Three Book Reviews
by Robert J. Matthews

Editors' note: So many good books; so little time. We've asked Robert J. Matthews, former Dean of Religious Studies at BYU to pick some of the recent doctrinal and historical books to review to help us in our book selections.

John and Kimberly Bytheway, What We Wish We'd Known When We Were Newlyweds. SLC, UT: Bookcraft, 2000. 127 pages plus index. $15.95.

This book is outstanding--a fast-moving, delightful, "how-to" book of practical advise; useful not only for newlyweds, but for the long-time weds, and those still planning for marriage. The authors get right to the subject: there is no preface, no introduction, no foreword. Ideas flow from every sentence; no unnecessary words.

The continuing and oft-repeated theme (summarized on page 126) is that we usually plan carefully for the wedding which is over in a day; but often couples do not plan as carefully for married life, which lasts a lot longer.

This theme is developed by a stream of on-going perceptions, catchy chapter titles and subheadings, unique format, with "action steps;" "John says;" "Kim says;" and recommended readings. Not preachy; just informative.

The title might at first be misleading (as it was with me). It could seem like an expression of regret (which it is not). No one can ever be totally prepared for marriage; but following these By-the-way suggestions would make most persons better prepared before marriage, and assist them in making necessary mental and perceptual adjustments during marriage.

Quotes from Church and professional authorities are short, direct and meaningful, like the brief comment from President Howard W. Hunter that everything Jesus lays a hand to lives, including marriage (page 109-110).

An excellent gift book, it is also something everyone ought to have for oneself. Any chapter is worth the price of the book. The cost is not an expense, it is an investment in ideas for a better life. (RJM)

Selected Writings of Daniel H. Ludlow. Gospel Scholar Series. Deseret Book Company, SLC, UT, 2000. 605 pages, including 26 pages of index.

As indicated in the title, this is a collection from Daniel H. Ludlow's written works on the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a book about the scriptures. One of its very useful features is the nine-page Scripture Reference Index beginning on page 579. This is so useful because Brother Ludlow explains so many scriptures. The book has 38 articles written over a period of much of the adult life of Dan Ludlow. It consists of five categories: Studying the Scriptures (193 pages); Jesus Christ and His Atonement (58 pages); The Plan of Progression and Eternal Life (146 pages); Prophets of God (53 pages); and The House of Israel (35 pages).

At least 15 articles have not been published before, or of very limited publication, which makes this a treasure. Dr. Ludlow's thinking and expression concerning the House of Israel (chapters 36, 37, 38) is intuitive, and represents his study and on-hand experience as a student, teacher and on-site tour director in the Holy Land. His broad coverage of almost every conceivable detail and category of Israel is informative.

Chapter 14, "The Greatest Week in History," about the Savior's last week in mortality, and his glorious resurrection, is outstanding in feeling, information, and inspiration.

Perhaps, however, Brother Ludlow's greatest single contribution is chapter 28, "The Final Frontier: The Spirit." This is one of the most definitive statements and explorations of the role, nature, characteristics, and future development of man's personal divine spirit that we have access to study. It deserves to be read, and read again.

Brother Daniel H. Ludlow has a wide range of interests, as can be seen by the substance of these 38 articles. Trained in debate and writing, his thoroughness and analytical preparation are obvious. This collection is a source book of gospel knowledge, testimony, expressions of faith in Jesus Christ, support of the living prophets, devotion to wife and family, all with a philosophical bent, and a sense of humor. Readers would do well to use the Scripture Index and the Subject Index often, to find ready and reliable information quickly. The collection is a fair representation of Dan Ludlow's writings, which is what it is intended to do. However, Dan's church and professional service is much more extensive. (RJM)

The Best of Women's Conference: Selected Talks from 25 Years of BYU Women's Conferences. Bookcraft, SLC, UT., 2000. 624 pages. $24.95.

This publication has a particular fascination about it; informative, soul-enriching, and delightfully interesting. It is not light reading, but never dull. Readers' alert: If you sit with it intending to read for 15 minutes, you will ultimately discover you have gone 30 or more. By definition it is an anthology. In reality it is an encyclopedia of practical, sometimes humorous, sometimes dolorous discussions of doctrinal principles, daily religious practices, and real-life experiences.

The collection consists of 56 essays delivered by 58 authors (51 women, 7 men). The table of contents reads like a Who's Who in LDS religious literature. The articles are arranged alphabetically according to the last name of each author, with no indication as to when each essay was presented. A brief biographical note appears on the bottom of the first page of each entry. A one-page Publisher's Preface orients the reader to the world-wide scope of the collection.

With most of the essays written by women, for women, there is warmth, emotion, and heart-stroking on almost every page. The following four examples illustrate this. 1. The beginning essay by Marilyn Arnold includes original poetry inspired by memories of her mother. 2. Norma B. Ashton tells of an interesting spontaneous dialogue between Presidents Spencer W. Kimball and Harold B. Lee about being one's best self. 3. The "Faithful Heritage of a Convert," by Carolyn J. Rasmus tells of interaction with students, and deserves several readings because of its spiritual flavor. 4. All the articles are excellent, but none surpasses the simple eloquence of "I Speak from My Heart . . . " by Julia Mauimbela, a black woman of South Africa, telling of her life and also her introduction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ from two young American elders in Soweto. Her own good soul, and the truth of God's work bridged the cultural gaps. She was a woman of almost uncanny intuition in fulfilling her desire to help people. This was no ordinary woman. (Note: Sister Mauimbela died 16 July 2000, in South Africa at age 82. The Church News, 12 August 2000, page 13, carries a life sketch.)

Throughout the entire work General Authorities are quoted; scripture is cited, and world literature invoked. Expect to be spiritually nourished and intellectually fed. The breadth of the subject matter may be surprising, as it speaks of women of the Church all over the world, including the western hemisphere, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Russia, India and Nepal, etc.

Because of the large size of this book and the amount of detailed material, the 18 page subject index is a welcome and necessary feature. The topic with most entries is "Jesus;" next is "Women;" third is "Temple."

This book will have an influence in the lives of those who read it. (RJM)

Click here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.

Books Archive