I have four daughters and, as a Mom, I am daily trying to think of ways to make them feel empowered and important and significant in a world that tells them they are not those things. They are constantly told through media and those around them that they are meant to be ornaments. That being pretty is the most valuable thing they have to contribute. Magazines stare back at them every time we go to a grocery store. Commercials and television shows come into our home that reinforce these incorrect principles of what it means to be a female and what's important.



As my oldest daughter turned 12 years old this past Sunday I was especially thoughtful as she entered the Young Women's program at church that our church is reinforcing those sacred principals that I want her to know. She is divine. She is powerful. She can change the world.



It has been a wonderful experience for me to begin reading a brand new book that inspires, enriches, and uplifts women of the church with the words of other LDS women, spoken with power, force, and purpose over the pulpit!



AT THE PUPLIT showcases the tradition of Latter-day Saint women's preaching and instruction by sharing 54 speeches given from 1831 to 2016, with selections from every decade since the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The discourses, given by women both well known and obscure, represent just some of the many contributions of women to Latter-day Saint thought. Each talk is prefaced with a biography of the speaker herself and then we get to read the profound words given by these sisters who have been called by God to lead within His church.



As I read through certain talk within this book I needed a highlighter at the ready! There are such impactful and amazing passages that speak to me as a woman in these Latter-days and also as a Mother raising girls.



I cannot recommend this book enough! It has easily taken a spot on my top 5 favorite LDS books of all time! It would be an amazing gift for LDS women of all ages.

After reading the words of these eloquent women, I felt empowered and grateful for their examples of courage, compassion, and faithfulness. In the first chapter, I was impressed with the leadership of Lucy Mack Smith (aka “Mother Smith,” mother of Joseph and Hyrum Smith).

In another chapter, Eliza R. Snow’s speech really struck a chord with me in regards to how church callings should work. Her beautifully chosen words and appropriate similes describe how callings should be handled not only in just olden days but now as well. Great lessons on forgiveness were conveyed in Jane Harper Neyman’s story and words and she encouraged all “to be forbearing and forgiving, refraining as much as possible from scrutinizing the conduct of our neighbors, remembering always that we are human and must therefore err.” This book contains a plethora of valuable information that has been overlooked and underappreciated over the years. Women from the past and present can strengthen each other by sharing thoughts and feelings. I for one am grateful that the Church Historian’s Press worked hard to gather this information and share it with the world.