders and yet finding a way to improve and save and entertain friends. Out of some of the hardest circumstances, these women found a way to shine.

So many of these women started out with certain hopes and dreams, and then either a spouse left on an extended mission far away leaving them to work hard and care for large families alone or the woman herself became ill or suffered an accident. Many lost children to illness or accident. Instead of demanding that all their wishes be redeemed immediately or denying God when they weren't, these women took the opportunities that came their way and made the best of them. They just didn't let anything hold them back and that is just plain amazing to me.

As a result of reading these women's stories, I feel more like looking for ways to grow and move forward, rather than giving in to self-pity when some things turn out differently than the way I would have them. It prompts me instead to seek to build the kingdom and take my place in it to fulfill whatever role comes my way. It makes me grateful for the gifts and blessings God had given to me today and helps me recognize the fortunate circumstances that I live in now. Electricity and running, clean water are enough!

Despite many hardships, disappointments and various struggles, the women who were successful mothers depended on God and did their best. I was inspired by the examples of the mothers represented, whether they lived in the 1700's or in the 1950's. I also noticed the theme that no matter what else they did, their families were of utmost importance to them.

As I finished this book, I felt like I was fortunate to have the chance to see into their lives and learn from them. I felt like I knew them better and was connected to them, in a circle of mothers. I hope to be like them as I grow as a woman and care for my own family and follow God's own plan for me.

[Jesse Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that has a great concept that fails somewhat in execution, not because of any fault of the writers but because history fails to provide the necessary information to make this book complete.

Some of the mothers of the prophets of the LDS church have extensive information recorded about their childhoods and married lives. Some of them have almost nothing. The mistake seems to me to be in the writer’s choice to try and make each woman’s story the same length when there is not the same information about each one.

This leads to chapters like the one about Lucy Mack Smith where there is extensive information about her childhood and teenage life as well as her life raising her large family. This chapter felt like it needed to be its own book. It was begging to be less summarized. Then it’s followed by chapters about the mothers of Brigham Young and John Taylor that are filled with statements about what she probably would have done during the day, what her life was probably like, where she probably lived. It’s nothing but page after page of probability statements until it sound like the entire chapter is nothing but a series of misplaced conjectures.

Each chapter starts with an anecdote about the prophet’s mother as an adult and then does a quick rewind to give a brief history of her parents. It moved forward from there in a mostly linear fashion. The information being presented is interesting during the chapters that actually have information in them (the other I think should have been cut down to a page or two instead of relying on guessing) but the opening sequence gets tiresome quickly.

In short, this is a good book, that will give a great appreciation for the trials and troubles that were entailed in raising families in the early parts of the United States’ history. It misses being a great book by repetitive narrative structure and rampant guessing in an attempt to keep chapter lengths equal where they really don’t need to be.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book showed the vast differences that the prophets have had in their childhoods. It was interesting to find all the differences and similarities in the women who raised them.

It was very uplifting to see how "normal" these women were. Not only were they extraordinary in some ways (which helped their sons become the men they needed to be), but they had their weaknesses too (just like the rest of us!).

What was most helpful was that this book showed how they did not let their struggles run their lives, but dealt with them as they came and did not dwell on it.

It was extremely uplifting and encouraging.

The only negative was that while talking about many of the earlier women, there were a lot of inferencing. There were many instances where the authors said, "it was likely that she did these kinds of activities" or "she may have gone to this school/church". It didn't add anything to know what "might" have happened. It was rather distracting. However, that only occurred with the first few women.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mothers of the prophets all seemed like happy, hard-working women who liked people (especially their children and husbands) and, of course, had strong testimonies of the restoration of Jesus’ Gospel and a willingness to sacrifice whatever needed to be sacrificed.

One story struck me especially.

Melissa Jane Bigler, who was the mother of Julina Lambson (who married Joseph F. Smith and was the mother of Joseph Fielding Smith), married Alfred Lambson.

In 1852, Alfred was called on a mission to the West Indies. He left Melissa in Salt Lake with a three- year-old and a one-year-old for two years. When he came home, he was home for two years and they had a baby son. Then he was assigned to serve as a blacksmith and mechanic for the wagons of pioneers in Florence, Nebraska.

He was there TEN years!

His little family stayed in Salt Lake City. As a sidenote, Julina, at seven years old, went to live at her aunt’s house and was raised there the whole time he was gone.

Makes it seem like a husband having a few meetings here and there isn’t much of a sacrifice.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, which in many ways was a good history of women's lives throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The amazing amount of hardships and difficulties these women lived through -- many lost children to death, they mostly lived in humble circumstances, and the sheer workload of a woman before indoor plumbing and other modern conveniences was impressive. It made me never want to complain about my life again. It wasn't the most well-written of books, and it tended to skip over some details that I was interested in, but that may have also been due to lack of historical record in some cases. I found it interesting that not all of the women were as faithful as their sons would later prove to be (Lorenzo Snow's mother came to mind) and many of them raised their children in less-than-ideal circumstances (several were single mothers after the death of their spouse; Howard W. Hunter's mother was married to a man of another faith).

[Christy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This waw an easy book to put down, I didn't enjoy as much as I hoped I would. I didn't like how it was written. Each woman's life was introduced with and event that happend after she was married and had young children. Then the narration of the event would stop and the story would go backward to her grandmother. Then it would catch up to the event the chapter started with and continue on.

If the authors didn't have enought information, they would say that this is how she probably lived and what she probably did. I'm not sure if I liked that. On one hand it's nice to have a general idea of what life was like then but on the other hand, if they weren't sure it happened to her then don't put it in.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the concept and the things I learned. It is so fun to see how people just doing what they do affect others. Parents of course have a huge influence on their kids (at least we hope so I guess) but it's fun to read about the lives of the prophets mothers independent of their children. However it left me wanting to know more. I wish it showed more connections as well, timelines (I'm not well versed in church history) or how/if they interacted with each other. So many of the prophets came from the same general time/place even if it was through second or third generations if you know what I mean. Thanks for letting me borrow it Nikie! I loved it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and I definitely appreciate my cozy life more after having read this. It does sound like they were ordinary women for the most part though, so I guess there's hope for all our kids! And for anyone in my immediate family (who are the only ones who will get the inside joke) I figured out who "Rrrachel Ivans" is. You know "thousands and thousands like Rachel Ivans". She's actually the mother of Heber J. Grant. Funnily enough, she did gather to Nauvoo with thousands of saints but did not go west with them to Utah, she returned to her non-member family in New Jersey and later went west and married and had Heber.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the most updated version of this book, which included Thomas S. Monson's mother. This book was such a great insight into church history, as many of the people intermarried with families of relatives, and it is interesting to see who is related to who. It's also interesting to see which woman you want to be the most like. (Ada Bitner Hinckley...)The best part is none of these women had children and said, "That's it. I'm going to raise the 7th President of the Church." They just did their best and had great results. I highly recommend this book for all members of the church. And anyone interested in Pioneers.

[Kris Irvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what I thought this was going to be, but it wasn't. Ha.

I guess I thought that it would go more in depth on the lives of the mothers during their raising-children years. I would have liked to hear about how they handled so many kids, instead of just vague statements "she was busy but she handled it well" etc. And it was also hard to relate it to my current position in life because the bulk of the parenting was happening like, 50+ years ago. Not helpful.

So, I'm glad I didn't buy this book. It was worth a read, and I did like hearing about the lives of the women, but it wasn't anything earth-shattering.

[Vonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars may be over rating this book, but reading about early saints inspires me to work harder and complain less. It is for this reason, I am rating this book with 5 stars. Reading about righteous pioneers that faced the death of children, suffered poverty, were persecuted always motivates me to work harder at being a better person. A quote by a speaker at church last Sunday mentioned that our trials today are not physical like those of early pioneers, but we have the same mandate to do our best, leave the world a better place, and stay on the path towards Eternal Life. This book is filled with noteworthy mothers to exemplify.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever! It was very inspiring. I loved reading about the humble beginnings, many hardships, and faith testing experiences these women faced throughout their lives. I even shed tears as I read of their deaths and the sadness their children experienced afterwards. In particular, the death Spencer W. Kimball's mother when he was 11 years old and how devastated he was to lose her. I loved the life sketches of each woman but I was most touched by the lives of Lucy Mack Smith, Mary Fielding Smith, Rachel Grant, Olive Woolley Kimball, Sarah Benson and Ada Bitner Hinckley. I think I will read this several more times over the years, it was that good.