Every Needful Thing edited by Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye and Kate Holbrook

 I picked this up at Deseret Book on a whim. I had read some biographical details of both of the editors and knew they were articulate disciple scholars. I loved that this volume was all women authors, because I've been lamenting for quite awhile now the low number of women speakers at General Conference. I didn't know what the essays would be like, but I knew they would enlighten and challenge me and uplift me more than my steady diet of fiction has done lately!

This past year I've noticed that I don't remember as much when I read at night as I used to. Maybe I fall semi-asleep before I stop reading? Whatever the reason, I usually had to start over the next night if I stopped in the middle of one of these essays. They were often heavy with philosophy or reflection that was challenging to absorb on a light read. I enjoyed the autobiographical elements of each woman's life, and they were each VERY different! Some were more engaging than others...

There are lawyers, scientists, artists, and all around deep thinkers in this collection. Their unique perspective was shared with rich examples from their various cultures around the world. It was heartening to read that such accomplished and noted women in the world are also faithful, practicing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And, they don't all claim to have it all figured out. I found that very real and refreshing. 

One of my favorite essays is by Marion Bishop, and is entitled "Becoming Mormon." She has Wyoming roots, she's an ER doctor, and she addresses specifically how she was, as a woman, able to draw on male role models in the scriptures. I liked that, and felt kind of sheepish about my assertion that I need to learn from female role models in General Conference, In fact I liked this essay so much that I sent it to Glen and Darla Whipple, and Glen agreed it was a good one. 

I want to reread some of these and see if I can retain a little more in the daylight. I am also thinking about lending it to my neighbor M. I think she would like it.